Palm/Passion Sunday, April 4, 2004 - Psalm 118:1-29
Open It
What kinds of experiences, concerns, or circumstances cause you to worry?
What do you usually feel like doing when you are under great stress?
Explore It
What call introduces the poem? (118:1-4)
What is the theme of this hymn of thanksgiving? (118:1-29)
On which main character trait of God does this psalm focus? (118:1-29)
What instructions did the psalm writer give to Israel? (118:2-4)
How is the psalm writer's situation described? (118:5, 10-12)
How did the psalm writer depend on the Lord in his time of need? (118:5-7, 10-13)
What is the focus of the psalm writer's song of thanksgiving? (118:5-21)
What advice did the psalm writer offer his listeners? (118:8-9)
How did the psalm writer respond to God's deliverance? (118:17, 19-21)
What had the Lord done for the psalm writer and Israel? (118:21-23, 27)
How did the Israelites respond to the psalm writer's song of praise? (118:22-27)
How did the psalm writer conclude this hymn? (118:28-29)
Get It
What can we learn from the psalm writer about how to deal with hardship and adversity?
What attitude should we have toward our own difficult circumstances?
What does a fearful attitude indicate about our relationship with the Lord?
In what way are Christians well equipped to handle the challenges of life?
What specific instructions does this psalm give to us?
Why is it better to "take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man"?
What challenges do you face in the near future?
How does this passage encourage you to handle the challenges you are facing?
How can we plan to respond to God's help and deliverance in our lives?
Apply It
What practical steps could you take this week to trust the Lord with your needs each day?
How could you resist the temptation to worry about your problems?
What offering of praise could you give to the Lord in anticipation of His help?
NOTES
Psalms 111-118 are called hallelujah psalms. Hallelujah means "praise the LORD" and expresses the uplifting and optimistic tone of these songs.
Psalms 115-118 were traditionally sung at the Passover meal, commemorating Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 11-12).
Psalm 118:8: Pilots put confidence in their planes. Commuters place confidence in trains, cars, or buses. Each day we must put our confidence in something or someone. If you are willing to trust a plane or car to get you to your destination, are you willing to trust God to guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination? Do you trust him more than any human being? How futile it is to trust anything or anyone more than God.
Psalm 118:22-23: Jesus referred to this verse when he spoke of being rejected by his own people (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17). Although he was rejected, Jesus is now the "capstone," the most important part of the church (Acts 4:11; Ephes. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The capstone is the center stone in the top of an arch, holding the whole arch together.
Psalm 118:24: There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way. But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God. And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise. When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice. God has given you this day to live and to serve him-be glad!
Psalm 118:27: The "horns of the altar" were the projections from the four corners of the altar.