Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Studying Psalm 71 (11 Mar)

Observation

Q1a. How many times did the word “righteousness” appear?
Ans: 5xs (v2, v15, v16, v19, v24)

Interpretation

Q2.What is the theme of this psalm?
Ans: Psalm 71 is rich with prayer and praise to a loving God Who has never forsaken one who has trusted in Him. The psalmist reveals God’s faithfulness in providing refuge, strength, protection, and security through life, from the womb, through infancy, childhood, early adulthood, middle age, and even old age. (Marilyn Hickey)

Q3.What is the key verse?
Ans: v19 “For your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You have done great things; O God who is like You?”

Q4. What is the context of the psalm?
Ans: Writer of Psalm 91 is anonymous. However, “the Septuagint superscription attributes Psalms 71 to the sons of Jonadab and those who were first carried captive. Jonadab was the son of Rechab, and he assisted Jehu, king of Israel, in the war against worshippers of Baal (II Kings 10-18-28). Jonadab founded a tribe known as the Rechabites, and they lived a strict, godly life as nomads (Jeremiah 35).

Application
Q5. What is the subject of the psalm?
Ans: How to trust God in times of challenges?

Q6. What are the complements?
Ans: a) Pray and call on the Lord. (v1-16)
b) Remember and proclaim past victories in God. (v17-21)
c) Praise and rejoice in the God of our salvation. (v22-24)

Citations: (Lay Ching's notes)
1.Marilyn Hickey, “Psalms: Classic Library Edition.” (page 182 and183)

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