How to Have a Joyful Heart, Lesson One Extension

At Home in Book Three of the Psalms
Lesson One Extension for online study
Cassie Tynan

Psalms Information
• The five books of Psalms were intentionally created to parallel the five books of Moses
• Each of the five books of the Psalms concludes with a doxology of praise
• There are 150 Psalms; about half were written by David, one-third are anonymous, Moses, Ethan and Heman each wrote one, Solomon wrote two, the remaining Psalms are attributed to the Sons of Korah (10 Psalms) and Asaph (12 Psalms), starting with Psalm 73 which we have been studying
• The five books were collected over approximately 500 years
• The Hebrew name for Psalms is Tehillim: Songs of Praise
• Psalms moves us from mourning to joy. Laments outweigh the songs of praise but the last seven Psalms are all hymns of praise calling the whole world to worship Him
• Psalms opens deliberately with a wisdom Psalm showing the blessings of walking with God and the judgment due to one who turns away
• Some Psalms were updated to make them more relevant to the current situation (see Psalm 51:18—this is a Psalm of David but the Israelites used it when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem)
• The Psalms were used in the public and private worship of devout Israelites, but mainly in the public worship
• The Psalms are always relevant because they are not historically specific and so are immediately applicable to new situations of blessing and curse

Taken from How to Read the Psalms, Ch 2, by Tremper Longman IIIand At Home in Book Three of the Psalms Leader’s Guide by Kristie Gant

D. Marty Lloyd-Jones, in ch.1of Spiritual Depression, writes, “The simplest description of the five books of Psalms is that they were the inspired prayer-and-praise book of Israel. They are revelations of truth, not abstractly, but in terms of human experience. The truth revealed is wrought into the emotions, desires, and sufferings of the people of God by the circumstances through which they pass.’ It is because that is such a true description of them that the Psalms have always proved to be a great source of solace and encouragement to God’s people throughout the centuries—both the children of Israel and the members of the Christian Church. Here we are able to watch noble souls struggling with their problems and with themselves. They talk to themselves and to their souls, baring their hearts, analyzing their problems, chiding and encouraging themselves. Sometimes they are elated, at other times depressed, but they are always honest with themselves. That is why they are of such real value to us if we also are honest with ourselves.”

“Mankind has always been more or less plagued by problems. In the Psalter these difficulties are taken into the presence of God. . .” H.C. Leopold, in Exposition of the Psalms
“The book of Psalms is God’s prescription for a complacent church, because through it he reveals how great, wonderful, magnificent, wise and utterly awe-inspiring He is.” Gaebeleine

Additional Study

Complete one or more of the following studies:

1. Print a copy of Psalm 73 in the version you are studying from (find it online at either Blue Letter Bible or Crosswalk, links are on blog) and write the following observations in the margin (or record in the spaces below):

a. what you discover about God

b. the truth about wicked man

c. the truth about those who belong to God

d. describe Asaph’s temporal/false vision of the wicked in vs. 4 – 12

2. Read Psalm 37; note additional insights, and compare to Psalm 73:

3. Read the following Scriptures which give further insight into Psalm 73 and write your observations in the spaces below:

Proverbs 3:31-35

Proverbs 23:17-18

Proverbs 24:19-20

Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Romans 1:18-32

4. Asaph was spiritually depressed. He almost slipped down the spiral of despair and turned away from God. Matthew Henry wrote, “Many a precious soul, that shall live forever, had once a very narrow turn for its life; almost and well-nigh ruined, but a step between it and fatal apostasy, and yet snatched as a brand out of the burning, which will forever magnify the riches of divine grace in the nations of those that are saved.” This seems to be what Asaph experienced.

a. Asaph described a series of thoughts that almost led him away from God:
Envy or covetousness, focus on what you cannot have or cannot do vs. 3
Focus on circumstances instead of God vs. 3
Lose sight of God’s sovereignty and goodness vs. 18-20, 1, 28
Complain and be ungrateful vs. 13-14
Forsake the Lord vs. 13-15

b. Describe a personal experience you have had with going down the spiral of despair. Think about how your thoughts progressed from one step to another.

