Bible Study Notes 3/11/2025

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ©2025

Journey in the Psalms: Prayer, Praise and Promise

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Tracy M. Summer, Psalms: An All-In-One Study on God’s Song Book

Lesson 5 -  Part 1 & 2

Tues., 4 & 11 March 2025

Lesson 5 Part 2 “God Speaks Through Creation and the Word.” – The power of God to communicate His divine will through both Creation and teachings also is illustrated in Psalm 33:6-22. In these poetic and instructive verses, the psalmist reiterates the strong voice of God in recalling the Lord’s great work of Creation. God does nor simply put things in their proper places, but in each instance a profound message of His sovereignty and strength is conveyed. This psalm, like many others, was written during a period of national challenge and world chaos. Apparently, the people failed to understand the calamities they faced were the result of their own doing. These included misguided decisions, sins, and opportunistic endeavors. So often in human experience we attribute upheaval to forces outside of our own doing. Hardly ever is there a time when people put their plans above God, that they do not become apostate – abandoning the true meaning of their devotion to God and respect for each other. The Psalmist contrasts the orderliness of God to the disorder of people. This incongruity affects people negatively, often beginning with their leaders. Evil and wrong could resonate with leaders or the people who are governed. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah and many of the nation’s residents suffered because of their misdeeds The Scriptures states: “Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. Zedekiah did what was evil in the Lord’s sight…These things [calamities] happened because of the Lord’s anger against the people of Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence and sent them into exile.” (2 Kings 24:18a; 19a; 20, NLT)…

Despite our failures, the Lord watches over us and gives us provisions to sustain us. While God does not tolerate, evil or wrong, He good despite our failures. Psalm 33 communicates the sovereignty and wisdom of God in its verses.

Verse Divisions and Observations for Psalm 33:6-22

Observe        Interpret      Apply

(Verse 6)          The Divine Intention of God.

(Verse 7)          The orderliness of God.

(Verses 8-9)     Reverence to the greatness of God.

(Verses 10-11) Human plans are pale before God’s plans.

(Verses 12-13) God’s care for nations and all people.

(Verses 14-15) God knows the thoughts of all people.

(Verses 16-17) All human power is limited.

(Verses 18-22) Our help, security, and care are in God.

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. "Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”  - Psalm 119:105

Key Verses:

Psalm 33:6, NLT 6 “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.

Psalm 33:7, NLT

7 He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.

Psalm 33:8-9, NLT

8 Let the whole world fear the Lord and let everyone stand in awe of Him. 9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command.

Psalm 33:10-11, NLT

10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. 11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be… shaken.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever...

Psalm 33:12-13, NLT

12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people He has chosen as His inheritance.  13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.

Psalm 33:14-15, NLT

14 From His throne he observes all who live on the earth. 15 He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do.

Psalm 33:16-17, NLT

16 The best equipped army cannot save a king. Nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. 17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory – for all its strength, it cannot save you.

Psalm 33:18-22, NLT

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love. 19 He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. 20 We put our hope in the Lord, He is our help and our shield.” 21 In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust His holy name. 22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”

Micah 7:7-8, NLT

7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. 8 Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”