Psalm 73
1. Does this psalm remind you of any other psalm? Go back and read psalms 37 and 49 again. What similarities do you see?
2. Add 73:1, 73:13, 73:21 and 73:26 to the “heart” page in your journal.
3. Add 73:2 to the “feet” page in your journal.
4. Add 73:13 and 73:23 to the “hand” page in your journal.
4. Why had the psalmist’s feet nearly slipped? (vs. 3) Do you ever envy anyone? Why is it not a good idea to be envious of any other person?
5. What was the remedy for the psalmist’s envy? Verse 17 says he went into the sanctuary to worship God. Why would going to worship God change your perspective?
Psalm 74
1. What is the overall tone of this psalm? Why?
2. What is the psalmist’s plea to God?
3. Have you ever been the victim of wrong and had no recourse but God? How did you feel? What did you ask God for?
4. Add 74:11 to the “hand” page in your journal.
5. What do verses 12-17 recount? The creation.
Psalm 75
1. What is the horn symbolic of in this psalm? (power) Try substituting the word “power” in the verses that have the word “horn.” Does that help to make the psalm more understandable?
2. If you were to draw a horn to symbolize power, would it look more like the horn of a rhinoceros, an elephant, a unicorn, a bull, a ram, or the antlers of a deer or moose? Draw a strong horn in your journal. Then write 75:4 and 74:10 on that page.
3. Add 75:8 to the “cup” page in your journal.
4. What do you think it means to drink the cup from the LORD (vs. 8)?
Psalm 76
1. What does “Salem” mean in verse 2? Salem means “peace.”
2. Add 76:3 to the “shield” page in your journal.
Add 76:5 to the “hands” page in your journal.
3. What does the psalmist say our attitude should be as we stand before God?
4. What causes the entire earth to fear? Verse 8 says God uttered judgment. God created the world by speaking it into existence. Think of what happens when God speaks judgment.
5. What was the response of the rider and horse (vs 6) at God’s rebuke?
Psalm 77
1. What feeling do you get from reading this psalm?
2. Add 77:2, 77:10, and 77:20 to the “hand” page in your journal.
Add 77:6 to the “heart” page in your journal.
3. What does the word “waters” refer to in verses 16-20? When this psalm was written, this would have instantly reminded the people of was major Biblical event? Divide your paper into two parts. Draw a picture of God bringing his people out of Egypt - through the waters - on one side. Draw a picture of God bringing you through a storm in your life - on the other half of the paper.
4. Verse 13b says, “What god is great like our God?” Write down, in complete sentences, five things that make God great - greater than any other.
Psalm 78
1. How is Psalm 78:1-8 like Deuteronomy 6:6?
2. What happens when God’s people don’t teach their children what God has done in their lives? (verses 9-16)
3. Add 78:18, 78:37, and 78:72 to the “heart” page in your journal.
Add 78:19 to the “table” page in your journal.
Add 78:22 to the “trust” page in your journal.
Add 78:36 to the “tongues” page in your journal.
Add 78:54, 78:61, and 78:72 to the “hand” page in your journal.
Add 78:71 to the “shepherd” page in your journal.
4. Why was God so angry with His people? Verse 22 says they did not believe in God nor trust in His saving power - even after He had saved them from Egypt and provided for them in the wilderness. In your journal, list specific references back to the events in Exodus. Cite scriptures (chapter and verse). For instance, 78:44 (turned the water/rivers to blood) = Exodus 7:20.
5. Why didn’t God completely destroy His people when they rejected Him and refused to believe in Him? (Verse 38-39)
6. What is the good thing that the psalmist cites that God gave to His people? (verses 68-72)
7. Using a Venn Diagram, compare verses 52 and 72. Where do they overlap? Where are they different?
8. Read the NIrV devotional for Psalm 78:2-7.
Psalm 79
1. Why is the psalmist upset in this psalm? What has happened to Jerusalem and God’s people?
2. The psalmist says that the nations have attacked Jerusalem. Why?
3. Does the psalmist argue that this punishment from God is unfair? What reason does he give to God as the rationale for God to rescue His people?
4. What does the psalmist promise to do - from generation to generation?
5. Do you feel like the calamities that beset you are a punishment from God? How do you react? Do you try to blame someone else, or do you acknowledge your sin? Do you promise to praise God as long as you live regardless of the future?
Psalm 80
1. Add 80:1 to the “shepherd” page in your journal.
Add 80:1 to the “throne” page in your journal.
Add 80:15 and 80:17 to the “hand” page in your journal.
2. What does the psalmist ask that God do that they might be saved? (verse 3 - let His face shine) Write at least three sentences to describe that in modern language; explain what it means in your own words.
3. To what does the psalmist compare God’s people, Israel, in verses 8-11? Would you ever use this word to describe a nation? Why or why not? Why do you think the psalmist does? Does it make you think of John 15? Why or why not?
