6. Restoration, Character, and Suffering
Restoration, Character, and Suffering
(PSALMS 85—88)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Psalms 85—88. This lesson references content in Be Worshipful. 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 85 was probably written after the Jewish people returned to their land following their seventy years of captivity in Babylon (Jer. 29). Note the emphasis on the land (Ps. 85:1, 9, and 12) and on God’s anger against His people (vv. 3–5). God gave them favor with their captors, raised up leaders like Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and Ezra the scribe, and protected the Jewish remnant as they traveled to their war-ravaged land.
—Be Worshipful, page 268
1. What prompts the psalmist to ask God for restoration in Psalm 85:4? If God has just returned the Israelites to their land after a long season of captivity, how might this have contributed to the plea? What would have led the psalmist to ask, “Will you be angry with us forever” (v. 5)?
More to Consider: Scottish preacher George H. Morrison said, “The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.” How does this message apply to the psalmist’s words in Psalm 85? How does it apply to us today?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Psalms 85—88 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
It is one thing for the nation collectively to have a new birth of freedom, but there must also be changes in individuals. The praise begun in Psalm 85:1–3 (possibly by a choir) now becomes prayer from the hearts of the people in verse 4. Note that the word us is used six times, for it is the people who are praying, not the choir or worship leader.
—Be Worshipful, page 269
3. What does Psalm 85 teach us about the importance and role of corporate worship? How does it also illustrate the role of individual worship? How do the two work together in the life of the believer?
From the Commentary
In Psalm 85:10–13, the Lord announced future blessings that He would send if His people continued to walk with Him. Righteousness and peace—attributes of God—are personified and would “kiss” each other, for the warfare would be over. (See Isa. 32:17; Rom. 3:21–31; 5:1–3.)
—Be Worshipful, page 270
4. How might Psalm 85:10–13 reveal a glimpse of the coming Christ? What does it mean that “righteousness and peace kiss each other”? What does the phrase “faithfulness springs forth from the earth” refer to?
From the Commentary
In the midst of a group of four psalms attributed to the sons of Korah, you find one psalm by David, Psalm 86, the only Davidic psalm in the entire third book of Psalms. When David wrote it, he was facing some formidable enemies whom we cannot identify (v. 14), at a time when he was “poor and needy” (v. 1) and calling for God’s help. The remarkable thing about the psalm is that it is a mosaic of quotations from other parts of the Old Testament, especially from Psalms 25—28; 40; and 54—57; and Exodus 34. Since David wrote these psalms, he had every right to quote from them and adapt them to his present needs.
—Be Worshipful, page 271
5. What does the manner in which Psalm 86 was written (collected quotations from other chapters) say about its author? About the circumstances that prompted David to write this? How is this approach similar to the way Christians today find encouragement in others’ writings?
From the Commentary
“There is none like unto thee!” (Ps. 86:8) is the confession of a man who truly knows God and remembered Israel’s confession at the exodus (Ex. 15:11). During ten years of exile in the wilderness of Judea, David had learned much about God’s character and the way He works in the lives of His people.
—Be Worshipful, page 272
6. Circle phases or words that describe God’s character in Psalm 86. When do we learn most about God’s character? What wisdom about God’s character do you find in this psalm?
From the Commentary
Psalm 87 must be read on two levels. It is a prophecy of the future kingdom, when all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship (Ps. 86:9; Isa. 2:1–5), and it is also a picture of the heavenly Zion where the children of God have their spiritual citizenship (Luke 10:20; Gal. 4:21–31; Phil. 3:20–21; Heb. 12:18–24). God promised that Abraham would have an earthly family, like the sands of the sea, which is Israel, and a heavenly family, like the stars of the heaven, which is the church (Gen. 13:16; 15:4–5).
—Be Worshipful, page 273
7. Read the related Scripture passages in the previous commentary excerpt. How do these help to shed light on the meaning of Psalm 87? What does this teach us about the intricate nature of God’s plan for His people?
From the Commentary
Psalm 88 speaks of darkness, life in the depths, the immanence of death, feelings of drowning, loneliness, and imprisonment. The author, Heman, was a servant of God who was suffering intensely and did not understand why, yet he persisted in praying to God and did not abandon his faith.
—Be Worshipful, page 276
8. Go through Psalm 88 and circle the references to suffering. What does this tell you about the psalmist’s circumstances? Why is it important for the book of Psalms to include darker psalms like this one? What does this tell us about the importance of freely expressing despair to God?
More to Consider: Read Psalm 88:2; then 18:6; 22:24; 35:13; 66:20; 79:11. What do these verses teach us about prayer?
From Today’s World
In a world where suffering is prevalent—not only on a global scale with war and natural disasters, but also on a very personal level with an apparent rise in emotional and psychological disorders—the search for answers has led to a rapid rise in books offering solutions to the problem of pain. They range from books offering blatant answers in the form of some “secret” to getting what you want, to diet books proclaiming the answer is all about what we eat. While there may be some truth in each of these, few books outside of those written by Christians pointing to Scripture have more than temporary or incomplete solutions.
9. Why do people seek quick fixes to pain? What does secular culture offer as an answer to pain? Why will this always come up short without the healing truth of God’s Word?
From the Commentary
We do not know what this affliction was that came to the psalmist early in life, but it is painful to think that he suffered all his life long and all day long (Ps. 88:15, 17). He could not even look back to a time in his life when he enjoyed good health. The billows that had almost drowned him (v. 7) now became the fiery waves of torment (v. 16) as God’s “burning anger” went over him (see Ps. 42:7). The flood was rising, and he felt he was about to drown (see 130:1), and there was nobody near enough to rescue him. He was alone!
—Be Worshipful, page 278
10. Read Job 13:15. How does this verse apply to the psalmist’s situation in Psalm 88? What does it tell us that the psalmist, even though he is suffering, is still reaching out to God for an answer? What does this psalm say about the role of questions, and even of complaints, in the Christian life?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Psalms 85—88. 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. Describe a season in life when you longed for restoration. What led up to that desire? Have you ever felt like God was angry with you? What did you do with this feeling? What are the steps you need to take to find restoration and resolution?
12. Describe a time when you were “poor and needy” as David was when he wrote Psalm 86. What sources of comfort and encouragement did you draw from to move toward a place of peace?
13. If you’ve ever felt like the author of Psalm 88, what prompted that feeling? How do you deal with seasons of suffering? How do you deal with the suffering of those close to you? How can you keep pursuing God like the psalmist—in practical ways—when you’re experiencing suffering?
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 trust God in the midst of suffering? Do you want to discover how to better worship both individually and corporately? Be specific. Go back through Psalms 85—88 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Suffering is a familiar theme in the psalms, but so is worship and praise. Take time to pray this week for those you know (and those you don’t) who are suffering from various circumstances. If you’re suffering right now, ask a close friend or family member to join you and include your situation in a time of prayer.
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 93; 95—100. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read the related commentary in Be Exultant.