Psalms 73 & 37

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Review

• In the first three lessons, we studied psalms highlighting God's will, word, and nature.
• The fourth lesson explored a healthy double-focus (directed both inward and outward).
• As we sat in our last lesson, Darkness, the world is a place of self-interest. It can get to us, especially if we aren’t focused. We can find ourselves at the brink of ruin even in the midst of the assembly (Proverbs 5:14).

Drifting

• Hebrews 2:1. When we aren't paying attention to the Word -- when we lose focus -- we drift.
• Why is it important not to drift? We can end up in some scary places. Rejecting counsel, we may be attracted to money, sex, popularity, fashion -- everything the world has to offer.
• And we become good at rationalizing our sin.

Psalm 73

• The psalmist begins to drift when he looks at the lives of those who aren't putting the Lord first. (They aren't necessarily anti-religion; they just don't get why God would care about their behavior.)
• He begins to feel that his faith is futile.
• He has drifted to a dangerous place, and is saved from this perilous trajectory once he enters the sanctuary of God -- perhaps a visit to the Temple?
• Only from the vantage point of holiness, from a spiritual perspective, does he grasp their final destiny. Sooner or later the bubble will burst.
• He realizes that, without such a perspective, he remains on the level of the animals.
• Fortunately, he has regained his perspective -- an eternal one.
• At the end of the psalm, having regained his balance, he feels confidence to stand up for God, "to tell of his deeds."

Psalm 37

• Drifting may originate in envy, false comparisons, and fretting (vv.1, 7, 8; see also Proverbs 24:19).
• Fretting is unproductive.
• Don't worry about the next fellow; work on your own life.
• John 21:21-22: "... 'Lord, what about him?'... 'You must follow me.""
• Delight yourself in the Lord -- focus! (vv.3-6)
• Jesus (Matthew 5) cites this Psalm. (In the podcast I claim that Peter cites it, too; but that's wrong -- oops! I was thinking of Psalm 34, another very encouraging psalm which in my heart shares space with Psalm 37.)

What do we learn from these psalms?

• God doesn't discount our feelings.
• He knows when we are drifting.
• The psalmist works through his issues.
• In many of the psalms – up to 40% are sad psalms – the psalmist finds resolution by the end of the prayer.
• The psalms are extremely diverse, and address many of our emotional and spiritual needs.

Benefit from the entire range of psalms

• Psalm 37 helps us not to fret. Psalm 63 is good for those who (like David) are "in the wilderness."
• We need to learn to use the psalms to minister to ourselves.
• Find your psalm(s)! (I especially appreciate 48, 49, 50....)
• Trust in God. If God seems far away, guess who moved?

Thought questions

• When was the last time I was drifting? Was it a time when I’d lost my moorings?
• Which psalms, and other parts of Scripture, keep me tied in to the Lord, and prevent me from drifting?
• Do I have an eternal perspective on this world? Do I see the people of this world in perspective, as mere men?
• Can I locate any more points of contact between Psalms 37 and 73?
• How much might I benefit from working through my feelings/issues in prayer?

Prayer points

• Keep me from drifting.
• When I am drifting, help me to find you again.
• And then prevent me from slipping away again.