4. Draw a comic strip showing a vine which is planted, it takes over the land, it gives shade to the mountains, it sends out branches to the Mediterranean and its shoots to the Euphrates River.
5. What happens to the vine in verses 12-13 and 16? Add these pictures to your comic strip.
6. What does the psalmist promise to do if God saves them? (verse 18) What does it mean to “call upon the name of the Lord”?
7. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (O Thou The Shepherd of Israel Art).
Psalm 81
1. Make a list of all the musical instruments named in this psalm. See if you can find 5.
2. What happened after God heard the distress of His people and rescued them from Egypt? (vs. 11).
3. If God’s people would heed his voice, obey Him, and submit to Him, what did He promise to do? (vs. 10, 14, 16)
4. Do you ever go against what you know is God’s will in your life? Why do you do that? How do you restore your relationship with Him? Do you think He’s willing to forgive you, if you ask?
5. Add 81:12 to the “heart” page in your journal.
Add 81:14 to the “hand” page in your journal.
6. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (Praise the Eternal with a Psalm).
Psalm 82
1. What title would you give to God based on verse 1? Judge
2. What wrong are the judges doing? (verse 2-4)
3. Add 82:4 to the “hand” page in your journal.
4. Read John 10:34. Who cited this psalm?
5. How seriously does God take injustice, especially to the weak, afflicted, fatherless, and needy? How do you know?
Psalm 83
1. Why does the psalmist ask God not to be silent?
2. What word pictures does he use to convey the destruction of the wicked? (vs. 10, 13-15) Choose one of these four metaphors. Then draw a picture of people being destroyed.
3. Why does the psalmist want God to act? (vs. 18)
Psalm 84
1. Add 84:2 and 84:5 to the “heart” page in your journal.
Add 84:9 and 84:11 to the “shield” page in your journal.
Add 84:12 to the “coin” page, for “trusts in you,” in your journal.
2. Using a Venn diagram, compare Psalm 42 with Psalm 84.
3. Using your favorite drawing tools, depict one of the following verses:
a. Verse 10: better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere
b. Verse 10: I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked
c. Verse 6: they make it a place of springs;
d. Verse 3: even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself.
4. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings).
Psalm 85
1. Write down the verbs in this psalm which tell what God has done or is doing. Just based on these verbs, would you say this is a positive or negative psalm?
2. What do you think verse 10 is talking about? How can steadfast love and faithfulness meet? How can righteousness and peace kiss each other? Read Ephesians 2:13-22. Do you see how Jesus Christ can effect righteousness and peace through His death and resurrection? Do you see how mercy and faithfulness can be achieved at Calvary? Look again at 85:2. In Jesus Christ, God was able to forgive the iniquity of the people and cover their sins with the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
3. Salvation is close to whom? Verse 9.
Psalm 86
1. Add 86:2 the the coin page in your journal (for “trusts in you”).
Add 86:11 and 86:12 to the “heart” page in your journal.
2. Read verse 15. Where was this description of God first found in the Bible (Exodus 34:6)? And who said it? Where else is it found? Psalm 103:8, Nehemiah 9:17, Joel 2:13
3. Why does David ask God to preserve his life? (Verse 2) Have you ever asked God to save you from a bad situation? Did you give Him a reason why He should save you?
4. What other reason does David give to God to help him and comfort him? (Verse 17) Which reason (verse 2 or verse 17) do you think is a better reason?
Psalm 87
1. What song do the first three verses make you think of? Find “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” in a hymn book and sing it!
2. Zion is another name for what city? How do you know?
3. Read John 7:37 and compare it to Psalm 87:7. Are there any connections between these two verses?
Psalm 88
1. Add 88:5 and 88:9 to the “hand” page in your journal.
2. Who has caused this psalmist to be put into the pit and to be overwhelmed?
3. What do you think of verse 10 as a reason to forgive and restore this person?
4. What dreadful things have happened to this person? Choose one and draw a picture to depict it.
5. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (O Thou God of My Salvation).
Psalm 89
1. This is a well-known children’s song: “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever.” If you can find it, sing it!
2. Add 89:4, 89:14, 89:29, 89:36 and 89:44 to the “throne” page.
Add 89:13, 89:12, 89:25 and 89:42 to the “hand” page in your journal.
Add 89:15 to the “light” page in your journal.
Add 89:17 and 89:24 to the “horn” page in your journal.
Add 89:18 to the “shield” page in your journal.
Add 89:50 to the “heart” page in your journal.