5. Asaph was reminded of the truth when he went into God’s presence. He learned how to have a joyful heart in the midst of difficult circumstances. Look up the following Scriptures and write your observations:

a. Remember that God is Sovereign and good
Psalm 73:1, 18-22 Psalm 34:8 Daniel 4:34-37 James 1:17

b. Remember that you are always with God
Psalm 73:23 Hebrews 13:5-6 Deuteronomy 31:6

c. Remember that God gives wisdom and “right thinking” to all who ask in faith
Psalm 73:24 James 1:5 Philippians 4:4-8

d. Remember that the end of all our suffering is glory in God’s presence.
Psalm 73:24 Romans 8:18

e. Remember that there is none like God and that He is more desirable than all that is on earth.
Psalm 73:4 Philippians 3:8

f. Remember that you are but dust and your strength will fail. Do not trust in your own strength but instead remember that He is your strength and portion forever.
Psalm 73:28 Psalm 27:1 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Isaiah 40, the whole chapter, but especially 28-31

g. Remember that God will judge the wicked – leave vengeance with Him.
Psalms 73:27 Psalm 37 Romans 12:17-21

h. Draw near to God.
Psalm 73:28 Psalm 37:3-4 2 Chronicles 15:2 James 4:7-8

i. Trust in the Lord.
Psalm 73:28 Psalm 37:3-4 Proverbs 3:5-6

j. Tell of all His works.
Psalm 73:28 Psalm 145:

6. Have a thankful heart.
a. Being thankful is not specifically listed in Psalm 73, but is a requirement if we are going to tell of all His works! One of the most important things to meditate on is what Jesus did for us on the cross. It is good to remember that we are the worst of sinners, and that nothing anyone can do to us is worse than the sins we have committed against God. We ought to also remember that we don’t even deserve to be God’s servants, let alone His children. We really have nothing to complain about, even when life is hard.
All that said, when we are struggling and go to God for comfort, He draws us close to Him like a loving Father. Despite our unworthiness He loves us and gave His life for us. We are precious to Him and He does not despise us for our weaknesses. He remembers that we are but dust. He became like us and can fully sympathize with us. We have so much to be thankful for!

b. Read the following Scriptures and write a prayer of thanksgiving to God:
What Christ has done for us:
Matthew 18:21-35 Luke 17:1-10 Romans 5:1-11 Ephesians 2:1-10 I Timothy 1:12-15
————
Thankfulness:
Colossians 2:13-14 I Thessalonians 5:15-18 Philippians 2:14 Philippians 4:6 Colossians 2:6-7 Colossians 3:12-17 Colossians 4:2 Ephesians 5:1-4; 18-20

7. What does getting God’s perspective look like in real life? Can you think of a situation that tempts you to despair and think through how you might respond better next time? What are some truths that you can meditate on that directly relate to your situation? For example, the other night I was angry at my husband because he wasn’t doing what I thought he should be doing. I focused on this one thing and started complaining in my heart. I coveted a certain action on his part and was discontent. I lost sight of all that was good about my husband. I lacked trust in God’s sovereignty over the situation (1 Peter 3:1-6). I almost started verbally complaining and criticizing my husband. But then I remembered that God is Sovereign over my situation and that I should trust Him. I remembered that my husband is head over me, and I am not head over him. I am not the Holy Spirit in his life. I can pray for him and sometimes lovingly bring observations when my motives are not selfish. I listed all of God’s works in my husband’s life and focused on my husband’s strengths. I tried to think of something encouraging to say to my husband. In a few minutes my whole attitude toward my husband had changed for the better.

I think this also illustrates verse 15 of Psalm 73. Asaph could have told all of Israel of his doubts about God, but instead he put a guard over his mouth because he didn’t want to lead Israel astray. He prayed about his thoughts before He spoke, God changed his perspective and then he was able to tell of all God’s works. In my situation, I knew I had to do something about my attitude or it was going to spill out all over my husband and cause a lot of harm in our marriage. My husband wasn’t sinning—he just wasn’t meeting my expectations. I was the one having the sin problem. And even if he had been sinning, I am supposed to be a peacemaker and forgive him.

You are all in my prayers as we go through this study together. Cassie