Studying Psalm 59

Step
1 Observation

What are some of the key idea or word that has been repeated throughout the Psalm?
• Attacks from the enemies (v1-3)
• Injustice experienced (v4-5)
• How evil the wicked are (v6-7)

What does this tell you about the situation?
• It shows the urgent need for deliverance from the psalmist.

What is God’s response? Why does it tell us about God?
• Unmoved, laughed (v8)
• From God’s perspective, evil is self-destructive. God will see to it that the rule of oppression will end and that His own will be vindicated (v8, cf 2:4 & 37:13)

Is there any change of emotion in the psalm as you read on? If yes, which verse and what is the change?
• Yes, verse 9
• The psalmist sees that the Lord is stronger than His people, the Lord is the fortress. In the face of evil shown by the enemies, the Lord is the loving God by whose love His people thrive.

2 Interpretation

Background:

Psalm 59 was written by David and marks the night when King Saul sent soldiers to his house with orders to kill David when he came out in the morning. Fortunately, Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, was aware of the plot and helped David escape during the night. (Hickey, Psalms)

How are we to respond in the presence of the wicked when we are attacked?
• Cry to God and put your hope in Him. Don’t fall into dismay.
• Confident in God’s response. He is your fortress. Have you seen a fortress before?

What is the theme of the psalm?
• My God is my Champion! Wickedness will not succeed in attacking the people of God. God is able to deliver us from our enemies. He is our shield, providing protection for those who submit to His Lordship

3 Application

Are you under attack by some people around you? Physically or emotionally? Would you seek His assistance and believe that as you call on Him, He can intervene divinely? Do you have the faith to believe that He will make you champion too?


Source (Angela Tan's notes)
• Psalms Classic Library Edition by Marilyn Hickey
• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Volume 5
Frank E. Gaebelein – General Editor
Zondervan Publishing House

Studying Psalm 58

Step
1 Observation

What would be the usual responses when you are treated unfairly?
• Angry, unforgiveness, revengeful

Do you see a concern for justice in verse 1 and 2? Justify your answer.
• Yes
• The psalmist confronts the rulers with their lack of sensitivity to justice. The heart of the wicked judges devised injustice and their hands mete out violence.

How did the psalmist respond to injustice?
• Exposed the wicked (v3-5)
• Submit the concerns to the Lord (v6-9)

Pause and reflect, will we respond like that of the psalmist?
• We may not as we may want to handle injustice in our own ‘fairest’ way, the way we think the wicked deserves.
• We may not as we may have seen it as a total defeat right from the start, intimidated by the wicked who are like venom of a snake.

What does Psalm 58 tell you about God?
• God is a God of justice and He will judge the earth and reward the righteous (v11)

2 Interpretation

Key idea: Surely the righteous still are rewarded

V1-2 – concern for justice
V3-5 – the lies of the wicked
V6-8 – prayer for justice
V9 – expectation of justice
V10 – the joy of the righteous
V11 – affirmation of justice

What do you think is the key verse?
• Verse 11

The Psalm could have been written when David took over the throne of Israel. He faced realization of corruption in the administration of justice and the arrogance of those judges in the judicial system established by Saul.

When facing or experiencing injustice, what should our response be?
• Know that God is a God of justice. He judges the earth. (v11)
• Expect that justice will take place (v9)
• Live to receive the reward He has for the righteous (God’s people) (v11)
3 Application

Is someone treating you unfairly or accusing you of something you did not do? And try as you might, you cannot get them to see that you don’t deserve what they are dishing out? Don’t take revenge upon your antagonizers. Pray for them and await the reward from the God of justice who judges all the earth.

Source (Angela Tan's notes)
• Psalms Classic Library Edition by Marilyn Hickey
• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Volume 5
Frank E. Gaebelein – General Editor
Zondervan Publishing House

Studying Psalm 57

Observation

What was the circumstance David was in when he wrote this psalm?
• He was fleeing from Saul into the cave

What did he do in such difficult time?
• He asked the Lord for mercy
• He took refuge in the shadow of His wings
• He cried out to God Most High

What was God’s response?
• God sent His love and faithfulness

What can we learn from this psalm about God?
• God’s love is great, reaching to the heavens and will save us in time of trouble and He is faithful, his faithfulness reaches to the skies, rebuking those who pursue us (v3 & 10).

