Summer of Psalms 2022 – Readings for May 30–June 5

Psalm 1

How do you think the world we live in would define those who are “blessed” and those who are not (what the Psalmist calls “wicked”)?

Do you think people today would argue that delighting in the law of the Lord makes you more blessed? In what ways might even the actions of Christian people seem to indicate we do not value meditating on the law of the Lord?

What practical suggestions do you have for your group that would help each one of you meditate on God’s law “day and night?”

Psalm 2

How have you seen the “nations” today set themselves against the Lord and his anointed?

Why do the nation’s plots result in the Lord laughing at their plans? In what ways might the Lord also laugh at our own plans and schemes?

What are ways in which we might be able to encourage the leaders of the nations—our nation—serve the Lord more? Do we seem to want leaders who serve God or leaders who create an environment that benefits us? Why do you think this is the case?

Psalm 3

Tell of a time when you felt as if your foes were many and they tried to convince you God would not be there to rescue you? What was your response to this?

Would you say you were or were not afraid of “many thousands of people” set against you? Why would you say this is the case?

How has God been your salvation? Tell the others in your group the ways he was been this for you, especially during challenging themes.

Psalm 4

Do you agree with the Psalmist that humans “love vain words and seek after lies”? Why do you think this is the case?

What does it mean to be set apart for God?

Can you say that you lie down in peace? Is so, how did you get to this point? If not, what might you be able to do to help move yourself to a place of more peace and trust?

Psalm 5

What are reasons you might cry out to God and seek his attention to you?

Why does the Psalmist say it is through the abundance of the God’s steadfast love that he enters the house of the Lord, versus the morning sacrifices he made or some other act of righteousness?

How can we rely more on God’s righteousness than our own attempts at good works?

Psalm 6

What causes your soul to be troubled? Are the things that trouble you things that you deserve or are even a natural consequence of life, or do these things come about due to the evil of others?

How have you seen the wicked around you renounce the Lord?

Have you ever been at a place where you were ready to give up? Did God rescue and if so, how did he do it?

Psalm 7

So, being pursued by “lions” seems sort of out there, perhaps beyond our typical experiences. Have you ever felt this way? Why? Why would you say people might be in a situation where this would be the description of their lives?

How confident are you in suggesting the Lord check to see if you have done any wrong? What sort of lives should we be living in order to be able to say this?

How often do you thank the Lord for his righteousness? Spend some time doing so now.

Psalm 8

What reasons can you give to affirm that the Lord is majestic in all the earth?

The Psalmist describes the beauty of God’s creation when describing his majestic nature. If you were going to do the same, in what parts of creation do you most see the glory of God?

Why do you think God thought so highly of humankind, including you?

Psalm 9

Spend some time recounting the “wonderful deeds” of God to your group.

How is your life changed knowing that the Lord “sits enthroned forever?” In what ways does this give you confidence to withstand those who might oppose you and your faith?

How is the Lord the stronghold of the oppressed? How can your group be a part of what God is doing to care for those who are oppressed or marginalized?

Psalm 10

Describe a time in your life when the opening of Psalm 10 was your “favorite verse,” or at least the verse that best described the status of your life.

How would you counsel someone who claimed that the Lord had hid himself in times of trouble? The Psalmist writes this, but would you say this is an accurate statement? Why or why not?

How well does this psalm describe your day-in-day-out thinking about God? Is he a God who is near and takes care of those in need, or do we more often think he is far away and does not help us? Why would you say this is the case in your life? What might change this thinking for the better?

Psalm 11

How does your view of your life change if you know that the Lord is in his holy temple?

In this psalm it seems as if God testing the righteous is a good thing, something to be commended. What do we typically think about “testing” and in what ways is it a good thing?

Does it seem like the wicked of our day are hated by God? What examples can you give that help make your point?

Psalm 12

Why would the psalmist say, “everyone utters lies to his neighbor?” In what ways do our own times seem like an affirmation of this statement?

What are the things we often think cause God to act or react? How does your list compare to what the psalmist says here causes God to arise?

How do you allow God to guard you from this generation?

Psalm 13

Describe a time when you were certain God had forgotten you.

Describe a time when God has answered you when you have called out to him.

How do you sing to the Lord for the bountiful things he has done for you because of your crying out to him?

Psalm 14

In what ways do people of the world declare there is no God? Why do they believe such a statement?

What are some specific ways you can share with others as to how you go about seeking God?

Would it be accurate to say today that there is none who does good? Why or why not?