Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.
- Read through this psalm and discuss in your group the connections it has with the Christmas story.
- What can we learn from this psalm about the authority and rule of the Messiah either now or in the future?
- What can we learn from this psalm about the priestly work of the Messiah either now or in the future?
Use the programme which can be found on the link ‘discipleship challenges’. The ‘worksheet’ will help you follow through anything you feel is right to take up. The following notes are for your interest and consideration.
Personal comment:
I have to say that when I first chose this psalm, I was not aware of the issue with verse 3 which lies at the heart of our study. I thought a psalm about the authority of the Messiah would be worth studying and simply accepted it as that. Imagine my surprise when I began to translate the psalm only to find myself producing the translation above that connects so evidently with the Christmas story! I was somewhat taken aback as I worked on each word and found the verse evolving as you read it now. This way of understanding the pointing of the text (the formal presentation of its vowels) is not common, but I did check it out before using it, and I hope you will find this helpful.
Ideas for discipleship programme
- Jesus is our Messiah and His authority is our rule. How is this expressed in your life, and in what ways do you submit to Christ’s authority? Make sure you are able to answer this question!
- Jesus is our Messiah and He is our only ‘priest’. What does this mean to you, and how does Jesus minister to your soul today?
Almighty Lord and God, I place the strains and stresses of this day into Your hands. Use my work, my recreation, my words and my thoughts, to further the work of Your Kingdom; and give me a glimpse of how what I have done fits Your greater plans, I pray. AMEN
