Author: Art Davison

MAN, GOD’S PRIMARY WORK
PSALM 8:3-9

Psalm 144:3, “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!”

Introduction:

The Bible tells us about man in Hebrews 2:7, “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:”

Man is insignificant in the scope of the universe, yet God cares for him immensely. It amazed David that the Lord of the universe even thinks about man. Even the Hebrew word rendered “man” expresses the frailty of man rather than any strength or power that he possesses.

I. THE PERFECT MAN FALLS

A. Man was created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

1. Man was made upright, Ecclesiastes 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

2. God gave man dominion over the entire earth, Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

3. God gave man one law to regulate his activity, Genesis 2:16-17, And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17- But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

B. Man disobeys God, Genesis 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

1. Man became wicked, Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

2. Man is wicked from his youth, Genesis 8:21, “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”

3. How can a man be just before God? Job 9:2, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?”

a. Can he contend with God? Job 9:3-4, If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4-He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?”

b. Can I justify myself? Job 9:20, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.”

c. Can I wash myself in snow? Job 9:29-31, “If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? 30- If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31- Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.”

II. THE SECOND PERFECT MAN GIVES HIS LIFE

A. Jesus Christ is the last Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47, And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46- Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47- The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

1. The first Adam.

a. Made a living soul, Genesis 2: 7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

b. The first Adam was a natural man, Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

c. The first Adam was of the earth, earthy, John 3:13, 31, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 31-He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”

2. The Last Adam.

a. He was made a quickening spirit, John 5:21, 25-26, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26- For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;”

b. The Last Adam is spiritual, the Lord from heaven, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

III. THOSE MEN WHO WOULD BE PERFECT

A. Without holiness no man shall see God, Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

1. God has called us unto holiness, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

2. Because God is holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16- Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

3. No unclean person will enter into His presence, Ephesians 5:5, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

B. They must receive Jesus Christ as Savior, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13- Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

THE SLANDERED SAINT
PSALM 7:1-17

Introduction:

It appears probable that Cush the Benjamite had accused David to Saul of treasonable conspiracy against his royal authority. Saul was already jealous of David and in fear of losing his kingdom to him.

Cush being of the same tribe of the king, was near the throne and could do more injury to David than an ordinary slanderer. So David made this slander into a song. “Let us learn a lesson from Luther, who once said, “David made Psalms; we also will make Psalms, and sing them as well as we can to the honour of our Lord, and to spite and mock the devil.”

I. DAVID AVOWS HIS INNOCENCE, vv. 3-5

A. David puts his trust in the Lord, Psalms 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

1. David was not ashamed, Psalms 25:2, “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

2. David walked before the Lord with integrity, Psalms 26:1, “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.”

3. David expected God’s mercy to endure, Psalms 32:10, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.”

B. David was happy and confident in the Lord, Psalms 146:5, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:”

1. David “stayed” upon the Lord, Isaiah 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.”

2. David was confident that the truth would be revealed, Psalms 146:6, “Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:”

II. DAVID PLEADS FOR JUDGMENT, vv. 6-7

A. David prays for God to judge him, Psalms 35:1, “Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”

1. God had judged between David and Saul, 1 Samuel 13:14, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”

2. Saul’s disobedience to God had caused him to be rejected, 1 Samuel 15:23, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

B. He prays for the sake of the people, Psalms 35:23, “Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.”

1. That they might observe God’s justice, Psalms 58:10, “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.”

2. That men might know that there is a reward for the righteous, Psalms 58:11, “So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.”

III. DAVID IS CLEARED BY THE LORD, vv. 8-9

A. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, Daniel 11:44-45, “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45- And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.”

B. Let the Lord vindicates his servant, Psalm 26:1, “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.”

1. God preserves those that are innocent, Daniel 6:22, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions ’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

2. The innocent blood of Christ made that possible, Matthew 27:24, “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”

IV. DAVID SEES THE PIT INTO WHICH CUSH HAS FALLEN, vv. 10-13

A. God is angry with the wicked every day, Romans 2:8, “But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.”

B. History speaks of the danger of disobedience, Hebrews 10:28-29, He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29- Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

CONCLUSION

SIN SICK
PSALM 6:1-10

Introduction:

This psalm is divided into two parts. The first part we see the Psalmist’s plea to the Lord in his great distress reaching from the first to the seventh verse. Then you have a very different theme from verse eight to the end of the psalm.

Here we see the Psalmist on a high note of confidence stating that God had heard his prayer and delivered him out of all of his troubles.

I. THE SORROW OF SIN, vv. 3, 6-7

A. God has two means by which He motivates His children to obedience.

1. His Word, by which he rebukes them, Psalm 2:5, “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”

2. His rod, by which he chastises them, Hebrews 12:10, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

B. David feared God’s wrath, Psalms 2:5, “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”

1. David knew he himself must deal with his sin first, 1 Corinthians 11:31, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

2. He came before the Lord to confess his sin, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

C. He knew that God was displeased with him, Psalms 38:1, “O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”

1. David knew that God would chasten him because he was a son of God, Hebrews 12:7, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

2. He knew it would not be a joyful experience, Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

II. THE HUMILIATION OF SIN, vv. 2, 4

A. David does not plead his goodness or greatness before the Lord, but declares, “I am weak,” Psalm 38:7, “For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.”

B. A sense of sin had spoiled his pride and taken away his strength, Job 26:2, “How hast thou helped him that is without power ? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?”

