Q: How does the reference to sacrifices of righteousness” also connect back to “the v.1? A: It reflects the dual working of God’s righteousness in us which shapes the proper way we in turn approach and live for Him. Application: Biblical righteousness is visibly proven by one’s corresponding behavior both outwardly and inwardly. 6Many are saying, will show us [Read v.6-8] “Who any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance Note: The parallelism commonly found in Hebrew poetry is here connecting back to the upon us, O Lord! various verses and topics touched on to this point as a final kind of summary. 7You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new Q: Although in Western literature we usually begin our writing by stating the subject wine abound. at the beginning, what does v.6 reveal to us as the main question David is addressing? 8In peace I will both lie down and A: It’s actually a worldly consideration, will show us any good?” which is “Who sleep, simultaneously directed at both God and man. For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. Q: Does David treat this as a sincere question? How does the way he handle it show why it is not stated until near the end of the Psalm? A: David treats it as a rhetorical question, and therefore can place it near the end because he already knows, and has provided, the answer. Q: How does the of Your countenance” work something greater in the biblically “light righteous person’s life than the of men”? “sons A: In the righteous, have put gladness in my heart”—that is, all the “You benefits are spiritual. The fact that the of men” are glad with the “sons temporary things of this life—“their grain and new wine”, alludes to temporal and at best seasonal satisfaction. Q: What is the dual reward for the biblically righteous? A: Not just literal, physical peace as in, will lie down and sleep”, but even “I greater spiritual peace dwell in safety”. “to Application: Whether by day or night, whether in the course of sleep or awake and living, the biblically righteous experience God’s peace in spite of all that is taking place in the world and by the world.
Q: How does the reference to “the sacrifices of righteousness” also connect back to v.1? A: It reflects the dual working of God’s righteousness in us which shapes the proper way we in turn approach and live for Him. Application: Biblical righteousness is visibly proven by one’s corresponding behavior both outwardly and inwardly. 6Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord! 7You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. 8In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. [Read v.6-8] Note: The parallelism commonly found in Hebrew poetry is here connecting back to the various verses and topics touched on to this point as a final kind of summary. Q: Although in Western literature we usually begin our writing by stating the subject at the beginning, what does v.6 reveal to us as the main question David is addressing? A: It’s actually a worldly consideration, “Who will show us any good?” which is simultaneously directed at both God and man. Q: Does David treat this as a sincere question? How does the way he handle it show why it is not stated until near the end of the Psalm? A: David treats it as a rhetorical question, and therefore can place it near the end because he already knows, and has provided, the answer. Q: How does the “light of Your countenance” work something greater in the biblically righteous person’s life than the “sons of men”? A: In the righteous, “You have put gladness in my heart”—that is, all the benefits are spiritual. The fact that the “sons of men” are glad with the temporary things of this life—“their grain and new wine”, alludes to temporal and at best seasonal satisfaction. Q: What is the dual reward for the biblically righteous? A: Not just literal, physical peace as in, “I will lie down and sleep”, but even greater spiritual peace “to dwell in safety”. Application: Whether by day or night, whether in the course of sleep or awake and living, the biblically righteous experience God’s peace in spite of all that is taking place in the world and by the world.
19_Psalm_004_Study_Notes.docx