Psalms 101-102

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Ethical Standards; The Sufferings and Glories of the Messiah

(Transcript not available - coming soon)

BACKGROUND NOTES




DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Christian leaders should maintain high ethical standards.

  2. The sufferings of the Messiah precede the glories of His kingdom.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Remember, great resolves are not a guarantee of great results.

  2. Let the doctrines of God's sovereignty and immutability comfort you.

QUESTIONS

  1. What was David's concern in Psalm 101?

  2. How can Psalm 101 be considered messianic?

  3. Give one of the many New Testament passages that call for high moral standards for church leaders today.

  4. Describe how the warning "Great resolves are not a guarantee of great results" came true in David's life.

  5. What is a "typical messianic psalm"?

  6. How does Psalm 102 speak of the Messiah?

ANSWERS

  1. That his kingdom be characterized by moral integrity and ethical standards of the highest quality. David wanted this applied to his own life as king as well as to his entire administration.

  2. This psalm is messianic because these moral and ethical standards will characterize the coming earthly kingdom of the greater David, our Lord Himself, and His coming millennial kingdom.

  3. 1 Timothy 3 gives requirements for New Testament church leaders.

  4. Within a few years of writing Psalm 101, David stole another man's wife, committed adultery, and murdered her husband. Great resolutions are good, but they must be carried out.

  5. A typical messianic psalm concerns the experiences of the psalmist, but is prophetic or typical of the coming Messiah.

  6. Verses 1-11 describe the intense pain that our Lord experienced on the cross. The rest of the chapter speaks of the glories of the Messiah that follow His sufferings.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. What are "high ethical standards"? Our culture today certainly does not value these standards, do we? If so, how would someone know that by viewing our life?

  2. Hebrews 12:2 says that our Lord endured the cross in view of the joy to come. How can you relate to this principle of enduring a difficulty to reap a joyful reward? When was the last time this occurred in your life?

CHALLENGE

  1. At the end of Psalm 102, the psalmist contrasts his own brief life with the eternal existence of God, who created and controls all things and does not change. Let the doctrines of God's sovereignty and immutability comfort you.

KEY VERSES

  • "I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes." Psalm 101:2-3

  • "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily." Psalm 102:1-2

  • "But You are the same, and Your years will have no end." Psalm 102:27

Psalms, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsPsalms 101-102