Psalms                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Lesson 7

Psalms: Resting in God's Care

(Psalms 131, 23, 16, 3, 31, 46)

Psalm 131 -- I Have Stilled and Quieted My Soul

Humility and Trust (131:1)

I Have Stilled and Quieted My Soul (131:2)

Hoping, Trusting in the Lord (131:3)

Q1. According to Psalm 131, just how does David quiet his inner person before the Lord?

What are the elements mentioned in this psalm?

Psalm 23 -- The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord our Shepherd (23:1)

The Shepherd Provides Food (23:2)

The Shepherd Provides Restoration and Refreshing (23:3a)

The Shepherd Guides in Righteous Ways (23:3b)

Protection and Assurance in Fear (23:4)

The Gracious Host (23:5)

Eternal Life (23:6)

Q2. According to Psalm 23, how does the Lord our Shepherd quiet his sheep and give them confidence?

How many ways can you find in this psalm?

Psalm 16 -- You Will Not Abandon Me to the Grave

Psalm 3 -- I Lie Down and Sleep

Psalm 31 -- Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Q3. (Psalm 31) What does it mean to say to the Lord, "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (31:5)?

How does that statement bring peace to a person?

How does the statement, "My times are in your hands" (31:15), bring peace to the troubled soul?

Psalm 46 -- Our Ever-Present Help in Trouble

Q4. (Psalm 46) How does the imagery of the river and streams in verse 4 function in Psalm 46 to speak peace to the harassed and harried person?

Verse 10 tells us: "Be still and know that I am God." How does knowledge of who He is affect our peace? How should it affect our words?

Why does He command us to "be still" as a result of this knowledge?

Q5. After you've studied the psalms in this chapter, what do you think it means to "rest" in God?

How do you seek God's peace when you have a dozen things coming against you?

Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson -- or another psalm with a similar theme -- do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms in Appendix 1. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing. Then report to the forum what the exercise meant to you personally or share what you've written with others.

Prayer

Lord, we worry so much, "cumbered with a load of care." I pray that you would teach me more deeply in my heart to rest in you in faith and confidence. Help me to unload my fears at your feet. Help me to put my petty frets down before you and rest the weight of my life upon You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Songs

• "A Shield About Me," words by Donn Thomas, music by Donn Thomas and Charles Williams (© 1980, 1982, Spoone Music Corp and Word Music). Psalm 3:3.
• "Be Still," words and music by David J. Evans (© 1986, Thankyou Music). Psalm 46:10.
• "Be Still and Know," composer unknown. Psalm 46:10.
• "Be Still, My Soul," words: Katharina A. von Schlegel (1752), translated to English by Jane L. Borthwick (1855), music: Finlandia, Jean Sibelius (1899). Psalm 131.
• "Cause Me to Come to Thy River, O Lord." words and music by R. Edward Miller (© 1974, Maranatha! Music). Psalm 46:4.
• "Gentle Shepherd," by Gloria and Bill Gaither (©1974 William J. Gaither, Inc., Gaither Copyright Management). Psalm 23.
• "God Is My Shepherd," words: Scottish Psalter (1650), music: J.L. Macbeth Bain (1915), Chalice Hymnal #79. Psalm 23.
• "God Will Take Care of You," words by Civilla D. Martin (1905), music by W. Stillman Martin (1905)
• "He Leadeth Me! O Blessed Thought," words by Joseph H. Gilmore (1862), music by William B. Bradbury (1864). Psalm 23.
• "His Sheep Am I" ("in God's green pastures feeding..."), words and music by Orien Johnson (©1984, Word Music, LLC, a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.). Psalm 23.
• "My Glory and the Lifter of My Head," words and music by Mae McAlister (© 1967, A Christian Church on a Hill, Thornhill, Ontario, CA). Psalm 3:3.
• "My Shepherd, You Supply My Need," words: from Isaac Watts (1719), music: "Resignation," Southern Harmony (1835). Psalm 23.
• "My Times Are in Thy Hand," words by William F. Lloyd (1835), music: Virgil (Albans), arranged from Giovanni Paisiello (1875)
• "Quiet, Lord, My Froward Heart," words by John Newton (1779), music: Jesu, Jesu, du Mein Hirt, Paul Heinlein (1676). Psalm 131.
• "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us," words: attributed to Dorothy A. Thrupp (1836), music by William B. Bradbury (1859). Psalm 23.
• "Shepherd of My Soul," words and music by Martin Nystrom (©1986, Maranatha Praise, Admin. by Music Services). Psalm 23.
• "Still" ("Hide me now..."), words and music by Reuben Morgan (© 2002, Hillsong Publishing)
• "Stilled and Quieted My Soul," words and music by Tom Howard (© 1982 Maranatha! Music). Psalm 131.
• "Surely Goodness and Mercy," by John Peterson & Alfred B. Smith (©1958, Singspiration). Psalm 23.
• "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," words by Henry W. Baker (1868), music ancient Irish melody. Psalm 23.
• "The Lord's My Shepherd," words: Scottish Psalter (1650), music: "Crimond," by Jessie Seymour Irvine (1871), descant by W. Baird Ross (20th century). Chalice Hymnal #78.
• "There Is a River" (that flows from deep within), words and music by David and Max Sapp (© 1969, David Sapp Ministries). John 4; Psalm 46:4.