Step 2 Bible Exploration
On the poster sheet, read the third paragraph, then point out on the poster the painting of a Jewish man praying and the Sunday school teacher with a class.
Continual Hope
Read Psalm 71:12-14, and highlight these key points in the Scripture:
• The author of Psalm 71 was desperate for God’s help.
• He expressed an intense desire for the Lord to be near him so He would quickly rescue him.
• He asked the Lord to degrade and consume his enemies.
• Meanwhile, he will always have hope in God, whom he will praise ever increasingly.
Bible Commentary
Adversaries/False Accusers
When those who are adversaries of God and His people falsely accuse, they are acting very much like their father the devil. Jesus said that the devil “is a liar, and the father of lies” (John 8:44). For example, the devil falsely accused Job when he said, “Stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” (Job 1:11). Of course, Job proved the devil to be the false accuser that he is by remaining true to the Lord, despite the horrific hardships he endured.
And the devil and his followers continue to accuse God’s people falsely. However, we can take great hope
Study the hopeful message in Psalm 71.
knowing that there will come a time when all heaven will rejoice, “for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. . . . Therefore, rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them” (Rev. 12:10b, 12a, KJV). In the meantime, like the psalmist, we can call on the Lord for help, placing our full hope and trust in Him to see us through even the darkest times. And even more importantly, we can guide our children and their children to do the same.
Continual Hope
13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
Psalm 71:12-14, NIV
12Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.
13May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
Sometimes hardships come in trickles, other times in waves. Such was the case of the psalmist here, who was in the “golden years” of life and apparently feeling it (see vs. 9). Whether afflictions that come with aging or some other trial, if we are not careful, we can feel as if God is far from us.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. As the psalmist made clear, help from our loving and gracious God is only a prayer away. Always, our heart’s desire will be for Him to come to us “quickly” (vs. 12). But this is a matter of perspective, for though our circumstance may lead us to believe that the Lord is far away, the reality is that He is always with us.
There is no greater reason to rejoice than knowing that our God is with us. And we are assured of His presence through consistent prayer and time with Him, which in turn produces thankfulness in our hearts, no matter the circumstances. This can be hard at times, especially when facing false “accusers” (vs. 13), which was part of the psalmist’s plight.
False accusations can be painful in at least two ways. First, if believed, lies can tarnish the opinions others may have of us. Second, these false accusations can negatively impact the view others may have of our God. So the psalmist prayed that his accusers would be brought to “scorn and disgrace” (vs. 13) instead. When that happens, others will see them for who they are and will not believe their lies.
Lesson 7 for July 14 • Page 48
Psalm 71:12-14, KJV
12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Comprehensive Bible Study Student Book Reduction
For more commentary on these Scriptures, read p. 951 in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: Old Testament.
Now review this part of the lesson by answering Questions 4, 5, and 6
4. Why did the psalmist want the Lord to come to him quickly?
(Suggested Answer) The psalmist’s situation and frame of mind was such that he asked the Lord not to be far from him. So he asked the Lord to come to him quickly to help in his affliction, which was tied to attacks from false accusers.
5. What did the psalmist desire for his adversaries and false accusers?
(Suggested Answer) False accusations can hurt
Lesson 7 for July 14 • Page 49
Because we know that the Lord is always with us and will take up our cause against those who falsely accuse us, we also know that He is our only hope in this life and in the life to come. Unlike our false accusers, it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). Therefore, we who put our trust in the Lord “have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (vs. 19a). And because our hope is sure in the Lord, out of gratitude and love, our praise can pour out of abundant hearts. Additionally, we can lead the younger generation in doing the same. Considering the hope we have in the Lord, it is so important to help the next generation understand the hope and love that is also theirs if they come to Him in faith.
4. Why did the psalmist want the Lord to come to him quickly?
5. What did the psalmist desire for his adversaries and false accusers?
6. Knowing that the Lord will help, what can we always have?
Courageous Hope
Psalm 71:15-18, KJV
15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am
Psalm 71:15-18, NIV
15My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.
