Email Bible Course No. 107
Prophetic Psalms Bible Lessons - Lesson 1 of 14
MAILBOX BIBLE COURSE
Welcome to our Mailbox Bible Study Course. We trust you will enjoy these lessons as much as we did composing them. We are glad to be able to serve the Lord and you in this way.Many arebeing saved and helped through these simple Bible lessons. We suggest that you try to do one lesson each week; this will keep your interest in them active. This particular course contains fourteen lessons on Prophetic Psalms Bible Studies. Please save this lesson onto your computer, read the lesson carefully, full in the answers to the test questions at the end of each lesson and email the test page back to us at . We will then evaluate and return any corrections to you with your next lesson. On completion of the full course you will receive a beautifully presented certificate. Should you have difficulty opening or sending this file to us, please let us know by return email. We suggest that you print these lessons and put them in a binder for future studies.
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Harold Smith (Your Instructor) and Shelly Allen (Assistant)
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I am greatly indebted to Bruce Anstey, the author of this book, for his kind permission
to use this material for this Bible Course on Prophetic Psalms
LESSON 1 PROPHETIC PSALMS BIBLE LESSONS
THE PROPHETIC OUTLINE OF THE FIVE BOOKS OF THE PSALMS
Many who read the Psalms overlook the proper dispensational setting into which the Spirit of God has put them and import the Christian’s standing, experience and hope. This is a mistake because the Psalms really do not rise to the height of the Christian’s understanding and blessing. A careful study of the Psalms will show that they are not Christian but rather Jewish in their interpretation.
Six Reasons Why the Psalms are Jewish and not Christian
1) The name of the Father which marks Christianity is not known (Romans 8:14-15 (KJV) 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father., Galatians 4:6 (KJV) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father). Hence eternal life is not enjoyed (John 17:3 (KJV) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent). The prayers and praises in the Psalms are directed instead to Jehovah (LORD), His covenant relationship name to Israel, and to God (Elohim) His creatorial name.
2) There is not the knowledge of Christ’s finished work on the cross and the believer’s perfect acceptance in Him before God (Ephesians 1:6 (KJV) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved). Consequently those in the Psalms do not have a purged conscience (Hebrews 9:14 (KJV) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?, Hebrews 10:2,22 (KJV) 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water) nor do they know peace with God (Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ).
There is still a fear that God will judge them for their sins even after they have been confessed. See Psalm 25:7,11,18 (KJV) 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. 11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sin, Psalm 38:1-4 (KJV) 1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me, Psalm 51:9-11 (KJV) 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me, etc.
3) Those in the Psalms are not sealed with the Holy Spirit as Christians are (Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV) 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory, Ephesians 4:30 (KJV) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption). The indwelling abiding presence of the Spirit is not known (John 14:16 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever). Compare Psalm 51:11 (KJV) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
4) The hope in the Psalms is to possess the kingdom on earth with its earthly blessings (Psalm 37:22 (KJV) For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off, Psalm 65:10 (KJV) Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof, Psalm 107:37 (KJV) And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase, etc.). This is right and proper for the Jew, but the Christian has a heavenly hope, calling and destiny which is not known in the Psalms (Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself, Colossians 1:5 (KJV) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Corinthians 5:1 (KJV) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
5) The worship and praise in the Psalms is that of Jewish order in an earthly temple (Psalm 5:7 (KJV) But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple, Psalm 26:6-8 (KJV) 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth, Psalm 27:4-6 (KJV) 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD, etc.), with the aid of musical Instruments (Psalm 68:25 (KJV) The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels, Psalm Chapters 149 to 150). Those in the Psalms worship Jehovah (LORD), whereas proper Christian worship is of the Father and the Son in spirit and truth, in the immediate presence of God within the veil (John 4:21-23 (KJV) 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him, Philippians 3:3 (KJV) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Hebrews 10:19-22 (KJV) 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, 1 Peter 2:5 (KJV) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ)
6) Those in the Psalms cry out for vengeance on their persecutors and enemies (i.e. Imprecatory Psalms). This may be proper for the Jew whose inheritance is earthly and must be possessed through physical combat, but is certainly not the attitude of the Christian. The Christian blesses those who curse him and prays for them that despitefully use him (Luke 6:27-28 (KJV) 27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you). He does not invoke judgment on his persecutors (Romans 12:19 (KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord).
This does not mean that the Christian should not read or make applications from the Psalms for his circumstances in life. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...” (2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness). “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 (KJV) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope). The Psalms can give much comfort to the saints in all ages. There are three main trials in the Psalms that are common to the people of God of all times; persecution (i.e. Psalms Chapters 3 to 5), chastening (i.e. Psalm Chapters 6), and slander, (i.e. Psalms Chapter 7). Comfort can be gained through applying these trials in principle to the believer today. But it is a mistake to think that they give the true Christian standing, experience and hope. The primary application of the Psalms then is not to Christ and the Church, but to Israel and their Messiah.
To properly appreciate the marvellous order of the Psalms it is necessary that the reader have some understanding of prophecy regarding Israel. The bible teaches that there yet awaits a literal restoration of Israel to their homeland and a fulfilment of their blessings promised to them. But nowhere in the Word of God does this refer to every Israelite by birth. The blessings promised to the nation will be accomplished in the remnant who hold to the Word of God and the promises of God. The great mass of the Jews today are rationalists, Infidels, materialistic, and even atheistic, and will be cut off by the judgments of the Lord. Just as the apostates In Christendom will not share in the blessings promised to real believers, the apostates in Israel will not share in their national promises and blessings.
After the church has been taken to glory by the coming of the Lord (sometimes called the rapture, John 14:2-3 (KJV) 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (KJV) 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words) there will be a time of tribulation for seven years (called a “week”, Daniel 9:27 (KJV) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate). During this time God will cause a national return of the Jews (the two tribes) to their homeland (Isaiah 18:1-4 (KJV) 1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: 2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! 3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. 4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest).