Sabbath Afternoon - December 30, 2023

Scripture Reading for the Week:
1 Chronicles 16:7; Nehemiah 12:8; Psalms 25:1-5; Psalms 33:1-3; Romans 8:26-27; Psalms 82:8; Psalms 121:7. 


Thought for Meditation:
God Meets Us Where We Are.--"With the pure Thou wilt shew Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt shew Thyself froward"--that is, as God meets us where we are, so we are to meet men where they are. Let us not, by refusing to meet our fellow-men where they are, place ourselves outside the compass of God's love and mercy (MS 116, 1902).  {3BC 1143.5} 


Memory Text:

And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.  

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  {Luke 24:44, 45}


This week's SSLesson will describe how worship will be acceptable through the song of praises to God as it was recorded in the Book of Psalms. This includes the guidelines on how to read and understand the writers' point of view with prophetic insights.


Study Outline:

Sunday - January 1, 2024

The Psalms in Ancient Israel’s Worship - A Book of Hymns

1 Chronicles 16:7, Nehemiah 12:8, Psalm 18:1, Psalm 30:1, Psalm 92:1, Psalm 95:2, Psalm 105:2, Colossians 3:16, and James 5:13.


Monday - January 2, 2024

Meet the Psalmists - - The Authors and their Experiences

Psalm 25:1–5; Psalm 42:1; Psalm 75:1; Psalm 77:1; Psalm 84:1, 2; Psalm 88:1–3; and Psalm 89:1.


Tuesday - January 3, 2024

A Song for Every Season - Theme and Style

Psalm 3, Psalm 33:1–3, and Psalm 109:6–15.


Wednesday - January 4, 2024

Inspired Prayers - - A Book of Prayers

2 Samuel 23:1, 2 and Romans 8:26, 27.


Thursday - January 5, 2024

The World of the Psalms - - Its Protagonist: GOD

Psalm 16:8; Psalm 44:8; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 47:1, 7; Psalm 57:2; Psalm 62:8; Psalm 82:8; and Psalm 121:7.


Friday - January 6. 2024

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration


____________________________________________________________________________________________


Sunday - January 1, 2024

The Psalms in Ancient Israel’s Worship - A Book of Hymns

1 Chronicles 16:7, Nehemiah 12:8, Psalm 18:1, Psalm 30:1, Psalm 92:1, Psalm 95:2, Psalm 105:2, Colossians 3:16, and James 5:13.

“On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord” (1 Chronicles 16:7)


Determination Increases Will Power

As you confess before men and women your confidence in the Lord, additional strength is imparted to you. Determine to praise Him. With firm determination comes increased will power; and soon you will find that you cannot help praising Him [Psalm 18:3 quoted] (MS 116, 1902).  {3BC 1143.3} 


An Illustration of Mercy and Uprightness

The psalmist continues: "With the merciful Thou wilt shew Thyself merciful." Let us begin to put into practise the instruction given us in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, showing mercy to those who are afflicted. "With an upright man Thou wilt shew Thyself upright." God will reward men according to their uprightness (MS 116, 1902).  {3BC 1143.4}  


Sing a New Song Unto the Lord

To the chief Musician, A Psalm [and] Song of David. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.  {Ps. 65:1}

Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.  {Isa. 42:10}

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.  {Ps. 144:9)


Sing a New Song to the Lamb of God

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them." "I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." {RH, June 19, 1900 par. 16}  


Consider the Following

The name of the book derives from the Greek word Psalmoi (songs sung with musical accompaniment), mwhich is the title of the book in the Septuagint (LXX). In Hebrew, his man is Tehillim (praises).

The psalms were used as hymns to sing during the worship service in the Temple and in the synagogues.

Reference is made to instruments, melodies, and choir leaders in the superscription of several psalms (e.g., Ps. 9; 45; 88).

Some of them were used in special moments:

— In the moments of worship on Saturday (Ps. 92)

— During the pilgrimage of the annual festivals and new moons (the “ Egyptian hallel ” Ps. 113-118; and the “great hallel ” Ps. 136)

— In the morning worship of the synagogues (“ daily hallel ” Ps. 145-150)

The Christian church also adopted the book of Psalms as a worship hymnal (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19).


Monday - January 2, 2024

Meet the Psalmists - The Authors and their Experiences

Psalm 25:1–5; Psalm 42:1; Psalm 75:1; Psalm 77:1; Psalm 84:1, 2; Psalm 88:1–3; and Psalm 89:1.

“Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son” (superscribed from Psalm 3)


A Strong Man in a Storm

David was never more worthy of admiration than in his hour of adversity. Never was this cedar of God truly greater than when wrestling with the storm and tempest. He was a man of the keenest temperament, which might have been raised to the strongest feelings of resentment. He was cut to the quick with the imputation of unmerited wrong. Reproach, he tells us, had broken his heart. And it would not have been surprising if, stung to madness, he had given vent to his feelings of uncontrollable irritation, to bursts of vehement rage, and expressions of revenge. But there was nothing of this which would naturally be expected of a man with his stamp of character. With spirits broken and in tearful emotion, but without one expression of repining, he turns his back upon the scenes of his glory and also of his crime, and pursues his flight for his life (Letter 6, 1880).  {3BC 1146.2}


Our Souls Should Hunger for Heaven's Gifts

We are to come to God in faith, and pour out our supplications before Him, believing that He will work in our behalf, and in the behalf of those we are seeking to save. We are to devote more time to earnest prayer. With the trusting faith of a little child, we are to come to our heavenly Father, telling Him of all our needs. He is always ready to pardon and help. The supply of divine wisdom is inexhaustible, and the Lord encourages us to draw largely from it. The longing that we should have for spiritual blessings is described in the words, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." We need a deeper soul-hunger for the rich gifts that heaven has to bestow. We are to hunger and thirst after righteousness.  {3BC 1146.8} 

O that we might have a consuming desire to know God by an experimental knowledge, to come into the audience chamber of the Most High, reaching up the hand of faith, and casting our helpless souls upon the One mighty to save. His loving kindness is better than life (MS 38, 1905).  {3BC 1147.1} 


Song of Moses the Servant of God

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." The angel anthem that rang over the hills and plains of Bethlehem will never cease but will swell into full and complete harmony. The Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in his wings, and will shine forth in the splendor of his glory; then the voice of peace and good will to men will sound forth as the voice of many waters. "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Mrs. E. G. White. {YI, August 12, 1897 par. 6}  


David's Varying Mental Experience

The psalmist David in his experience had many changes of mind. At times, as he obtained views of God's will and ways, he was highly exalted. Then as he caught sight of the reverse of God's mercy and changeless love, everything seemed to be shrouded in a cloud of darkness. But through the darkness he obtained a view of the attributes of God, which gave him confidence and strengthened his faith. But when he meditated upon the difficulties and danger of life, they looked so forbidding that he thought himself abandoned by God because of his sins. He viewed his sin in such a strong light that he exclaimed, "Will the Lord cast off for ever? will he be favorable no more?"  {3BC 1149.2} 

But as he wept and prayed, he obtained a clearer view of the character and attributes of God, being educated by heavenly agencies, and he decided that his ideas of God's justice and severity were exaggerated. He rejected his impressions as being the result of his weakness, ignorance, and physical infirmities, and as dishonoring to God, and with renewed faith he exclaimed, "This is my infirmity; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High."  {3BC 1149.3}  

Most earnestly he studied the ways of God, expressed by Christ when enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, and given to Moses to be faithfully repeated to all Israel. He called to mind what God had wrought to secure for Himself a people to whom He could entrust sacred and vital truth for future ages. God wrought most wondrously to free more than a million people; and as David considered His pledges and promises to them, knowing they were for all who need them as much as for Israel, he appropriated them to himself, saying, "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doing."  {3BC 1149.4}  

His faith laid hold of God, and he was strengthened and encouraged; although he recognized God's ways as mysterious, yet he knew they were merciful and good; for this was His character as revealed to Moses: "The Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth."  {3BC 1149.5}  

As David appropriated these promises and privileges to himself he decided that he would no longer be hasty in judgment, becoming discouraged, and casting himself down in helpless despair. His soul took courage as he contemplated the general character of God as displayed in His teaching, His forbearance, His surpassing greatness and mercy, and he saw that the works and wonders of God are to have no confined application.  {3BC 1149.6}  

     But again David's experience changed [Psalm 73:2-5, 12, 17-23, 28 quoted] (MS 4, 1896).  {3BC 1149.7}


Men Must Not Dominate Others

Let those who occupy positions of trust rid themselves of the unmerciful spirit which so greatly offends God. Justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne. Let no one suppose that God has given to men the power of ruling their fellow-men. He will accept the service of no man who hurts and discourages Christ's heritage. Now is the time for every man to examine himself, to prove himself, that he may see whether he is in the faith. Investigate closely the motives which prompt you to action. We are engaged in the work of the Most High. Let us not weave into the web of our work one thread of selfishness. Let us rise to a higher plane in our daily experience. God will not serve with the sins of any man (MS 42, 1901). 


