1: In verses 1-4, what kind of picture does the psalmist paint, what are his circumstances like? Verses 1-2 employ several instances of the word “your”, what is the meaning of this?
2: Why did God become angry with the Israelites (Psalm 78:56-62)? Why did the psalmist ask God to pour out his wrath on the gentiles (v. 6-7, 12)? Does this kind of prayer align with God’s will (Psalm 81:13-14)?
3: In verses 8-9, does the psalmist cry out to God because they are pure and without blemish? On what account does he plead for God’s deliverance? The psalmist mentions twice the phrase “for your name”? What does God’s name actually refer to (Exodus 34:6-7)? In verse 13, how is the psalmist able to praise God in suffering and pain (v. 8-9)? How should we pray for God’s help in times of distress?
