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Easy Reading Edition

In the Book of Psalms: Part 1

May 17–23

—MAY 17
SABBATH—DATE
SABBATH
READ FOR THIS WEEK’S LESSON: Hebrews 9:11–
15; Psalm 15; Psalm 24; Exodus 33:18–23; Psalm 5;
Revelation 14:1–12; Psalm 51:7-15.

MEMORY VERSE: “Then I looked, and there before me

was the Lamb, who was standing on Mount Zion. There
were 144,000 people with him. They all had his name
and his Father’s name written on their foreheads [front
part of the face above the eyes]” (Revelation 14:1, ERV).

AS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, we search the stories

of the Old Testament to find the same symbols that also are
used in the book of Revelation. These stories help us under-
stand better the symbols in the book of Revelation. These sto-
ries aren’t the only parts of the Bible that contain the symbols.
The book of Psalms also contains the symbols we read
about in the book of Revelation. The book of Psalms is
a collection of holy poems and songs. These poems and
songs talk about many human experiences. These expe­
God gave His end-time
riences include suffering and feeling sad about sin to feeling
church the same job
He gave to Israel of old:
joy because of God’s promises of forgiveness and mercy.
we must share God’s For sure, when we carefully read the book of Psalms,
message of mercy we will understand better the book of Revelation. We will
with everyone on earth. understand Revelation 14, which talks about the last work
of God’s end-time church. God gave His end-time church
the same job He gave to Israel of old: we must share God’s
message of mercy with everyone on earth.
The book of Psalms can give us new ways to understand
our work in the last days of earth’s history.

60 IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1

 SUNDAY—MAY 18 Lesson 8
OUR HIGH PRIEST OR TOP SPIRITUAL LEADER
(Hebrews 9:11–15)

God told Moses to build Him a holy tent where He

could live among His people. Moses wasn’t allowed to
follow just any design he liked. God gave Moses a spe-
cial plan to follow: “ ‘Be sure to make everything just like
[the same as] the pattern I showed you on the moun-
tain’ ” (Exodus 25:40, NIrV). The book of Hebrews tells us
that Moses copied the pattern of the temple in heaven.

Read Hebrews 9:11–15 about Jesus as our High Priest

in heaven’s temple. What do these verses teach us about
what Jesus does for us there right now?

The Old Testament symbols for offerings and worship

showed the future work that Jesus would do. Everything
in the holy tent from the furniture and the offerings to the
priests or holy leaders tells us about Jesus.
The book of Revelation contains a lot of these symbols.
In Revelation chapter 1, we read about the lampstands.
In chapter 11, we read about the ark of God’s promise. If
we have an understanding of the Old Testament holy tent,
then we will better understand John’s dreams in the book of
Revelation. As Paul says, the experiences of Israel during
Old Testament times “happened to show us something.
They were written to teach us that the end of the world is
near” (1 Corinthians 10:11, NLV).
We can learn much when we study about the temple
during Old Testament times. In the book of Psalms, we
learn some important information that helps us understand
more about the temple. We learn about how God’s people
felt about the temple and what the coming Savior would do
for them. These things help us see Jesus. When we under- If we have
an understanding of
stand the lessons that God was teaching us in the temple,
the Old Testament
we can learn important lessons for ourselves about our holy tent, then we will
own experiences with God. better understand
John’s dreams
Read Psalm 122. We can’t go to God’s house as the in the book of Revelation.
Israelites in Old Testament times did. But we can think
about everything the Lord does for us. Notice the ideas
about peace, safety, and praise. How does Psalm 122
give us hope about what the Lord does for us?

IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1 61

 Lesson 8 MONDAY—MAY 19
MOUNT ZION (Psalms 15 and 24)

In Revelation 14, God’s people stand on Mount Zion. A

mount is a very high hill. The first Mount Zion was west of
the old city of Jerusalem. The Israelites thought God lived
among them on Mount Zion. Later, the Jewish temple was
built on Mount Moriah. So, the Jews thought that the temple
on Mount Moriah was part of Mount Zion, too.

