Turning Hearts – Pastor Tim Salzarulo

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Psummer Psalms (week 8)

lesson 8 - psalm 116 PSALM 116 1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” 5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. 8 For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 10 I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.” 12 How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 16 O Lord , truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. 17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the Lord — in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord. After reading this psalm a few times, what are some verses or phrases that stand out as particularly meaningful? Explain why. What is confusing or difficult to understand? What has God done in your life to “save” and help you? Describe a time in your life when you were overcome with “trouble and sorrow.” What happened? What did you do? Did you turn first to God for help? Did you only rely on your own strength? What does it mean to be simple or simple-hearted (verse 6)? How does this verse help answer this question? How can verse 7 be powerful for your life? Reread verse 18. What does it mean to “fulfill your vows”? What are some clues from the text that help answer this question? This passage repeats the same verse twice . . . what is it? Why is this important? What would it mean for you to “fulfill your vows” to the Lord? Have you made any commitments to Him that you need to “make good” on? How does this psalm challenge or encourage you to worship God better?

Posted By Tim Salzarulo At 2:37 PM •

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