Psalm 63 Sunday School Lesson

Given on 7/26 at Pekin Bible Church Sunday School

Intro items:

Author of the Psalm

Verse 1: How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands!

Psalms 1, 2, 32, 33, 34, 40, 41, 65, 84, 89, 94, 106, 112, 119, 128 all have some reference to being 'blessed' if one is following, fearing, obeying, etc, the Lord. God seems to insist on blessing those who are following him. I think of Chip Ingram's study on the goodness of God. Blessing doesn't just refer to having fun... PT referred to it as a "honeymoon never over" happiness, something that is there despite any circumstances, even turmoil.

Are you a loyal follower of the Lord? If so, he chooses to bless in the ways described in verses two & three.

Verse 2: You will eat what you worked so hard to grow. You will be blessed and secure.

If you walk in the ways of the Lord, a) your work will be satisfying to you, b) You will be happy in general (heavenly bliss on earth - PT)

Work: "Fruitless toil" (New Bible) Haggai 1:5, 6, 9 God made the Israelites work fruitless because they did not have a proper focus on Him;

Psalm 127:1-2, without the Lord, you work is vain. Colossians 3:23 (PT)

Ephesians 6:3/Deuteronomy 5:16 - Paul reiterated the promise. Following God's commands will affect your life positively.

Verse 3: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner rooms of your house; your children will be like olive branches, as they sit all around your table.

If you walk in the ways of the Lord c) your wife will be a blessing to you, d) as will your children. There is a general picture of growth and fruitfulness

Wife as a fruitful vine: "needing support yet ever giving more than getting in providing joy for her husband" (New Bible)

Olive plants akin to blessing: Psalm 52:8, Jeremiah 11:16, Hosea 14:6

Psalm 144:12 - Sons growing to full size are a blessing

Verse 4: Yes indeed, the man who fears the Lord will be blessed in this way.

What you read about in verses 2 & 3 are blessings from the Lord to those who fear him. Verses 1 & 4 give 'the conditions' for the blessings. They are "properly experienced only in the context of the fear of God." (New Bible) Do we see work, spouse, and kids as blessings, or as hindrances? Example: Insight Cable letter.

Blessed in "this way", nothing about pleasure, $, position, or fame is mentioned. (PT)

We always look for God in the spectacular, but amazingly, God is in the everyday. Do we see God's blessings in our work, spouse, and family? I have the advantage of having a fairly new marriage and a 10 month old son, but even so, am I getting used to it? Read Ortberg, pg 36 I challenge us to see the blessings we already have.

Verse 5: May the Lord bless you from Zion, that you might see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,

Verses 5 & 6 are a closing blessing statement.

May the Lord Bless you: Ultimately blessing comes from God, (New Bible).

Verse 6: and that you might see your grandchildren. May Israel experience peace!

Seeing Grandchildren is another blessing: Genesis 48:11, Job 42:16, Proverbs 17:6

How long can this blessing last? All of your life! (PT)

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