20 Days in the Psalms. Psalms Journal

Transcription

1 20 Days in the Psalms Psalms Journal

2 INTRODUCTION According to Norman L. Geisler in his book, A Popular Survey of the Old Testament, (published by Baker Book House of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977) the Book of Psalms is divided into five sections: 1. Psalms about man and creation (1-41) -- corresponds to Genesis. 2. Psalms about Israel and redemption (42-72) -- Exodus. 3. Psalms about worship and the Temple (73-89) -- Leviticus. 4. Psalms about our sojourn on the earth (90-106) -- Numbers. 5. Psalms about praise and the Word of God ( ) -- Deuteronomy. (pp ) Study days one through five will be spent looking at Psalms that epitomize these five major divisions. Also according to Norman L. Geisler, the Psalms can be classified into 11 main categories: Prophetic, Praise, Petition, Penitence, Pastoral, Precept, Prayer, Profession of Faith, Patriotic, Pilgrimage, and Imprecatory. Study days six through twenty will be spent studying Psalms that fall under each of these main categories.

3 Day 1 Study a Psalm about man and creation from among Psalms Read Psalm Write out Psalm 33: Make a journal entry that discusses the following questions: * By whom and how were the heavens and earth made? * How should we respond to our Creator? 4. Ask God to help you give Him the respect, honor, and glory that He deserves.

4 Day 2 Study a Psalm about Israel and redemption from among Psalms Read Psalm Write out Psalm 68: Make a journal entry that discusses the following questions: * Who reigns over Israel and all the earth? * Who gives strength and power to His people? * Who daily bears our burdens? * Who delivers and redeems us? 4. Thank God for being your burden-bearer, source of strength and power, and your deliverer/redeemer.

5 Day 3 Study a Psalm about worship and the Temple from among Psalms Read Psalm Write out Psalm 84: Make a journal entry that discusses the following questions: * What does God withhold from those who walk in His ways? * What is better than a thousand days outside the house of God? * Who is our shield and our supplier of grace? 4. Praise God for being the Provider of every good thing.

6 Day 4 Study a Psalm about our sojourn on the earth from among Psalms Read Psalm Write out Psalm 90:1-6, Make a journal entry that discusses the following questions: * Who gave birth to the universe? * Did anything or anyone come before God? * Since nothing made God, what does this say about God in terms of time? * Since man's days on this earth are limited (as opposed to God being eternal), what should we do with our days and why? 4. Ask God to help you surrender your time to Him, so that your ultimate goal in everything you do is to glorify Him.

7 Day 5 Study a Psalm of praise and the Word of God from among Psalms Read Psalm Write out Psalm 148: Make a journal entry that discusses the following questions: * Who is to praise the Lord? * Why is God praiseworthy? * Will God's Law, His Word, ever pass away? 4. Tell God you praise Him, and ask Him to help you respect and honor His Word.

8 Day 6 Study prophetic verses from the Psalms. 1. Read Psalm 45:6 and Hebrews 1:8. 2. Write out Hebrews 1:8. 3. Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * Hebrews 1:8 tells us that Psalm 45:6 is talking about Jesus. What does this tell us about the deity of Christ? 4. Read Psalm Make a journal entry that discusses various aspects of Christ's crucifixion as foretold in Psalm Praise Jesus for having given up His heavenly position to come to the earth as a man (yet still being fully God), and dying the death of a common criminal (yet being sinless), in order to save us from our sin and reconcile us to our heavenly Father (if we believe).

9 Day 7 Study a praise Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 145: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * Where is the Lord in relation to those who call on His name? * What does God do for those who revere Him? 4. Lift up and bless God's name, and proclaim His holiness.

10 Day 8 Study a petition Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 6: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * What does God do for those who cry out to Him? * What does this say to me about what I should do when I am in need? 4. Thank God for always taking care of you and showing you His mercies in your times of need.

11 Day 9 Study a penitence Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 51: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * Who cleanses our hearts? * Who renews our spirits? * Who restores our joy? * Who helps us to have willing spirits? 4. Ask God to cleanse your heart, renew your spirit, restore your joy, and help you to have a willing spirit that wants to honor and obey Him.

12 Day 10 Study a pastoral Psalm. 1. Read and memorize Psalm Write out all of Psalm What is your favorite verse in Psalm 23 and why? 4. Thank Jesus for looking after you as the Great Shepherd that He is.

13 Day 11 Study a precept Psalm. You will be studying Psalm 119 (the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible) over five days. 1. Read Psalm 119: Write out Psalm 119: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * What should I do with God's precepts? * Should I begrudge or delight in God's statutes? 4. Ask God to help you want to follow His ways and His precepts.

14 Day 12 Continue to study Psalm Read Psalm 119: Write out Psalm 119: Make a journal entry that compares the value of God's Law to gold and silver. 4. Thank God for giving us a gift of immeasurable value, His Law.

15 Day 13 Continue to study Psalm Read Psalm 119: Write out Psalm 119: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * How long will God's Word last? * How long will God's faithfulness last? * What and who are servants to God? 4. Praise God that His faithfulness will never end.

16 Day 14 Continue to study Psalm Read Psalm 119: Write out Psalm 119: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * What gives light? * What gives understanding? 4. Ask God to unfold His Word to you so you will have understanding of His ways.

17 Day 15 Continue to study Psalm Read Psalm 119: Write out Psalm 119: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * What is given to those who love God's Law? * Can anything cause those who love God's law to stumble? 4. Thank God for His peace that surpasses all understanding that He gives to those who seek after Him with all their hearts and souls and strength.

18 Day 16 Study a prayer Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 86: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * What does God do when we voice our supplications to Him? * What does God do when we are in trouble and we call out to Him? 4. If you have any supplications or troubles to call out to God, do so now.

19 Day 17 Study a profession of faith Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 103: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * How great is God's lovingkindness toward those who revere Him? * How far does God remove our sins from us when we turn away from our sin and toward God? 4. Take time now to repent of any sins that you haven't yet handed over to God.

20 Day 18 Study a patriotic Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 47: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * Who is King of the earth? * Who reigns over all the nations? * What does God sit on? 4. Personalize Psalm 47 by praying it to God.

21 Day 19 Study a pilgrimage Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out all of Psalm Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * From whom does your help come? * What does God not allow? * Does God ever sleep? * Who is your keeper? 4. Thank God for always watching over you.

22 Day 20 Study an imprecatory Psalm. 1. Read Psalm Write out Psalm 69: Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * Who can deliver us from trouble? * Looking at verse 16, name two adjectives that describe God. 4. Re-read verses Make a journal entry that discusses the following: * What is the difference between asking God to bring down His divine justice on your enemies and asking God to curse your enemies because of your personal grudge against them? * Which one was the Psalmist doing? 6. Praise God for His divine justice.

23 Log of Psalms Read During Personal Devotions Psalm Prophetic Praise Petition Penitence Pastoral Precept Prayer Profession of Faith Patriotic Pilgrimage Imprecatory

24 Psalm Prophetic Praise Petition Penitence Pastoral Precept Prayer Profession of Faith Patriotic Pilgrimage Imprecatory

25 Psalm Prophetic Praise Petition Penitence Pastoral Precept Prayer Profession of Faith Patriotic Pilgrimage Imprecatory

26 Psalm Prophetic Praise Petition Penitence Pastoral Precept Prayer Profession of Faith Patriotic Pilgrimage Imprecatory

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