Answers to May 22 Questions

Psalm 84

What is the subject of Psalm 84? Rejoicing to be in the place to worship God

What is the occasion in verses 5-8? The pilgrimage to worship at the Feast of Tabernacles

What attitude is expressed in verse 10? Better to be in God’s house than anywhere else

Psalm 85

What had God done for Israel in the past? Forgiven and restored Israel

What does Israel ask of God now? Forgiveness and restoration again

What significance do you see in verse 10? God is both holy, righteous, and yet merciful and loving

Psalm 86

What help does the psalmist want from God? Help, protection while in a foreign land

Why does he want God to teach him? So he will apply His word and glorify Him

How is God described in verse 15? Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness

Psalm 87

What is the subject of Psalm 87? Zion as God’s designated dwelling place

Who will be written in the register? Those that acknowledge Zion, those that are born in Zion

Does this remind you of any New Testament passages? Heb. 12:21-23, John 3:5

Psalm 88

What is the state of the psalmist? Very near death

Who has he lost through death? His close friends

What is the answer to the psalmist’s rhetorical questions in verses 10-12? The answer appears to be “No” from the context, but in the ultimate sense, through Jesus, who is the Resurretion and the Life (John 11:25), the answer is actually “Yes.”

How long has the psalmist been on the verge of death? From his youth

Psalm 89

What is the reason for praise in Psalm 89? The covenant God made with David

Who are the saints in verses 5-8? Spiritual beings in the presence of God

What did God promise David? To strengthen and sustain him; defeat his foes; establish his royal line forever

What would God do if David’s descendants sinned against God? Punish with the rod

What are verses 38-45 saying? God has severely punished the royal line from an earthly standpoint (Jeremiah 22:24-30)

What is the reason for asking God’s help in verses 49-51? For God to keep the covenant He made with David concerning the permanence of the royal line