16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,
the reputation of innocent people. Worse yet, they can bring reproach upon the good name of God. So the psalmist wanted his adversaries to have that reproach and disgrace on their own heads, thereby negating their false accusations.
6. Knowing that the Lord will help, what can we always have?
(Suggested Answer) Because our Lord will help us in time of need, we can always put our trust and hope in Him. And a trusting, hopeful heart will pour out praise and thanksgiving that is worthy of Him.
Courageous Hope
Now read Psalm 71:15-18, and discuss these ideas:
• Although the psalmist was unable to relate all of God’s righteous deeds, he would declare those that would come to his mind throughout the day.
• The psalmist again promised to proclaim His awesome feats and the righteous deeds of God alone.
• Indeed, the Lord has been teaching the psalmist since his youth, and the psalmist has remained faithful in proclaiming the marvelous deeds of his divine tutor.
• Now that the psalmist has aged and is old, he besought the Lord not to abandon him, but, instead, he would tell the younger generation that God is all powerful and that what He does is full of power.
Bible Commentary
No Retirement in God’s Economy
The Holy Spirit endows every believer with a gift or supernatural ability to serve God and others (1 Cor. 12:1-11). Furthermore, He does not rescind that gift when a person reaches a certain age. There is no retirement in God’s economy. Granted, as a person ages, there may
arise certain physical restrictions. Face it, we cannot do at 80 what we did at 18. Nevertheless, though more limited in some ways, the aged among God’s people still have much to offer.
As Paul pointed out to Titus, the older men should be good examples of sobriety, gravity, temperance, faith, love, and patience. And the older women can help younger women in what it takes to help maintain a godly marriage and family (Titus 2:1-5). In other words, the senior saints can guide and mentor younger adults, who can, in turn, raise godly children to love the Lord and others. This is why “gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness” (Prov. 16:31). From one generation to the next, the “way of righteousness” must be proclaimed, and no one is better prepared to do this than those who have been proclaiming His ways for decades.
After discussing the Scripture and commentary, have the class answer Questions 7, 8, and 9.
7. What should our mouths proclaim?
(Suggested Answer) Our mouths should proclaim all the glorious deeds and acts of salvation accomplished by our mighty Lord. No matter what comes into our lives, good or bad, God will use it for our good and His glory.
8. How long should we proclaim it?
(Suggested Answer) There are two parts to the answer to the question. First, we see that we should proclaim the mighty acts of God all day long. Second, we are to proclaim them our entire lives, from the time we come to faith in the Lord until we go home to be with Him.
9. To whom should we proclaim it?
(Suggested Answer) In general, we are to proclaim God’s glorious deeds to all who will listen. However, from our passage specifically, we are to proclaim the glory of God to the generations to come.
Comforting Hope
Finally, read Psalm 71:19-21, and consider these summary statements with your class:
• The psalmist continued his praise of God by noting God’s actions (what God had done to protect and provide) and God’s character (who God is).
• The psalmist acknowledged that the Lord had allowed numerous bitter hardships to assail him throughout his life.
• Nevertheless, he stated with confidence that God would rescue him from the depths of the earth.
• With utter certainty, the psalmist declared that the Lord would enhance his honor and extend to him His consolation.
Comprehensive Bible Study Student Book Reduction
Lesson 7 for July 14 • Page 50 old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
The key to having the full assurance of our great hope in the Lord is to recall regularly the wondrous works He has already accomplished in our lives. God’s past goodness to us can encourage and see us through the dark times of life. And when we get on the other side of a trial or ordeal, we can look back at it and see how the gracious, guiding hand of the Lord led us through it, as well. Such was the case of the psalmist, who was ready to proclaim “all day long” (vs. 15) what the Lord had done for Him. We, too, can boldly declare to others the mighty acts of God in our lives. Not only can we declare His deeds boldly, but we should also declare them often.
