Psalm 089

Introduction Psalm 89 is one of the long psalms. When we studied Psalm 78, which is another long psalm, I explained that one way to deal with the long psalms is to divide them up into parts and to study each part over several weeks. So, we could divide Psalm 89 into three parts and … Continue reading Psalm 089

Psalm 088

Introduction Psalm 88 is another lamentation in which the psalmist calls on the Lord for help because of what he's suffering. However, it is unique because the other psalms of lamentation normally end with hope or with praise. Normally the psalmist prays to the Lord for help. And before the psalm is finished, he begins … Continue reading Psalm 088

2 Kings 12

Introduction It's been a while since we were studying 2 Kings together. But you might remember how Jehu had been anointed king of the northern kingdom of Israel; and he went immediately and killed Joram, his predecessor, and Ahaziah, who was the king of the southern kingdom of Judah. Joram and Ahaziah were both wicked … Continue reading 2 Kings 12

Psalm 087

Introduction Today's psalm has a link to the previous one, because in Psalm 86 David foretold how all nations will come and worship before the Lord and will bring glory to his name. And in today's psalm, the psalmist anticipates a time when people from foreign nations will live as citizens of God's holy city. … Continue reading Psalm 087

2 Kings 11

Introduction The focus of chapters 9 and 10 was on the northern kingdom of Israel. As the Lord foretold, Jehu became king. And he immediately went and killed Joram, who had been king before him. He also killed Ahaziah, who was the king of the southern kingdom of Judah. He also killed Jezebel, who was … Continue reading 2 Kings 11

Psalm 086

Introduction It's been a while since we've had a psalm of David. And that's what this psalm is, as you can see from the title. And it's another lament, in which David calls on the Lord for help because of the trouble he's in. And, according to verse 14, he needs the Lord's help because … Continue reading Psalm 086

Psalm 085

Introduction This psalm can be divided into four parts. In the first part, the psalmist recalls a time in the past when God restored the fortunes of his people. In the second part, he asks the Lord to restore their fortunes once again. In the third part, he expresses his confidence in the Lord, who … Continue reading Psalm 085

Psalm 084

Introduction In the first part of today's psalm, the psalmist expresses his longing for God's house. In the second part, he writes about the pilgrims who were on their way to God's house. And in the third part, he says that he would rather have one day there than a thousand days somewhere else; and … Continue reading Psalm 084

2 Kings 10

Introduction When we studied chapter 9 a couple of weeks ago, I said that it was an unpleasant chapter. It was an unpleasant chapter because, after recording that Jehu was to be king of Israel in place of Joram, the newly anointed king went immediately to Jezreel, where he killed Joram and where he also … Continue reading 2 Kings 10

2 Kings 09

Introduction Back in chapter 5 there was the story of the healing of Naaman. Do you remember? He was the commander of the Syrian army. He was a mighty warrior and people admired him. But he had leprosy. However, he heard from his wife's servant that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal … Continue reading 2 Kings 09