Consider the Following

Most of the psalms were written by David (2 Sam. 23:1). Other authors were:

Asaph and his sons (50, 73-83)

The sons of Korah (42, 44-47, 49, 84-85, 88)

Heman Ezrahite (88, as co-author)

Ethan Ezrahite (89)

Solomon (72, 127)

Moses (90)

Many of the psalms reveal the personal experience of their authors (very similar to ours):

Difficulties

Doubts and sufferings

Experiences of divine forgiveness

Joys

Devotion and gratitude to God for his faithfulness and love

Hope in god

Trust in divine promises

Testimony of redemption

Cry for salvation.


Tuesday - January 3, 2024

A Song for Every Season - Theme and Style

Psalm 3, Psalm 33:1–3, and Psalm 109:6–15.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1)


Five Theme and Styles of Psalms

1. Hymns These were more general in nature and were sung for many different types of worship services. ...

2. Lament/Complaint There were many times throughout the Psalms that the writers had a complaint. ...

3. Royal These were often presented in the presence of kings, and they would include prayers for the king or praises to the king. ...

4. Thanksgiving ...

5. Wisdom ...


To help you understand the different types of Psalms, lets first look at how they are grouped. The larger book of Psalms is grouped into five different smaller books:

Book 1 – Psalm 1-41

Book 2 – Psalm 42-72

Book 3 – Psalm 73-89

Book 4 – Psalm 90-106

Book 5 – Psalm 107–150


A Reservoir of Means

God spoke, and His words created His works in the natural world. God's creation is but a reservoir of means made ready for Him to employ instantly to do His pleasure (Letter 131, 1897).  {1BC 1081.1} 


The Lord is David's Shield and His Glory

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:3.

With the memory ever before him of his own transgression of the law of God, David seemed morally paralyzed; he was weak and irresolute, when before his sin he had been courageous and decided. His influence with the people had been weakened. And all this favored the designs of his unnatural son. . . .  {CC 181.2}  

While the king was more and more inclined to desire retirement and solitude, Absalom sedulously courted the popular favor. . . . Day by day this man of noble mien might be seen at the gate of the city, where a crowd of suppliants waited to present their wrongs for redress. Absalom mingled with them and listened to their grievances, expressing sympathy with their sufferings and regret at the inefficiency of the government.  {CC 181.3}  


God the Creator Through His Only WORDS

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." [Psalm 33:6, 9.] The Bible recognizes no long ages in which the earth was evolved from chaos. Of each successive day of creation, the sacred record declares that it consisted of the evening and the morning, like all other days that have followed. At the close of each day is given the result of the Creator's work. The statement is made at the close of the first week's record, "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created." [Genesis 2:4.] But this does not convey the idea that the days of creation were other than literal days. Each day was called a generation, because that in it God generated, or produced, some new portion of his work.  {CE 191.1} 


Consider the Following

Psalms encompasses a wide variety of themes that encompass the entire human experience and its relationship with God:

— Hymns that praise God as Creator, Sovereign and Judge

— Psalms of Thanksgiving for God's Abundant Blessings

— Lamentations begging God to free us from problems

— Wisdom psalms with practical guidelines for life

— Psalms of the king, which point to Christ as King and Liberator

— Historical psalms that review the past history of Israel and God's faithfulness to it

They are written in the form of poetry. Hebrew poetry differs from Western poetry. Some of their styles are:

— Parallelism : Combines words, phrases or thoughts symmetrically, repeating or contrasting an idea

(Psalm 8:3)

— Images : Use figurative language (Psalm 98:8)

— Merism : Expresses the whole through contrasting parts (Psalm 88:1)

— Word games : They use words with similar sounds to highlight a message. In Psalm 96:5 a play on

words is created between elohim (gods) and elilim (idols)



Wednesday - January 4, 2024

Inspired Prayers - A Book of Prayers

2 Samuel 23:1, 2 and Romans 8:26, 27.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness” (Psalm 143:1)


The Whole Range of Experience with Prayers

Great had been David's fall, but deep was his repentance, ardent was his love, and strong his faith. He had been forgiven much, and therefore he loved much (Luke 7:48).  {CC 187.3}  

The psalms of David pass through the whole range of experience, from the depths of conscious guilt and self-condemnation to the loftiest faith and the most exalted communing with God. His life record declares that sin can bring only shame and woe, but that God's love and mercy can reach to the deepest depths, that faith will lift up the repenting soul to share the adoption of the sons of God. Of all the assurances which His word contains, it is one of the strongest testimonies to the faithfulness, the justice, and the covenant mercy of God. . . . Glorious are the promises made to David and his house, promises that look forward to the eternal ages, and find their complete fulfillment in Christ.  {CC 187.4}  