Interpretation

Key idea: The exaltation of Yahweh in the mist of alienation

V1-5 – lament and refrain
V6-11 – thanksgiving

What is the theme of the psalm?
• The psalmist exalted the God of mercy and truth above the dangerous situation and completely trusted his Lord to deliver him.

How should we respond when we are cornered in a situation not to our favour, worse, it is one that will endanger our lives?
• S.E.T. your heart on Him
• Be Steadfast! Keep your focus on Him. Know that He is a God who will fulfill His purpose for you.
• Exalt Him for who He is for the Lord is true to His word. Praise Him and sing of Him!
• Trust in His love and faithfulness! The magnitude of His love and faithfulness is something we can never comprehend fully. Trust that He will deliver you from the difficult situation.

Application

Is there an area in your life right now which you find it very challenging to manage? No matter where you turn, the avenue of escape evades you. Can you believe that the faithful God who loves you can intervene and make a way for you?

Source (Angela Tan's notes)
• Psalms Classic Library Edition by Marilyn Hickey
• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Volume 5
Frank E. Gaebelein – General Editor
Zondervan Publishing House

Studying Psalm 56

Step
1 Observation
What are some of the key ideas repeated throughout the Psalm?
• Men hotly pursue me
• They press their attack
• My slanderers pursue me all day long
• All day long they twist my words
• They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps

What situation was David in when the psalm was written?
• He was seized by the Philistines in Gath.

Is there repetition of words you observe? Locate them.
• In God, whose word I praise,
In God I trust; I will not be afraid,
What can mortal man do to me?
• Verses 4, verses 10-11

Why do you think there is a repetition?
• Emphasis to show that trust in God when under seizure

2 Interpretation
Key idea: Walking in darkness with God’s light

V1-2 – lament
V3-4 – trust in God
V5-9b – affliction and imprecation
V9c-11 – trust in God
V12-13 – thanksgiving

David, in his captivity, acted like a madman to save himself. More than that, he put his trust in the Lord, knowing that God is for him (v9) and will deliver him (v13). This is reflected in his composure and tranquility in the face of fear.

In times of adversity and sufferings, how then do we live our lives? Depend on our own strength and wisdom or truly put our trust in the Lord who surely delivers us? Live your life like that of David:
• Remember God’s promises (v3-4)
o In God, you do not need to be afraid
• Receive God’s acts of vindication (v8-9)
o If God is for you, who can be against you?
• Rest in thanksgiving to God (v12)
o You can walk before God in the light of life

3 Application
Are you going through difficult times? Is there a rough path which you wish it will end soon? Can you trust in Him and apply these principles so that even in such times, you still give thanks, knowing that He will deliver you?

Source (Angela Tan's notes)
• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Volume 5
Frank E. Gaebelein – General Editor
Zondervan Publishing House

Studying Psalm 54

>>Background

David is fleeing from Saul after the Ziphites, the inhibitants of Ziph, a town in the Judean hill country, informs Saul of David’s hiding place. Saul finally catches up with David on the same mountain, but just as Saul and his forces are closing in, a messenger informs Saul of the attack by the Philistines and Saul breaks off his pursuit of David to go meet the Philistines.

>>Observation
What are some common themes that you can pick out?

1. The psalmist is crying out in desperation, yet he seems very sure of God’s ability to help him. (vs1-2)
- Save me… by Your name
- Vindicate me… by Your power

2. Those that he considers his enemies, are those that have not set God before them.

3. There are 3 parts to the Psalm
a. The cry for help (vs1-3)
b. A celebration of trust (vs4-5)
c. The vow and thanksgiving (vs 6-7)

4. God will deliver us from ALL trouble. Not halfway, not partially, but TOTALLY.

>>Interpretation

The psalm begins with David’s plea to God. However, he is quick to celebrate the help that comes from God, instead of dwelling on the seriousness of his trouble. (vs4 – Behold God is my helper) It is a triumphant cry of God’s deliverance, maybe even before he is delivered. It is no wonder he is called a man after God’s heart. He does not doubt God, even in desperate situations. He knows God to be his helper, who will never fail to deliver him.