3. Make a list of God’s attributes listed in this hymn. For which of them do you praise God?
4. Draw a picture of verse 9 with your favorite color tools.
5. Contrast verses 19-37 with verses 38-45.
6. Why does this psalm end with “amen and amen”? (It’s the end of this book of psalms - Book Three.)
1. Does this psalm remind you of any other psalm? Go back and read psalms 37 and 49 again. What similarities do you see?
2. Add 73:1, 73:13, 73:21 and 73:26 to the “heart” page in your journal.
3. Add 73:2 to the “feet” page in your journal.
4. Add 73:13 and 73:23 to the “hand” page in your journal.
4. Why had the psalmist’s feet nearly slipped? (vs. 3) Do you ever envy anyone? Why is it not a good idea to be envious of any other person?
5. What was the remedy for the psalmist’s envy? Verse 17 says he went into the sanctuary to worship God. Why would going to worship God change your perspective?
Psalm 74
1. What is the overall tone of this psalm? Why?
2. What is the psalmist’s plea to God?
3. Have you ever been the victim of wrong and had no recourse but God? How did you feel? What did you ask God for?
4. Add 74:11 to the “hand” page in your journal.
5. What do verses 12-17 recount? The creation.
Psalm 75
1. What is the horn symbolic of in this psalm? (power) Try substituting the word “power” in the verses that have the word “horn.” Does that help to make the psalm more understandable?
2. If you were to draw a horn to symbolize power, would it look more like the horn of a rhinoceros, an elephant, a unicorn, a bull, a ram, or the antlers of a deer or moose? Draw a strong horn in your journal. Then write 75:4 and 74:10 on that page.
3. Add 75:8 to the “cup” page in your journal.
4. What do you think it means to drink the cup from the LORD (vs. 8)?
Psalm 76
1. What does “Salem” mean in verse 2? Salem means “peace.”
2. Add 76:3 to the “shield” page in your journal.
Add 76:5 to the “hands” page in your journal.
3. What does the psalmist say our attitude should be as we stand before God?
4. What causes the entire earth to fear? Verse 8 says God uttered judgment. God created the world by speaking it into existence. Think of what happens when God speaks judgment.
5. What was the response of the rider and horse (vs 6) at God’s rebuke?
Psalm 77
1. What feeling do you get from reading this psalm?
2. Add 77:2, 77:10, and 77:20 to the “hand” page in your journal.
Add 77:6 to the “heart” page in your journal.
3. What does the word “waters” refer to in verses 16-20? When this psalm was written, this would have instantly reminded the people of was major Biblical event? Divide your paper into two parts. Draw a picture of God bringing his people out of Egypt - through the waters - on one side. Draw a picture of God bringing you through a storm in your life - on the other half of the paper.
4. Verse 13b says, “What god is great like our God?” Write down, in complete sentences, five things that make God great - greater than any other.
Psalm 78
1. How is Psalm 78:1-8 like Deuteronomy 6:6?
2. What happens when God’s people don’t teach their children what God has done in their lives? (verses 9-16)
3. Add 78:18, 78:37, and 78:72 to the “heart” page in your journal.
Add 78:19 to the “table” page in your journal.
Add 78:22 to the “trust” page in your journal.
Add 78:36 to the “tongues” page in your journal.
Add 78:54, 78:61, and 78:72 to the “hand” page in your journal.
Add 78:71 to the “shepherd” page in your journal.
4. Why was God so angry with His people? Verse 22 says they did not believe in God nor trust in His saving power - even after He had saved them from Egypt and provided for them in the wilderness. In your journal, list specific references back to the events in Exodus. Cite scriptures (chapter and verse). For instance, 78:44 (turned the water/rivers to blood) = Exodus 7:20.
5. Why didn’t God completely destroy His people when they rejected Him and refused to believe in Him? (Verse 38-39)
6. What is the good thing that the psalmist cites that God gave to His people? (verses 68-72)
7. Using a Venn Diagram, compare verses 52 and 72. Where do they overlap? Where are they different?
8. Read the NIrV devotional for Psalm 78:2-7.
Psalm 79
1. Why is the psalmist upset in this psalm? What has happened to Jerusalem and God’s people?
2. The psalmist says that the nations have attacked Jerusalem. Why?
3. Does the psalmist argue that this punishment from God is unfair? What reason does he give to God as the rationale for God to rescue His people?
4. What does the psalmist promise to do - from generation to generation?
5. Do you feel like the calamities that beset you are a punishment from God? How do you react? Do you try to blame someone else, or do you acknowledge your sin? Do you promise to praise God as long as you live regardless of the future?
Psalm 80
1. Add 80:1 to the “shepherd” page in your journal.
Add 80:1 to the “throne” page in your journal.
Add 80:15 and 80:17 to the “hand” page in your journal.
2. What does the psalmist ask that God do that they might be saved? (verse 3 - let His face shine) Write at least three sentences to describe that in modern language; explain what it means in your own words.
3. To what does the psalmist compare God’s people, Israel, in verses 8-11? Would you ever use this word to describe a nation? Why or why not? Why do you think the psalmist does? Does it make you think of John 15? Why or why not?
