Psalms 130-131

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Waiting in Patient Hope in the Lord

(Transcript not available - coming soon)

BACKGROUND NOTES




DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. A believer’s hurt should result in greater hope in the Lord.

  2. A believer’s humility should result in a greater hope in the Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Look up when you lie down.

  2. Don’t be too proud to say, “I don’t know.”

QUESTIONS

  1. What is a possible occasion for Psalm 130, if it was written by King Hezekiah?

  2. What is the answer to Psalm 130:3?

  3. What was David’s point in Psalm 131:1?

  4. Explain the picture of a weaned child in 131: 2.

  5. How does Matthew 18:3-4 relate to this psalm?

ANSWERS

  1. This could have been when Hezekiah was facing the depths of death (2 Kings 20). The Lord graciously answered Hezekiah’s prayer of supplication, delivered him, and added 15 years to his life.

  2. No one! So praise the Lord that God does not keep a detailed account of our sins and make us pay for them. He can forgive the believer’s sins – past, present, and future.

  3. His point is not that he avoided the challenges of life. His point is to renounce the sins of pride and presumption.

  4. The picture of a weaned child, rather than a nursing baby, conveys a maturing trust.

  5. This New Testament passage also speaks of a humble, growing, and maturing trust in the Lord like a child.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. When some believers hurt they become bitter and blame God. Yet we see in Psalm 130 that the psalmist’s hurt resulted in greater hope in the Lord. Think back to the last time you were deeply hurt. How did that event affect your faith?

  2. Has the Lord ever allowed something in your life that has “knocked you flat on your back”? Sometimes the Lord does this so we turn to Him. Look up when you lie down.

CHALLENGE

  1. What do you do when someone ask you a question in an area where you should know the answer, but don’t? What is you are asked your opinion on a topic unfamiliar to you? Don’t be too proud to say, “I don’t know.”

KEY VERSES

  • “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” Psalm 130:3

  • “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” Psalm 130:7

  • “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 131



Old Testament, Psalms, TalksDeb HarmsPsalms 130-131