A Personal Experience - The Communion with Nature and with God

Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 2 Samuel 23:1, 2.  {YRP 262.1}  

Who can measure the results of those years of toil and wandering among the lonely hills? The communion with nature and with God, the care of his flocks, the perils and deliverances, the griefs and joys, of his lowly lot, were not only to mold the character of David and to influence his future life, but through the psalms of Israel's sweet singer they were in all coming ages to kindle love and faith in the hearts of God's people, bringing them nearer to the ever-loving heart of Him in whom all His creatures live. {YRP 262.2}  

David, in the beauty and vigor of his young manhood, was preparing to take a high position with the noblest of the earth. His talents, as precious gifts from God, were employed to extol the glory of the divine Giver. His opportunities of contemplation and meditation served to enrich him with that wisdom and piety that made him beloved of God and angels. As he contemplated the perfections of his Creator, clearer conceptions of God opened before his soul. Obscure themes were illuminated, difficulties were made plain, perplexities were harmonized, and each ray of new light called forth fresh bursts of rapture, and sweeter anthems of devotion, to the glory of God and the Redeemer. {YRP 262.3}  


Consider the Following

The psalmists address God in prayer personally (Ps. 5:2).

In Psalms, God and man interact vividly. Through prayers and praises, man – under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – manifests his hope, fear, anger, sadness, and pain. Feelings that transcend the circumstances, religion, ethnicity, or gender of its readers. We can all identify, at one time or another, with the content of the psalms.

We can perceive in these prayers the direct action of the Spirit of God (2S. 23:1-2).

We also take a breath in the hope that God hears our prayer (Ps. 66:19)


Thursday - January 5, 2024

The World of the Psalms - Its Protagonist: GOD

Psalm 16:8; Psalm 44:8; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 47:1, 7; Psalm 57:2; Psalm 62:8; Psalm 82:8; and Psalm 121:7.

Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.  (Ps. 20:6)


God Comes Near to Supply All Needs

True happiness may be found in unselfishly striving to help those who need help. God helps the feeble, and strengthens those who have no strength. In the fields where the trials and the conflicts and poverty are the greatest, God's workmen must have increased protection. To those laboring in the heat of the conflict, God says, "The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand."  {3BC 1153.7} 

Our Lord adapts Himself to our special needs. He is a shade on our right hand. He walks close by our side, ready to supply all our necessities. He comes very near to those who are engaged in willing service for Him. He knows every one by name. O what assurances we have of the tender love of Christ (MS 51, 1903).  {3BC 1153.8} 


The Trees of Righteousness - the Planting of the Lord

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." The psalmist writes, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Though He is the restorer of fallen humanity, yet "He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. . . . The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion."  {FE 370.1}  


Consider the Following

As in the life of the psalmist, God must occupy a central place in our lives, and we know that we can count on Him for everything.

— He is always in our thoughts (Psalm 16:8)

— We glory in Him and praise Him all the time (Psalm 44:8)

— He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1)

— We shout with joy (Psalm 47:1)

— We cry out to Him seeking His favor (Psalm 57:2)

— We pour out our hearts before Him (Psalm 62:8)

— We claim his justice (Psalm 82:8)

— We know that He keeps us from evil (Psalm 121:7)

❖ Thanks to Psalms, we know that God hears us, even though we cannot see him, and answers our prayers at the right time (Ps. 3:4; 10:1; 20:5-6).

❖ God is in his Holy Temple, but he is also at my side (Ps. 11:4; 23:4). We can be confident and secure in his presence (Ps. 119:58).


Friday - January 6. 2024

Insights and Further Study

How precious are the lessons of this psalm. We might well devote study to the last four psalms of David. The words also of the prophet are very precious: "Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Because my people hath forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up." "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."--"Special Testimonies on Education," April 22, 1895.  {FE 371.1}  


Questions to Ponder


From the Pen of Inspiration

“The psalms of David pass through the whole range of experience, from the depths of conscious guilt and self-condemnation to the loftiest faith and the most exalted communing with God. His life record declares that sin can bring only shame and woe, but that God's love and mercy can reach to the deepest depths, that faith will lift up the repenting soul to share the adoption of the sons of God. Of all the assurances which His word contains, it is one of the strongest testimonies to the faithfulness, the justice, and the covenant mercy of God” E. G. W.  (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 745)

https://online.fliphtml5.com/nhmzi/thia/

https://3angelscry.org/pdf-ss-q1-l1-how-to-read-the-psalms/