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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 36: August 31 - September 6: "Let Every Thing That Hath Breath Praise the Lord"

Psalms 102-103; 110; 116-119; 127-128; 135-139; 146-150

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

Psalm 150:6 declares, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord,” emphasizing that worship is a universal responsibility. This teaches that praise is not limited to certain people but is the natural response of all living things who recognize God’s goodness and power.

In Psalm 103:1–2, the psalmist urges his soul to bless the Lord and not forget His benefits. This shows that praise is not just occasional but should come from a heart that consistently remembers and reflects on God’s mercy and blessings.

  • Psalm 103:8–11 teaches that the Lord is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” His love is vast and enduring, offering reassurance that His compassion is greater than our weaknesses when we turn to Him.

In Psalm 103:13–14, we learn that God is like a loving father who has compassion on His children and remembers that we are dust. This doctrine highlights that God’s expectations are paired with perfect understanding, making His mercy deeply personal and accessible.

Psalm 127:1 teaches that “except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it,” emphasizing that success without God is ultimately empty. This invites us to center our efforts on Him, trusting that He is the true source of lasting stability.

Psalm 119:105 declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This shows that scripture provides direction and clarity, helping individuals navigate life with confidence and spiritual assurance.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The book of Psalms spans many centuries of ancient Israel’s history, with contributions traditionally attributed to figures like David, Solomon, and other temple musicians. These psalms were used in worship settings, especially in the temple in Jerusalem, and reflect both personal devotion and communal praise.

Many of these psalms were written during times of both prosperity and hardship, including periods of monarchy, exile, and restoration. They capture a wide range of human emotion—repentance, gratitude, sorrow, and joy—while consistently pointing the reader back to trust in the Lord and His covenant relationship with Israel.

  • The Psalms served as Israel’s hymnbook and prayer guide, shaping how individuals and communities approached God. They taught doctrine through poetry and song, reinforcing truths about God’s mercy, justice, power, and personal involvement in the lives of His people.
  • For us today, the Psalms model how to communicate with God in every circumstance. They teach that worship is both deeply personal and powerfully communal, inviting us to trust God, remember His goodness, and praise Him continually.
  • The Psalms are written in Hebrew poetry, which often uses parallelism—repeating or contrasting ideas—to deepen meaning rather than relying on rhyme. This structure helps reinforce key doctrines and makes the message more memorable for worship and teaching.
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  • For example, in Psalm 103:10, the idea that God “hath not dealt with us after our sins” is reinforced by the parallel phrase “nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” This repetition strengthens the doctrine of mercy by expressing it in multiple ways.
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  • Recognizing parallelism helps modern readers slow down and notice emphasis. Instead of skimming, we see that each repeated or contrasting line adds depth, inviting deeper reflection on God’s attributes and actions.
  • Many psalms were originally set to music and performed publicly, often accompanied by instruments. This means their messages were designed not just to be read, but to be felt, remembered, and shared collectively among the people.
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  • Passages like Psalm 150 list instruments such as the trumpet, harp, and cymbals, showing that worship was expressive and joyful. Music played a central role in helping the people internalize doctrine and praise God together.
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  • Understanding this context helps us see that worship is not meant to be passive. The Psalms invite active participation—singing, praising, and engaging emotionally and spiritually with God.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: Suffering disproves the existence or goodness of God.
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Psalms like Psalm 102 show that faithful believers in ancient Israel experienced deep suffering while still trusting God. This demonstrates that hardship has always been part of the human condition, even among the righteous.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: The psalmists themselves testify of both anguish and divine help, offering firsthand accounts of turning to God in distress and receiving comfort.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Readers who turn to God in their own trials often feel peace and strength, confirming the psalmists’ testimonies that God is near to the brokenhearted.
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  10. Logical Analysis: The existence of suffering does not negate God’s goodness; rather, it allows for growth, agency, and the development of faith, which the Psalms repeatedly affirm.
  • Claim: A divine being would not be personally involved in human lives.
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Psalm 139 teaches that God knows our thoughts, movements, and words, reflecting a long-standing belief in God’s intimate involvement with individuals.
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  • Eyewitness Support: The psalmist speaks personally of being known and guided by God, providing a direct witness of divine awareness and care.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Many believers today feel God’s guidance and love in personal ways, echoing the experiences described in the Psalms.
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  • Logical Analysis: A being powerful enough to create the universe would not be limited in awareness; it is reasonable that such a being could know and care for individuals perfectly.
  • Claim: These writings reflect emotion, not divine inspiration.
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The Psalms were preserved, used in temple worship, and treated as sacred scripture by ancient Israel, indicating they were regarded as inspired, not merely expressive.
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  • Eyewitness Support: The psalmists frequently attribute their words to divine influence and testify of God’s actions and revelations in their lives.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Readers often feel spiritual insight and connection to God when studying the Psalms, suggesting a source beyond mere human creativity.
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  • Logical Analysis: The combination of emotional depth and consistent doctrinal truths suggests that the Psalms are both human expression and divine inspiration, not one or the other.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Begin and end each day by thanking God for specific blessings.