C. David looks to God’s mercy for his help, Psalms 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”

1. The Lord knows what we are, Psalms 103:14, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

2. He understands our needs and gives us His mercy, Psalms 103:17, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;”

III. THE HATRED OF SIN, v. 8

A. David’s expression of confidence is seen here, Psalm 119:115, “Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God”

B. David has found peace, Psalm 3:4, “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.”

1. At first he felt cut off from the Lord, Psalm 31:22, “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.”

2. He learned to wait patiently on the Lord, Psalm 40:1, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

3. The Lord brought him out of his despair, Psalm 40:2, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

C. He wanted the shame and disgrace he felt at his enemy’s hands to be turned back on them, Psalm 40:14, “Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.”

CONCLUSION:

Through the agony of suffering, the righteous can be confident that God will hear their weeping and answer their prayers for deliverance from sin and trouble.

GIVE EAR, LORD

PSALM 5:1-12

Introduction:

“Throughout the first, second, third, and forth Psalms, you will have noticed that the subject is a contrast between the position, the character, and the prospects of the righteous and of the wicked. In this Psalm you will note the same. The Psalmist carries out a contrast between himself made righteous by God’s grace, and the wicked who opposed him.

“To the devout mind there is here presented a precious view of the Lord Jesus, of whom it is said that in the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.” —Charles H. Spurgeon (Hebrews 5:7)

I. CONSIDER MY MEDITATION

A. David earnestly beseeches God to hear his prayer, vv. 1-3; Psalms 17:1, “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”

1. David before the Lord early in the day, Mark 1:35, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

2. David’s confidence was firm in the Lord, 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

3. David had asked that which was right and expected God to give it to him, Psalms 66:19, “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.”

B. None of God’s children are possessed with a dumb devil, therefore we ought to cry to the Lord as David did, Psalms 55:17, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”

II. DAVID ASSURES HIMSELF OF GOD’S JUSTICE

A. God’s judgment against his enemies, vv. 4-6; Psalms 101:7, “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.”

1. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight, v. 5; Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

2. God thoroughly hates iniquity, Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”

a. Sinners will not stand in the congregation of the righteous, Psalms 1:5, “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”

b. God warned Israel about walking in the ways of the wicked, Leviticus 20:23, “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”

B. Liars God hates, v. 6; Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

III. DAVID DECLARES HIS FAITH IN GOD v. 7

A. I will come into thy house, but not by my own merits.

1. I will come in the multitude of your mercy, Psalms 51:1, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

“I will approach thee with confidence because of thy immeasurable grace. God’s judgments are all numbered, but his mercies are innumerable; he gives his wrath by weight, but without weight his mercy.” —Charles H. Spurgeon

2. And in thy fear will I worship, Psalms 130:4, But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”

B. David trusts God to guide his goings, v. 8; Psalms 25:4, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”

1. He asked God to teach him His ways, Psalms 86:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”

2. David was not half-hearted in his desire to serve the Lord, Psalms 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”

IV. DAVID CRYS AGAINST THE CRUELTY OF HIS ENEMIES vv. 9-12

A. The wicked have no fear of God, Psalms 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”

B. David prays for God to destroy them, v. 10.

1. They have rebelled against God and are guilty before Him, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” 1 Samuel 15:23.

2. They know their sin, Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

CONCLUSION

OFFER THE SACRIFICES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
PSALM 4:1-8

Introduction:

The third Psalm is known as the “Morning Psalm.” This Psalm can be called the “Evening Psalm,” v. 8, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

David knew from where he would receive strength to carry on before the Lord. He knew that he had many enemies, but his God was able to supply every need in order to do God’s will.

I. DAVID PLEADS WITH GOD FOR HELP

v. 1, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”

A. David’s habit of pleading from past mercies for present favors, Psalms 57:1, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”

1. David knew where his blessings are from, Psalms 24:5, “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

2. David knew that RIGHTEOUSNESS was by faith in the Messiah, 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

B. David was in the habit of praying daily to the Lord, Psalms 86:3, “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.”

1. David knew the Grace of God in his life, Isaiah 45:24, “Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.”

2. David sought the mercies of God, Psalm 119:75-77, 132, “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right , and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76- Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant . 77- Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. 132-Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.”

II. DAVID REASONS WITH HIS ENEMIES FOR THEIR PERSECUTION OF HIM

v. 2, O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?

A. David in the field of conflict had the undaunted courage of Moses the man of God, Exodus 10:3, “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”

B. David chides foolish men as though they were children, Proverbs 1:22, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”

1. Man refuses to humble himself before God as they did in Moses day, Exodus 10:3, “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”

2. Today our young men are void of understanding, Proverbs 7:7, “And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths , a young man void of understanding,”

a. The Lord invites men to come and learn, Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls . 30- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

b. But they will not come to the Lord, Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

III. HE REMINDS THEM THAT THE LORD HAS SET APART SOME, vv. 3-5

A. David was in the care of the Lord, v. 3.

1. He and the Lord’s people were a separated people, Exodus 33:16, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight ? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”

2. David knew that God watched over them, Psalm 34:15. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

B. “Tremble and sin not” was David’s thought here, Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

C. David examined his own heart in the quiet of the evening, 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1. David demonstrated that he was in the faith, 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

2. Like Paul David did not want to shame his Savior, 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”

IV. DAVID DELIGHTFULLY CONTRASTS HIS OWN SATISFACTION AND SAFETY WITH THE RESTLESSNESS OF THE UNGODLY, vv. 6-8

A. The sinner is restless, Psalm 4:6, “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”

B. David was at peace with his Lord, vv. 7-8.

1. David did not set up the night for fear, Psalms 3:5, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”

2. “Lord, only you make me dwell in peace, Proverbs 3:24, When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

CONCLUSION:

David was a man that knew the Lord and had put his complete trust in the Lord for every protection.