David's psalms provide a peak into his inner world, his theology, and how his theology shaped his worldview—his response to God, to people, and to the issues of life. He makes an assortment of faith-statements throughout his psalms that reveal what anchors his hope in the midst of turbulence. For example David declares "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved (16:8). David operates out of a high and lofty view of God and that’s what balances him emotionally and spiritually.
David, through the psalms that he composes, teaches us how to process all of life through the lens of God's wisdom, sovereignty, and accessibility with honesty, transparency and thoughtfulness and he had never been to seminary! David shines a light for us who, like him, seek to walk with God by faith. Therefore, it is critical that we explore David's thoughts about God, about people, and about life by asking questions as we read his psalms.
- How does David view the wicked and how they operate?
- What are some of the areas that David struggles with personally?
- David reveals his theology—who God is—in and of Himself—and who God is for David. Describe David’s view of God. How does David appropriate God’s character?
- What are some of the metaphors that David utilizes to distill his thoughts about life, sin, the wicked?
- What motivates David to cry out to God? To have faith in God?
- How does David employ aspects of or metaphors about creation in his psalms?
- What questions does David entertain about God? About life? About people? How does David resolve those questions?
- How does David process the need for personal and communal justice?
- How does deal with the inequity and what he sees?
- David studies human nature and places people in one of two categories: those who are wise, righteous and believing and those who are foolish, wicked and rebellious. Make two columns and record David’s assessments in both categories.
- List some of the emotional highs and lows that David experiences.
- Categorize the honest assessments that David makes about himself and human nature.
David's psalms provide a wonderful templet for us as we seek to become authentic with God and with others in our own spiritual journey.
Who God is for David is who He is for the me.
~Iva May