Regular gratitude shifts our focus from problems to God’s goodness, as taught in Psalm 103:1–2. It strengthens faith by helping us remember His mercy and recognize His hand in our lives.

  1. – Set a reminder in the morning and evening.
  2. – Write down 3 specific blessings each time.
  3. – Offer a short prayer of thanks.
  4. – Review your list weekly to see patterns of God’s help.

Encouraging Thought:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Remembering God’s goodness invites more peace into your life.

Action Step: Invite the Lord into your plans before starting important tasks.

Psalm 127:1 teaches that efforts without the Lord are ultimately in vain. When we seek His guidance, our work becomes more purposeful, and we gain confidence that He is helping us build something lasting.

  1. – Identify a task or goal for the day.
  2. – Say a brief prayer asking for guidance and help.
  3. – Act diligently while staying spiritually aware.
  4. – Reflect afterward on how the Lord helped you.

Encouraging Thought:

When you build with the Lord, your efforts are never wasted—even small actions can have eternal impact.

  • Action Step: Pause and pray when you feel anxious or burdened.

Psalms like Psalm 102 show that even in deep distress, we can cry out to God and be heard. Turning to Him in difficult moments brings comfort, clarity, and the reassurance that we are not alone.

  1. – Recognize when you are feeling overwhelmed.
  2. – Pause what you’re doing, even briefly.
  3. – Offer a sincere, honest prayer.
  4. – Read a comforting verse (like Psalm 116:1–2).
  5. – Move forward with renewed trust.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice” (Psalm 116:1). God listens—even in your hardest moments.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand that all creation is invited to praise God.

Paper, pens, optional music clip or hymn

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask: “What are different ways people show praise?” Write responses.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Psalm 150:6 and identify who/what is invited to praise God.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to write one personal way they can praise God this week and share if comfortable.

Follow-Up Question: How can praise change the way you see your daily life?

Objective: Show how God’s word guides us through life.

Flashlight (or phone light), darkened room (optional)

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Turn off lights and ask how it feels to walk in darkness.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Psalm 119:105 and connect the flashlight to God’s word.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to identify one situation where they need guidance and choose a scripture to help.

Follow-Up Question: When have you felt guided by scripture in a specific situation?

Objective: Teach the importance of including God in our efforts.

Small building materials (blocks, cups, or paper)

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Have learners quickly build something without instructions.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Psalm 127:1 and discuss what it means to build with the Lord.

Application (5 min): Repeat the building activity, this time giving guidance, and compare results. Relate to seeking God’s help.

Follow-Up Question: What is something in your life you want to “build with the Lord” this week?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • God has always guided His people through inspired voices, as seen throughout the Psalms where individuals testify of receiving direction, deliverance, and truth from Him (e.g., Psalm 119:105). Just as ancient Israel relied on divinely guided leaders and writers, modern prophets continue that pattern—providing light, warning, and guidance in a complex world.
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  • Why does God allow mistakes?
  • The Psalms teach that God is “merciful and gracious” and remembers our weakness (Psalm 103:8, 14). Mistakes are part of mortal growth and agency. Rather than preventing all error, God allows learning through experience while extending mercy, correction, and opportunities to improve.