Psalms Book III (73-89) on Rice Family Ministries

Psalm 73

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

October 02, 2024

Change in Perspective #

Psalm 73:1-3

Introduction

Most of the Psalms we have dealt with have been written by David. We are now given a series of Psalms that are ascribed to Asaph. It is unclear wether they were all written by Asaph, or simply given to his care to sing them. According to Scripture he did both of those things.

2 Chronicles 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Psalm 74

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

October 09, 2024

A Prayer of the Persecuted #

Psalm 74:12

Introduction

This is a Prayer of the Persecuted. The first part of the Psalm very clearly presents the difficulty and problems the Psalmist is facing. This is not just outward, personal, but this is a serious persecution in which the Temple is destroyed. It is very likely a prophetic Psalm looking to the time when the Babylonians come in a burn the temple. There is certainly reference to that in 7-8.

Psalm 75

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

October 23, 2024

Positioned by God #

Psalm 75:1-10

Introduction

This Psalm is filled with so many significant verses. I have referenced Ps 75:6-7 many times in messages. It opens with a bang of thanksgiving, and it closes with the same sort of continued praise!

There is no way to know for certain, but Matthew Henry states that this Psalm may have been when David was made king after Saul’s reign. I find it fits well, and will look at it in that context, we do not know for certain.

Psalm 76

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

October 30, 2024

Victory with God #

Psalm 76:1-12

Introduction

We have a victorious Psalm before us tonight!

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

As Christians we are on the winning side! Not every battle is going to go our way, not every day is going to be a great day, but understand, the war, is already won through Jesus Christ! In the end, we win!

Psalm 77

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

November 06, 2024

Talking to God #

Psalm 77:1-3,

Introduction

There is an old song that says, Just a little talk Jesus makes it right! God is a living person. We often turn to another person. God sets there ignored, and He is the one that can actually do something about our situation! He is the one that actually has the power to solve the problem!

Sweet hour of Prayer

Psalm 78

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

November 20, 2024

Don’t Repeat History #

Psalm 78:1-3

I. Prospect of the Future (1-8)

II. Past Foolishness (9-64)

III. Present Following (65-72)

I read the outline in Pastor Dan Lydick’s Book, Outlines of the Book of Psalms
I read the same outline in Bro. Warren Wiersbe’s “BE Series”
I read that same outline in Charles Spurgeon’s Treasury of David.
I have no idea who copied who.

I. Prospect of the Future (Ps 78:1-8) #

A. Record given (3, 5) #

1. It is recorded clearly! #

2. It was accurately recorded! (5) #

B. Responsibility to teach the children (4) #

1. Don’t hide truth! #

2. We strive to teach #

Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Psalm 79

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

December 04, 2024

Plea for Intervention #

Psalm 79:1-4

Introduction

There are a lot of similarities between Psalm 74, and Psalm 79. They are both Psalms of Asaph. Both talk about the problems and persecution that happens to Israel. In some regards they are parallel Psalms.

The Psalm has a lot of reasoning with God in it. They are well reasoned, thought out statements. They are not just emotional statements, made in the heat of the moment.

Psalm 80

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

January 08, 2025

Seeking God’s Blessing #

Psalm 80:1-3

Introduction

We have a Psalm, where the Psalmist is clearly seeking the Lord’s Blessing in his life! We should desire the Lord’s Blessing in our life! Without the Lord’s Blessing, you are wandering blindfolded in a barren desert land. Without the Lord’s blessing, you are standing on Satan’s street corner, begging for a handout. What I’m trying to say, is without God’s blessing, you are in dire need in your life, and no one is going to meet that need!

Psalm 81

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

January 22, 2025

Could have, Should have #

Psalm 81:14-16 – God is speaking in these verses.

Introduction

We find at the end of this Psalm, God is expressing his sorrow, over what “Should have been”! Have you ever expressed regret, remorse, frustration for something that should have been? It is most commonly expressed, when some action is done, and later regretted. Sometimes it is our own action, or someone else’s action that is regretted. We find God, sorrowful and giving us a glimpse of what “should have been”.

Psalm 82

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

January 29, 2025

The God of gods #

Psalm 82:1-8

Introduction

We have a Psalm of rebuke, or admonition. Not all Psalms or songs are that of praise to God, but can as we have before us, be a psalm/song of rebuke, or admonition.

