Theme

Glorify the Good God who keeps you safe and sane.

Text

OF DAVID, WHEN HE CHANGED HIS BEHAVIOR BEFORE ABIMELECH, SO THAT HE DROVE HIM OUT, AND HE WENT AWAY.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Introduction | Safe and Sane

The King’s Worship Invitation

I Will Worship. You Should, Too. 


He Saved Me. He Will Save You, Too.

Taste and See for Yourself

The King’s Worship Instruction

Learning the Awe-Filled Life

What to Expect When You’re Expecting the End of the World

Believers Broken, Yet Made Whole

Conclusion | Redemption Song

Discussion Questions

1. What is the background to this psalm? Does it surprise you that David would write a song about this? Why or why not? See superscript; cf. 1 Sam. 21.
2. What are some of the “command words” (i.e. imperatives) in vv. 1–10? How do these commands help you understand David’s main point?
3. How do we “taste and see” the goodness of God most fully through the person and work of Jesus? Think of some verses to support your answer. As time permits, consider also John 6:35; 1 Peter 2:3–5.
4. “Those who look to him are radiant” (v. 5). How does “looking to Christ” transform us, especially in worship on Sunday? See 2 Cor. 3:18.
5. God tells us that we should worship Him “with reverence and awe [i.e. fear]” (Heb. 12:28). How can you do this on Sunday? How might the rest of your week/life impact this? See Ps. 34:11–14; 1 Pt. 3:9–12.
6. Is it bad for Christians to boast? How can the King’s boasting help teach us the “Christian’s duty to brag”? See Jer. 9:23–24; 1 Cor. 1:28–31; Gal. 6:14; 2 Thess. 1:4; cf. Eph. 2:9; Jas. 3:14, 4:16.
7. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit... He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” How can these both be true, and how might they comfort you this week? See John 19:36.