Lecture Notes: Psalms - Trust and Lament

Introduction

• Host: Tara Lee Cobble
• Focus: Psalms related to David's life as a refugee and fugitive
• Themes: Lament, trust, praise, and confidence in God

Psalm 7

• Type: Lament
• Context: David, a refugee, declares God as his refuge
• Key Themes:
  • Innocence and justice: David parallels himself to Job, stating his innocence.
  • Justice: Invites God to punish his enemies if they are guilty.
  • Covenant References: God's covenant involves sin and repentance.
  • Restoration: Asks God to turn wickedness back onto the wicked.

Psalm 27

• Type: Lament and confidence
• Descriptions of God:
  • Light
  • Salvation
  • Stronghold
• Key Themes:
  • Desire for God’s presence over physical safety.
  • Tent of meeting: Symbolizes desire for closeness with God.
  • Recounts God’s past relationship with Israel for reassurance.
  • Future Hope: Belief in seeing God's goodness in life.
  • Affirmation: Encourages self to be strong, courageous, and patient.

Psalm 31

• Type: Lament
• Structure: Praise, complaints, requests, and praise again.
• Descriptions of God:
  • Stronghold
  • Rock of refuge
• Imagery: Possibly written in Masada.
• Themes:
  • Trust in God despite feeling cut off.
  • Strength fails due to iniquity: Possible reference to guilt over lying to Ahimelech.
  • Encourages others to trust in God.

Psalm 34

• Type: Thanksgiving
• Key Themes:
  • Praise for deliverance, encouraging trust in God.
  • Deliverance from fear, not necessarily the feared thing.
  • Self-reflection: Possible admission of guilt regarding deceit.
  • Promise of a different outcome for the righteous.
  • Prophecy: Verse 20 related to Christ's crucifixion in the Gospel of John.

Psalm 52

• Context: Directed at Saul and Doeg the Edomite.
• Themes:
  • Justice and faithfulness of God emphasized over personal revenge.
• Message: Trust in God’s justice.

Closing Reflections

• Personal Reflection: Encouragement for listeners looking to God.
• Takeaway: Recognition of personal growth and new understanding of God.
• Encouragement: Acknowledgment of listeners' varied life stages and experiences.
• Key Quote: "He's where the joy is."