I. The Authority of God (1, 8) #

A. His Prominence #

Demonstrated in two ways:

1. “standing” - #

2. “he judgeth” – He has the final say! They ultimately must stand before Him! #

B. The People “among the gods” #

1. Clarification of context (v6) #

The word “gods” is not used to indicate a deity, but rather signifying the authority given to man. Verse 6-7 make that very clear.

Rom. 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Psalm 83

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

February 05, 2025

Spiritual Battle #

Psalm 83:1-5

Introduction

We have a Psalm, that I firmly believe is applicable to every day, and every age, because it addresses the Spiritual battle that is raging. It references past places, people, and battles, but the underlying theme of this Psalm is undoubtedly the Spiritual battle that is raging around these circumstances! It is more than just a battle for land. It is more than just a battle for a short term power of a land. There is a spiritual battle that is raging.

Psalm 84

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

February 19, 2025

What do you Want? #

Psalm 84:1-4, alt 1-12

Introduction

There is a noted difference in this Psalm for that we have been studying. Immediately it stands out this is not a Psalm of Asaph. The Psalms of Asaph certainly have a different feel to them than this one does.

Here the Psalmist over and over expresses his desire for God. I’ve titled the message, “What do you want?” because in the way this Psalm has been written, we see clearly his desire for God!

Psalm 85

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

February 26, 2025

A Psalm of Revival #

Psalm 85:1-3

Introduction

We have a very simple Psalm before us. In all of it’s simplicity, there is great truth, and blessing found in it, which makes it a golden Psalm to be treasured.

I. Acknowledgment of God’s Goodness! (1-3) #

A. Physical blessing - #

1. “thou hast been favourable unto thy land” (1) #

God has blessed the land #

The land is God’s not ours #

2. “thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob” (1) #

Returning to the homeland! #

B. Spiritual blessings #

1. “thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people” (2) #

2. “thou hast covered all their sin.” (2) #

3. “thou hast taken away all thy wrath” (3) #

4. “thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger” (3) – No anger! #

II. Asking for Revival (4-7) #

A. Process (4) “turn us” #

1. They were physically returned to the land… #

2. Now they must spiritually return to God! #

2Chr. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Psalm 86

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

April 02, 2025

Recognizing God #

Psalm 86:1-5

Introduction

There are a few things that really stand out in this Psalm. The first thing that stands out to me, is the frequent mention of LORD, Lord, and God.

LORD is used for Jehovah God, always refers to the Eternal, self-existing God.

Very formal reference to THE ALMIGHTY, ETERNAL God

Lord is used for Adonay, master,

God is used for Elohim, which often refers to God, in this chapter, it is the same word as used in 8, but all the other references in this chapter clearly refer to God.

Psalm 87

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

April 09, 2025

God’s Plan #

Psalm 87:1-7

Introduction

The first read of this Psalm creates more questions than answers. It’s meaning, and understanding are not warn on the sleeve, but rather buried deep within its words and meaning. There is great depth, and I don’t know that I will fully bring it all to the table though I will attempt to do so. It is a brilliant Psalm, with great truth.

Psalm 88

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

April 16, 2025

Lamenting Loneliness #

Psalm 88:1-7

Introduction

Some of the Psalms are like the bright sunny day, in which they simply praise the Lord! Others are like the cloudy dreary day in which it rains, but suddenly the clouds break way, and the sun begins to shine, and there is a bright and happy ending to the rainy day. Other Psalms are like that of a dreary storm, who’s clouds hang low, and cover for days on end. The rain doesn’t end, it simply drags on, and the sun doesn’t shine at the end of the chapter. This Psalm is like that, however we will find a ray of hope in all of it.

Psalm 89

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

April 30, 2025

Driving through the Fog #

Psalm 89

Introduction

While living in Cajamarca, Peru. We lived 9,000 feet above sea level. Surrounding us were mountains in every direction you looked. It was a scenic view. We lived in a bowl in the mountains. You had to climb roughly to 13,000 feet to get in our out of our town, and then drop back down to 9,000. The climb was steep, the two roads in and out were switch backs. You climb across the hill, not straight up it, then you do a u-turn, and continue climbing up the hill. During certain times of the year, every day at 3pm fog would completely cover the mountain top road that entered our town. It was dangerous to travel that road while covered in fog.