Faithfulness, Suffering, and Redemption (Psalm 44)

Occoquan Bible Church

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Faithfulness, Suffering, and Redemption (Psalm 44)

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July 28, 2024 • Ben Purves • Psalm 44

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Dear OBC Family,

Does sorrow provoke you to draw near to the Lord, or does suffering tempt your heart to forsake Him? This Sunday we turn again to a lament in the Psalms of the Sons of Korah as the people of God are experiencing great suffering at the hands of their enemies. I invite you to read Psalm 44 in preparation for worship. As you read, pay attention to the faith of the psalmist and his urgent cry for help and redemption. May God’s Word instruct our hearts and direct our eyes to Christ!

I look forward to worshiping our Lord with you this Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Ben

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Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 44

What is the lament of the Psalmist?

How does the Psalmist describe God’s character and work?

Consider the example of the fathers (vv. 1-3) and the faith of their sons (vv. 4-8). What does it look like to imitate this faithfulness?

Look for voice changes in the psalm. Where do you see singular or plural personal pronouns, and how might this psalm have been performed?

How does the Psalmist understand the suffering that Israel is experiencing?

When you experience suffering, how does Scripture guide you to interpret the cause or purpose of your suffering? What presumptuous conclusions must we guard against?

Consider how Psalm 44:22 is used by the apostle Paul in Romans 8. How does Paul use Psalm 44 as he speaks about the sufferings of the church?

How does Christ ultimately answer the prayer of the psalmist?

How should we respond to this text?

More from Psalms of the Sons of Korah (Ps 42-49)

Be Not Afraid: Eternal Assurance for Troubled Times (Psalm 49)

September 1, 2024 • Ben Purves • Psalm 49

Sunday Worship Service (Psalm 48)

August 25, 2024 • Jared Bridges • Psalm 48

Clap, Shout, and Sing! (Psalm 47)

August 4, 2024 • Rod Fillinger • Psalm 47

Dear OBC Family, A President that may or may not have an adequate degree of cognitive ability to lead the country. An opposing candidate who is almost assassinated. A Vice-President who has been rewriting the summary of her official duties for the past almost four years. An Olympics opening ceremony that openly mocks Christians and flaunts sexual depravity. It reminds me of the lyrics to a popular early 1980s song, Mad World. But God! For us as Christians, there is no occasion for despair or anxiety. Why? Aren’t we supposed to be sober-minded? Doesn’t that mean, as Christians, that we assess the situation realistically and gird ourselves for action? Yes. A thousand times, yes. But what does it mean to view the current state of our country and world with a sober-minded realism? As we continue our summer study of the Psalms of the Sons of Korah, we find our answer in Psalm 47. Psalm 47 is a jubilant hymn celebrating God's kingship. It is one of the "enthronement psalms" in the Book of Psalms. This psalm of the sons of Korah exuberantly proclaims God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. The psalm's structure revolves around repeated calls for praise and joyful worship, emphasizing God's role as the supreme ruler of the earth. God has reigned. He presently reigns. And he will reign forever. This psalm also has a broader prophetic significance, pointing to the future reign of the Messiah over all creation. The fact that God has “gone up” points to Christ's ascension and his ultimate dominion over the world. The psalm's vivid imagery of God "ascending" with shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets is linked to Jesus' ascension into heaven. The central message of Psalm 47 is one of universal worship and recognition of God's kingship. It calls for everyone, regardless of national or ethnic background, to acknowledge and celebrate God's rule with unrestrained joy and praise. In preparation for our time of worship of this Savior God who reigns, read Psalm 47 and its companion Psalm 46, which Pastor Jeff will preach next week. As you do, reflect on God’s rule over all the earth and Christ’s rule in your life. Also, prepare to clap and shout. I know we are reformed in our theology, but come on—we are celebrating the King who is over all the earth! For God’s glory and our rejoicing, Pastor Rod -------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 47 Read and consider Psalm 47. What is the main theme? How is Psalm 47 arranged? What is the progression from section to section? How does the psalmist speak about the rule and reign of God as King? What is a right response to God’s kingship? What responses do you see in this psalm? Does the Kingship of God stir your emotions? Why or why not? What is the work of God as King? What is the King’s relationship to his people? What does He do for His people? How do God’s people relate to Him as their King? Consider Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and enthronement. How do we experience the reign of Christ today? How should we respond to this text?