Lesson 2 - "O Lord My God, In Thee Do I Put My Trust" Psalms 7, 11, 15, 31, 34
David and His Psalms · Class 3
Lesson 2 · Psalms 7, 11, 15, 31 & 34 · Part 1
O LORD My God, In Thee Do I Put My Trust
Last week David looked up at the stars. This week we followed him into the Valley of Elah and then into Saul’s court, where victory brought a song, the song brought jealousy, and jealousy brought a javelin. Through it all David kept trusting God. That trust is the heartbeat of the five psalms in Lesson 2.
Taught by Tony Padgett · Brookfield Church of Christ · Brookfield, Illinois
October 21, 2026 · 9:30 a.m.
O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
Class Overview
From the Valley of Elah to a Life on the Run
We began Lesson 2 by sharing what struck us in 1 Samuel 17–21. One member was puzzled that Saul would want to kill the very man who solved his Goliath problem. The class saw a man no longer thinking spiritually or rationally, driven by jealousy, hatred, fear and envy. When the women sang, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (18:7), Saul “eyed David from that day and forward.”
David’s heart was different. He had already been anointed, yet he went back to the sheep and never counted the days until he would be king. He faced Goliath not for the reward of riches and the king’s daughter, but out of righteous indignation that this Philistine had defied the armies of the living God. He came “in the name of the LORD of hosts” and gave God all the glory. When Saul offered him a daughter in marriage, David answered, “Who am I?” And even when Saul hunted him, David would not lift a hand against “the LORD’s anointed.”
We worked through the first three discussion questions. We dwell with God today when we do His will and continue in His Word. Psalm 15 describes the person who may dwell with Him: one who walks uprightly, works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart. And like David, we live among trials and values that call wrong right. Jonathan and Michal showed the courage and integrity that stand firm anyway.
Three things we saw this week
1
Saul’s heart
Jealousy, hatred, fear and envy turned a king against the young man God was blessing.
2
David’s heart
Humble, truthful and zealous for God’s name, trusting the LORD who had delivered him before.
3
Apply it: our walk
Do God’s will, keep your word, keep doing good when it is not returned, and do not let the world silence you.
Class Infographic
Two Hearts in the Court of Saul
The same victory that lifted David up exposed what was in Saul’s heart. One king trusted himself; the other trusted God.
40
days Goliath defied Israel before David came (17:16)
4
forces driving Saul: jealousy, hatred, fear and envy
3
discussion questions covered this week
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psalms of trust in Lesson 2: 7, 11, 15, 31, 34
Saul and David Side by Side
The king who lost his way
Saul
- Head and shoulders above the people, yet afraid of Goliath
- Heard the women’s song and “eyed David from that day” (18:9)
- Cast his javelin at David, and later at his own son Jonathan (18:11; 20:33)
- Offered his daughters as a snare, hoping the Philistines would kill David (18:17–25)
- The Spirit of the LORD had departed from him (16:14)
Man looks on the outward appearance; the LORD looks on the heart
1 Samuel 16:7
The man after God’s own heart
David
- Moved by righteous indignation, not by the reward (17:25–26)
- Refused armour he had “not proved” and used the sling he knew (17:39–40)
- Came “in the name of the LORD of hosts” and ran to meet the giant (17:45, 48)
- Humble before the king: “Who am I?” (18:18)
- “Behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him” (18:14)
From Shepherd to Fugitive · 1 Samuel 17–21
1David defeats Goliath1 Samuel 17
2The women’s song stirs Saul’s jealousy18:6–9
3Javelins, snares and Michal’s rescue18:10 – 19:17
4Jonathan’s covenant and the arrows1 Samuel 20
5David flees, and keeps trusting God1 Samuel 21 · Psalm 34
Three Questions for Discussion
Question 1 · Psalm 15:1
Should we be concerned with dwelling with God?
- We dwell with God on earth when we keep His Word and do His will
- David was “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22)
- “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31)
- David could not have survived Saul without dwelling with God
Question 2 · Psalm 15:2
How necessary it is to walk uprightly, work righteously and speak truth
- David was not perfect, but he walked uprightly and spoke truth in his heart
- His motive against Goliath was God’s honour, not the king’s reward
- His life was far more than one rooftop moment with Bathsheba
- “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Faith and trust are what set the righteous apart
Question 3 · Trials and values
David faced trials that seemed to discount right values. Are right values always apparent today?
- Society now accepts what Scripture calls sin, and treats what is legal as right
- Labels are used to make Christians afraid to speak up
- We can love people without accepting what God calls wrong
- Integrity is fading, yet Jonathan and Michal kept faith with David at great risk
Kindness Without Becoming a Doormat
A question from the class: can we be too kind to people? The answer was no, but kindness is not weakness. As one sister put it, “You can’t expect you from other people.”
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
David Points to Christ
I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Both were born in Bethlehem. Both stood alone against the enemy of God’s people. Both came to do the Father’s will and gave Him all the glory.
Study Ahead: The Five Psalms of Lesson 2
A plea for justice
Psalm 7
“O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust.” (7:1)
Theme: God defends the upright in heart
When friends say “run”
Psalm 11
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (11:3)
Theme: The LORD is still on His throne
Who may dwell with God?
Psalm 15
“He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” (15:4)
Theme: Integrity in word and walk
Committed into His hand
Psalm 31
“My times are in thy hand.” (31:15)
Theme: Trust when hunted and forgotten
After fleeing to Gath · 1 Samuel 21
Psalm 34
“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (34:4)
Theme: Praise for deliverance
Class Video
Watch the Lesson
Keep your Bible open to 1 Samuel 17–21 and Psalm 15 as you watch. Jump straight to any part of the discussion:
Apply it · Before next class
Lesson 2, Part 2: Finishing “In Thee Do I Put My Trust”
Psalms 7, 11, 15, 31, 34 · David in the court of Saul, persecuted and tried
Next week we finish Lesson 2 with the remaining discussion questions. Lesson 3, “How Long Wilt Thou Forget Me, O God?” (Psalms 142, 13, 22, 23), follows.
- Finish the discussion questions on pages 2-9 and 2-12 of your study book.
- Reread 1 Samuel 18–21, watching how Jonathan, Michal and Ahimelech each helped David escape.
- Study Psalms 7, 11, 15, 31 and 34. Read the title of Psalm 34 alongside 1 Samuel 21:10–15.
- Read Psalm 15 slowly and list each mark of the person who may dwell with God.
- Psalm 15:4 praises the one who “sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” Is there a promise you have made that you need to keep this week?
David spoke up when Goliath defied God, even when his own brother mocked him. Who in your life needs to hear, in love, what God’s Word says? Ask God for the courage to speak this week.
Self-Evaluating Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ten questions from our third class. Choose an answer and you will see right away whether you are correct, with the passage to study.
0 of 10 correct
Answer all 10 questions to see how you did.
Self-Directed Study Game
Match the Verse
Pick a reference on the left, then pick the words it contains on the right. Every verse comes from the five psalms of Lesson 2 or from David’s story in 1 Samuel. Work at your own pace, check your Bible, and turn on the study hints if you get stuck.
Matched 0 of 8 · Misses 0
Start by choosing a reference on the left.
References
The words of Scripture (KJV)
Apply it
David was hunted by a king, yet he wrote, “My times are in thy hand.” Write Psalm 31:15 on a card and keep it where you will see it this week. When fear or unfairness comes, pray it back to God the way David did.
Who do you know who is going through a trial and could use Psalm 34 this week?
For reflection
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24 (KJV)