David ends the Psalm with a spirit of thanksgiving, pouring out from his grateful heart. He is able to give thanks willingly as he knows that God will surely deliver him completely.

>>Application

Subject:
How to experience God’s deliverance in times of trouble.

Complements:
1. Cry out to Him (vs1-3)
2. Proclaim his deliverance from all trouble (vs4-5)
3. Give thanks for his faithfulness (vs6-7)

Theme Verse:
Verse 7 “For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.

How many times have we seen the deliverance of God in our lives, yet we are stingy with giving unto Him? Determine today to have a heart that is willing to give unto God. Is there an area of your life that you find difficult to give up? Remember that God is more than deserving. We can give thanks to Him because He WILL deliver us from ALL trouble.

Resources (Joshua Teo's notes)
1. The New Century Bible Commentary (A. A. Anderson)
2. Treasury of David (Charles Spurgeon)
3. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible

Studying Psalm 53

>> Background

Pslam 53 is a parallel version of Psalm 14, but it is in NO WAYS, a duplicate copy. The fact that it is written again in a very similar way, shows the intention of the Psalmist to draw closer attention to the content of it. Each repetition is not in vain but a double emphasis for us to pay closer attention to. Scripture never repeats itself needlessly, there is good cause for the second writing of this Psalm. Let us read it with more profound attention than before.

This Psalm is a variation of Psalm 14. In each of these two Psalms the name of God occurs seven times. In Psalm 14, it is three times Elohim, and four times Jehovah; in the present Psalm it is seven times Elohim. Christopher Wordsworth, 1868.

The above quote from Christopher Wordsworth suggests that Psalm 14 and 53 were written for different audiences. Psalm 14 speaks about the enemies of God who are in great fear as God will deal to them the ultimate judgment. Psalm 53 however speaks more of God’s deliverance, rather than of His judgment. He is in the midst of His righteous people, scattering the bones of their enemies who plot against them.

>> Observation

What are some common themes that you can pick out?

Q.Who is the Psalmist referring to as the fool?
A. Those who say “There is no God”. These are people who have closed their mind to God and to all instruction. For them, there is no need to reckon with God in all any areas of their lives.

Q. What is the characteristics of such a man?
1. He is corrupt
2. His ways are vile
3. Not one of them does good.

Q. What is the condition of mankind in general as God looks down?

1. Everyone has turned away.
- The Amplified Bible translates this as gone back. In Psalm 14 the word used was turn aside which was bad enough. Here, it is described as gong in the opposite direction, which emphasizes that man is drawing even further away from God.

2. There is no one who does good

3. There is no one who seeks God.

Q. What is God’s judgment on these people?
1. God despises them
2. They will be overwhelmed with dread.


>> Interpretation

The Psalm can be divided into three parts.
Verses 1-3 are an account of universal godlessness.
Verses 4-6 asks a rethorical question expressing the ‘could not care less’ attitude of the wicked followed by God’s intervention
Verse 6 concludes with a prayerful wish, expressing hope for the restoration of the well-being of the people of God.

Hewbrew 2:1 calls us to “pay more careful attention to what he have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. A double emphasis on an entire Psalm about Godlessness in the world must surely be a warning from God to us, not to follow the ways of the world but to be seekers of God.

Practical atheism, the Lord assures, is not a position we should be comfortable to accept. It is the foolishness of man that leads them to think this way. And once they do so, they will be overwhelmed with dread instead of finding the answers they are searching for.


>> Application

Spend time building our relationship with God and let Him reveal His reality to us, lest we become fools and claim, “There is no God.” Will you be counted as one of those who did not understand God or one of those that seeks the Lord? Decide today to follow Christ wholeheartedly.


Resources (Joshua Teo's materials)
1. The New Century Bible Commentary (A. A. Anderson)
2. Treasury of David (Charles Spurgeon)
3. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible

Studying Psalm 52

Psalm 52 brought out a stark contrast for us to note:

For those who have deceitful tongues, believe in and speak falsehood rather than God's righteousness,
GOD 'breaks you down forever' (v5a) and 'uproot' (v5c) you.