4. Draw a comic strip showing a vine which is planted, it takes over the land, it gives shade to the mountains, it sends out branches to the Mediterranean and its shoots to the Euphrates River.
5. What happens to the vine in verses 12-13 and 16? Add these pictures to your comic strip.
6. What does the psalmist promise to do if God saves them? (verse 18) What does it mean to “call upon the name of the Lord”?
7. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (O Thou The Shepherd of Israel Art).
Psalm 81
1. Make a list of all the musical instruments named in this psalm. See if you can find 5.
2. What happened after God heard the distress of His people and rescued them from Egypt? (vs. 11).
3. If God’s people would heed his voice, obey Him, and submit to Him, what did He promise to do? (vs. 10, 14, 16)
4. Do you ever go against what you know is God’s will in your life? Why do you do that? How do you restore your relationship with Him? Do you think He’s willing to forgive you, if you ask?
5. Add 81:12 to the “heart” page in your journal.
Add 81:14 to the “hand” page in your journal.
6. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (Praise the Eternal with a Psalm).
Psalm 82
1. What title would you give to God based on verse 1? Judge
2. What wrong are the judges doing? (verse 2-4)
3. Add 82:4 to the “hand” page in your journal.
4. Read John 10:34. Who cited this psalm?
5. How seriously does God take injustice, especially to the weak, afflicted, fatherless, and needy? How do you know?
Psalm 83
1. Why does the psalmist ask God not to be silent?
2. What word pictures does he use to convey the destruction of the wicked? (vs. 10, 13-15) Choose one of these four metaphors. Then draw a picture of people being destroyed.
3. Why does the psalmist want God to act? (vs. 18)
Psalm 84
1. Add 84:2 and 84:5 to the “heart” page in your journal.
Add 84:9 and 84:11 to the “shield” page in your journal.
Add 84:12 to the “coin” page, for “trusts in you,” in your journal.
2. Using a Venn diagram, compare Psalm 42 with Psalm 84.
3. Using your favorite drawing tools, depict one of the following verses:
a. Verse 10: better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere
b. Verse 10: I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked
c. Verse 6: they make it a place of springs;
d. Verse 3: even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself.
4. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings).
Psalm 85
1. Write down the verbs in this psalm which tell what God has done or is doing. Just based on these verbs, would you say this is a positive or negative psalm?
2. What do you think verse 10 is talking about? How can steadfast love and faithfulness meet? How can righteousness and peace kiss each other? Read Ephesians 2:13-22. Do you see how Jesus Christ can effect righteousness and peace through His death and resurrection? Do you see how mercy and faithfulness can be achieved at Calvary? Look again at 85:2. In Jesus Christ, God was able to forgive the iniquity of the people and cover their sins with the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
3. Salvation is close to whom? Verse 9.
Psalm 86
1. Add 86:2 the the coin page in your journal (for “trusts in you”).
Add 86:11 and 86:12 to the “heart” page in your journal.
2. Read verse 15. Where was this description of God first found in the Bible (Exodus 34:6)? And who said it? Where else is it found? Psalm 103:8, Nehemiah 9:17, Joel 2:13
3. Why does David ask God to preserve his life? (Verse 2) Have you ever asked God to save you from a bad situation? Did you give Him a reason why He should save you?
4. What other reason does David give to God to help him and comfort him? (Verse 17) Which reason (verse 2 or verse 17) do you think is a better reason?
Psalm 87
1. What song do the first three verses make you think of? Find “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” in a hymn book and sing it!
2. Zion is another name for what city? How do you know?
3. Read John 7:37 and compare it to Psalm 87:7. Are there any connections between these two verses?
Psalm 88
1. Add 88:5 and 88:9 to the “hand” page in your journal.
2. Who has caused this psalmist to be put into the pit and to be overwhelmed?
3. What do you think of verse 10 as a reason to forgive and restore this person?
4. What dreadful things have happened to this person? Choose one and draw a picture to depict it.
5. If you have a Dwight Armstrong hymnal, sing this psalm (O Thou God of My Salvation).
Psalm 89
1. This is a well-known children’s song: “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever.” If you can find it, sing it!
2. Add 89:4, 89:14, 89:29, 89:36 and 89:44 to the “throne” page.
Add 89:13, 89:12, 89:25 and 89:42 to the “hand” page in your journal.
Add 89:15 to the “light” page in your journal.
Add 89:17 and 89:24 to the “horn” page in your journal.
Add 89:18 to the “shield” page in your journal.
Add 89:50 to the “heart” page in your journal.
3. Make a list of God’s attributes listed in this hymn. For which of them do you praise God?
4. Draw a picture of verse 9 with your favorite color tools.
5. Contrast verses 19-37 with verses 38-45.
6. Why does this psalm end with “amen and amen”? (It’s the end of this book of psalms - Book Three.)