8. The Creator and His Nation
The Creator and His Nation
(PSALMS 102—105)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Psalms 102—105. This lesson references content in Be Exultant. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Psalm 102 is both a penitential psalm and a messianic psalm. The anonymous author probably wrote it long after the destruction of Jerusalem, about the time he thought Jeremiah’s prophecy of the seventy-year captivity was about to be fulfilled.
The longer we live, the more evidence we see that things will change.… There are the normal changes of life, from birth to maturity to death, but there are also providential changes that God sends for our good and His glory. Many Jewish leaders in the days of Jeremiah the prophet thought that God would never allow Judah to be captured and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed (Jer. 7), but the Babylonian army did all three.
—Be Exultant, pages 51–52
1. Circle phrases in Psalm 102 that suggest the psalmist is perplexed or bothered by circumstances. How is the psalmist’s response to uncertainty similar to things Christians experience today? What are some examples of situations when believers wonder if God has turned His face from them? What is this psalm’s answer to that anxiety?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Psalms 102—105 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The psalmist was afraid he would die in midlife and never see the restoration of Judah, Jerusalem, and the temple. (See Isa. 38:10.) The eternal God would remain forever, but frail humans have only a brief time on earth (Ps. 90:1–12). Psalm 102:25–27 is quoted in Hebrews 1:10–12 and applied to Jesus Christ, which reminds us that it is in Him that these promises will be fulfilled.
—Be Exultant, page 54
3. What prompts the psalmist’s urgency in Psalm 102? What does the contrast of the psalmist’s fear (Psalm 102:11) and God’s enduring nature (v. 27) teach us about the importance of trusting God?
More to Consider: Read Psalm 102:28. What practical implications does this final line in the psalm have for Christians today?
From the Commentary
To “bless the Lord” (Ps. 103:1–6) means to delight His heart by expressing love and gratitude for all He is and all He does. Parents are pleased when their children simply thank them and love them, without asking for anything. True praise comes from a grateful heart that sincerely wants to glorify and please the Lord. “All that is within me” means that all of our inner beings are focused on the Lord—heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28–31). It also means that we are prepared to obey His will after our praise has ended.
—Be Exultant, pages 54–55
4. What are some examples of “true praise” in modern church culture? (Not just the praise and worship time during the service.) What are ways people praise God today outside of the corporate setting? What are some of the distractions that make it difficult to praise with all your inmost being?
From the Commentary
The nation of Israel was certainly blessed of the Lord and therefore obligated to express their praise and thanksgiving to Him. Jehovah was their righteous Deliverer (v. 6), not only when He rescued them from Egypt, but also all during their history.
—Be Exultant, page 56
5. In what ways does Psalm 103 reflect Israel’s history with God as a nation? What would you add to the psalm to reflect the church’s history with God? How does remembering our shared history affect the way Christians praise God?
From the Commentary
Psalm 104 opens with the description of a King so great (Ps. 95:3; Hab. 3:4) that He wears light for a robe (Ps. 93:1; Isa. 59:17; 1 John 1:5; 1 Tim. 6:16) and has a palace in heaven above the waters (Gen. 1:7). He uses the clouds for His chariot and the winds to move them (Ps. 18:7–15; 68:4; 77:16–19). His servants (the angels, 148:8; Heb 1:7) serve as quickly and invisibly as the wind and possess awesome power like flames of fire.
—Be Exultant, page 59
6. How does Psalm 104 reflect the content of Genesis 1? What attitudes does this psalm suggest God has toward the nonhuman parts of His creation? Why is it important to recognize the Creator’s glory? How can the church do this today?
From Today’s World
Our culture’s interest in the “green” phenomenon has turned environmental responsibility into something akin to a religion for some. Every industry is being challenged to rethink its operations to be more earth-friendly. This has many positive benefits, but it has also become a touch point for much political positioning and debate.
7. Why is the environment such a controversial topic? How does the truth of God’s role as Creator intersect with the conversation about the environment? How does praise for God’s creation translate into care for His creation?
From the Commentary
Whether we study invisible microscopic life, visible plant and animal life, human life, or the myriad of things that have no life, the diversity in creation is amazing. God could have made a drab, colorless world, one season everywhere, only one variety of each plant and animal, cookie-cutter humans, no musical sounds, and a few minimal kinds of food—but He did not, and how grateful we are! Only a wise God could have planned so many different things, and only a powerful God could have brought them into being.
—Be Exultant, page 60
8. How does Psalm 104:24–35 demonstrate the wisdom and creativity of our God? What does it say about God that He chose to create such a diverse world? What does it say about us?
More to Consider: Read 1 Timothy 6:17. How does this verse speak to our stewardship role toward the earth?
From the Commentary
Psalm 105 focuses on the God of the covenant (vv. 8–10) who works out His divine purposes in human history. “Make known his deeds” (vv. 1–2, 5) is the major thrust, referring, of course, to God’s mighty acts on behalf of Israel. (See also 78, and note that 105:1–15 is adapted in 1 Chron. 16:8–22.) The psalm does not go beyond the conquest of Canaan (v. 44) or mention the Davidic dynasty, which suggests that it may have been written after the Babylonian exile, possibly by one of the Levites who returned to Judah with the Jewish remnant.
—Be Exultant, page 61
9. How does Psalm 105 combine both praise and a record of the Israelites’ history? Go through this psalm and circle phrases that describe specific events in the Israelites’ history. Why is the role of history so important to the Israelites? Why is it also important to today’s church? What are some ways the church can better reflect on God’s active role in its history?
From the Commentary
The psalmist moved immediately from the exodus (Ps. 105:26–41) to the conquest of Canaan. He wrote nothing about Israel’s failures at Sinai (the golden calf), in the wilderness (repeated complaining), and at Kadesh Barnea (refusing to enter the land). After all, the purpose of the psalm was to magnify God’s great works, not to expose man’s great failures.
—Be Exultant, pages 64–65
10. How does the phrase “God’s people live on promises, not explanations” apply to the story and message in Psalm 105? What is the implication of this (and of other similar psalms) for how the Israelites ought to respond to the promises that God has kept? How does that sort of responsibility play out today in light of the new covenant?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Psalms 102—105. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. When have you felt like the psalmist in Psalm 102? What made you wonder if God had turned from you? What was likely really happening during that season of life? What are some appropriate responses to this feeling of abandonment?
12. When have you experienced “true praise”? What were the circumstances that made this praise different from other expressions? How can you be intentional about inviting more praise into your faith life?
13. What is your specific responsibility to the Creator’s creation? What are some of the practical things you’re doing to care for God’s earth? For His creatures (including other people)? How can you sort out the politics of environmental issues and the love for God’s world?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to invite more true praise into your life? Do you need to change the way you interact with God’s creation? Be specific. Go back through Psalms 102—105 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Take some appropriate action to care for God’s creation this week. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious choices (picking up trash, etc.), but consider all of God’s creation and come up with things you can do to honor and respect what God has provided for us.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Psalms 110—112. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read the related commentary in Be Exultant.