The psalmist’s challenge was that he did not know how he could name all the righteous and saving acts of God because he could not count them all. However, whether young or wellseasoned, healthy or ailing, in good times or bad, we have every reason to rejoice and praise the Lord. And may our rejoicing be in such a manner that it also instructs and encourages “the next generation” (vs. 18) to come. Future generations need to see the “power” of the Lord, for the more they do, the more apt they are to respond in faith and continue the cycle of passing on God’s truth to the generations after them.
Sometimes we may think that when we become “old and gray,” God forgets us or we have nothing to pass along to those coming behind. We should pray as the psalmist did, “Do not forsake me, my God.” When we do, He hears us and reminds us that He is still with us at all times.
7. What should our mouths proclaim?
8. How long should we proclaim it?
9. To whom should we proclaim it?
FOCUS: Proclaim God’s love and hope to the next generations.
Bible Commentary
Hope of the Resurrection
Like the psalmist, we have assurance that one day we, too, will be raised from the dead. Along with the passage in 1 Thessalonians 4, the great hope of the resurrection from the dead is also proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15. As Paul stated, the trumpet will sound, and in the twinkling of an eye, the dead will be raised. Those who remain will be changed, and death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:51-54). With that glorious hope in our hearts, we, too, can proclaim victory over death, even now, and know that our service to the Lord is not in vain (vss. 55-58). And there is no greater service than proclaiming God’s love and hope to
Comprehensive Bible Study Student Book Reduction
Lesson 7 for July 14 • Page
51
Comforting Hope
Psalm 71:19-21, KJV
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
Psalm 71:19-21, NIV
19Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
20Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
21You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
Our lesson’s passage closes with the reminder that there is no limit to the righteousness of God. And no matter how bad the troubles of life may be, we can know that our He is with us. Though our troubles may be “many and bitter” (vs. 20), we can know that God will strengthen us in this life. And when the time comes that our bodies are placed in the “depths of the earth,” our hope is still in the Lord, who is like no other and has always “done great things” (vs. 19).
Truly, our hope and comfort is in the Lord, and there is no greater comfort, especially for the aged, than knowing that God’s love and hope have been proclaimed and received by those who will carry on for Christ after we are gone. God will “honor” those who honor Him. Exactly what the psalmist meant when he said the Lord will “restore my life again” is not clear, but a good life lived for the Lord lasts as it affects the generations who come after us.
10. How far does the righteousness of God reach?
11. What did the psalmist see and experience at the hand of God?
12. What promise of restoration and increase did the psalmist hope for?
those who come after us.
Finally, answer Questions 10, 11, and 12 with your students.
10. How far does the righteousness of God reach?
(Suggested Answer) There is no limit to the righteousness of God. It reaches high, to the very heavens above. He is our glorious, holy God, and there is no one like Him.
11. What did the psalmist see and experience at the hand of God?
(Suggested Answer) God’s love and mercy are without end, and His righteousness is boundless. Therefore, out of love and righteousness, He brings refining trials into the lives of His people. And the psalmist saw and experienced many bitter troubles.
12. What promise of restoration and increase did the psalmist hope for?
(Suggested Answer) After experiencing the refining trials, the psalmist’s great hope was that the Lord would restore his very life and increase his honor and comfort.
WINDOW ON THE WORD
What Is a Psalm?
Psalms are sacred songs or poems people sing during the worship of the Lord. The word is derived from the Greek word psalmoi, meaning “instrumental music,” and specifically for the psalms as we know them in the Bible, they are “the words accompanying music.”
The Hebrew psalms are mostly found in the Book of Psalms, of which there are 150, and all are considered sacred in Christianity and Judaism. According to the traditions of both religions, King David is the author of many of them, which praise the Lord God with many different allusions from joy to grief to contrition.
