Psalms 91 & 93: God Is Protector & King — Study Guide ===================================================== LESSON OBJECTIVES ----------------- 1. To survey the overall theme of Book Four through various psalms 2. To study the amazing promises of angelic protection in Psalm 91 3. To highlight the poetic structure and emphasis of Psalm 93 SCRIPTURE READING ----------------- > "For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot." > — Psalm 91:11–13, NKJV > "The LORD on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea." > — Psalm 93:4, NKJV QUESTIONS --------- 1. What characterizes the psalms of Book Four of the Psalter? a. A reflection on God's work in covenant and creation b. A reflection on God's promises in desperation and doubt c. A reflection on God's commitment to His people as individuals d. A reflection on God's commitment to His people as a community 2. Jesus responded to the devil's use of Psalm 91 by saying, "It is also written," which undergirds what principle of biblical hermeneutics? a. Scripture is to be interpreted with respect to literary genre. b. Scripture is to be interpreted by Scripture. c. Scripture is to be interpreted as the inspired Word of God. d. Scripture is to be interpreted within an immediate context. 3. Hebrew poetry, like Old English poetry, is based on rhyme. a. True b. False 4. Why did God create angels? a. To shelter Christians as personal guardians b. To help Christians understand God's will c. To keep Christians from physical harm d. To serve Christians as ministering spirits 5. In which gospel account do angels most frequently appear throughout the different stages of Jesus' life and ministry? a. Matthew b. Mark c. Luke d. John 6. What is emphasized at the slowest point of Psalm 93? a. The majesty and strength of God b. The uncontrollable nature of the sea c. The firm establishment of the cosmos d. The trustworthiness of God's statutes DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -------------------- 1. The theme of Psalm 91 is "God is near." What then are the implications of Psalm 91 for the Christian life? ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 2. How does a biblical understanding of angels differ from popular notions of angels in our surrounding culture? ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 3. How did Satan try to use God's Word against Jesus? Are you able to draw any comparisons between the temptations of Christ in the wilderness and the temptation of our first parents in the garden? Why didn't the devil quote all of Psalm 91? ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 4. Psalm 93 utilizes the symbolic nature of the sea as chaotic, powerful, and uncontrollable. How does this relate to the overall theme of Book Four of the Psalter? ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ PSALM 91: YOU ARE SECURE IN GOD ------------------------------- Those who dwell in communion with God rest in complete security. You are protected within His church, saved from sin's final curse, defended against all enemies, and held safe in God the Son. Secure in God's Church - Text: Psalm 91:1–2 Secure from the Final Curse of Sin - Text: Psalm 91:3–4 Secure from Your Enemies - Text: Psalm 91:7–8 Secure in God the Son - Text: Psalm 91:11, 14 PSALM 93: BE AMAZED WITH THE KING --------------------------------- The Lord reigns supreme over all creation, calling us to be amazed at the King's eternal throne, His power to protect us from every enemy and flood, and His unfathomable divine wisdom. The King's Eternal Throne - Text: Psalm 93:1–2 The King's Protection from Your Enemies - Text: Psalm 93:3–4 The King's Wisdom - Text: Psalm 93:5