But for the righteous who trusts in His lovingkindness forever and waits on His name,
GOD roots them like 'green olive trees in His house' (v8a) and grants them fruitfulness (green implies fruitfulness).

Would you rather be like the first or second picture below?

Studying Psalm 51

Historical background: 2 Samuel 11 (after God sent prophet Nathan to confront David about his adultery with Bathsheba and murdering of her husband Uriah)

1. Psalm 51 is a CONFESSION and REPENTANCE psalm
of David after Nathan's confrontation.

Quoted from Ps Yueh Ping: 'It is one thing to write our confessions down. It is another (bigger) thing to write them for the nation (Jerusalem) to see. Psalm 51 then becomes a model for the people (and us) in confessing their sins to God.'

2. David knew that God cannot tolerate sin,
and sin destroys the relationship between man and God. Thus he reinforced his cries for God to forgive him through
“Blot out” (v1),
“wash me” (v2,7),
“cleanse me” (v2,7).

3. What is (and is not) Godly repentance?

God is not interested in our remorse or guilt-feelings. Guilt does not come from God. He desires repentance which draws us back to Him.

Remorse is mostly just about feeling bad. It is a temporary feeling of being sorry. They are like one-off burnt offerings that God takes no delight in. (v16).

God desires a broken spirit and a contrite heart (v17). This reflects a true heart of repentance – one that is not depended on our own strength or ability to walk right before God, but a life of total dependence before God, a constant dying to self and a commitment to draw near to our heavenly Father.

And the only way to be restored back to the Father and have a new clean heart and steadfast spirit? Ask God to create that pure heart in us.


4. What does this Psalm tell us about God when we repent before Him?
He keeps no records of our wrong. (v9)
He purifies us (v10)
He restores to us the joy of our salvation and gives us a willing spirit to sustain us. (v12)

5. Does this Psalm apply to you since you are not like David, who committed murder and adultery?
Yes. Verse 5 talks about the universality of sin. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. How then can be live a life free from sin?

A broken spirit – live a life of total dependence on God.
A contrite heart (vs 17) – Ask God for a Godly sorrow. Hide the fear of God in our hearts.

These two conditions bring us back to an attitude of total reliance and dependence on Christ.


Application
Are there sins in your life that you need to confess before God? Bring them before God today. No sin is too small or too insignificant. Just like poison, a little is enough to contaminate and corrupt your life before the Lord. Ask the Lord to come and search your heart in the inner most parts and cry out to God to give you a broken spirit and a contrite heart so that you will always be open to the tutoring of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Resources (Base materials from Joshua Teo)
1. The New Century Bible Commentary (A. A. Anderson)
2. Treasury of David (Charles Spurgeon)
3. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible

17th February: Church Girls!

These are some of the photos of which we took last Sunday (17th feb) so I'm sharing it here, We all look marvelous! (especially Dina & her super pretty hairband)

Aigoo, (its a slang in korean) You all should just smile & take photos with Johnny (my DSLR camera) and not run away from the camera, that way we can have much more brilliant memories and than we can put it into a photo album & when we grow old/up we can look back on these days and sigh with happiness in our hearts at our fufilled life.

In anycase, this Sat-urday is global prayer meeting + cell so we can pray for someone out there who needs more help than us, and share how our fasting have been (the ups & downs of fasting).

Jesus lives in our blood, we must live for him & only him and dedicate the next 36 days of fasting to him, to put down aside our TV shows, internet gaming, phototaking and everything that's material and seperates us from Jesus!

Aja aja fighting jia you!











What are you girls fasting for? (your purpose, as in what are you abstaining from to grow closer with Jesus) I'm abstaining from TV, Games, Cooking, Food (only bread - i'm still in the process of eating only bread/crackers) and non worship Music aka music that isn't worship songs.

As the days go on, I will add on here & there and perhaps truly even abstain from everything and focuse on His word alone will suffice my soul and thirst for him, at the moment I'm still trying not to do so much Youtube (ugh, there's alot of brilliant things to watch on YouTube) and the internet.

Much Much love,
Nicolette

Studying Psalm 50

(Adapted from materials from a church brother. My personal add-ons in blue)

>>What is the Lord saying about our sacrifice to him? Is He impressed by them?
No, if the sacrifices that we make are merely empty demonstrations of religious practices, He is not impressed. What can we give to God that He does not already own?