Read Psalms 15 and 24, where David asks an impor­

tant question: “Who can live on your holy mountain?”
(Psalm 15:1, ERV; also read Psalm 24:3). Compare
David’s answer in these psalms with John’s picture of
the people standing on Zion in Revelation 14:1–5. What
things are the same in both of David’s songs and in this
chapter that John wrote? How do we join this group? Do
you see that the Father’s name is written in the front part
of people’s faces above their eyes (Revelation 14:1)?
What does that mean?

Because the Lamb of God

The people in David’s poems are allowed to live with
stands on Mount Zion,
in God’s holy temple, God. As sinners, we are far from being this perfect. Who
we also can live there can say that we always do what is fair and right? Who has
with Him in faith. always told the truth and never lied (Psalm 15:2)? If we say
that we never sinned, we lie (1 John 1:8).
Jesus, the Lamb, gives us the strength to stand on Zion.
David doesn’t talk about the Lamb in his song. But John writes
about the Lamb in Revelation 14. Revelation 14 is the answer
to David’s question. Because the Lamb of God stands on
Mount Zion, in God’s holy temple, we also can live there with
Him in faith. We can enter with hope and courage: “Brothers
and sisters, because of the blood of Jesus we can now con-
fidentally [with courage] go into the holy place. Jesus has
opened a new and living way for us to go through the curtain.
(The curtain is [the same as] his own body.)” (Hebrews 10:19,
20, GW). Without Jesus’ blood, what hope do we have? No
hope at all!

Think about all the Bible promises God gave us to win

the fight against sin. God promises us that we will also
beat sin. Why do we need Jesus and His perfect life as
our substitute?

62 IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1

 TUESDAY—MAY 20 Lesson 8
LAW IN OUR HEARTS (Exodus 33:18–23)

A small group stands on Mount Zion. They each have

a name written in the front part of their faces above their
eyes. Whose name? The name of the Father and the Lamb.
Is this name two different names? Of course not! Jesus and
the Father are One, right? A name in the Bible means more
than a label that people use for each other. A name shows
what is in a person’s heart. To this day, many people say
that someone has a “good name” when other people think
this person is a good man or woman.

Read Exodus 33:18–23; Exodus 34:1–7; and Psalm

119:55. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, what did
God promise to show him? What happened after God
announced His name to Moses (Exodus 34:5)?

Some people think that God’s glory is a bright shining

light that no one can come near. This picture is correct.
At the same time, God’s glory is more than a bright light.
God’s glory also includes His love and mercy. The same is
true with God’s name.
When the Bible talks about a small group of people with
God’s name written in the front part of the faces above their
eyes, it is not talking about real letters written on their skin!
What the Bible really means is that God’s love, forgiveness,
and mercy are written in your mind, your heart, and in your
life. We show that God’s name is in our lives when we show
His love to other people. God saved you, and you love Him
for who He is and what He did for you.
When God announces His love and mercy to Moses, He
also gives Moses another copy of the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments show us the love that is in
the Father’s heart. The people who have God’s name in The group who stand
Revelation 14 obey the commandments of God. Now notice on God’s holy hill
these words written in the book of Hebrews: “ ‘This is the in the end times are filled
with love for God.
New Way of Worship that I will give them. When that day Their obedience to God’s
comes, says the Lord, I will put My Laws in their hearts. law shows their love
And I will write them in their minds.’ Then He says, ‘I will for Him.
not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore’ ”
(Hebrews 10:16, 17, NLV).
God’s name shows everyone who He is. His law also
shows who He is. The members of the group who stand on
God’s holy hill in the end times are filled with love for God.
Their obedience to God’s law shows their love for Him.

IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1 63

 Lesson 8 WEDNESDAY—MAY 21
PSALM 5 (Psalm 5 and Revelation 14:1–12)

Read Psalm 5. In this poem, David compares the

lost with the saved. Compare Psalm 5 with Revelation
14:1–12. What things do you find the same in both sets
of verses? How does your answer help you understand
what it means to be part of God’s end-time church?

