1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
Which of the details from these first 4 verses remind you of our culture today?
Would you consider this psalm of David to be pessimistic, realistic, conspiracist, partisan or (fill in the blank)? Explain your answer:
5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.
7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race. NIV
What is the significance of mentioning the refining process of silver and gold in verse 6?
Why do you think David includes himself in the "needy" category in verse 7? What makes David relate to those in verse 5? How is this in contrast to those in verse 2-4 and the second half of verse 7?
Is this psalm a statement of conviction, hope, reality, desperation, politics, or (fill in the blank)? Explain your answer:
What do you need to take away from this psalm today?
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