Just a few verses (8-13) and i thought their revealed mighty truth about God has overturned many religions and so-called gods around us. Everything in the world belongs to Him; there is nothing we can ever 'give' back to Him!

A deception in the world's religions is like this:
I give you $5. You use my $5 to buy fruits for me.

BUT if the $5 did not come from you, you cannot call it a sacrifice on your part!

It's so funny when God says in verse 12a 'If I were hungry, I would not tell you'.

>>What then is the Lord requiring of us?
v.14a 'Sacrifice thank offerings (instead) to God'
Where does thanksgiving stem from? Our hearts!

That we offer to him our sacrifices not as if they are gifts to Him, but a demonstration of our heart of gratitude to Him. He is looking for a heart of love towards Him that remembers His divine goodness.


>>What does God say to those who continue to know His word even teach it, but do not live it out?
v.19 & 20 specifically pinpointed evil, deceitful, complaint, slander word from our mouths, speaking against others. Check our hearts where come out from our mouths.
He leaves them to themselves as He is a patient God. However, they are not to take His silence as an approval of their actions. God will ultimately judge them.


>>Subject: How do we offer authentic worship to God, even in times of need?

Complements:
1.More than sacrifices, offer Him a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. (vs 14)
2.More than knowing His word, live it out in obedience. (vs 16-17)

God’s promise to us?
He will save us and deliver us. (vs 15, 23)

CNY Steamboat Dinner & Celebrating MeiQi

Other than the steamy fun time boiling food in the hot pot, there were the

First highlight - Celebrating Meiqi's birthday!

The cutest cake handmade by Nicolette!

(The birthday card was also created by Dina!)






Goodness knows how many layers Meiqi had to unwrap

Second highlight - the BLACKOUT!

Why WHY??!!


Scared.
(Click to zoom in on their ultimate expressions)


Pretend only...


In the dark, a fish appeared out of Eunice's head.


We don't understand how they could still pose so prettily in the dark.

Third highlight - The effects of eating too much of steamboat

Celebrating Amanda, Dina & Diana!

Studying Psalm 33

Interpretation

God is a SOVEREIGN GOD

v.6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of His mouth.

v.9 For He spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.

Such power in the words of God!
Such an Almighty God we serve.

Application

Q: Are you praying to God for certain answers for your life?

>> Press on, knowing that when 'we call on Him, He will answer' (Psalm 17:6). And when He speaks, there will be breakthroughs!


Q: Do you depend on yourself and feel self-confident? Or are you God-confident?

Look at v. 16-19.
No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength;
a horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength, it cannot save (anyone).

BUT the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him,
on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,
to deliver them from death, and keep them alive in famine.

>> They tell us that “God does not save the self-confident. Rather, the Lord saves and preserves those who trust and hope in Him”.

>> What is your position when coming before God? Do you choose to submit to His Lordship and come humbly before Him in recognizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing?

Read the Psalm again and allow praises to arise within you in knowing that the Lord knows our every thought and give him the praises due to Him for it is fitting for us to praise the dependable and righteous God, who is sovereign and considers all of our works.


Source (from SL Tribe, ZhaoHua's materials)
“NKJV Bible – The Open Bible” (OB)
“Psalms – Classic Library Edition” by Marilyn Hickey (MH)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary – Old Testament” by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck; Cook Communications Ministries (BC)

Second Chance . Hillsongs

You called my name
Reached out Your hand
Restored my life
And I was redeemed
The moment You entered my life

Amazing grace
Christ gave that day
My life was changed
When from my shoulders
Fell the weight of my sin

So it’s with everything I am
I reach out for Your hand
The hope for change
The second chance I’ve gained

On You I throw my life
Casting all my fears aside
How could greater love than this
Ever possibly exist

Consume my thoughts
As I rest in You
I’m now in love
With a Saviour
Bearing the marks of His love

So I’ll wait upon You now
With my hands released to You
Where a little faith’s enough
To see mountains lift and move

And I’ll wait upon You now
Dedicated to Your will
To this love that will remain
A love that never fails