David says that God doesn’t “live with those [people] who
do evil” (Psalm 5:4, ICB). The reason God told His people
to build Him a holy tent in Old Testament times was so He
could live with them. The same thing will happen in God’s
kingdom (read Revelation 21:3). People who come near to
God’s throne must be saved.
When God writes His name David talks about worship in Psalm 5:7. Worship is the
in your heart, most important topic in the worldwide war between God
you can’t stay silent. and Satan. Revelation 13 talks about “worship” five times.
The three angels’ messages invite everyone on earth to
worship the God who made everything. David tells us that
he fears, or honors and obeys, God. The first angel’s mes-
sage tells everyone on earth to “ ‘fear [honor] God and give
him praise. The time has come for God to judge all people.
Worship God. He made the heavens, the earth, the sea,
and the springs of water [places where water comes out of
the earth]’ ” (Revelation 14:7, ERV).
Also, do you see that the saved in Revelation 14 don’t tell
any lies (Revelation 14:5)? They tell the truth. Their words
and behavior show God’s love and mercy. Evil people, on
the other hand, don’t tell the truth (Psalm 5:9).
John shows us an amazing scene in this part of
Revelation (chapter 14). God saved sinners from death.
Now they stand with God. These sinners didn’t earn this
favor from God. God gave them this gift because the Lamb
of God, Jesus, stands there with them. God forgives them
and saves them. They no longer must suffer for their own
guilt (compare with Psalm 5:10). The Lamb of God removes
their guilt. He accepted their punishment and died in their
place (compare with Isaiah 53:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:21).
When God writes His name in your heart, you can’t stay
silent. God’s people give one final offer of mercy with a loud
cry (Revelation 14:7). “But let those who trust in you be
happy forever. Protect and strengthen [make strong] those
[people] who love your name” (Psalm 5:11, ERV).

64 IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1

 THURSDAY—MAY 22 Lesson 8
TEACH SINNERS YOUR WAY (Psalm 51:7–15)

After the Lord appeared to Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1–8, Isaiah

learned that his sins were removed. Then Isaiah answered
God’s invitation to serve Him. Isaiah said, “ ‘Here I am. Send
me!’ ” (Isaiah 6:8, ERV). For sure, Isaiah knew what all his
faults were. But as soon as Isaiah knew that God accepted
him, he was ready to work for the Lord.
It’s the same with us, too, right? How can we announce
the good news about God’s saving mercy to other people if
we don’t have it ourselves? We can have this gift if we have
faith in Jesus and everything He does for us.

Read Psalm 51:7–15. What does David promise to do

after God forgives his sin?

When God invites us to come into His shining light, He

will soon send us back out to save other people. God asks
the people He saves to serve Him. He sends them as His
messengers to save other sinners. Soon, in our near future,
God’s people will give His final message in a powerful way.
Revelation 18:1 tells us that God’s final invitation to a lost
planet will fill the whole earth with Bible truth.
“When a person comes to Jesus, he wants to tell other
people that Jesus is His precious friend. The saved per-
son can’t hide the truth about Jesus in his heart. We must
put on Jesus’ holy life the same as clothes. Then Jesus
will fill us with the joy of His Spirit. We won’t stay silent
about Jesus. If we know that the Lord is good, we will have
something to tell other people. We will be much the same
as Philip when he found the Savior. We will invite other
people to come to Him.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, God’s people will tell
sinners to worship Him
page 78, adapted.
and give the warnings
In Revelation 14, the three angels’ messages are connected about Babylon and
to the Good News that continues forever (Revelation 14:6). So, the beast power.
the first message that God’s end-time people will announce
is the Good News that Jesus saves sinners. Then God’s
people will tell sinners to worship Him and give the warnings
about Babylon and the beast power. That’s because the three
angels’ warnings and messages don’t mean anything without
the hope and promise that we have in Jesus. Without the
Good News about Jesus, we don’t have anything of worth to
say to other people.

IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1 65

 Lesson 8 FRIDAY—MAY 23
ADDITIONAL THOUGHT: “David’s poems and songs share
many human experiences: from sorrow and guilt to faith
and love for God. David’s life record shows that sin brings
shame and suffering. But God’s love and mercy can save
anyone. Faith will cause people who are sorry for their sins
to become the children of God. . . .
“ ‘You said, “I made an agreement with my chosen king.
I made this promise to my servant David:” . . .
I will always love and support him.
I will always make him strong.
I will put him in charge of the sea.
He will control the rivers.
He will say to me, “You are my father.
You are my God, my Rock, my Savior.”
And I will make him my firstborn son.
He will be the great king on earth.
My love will protect him forever.
My agreement with him will never end.’ Psalm 89:3–28
[ERV].”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pages
754, 755, adapted.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1 David made many mistakes. But God used him to com-

municate to us the truth about His saving mercy. How does
David show us Jesus’ future work? Why can we hope only in
one Person, Jesus?

David’s life record shows

that sin brings shame and
2 Which of the songs or poems in the book of Psalms
helped you in the past? How did they help you understand
suffering. But God’s love
better an experience you went through?
and mercy can save
anyone.
3 Why does the book of Psalms talk so much about God’s
temple? What can we learn from David’s love for God’s tem-
ple? How can David’s love for the temple help us feel more
thankful for Jesus and everything He is doing for us right now
in heaven (read Romans 8:34)? Why do God’s people today
need Jesus’ help in heaven?

4 Read again the Ellen G. White quote above. How did

God’s saving mercy help you to feel sorry for your sins? How
did you become God’s child?

66 IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS: PART 1

 Story
EX-ADVENTIST BOYFRIEND: PART 4 INSIDE
D iana started to think about God again after the peaceful
voice stopped her from killing herself. That Sunday, Diana by Andrew McChesney
took her three children to a small church in Santa Fe, New
Mexico. They sat in the pew until the church musicians started
to play. Diana didn’t like the music. It made her remember a bad
part of her life. Diana walked out of the church with her children.
Diana’s life went from bad to worse. Thieves broke into
her apartment and stole what little she owned. Soon, Diana
was going to have another baby. Her mean boyfriend was
the father. When he learned about the baby, he said, “I’ll
give you money to get rid of it before its born.” At night,
when the children were asleep, Diana sat in the dark in
her living room. She was filled with shame and self-hatred.
She cried out to God, “Is this what You saved me for?” Her
anger turned to tears. She prayed, “Jesus. I need You.” In
that instant, she felt energy fill her. The room was black, but
now it seemed filled with light. Diana felt as if God was giv-
ing her a hug from heaven. Joy, peace, and love filled her.
After that, Diana fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
A few months later, she met a strange and interesting
person. Loren Fish was a Seventh-day Adventist. His father
was a pastor and a church planter. But during Loren’s
first year of college, he left God. He started drinking and
dropped out of school. He met Diana at a dance club in
Santa Fe, New Mexico, and asked her for a ride home. After
that, Loren wouldn’t leave her alone. He found out where Diana didn’t like the music.
It made her remember
she worked and visited her there. Diana wasn’t interested
a bad part of her life.
in dating anyone. She hadn’t left the bad relationship she Diana walked out
was in. Also, Loren was 4½ years younger than she was. of the church
Diana didn’t want Loren to know that her life was a mess. with her children.
She didn’t want to get hurt again. So, she pushed him away.
Loren left Santa Fe and went to live near Chicago.
Then, Diana’s boyfriend cut her car tires and attacked her
in the parking lot of the newspaper company where they both
worked. That same night, Loren called Diana on the telephone.
Diana was happy to hear from Loren. She remembered feel-
ing safe with him. She told him, “You can come visit me any
time you want.” Loren arrived that weekend, and he never left.
This story offers us a look into how God worked a miracle
in the life of Diana Fish. Diana is the growth manager for
the Holbrook Seventh-day Adventist Indian School, in the
United States, which got the 13th Sabbath Offering in 2021.
This quarter’s 13th Sabbath Offering on June 28 will help
support our sharing the Good News about Jesus world-
wide. Read more about Diana next week.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School 67
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at [Link].