This beloved psalm has been called the “pearl of Psalms” by Charles Spurgeon. In it we see that the Lord is a good Shepherd who cares for His sheep well by providing, leading, protecting, and accompanying them through the darkest valleys.

“Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency: there is readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes towards no material goal but to the Lord Himself.” Derek Kinder, Psalms, p.127

Honesty with God about our pain is an expression of faith and a path to praise, joy, assurance, and intimacy.

When God’s people experience deep discouragement, they can navigate through it with honest prayer and hope in God.

In Psalm 16, we see that “God’s protective care of his saints does not end in death but continues in everlasting life beyond the grave” (Allen P. Ross). In this, David expressed joyful confidence and pointed forward to the glorious victory of Christ's resurrection (Ps. 16:10-11), which is the basis of our “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3).

David prayed that the Lord would preserve him, and he had great confidence that he would. David expressed contentment and confidence in the Lord and in His providential care.

Reflect on how God desires to shape your spiritual and emotional life with the truths of Psalm 16:

- Has the Lord preserved/kept you, and has He promised to do so? -V1

- Have you experienced every good gift from the Lord? -V2 (see James 1:17)

- Do you delight in God’s people and gathering together with them for corporate worship?- V3

- Have you or someone you know experienced the sorrow of trusting in something or someone else to do what only God can do for you or be what only the Lord can be for you? -V4

- Are you content with the Lord as your portion and His gracious dealings with you?- V5-6

- Does the Lord faithfully lead and guide you with His counsel? -V7

- Are you committed to the Lord and confident in Him? -V8

- Does joy overflow from deep within you because you hope in God? -V9

- Has death truly lost its sting, and are you delivered from the bondage of the fear of death? -V10 (See Hebrews 2:15)

- Are you promised the presence of the Lord both now and forevermore with fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore? -V11

“Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power…” Psalm 110:3

Psalm 110 shows us a victorious King, and a people who willingly offer themselves to Him. The language of v.3 carries the idea of a freewill offering… not guilt, pressure, or obligation, but people gladly placing themselves at the King’s disposal.

Jesus isn’t looking for volunteers because He needs workers. He creates willing people because He has captured their hearts. When we truly see the King, availability becomes our response.

This week take the sermon to the table: Where is Jesus asking for your “yes”? In your home? Your marriage? Your work? Serving? Generosity? Sharing your faith? A conversation you’ve avoided?

Psalm 110 doesn’t describe perfect people. It describes willing ones who have encountered an extraordinary King.

In Psalm 4 we see how David’s example shows us how to navigate stressful situations prayerfully, trusting God through whom he experienced joy and peace.

1. What have been some unhealthy ways you have dealt with stress?

Do you blow up with anger?

Do you freeze up with fear and anxiety?

Do you give up in despair and discouragement?

Do you shut down or try to escape?

Do you busy yourself with work, activities, or entertainment to avoid stress?

The pressures that we experience in our life can often come in between us in our relationships, including in our relationship with God. We would do well if we would allow those pressures to move towards God in prayer rather than allow to move us away from Him who is source of life, help and hope that we need.

In Psalm 22, a passion psalm, the suffering of our Lord is described prophetically. Though David wrote the psalm and experienced a great deal of suffering in his own life, it ultimately points us to Christ and was prophetically fulfilled in him as he carried out God's great redemptive plan by dying for the sin of the world. Here are some ways we can apply this to our lives.

• Consider Jesus and his great suffering for us (Hebrews 12:3) 

• Celebrate the victory that is brought to us through the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  

• Cry out to God in prayer using some of the language of the Psalms of lament when you are walking through suffering and stressful times. 

• Be comforted by the knowing that you are not alone in your suffering and that the Lord has not been aloof to it. Christ allowed himself to feel the pain that we experience in this life and one day will remove suffering from our lives altogether in the age to come.  

• Comfort others who are walking through affliction and suffering (2 Cor. 1:4). 

• Be confident knowing that your suffering will be turned for your good and bring God glory (Romans 8:28-29, 2 Corinthians 4:17).

God blesses His people to be a blessing to the nations for their salvation and joy and God’s praise and honor.

Repentance and reliance on the mercy of God were David’s responses to his sin and are our proper responses to our sin as well.

This psalm teaches us that the worst of sinners who repent and rely on God’s mercy can experience sweet forgiveness, restored joy, renewed spirit, cleansed heart and nearness to God. This is only because God is merciful and gracious, loving and forgiving.

“The function of this psalm, as a song sung by the entire congregation, is to shape their hearts so that they feel this at the deepest level, lest they ever presume upon the grace of God.” - C. John Collins, ESV Study Bible Notes, p.1000

In this sermon we see that God renews His people when they remember Him, return to Him in prayer, and heed His word.