Bible Study Notes 5/13/2025

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 10

13 May 2025

Lesson 10 “Finding Reasons To Praise God.” –   In many of the Psalms the idea of praising God is mention. The King James Version translation of the Psalms contain 214 references to praise. The most common and fundamental Hebrew word used is halal, which means to “praise” or “to sing with praise.” It also means “to shine” to “boast.” When halal is combined with Yaw, it means to “Give Yahweh praise.”  In Psalm 34, David begins by exhorting his readers and listeners to join him in “blessing and praising God at all times.” The background of this psalm is David’s testimony of praise to God for protecting him when he fled for safety from King Saul but ended in the camp of the Philistines. It was in the Philistine territory, Gath, that the soldiers became suspicious of David, and he feared his life was in danger. As a diversion David pretended he was insane. The king, Achish, was notified and David was expelled from the territory without being harmed, or most likely killed. People with unusual behaviors were feared in ancient times; and some thought the behavior was infectious. Freed from life threatening danger, David encourages praising God for protecting His people when faced by the enemy. Praising God should not be limited to certain occasions; but God’s people are to praise Him “at all times.” To “boast” about our God is not irreverent but is an act of confidence in His great power. Because God is ever watching us, and hearing our pleas, the enemy cannot defeat us. We are to remain faithful to God and guard our behavior.

Verses & Explanations for Psalm 34:1-2, NKJV

Observe         Interpret     Apply

(Verses 1-2) – When and why to praise God.

(Verses 3-7) – David’s testimony of being rescued.

(Verses 8-10) – The providential goodness of God.

(Verses 11-14) – Reverence and awe for God’s presence.

(Verses 15-16) – God sees, hears, and protects His own.

(Verses 17-18) – God helps us in all our needs.

(Verses 10-22) – God cares for and protects His people.

The 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 34:1-2, NKJV

1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Psalm 34:3-7, NKJV

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.  6 Thid poor man cried out, and the Lord saved him. And saved him out of all his troubles.” 7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.

Psalm 34:8-10, NKJV

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the [one] who trusts Him!   9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no [lack for] those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall   not lack any good thing.

Psalm 34:11-14, NKJV

11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Who is the [one] that desires life, and loves many days, that [they] may see good?  13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:15-16, NKJV

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Psalm 34:17-18, NKJV

17 The righteous cry out and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.  18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:19-22, NKJV

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers [one] out of them all. 20 He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the soul oof His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Key Old Testament Word

Hallel – to praise; to shine; to boast; and to celebrate.