Verses 1-3
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Verses 1-2. The word of God contains many metaphors and parables that require us to listen carefully. When you read the Word, take it slow and think about it deeply.
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Verse 3. Notice that Asaph is teaching things that his people also heard from their forefathers in the past.
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This reminds us that we need to hear the same things over and over again. Never think that you already know everything that the Word says about something. Reading repetitively is essential (2 Peter 1:12-15, Philippians 3:1).
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Verses 4-8
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Without teaching from the written Word, godliness passes away in only one generation.
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As a parent, your children desperately need you to teach the Word by speaking of it with them often (Deuteronomy 6:5-9) and by living it out as an example.
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As Asaph says, teach about the laws of God, the power and praises of God, the works of God, as well as the consequences of disobedience to God.
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Don't neglect telling stories from the Old Testament. This Psalm is one example of how the history of Israel was written so that we could learn from their failures (1 Corinthians 10:6-11). You will find the stories discussed in this Psalm in Exodus and Numbers.
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Your children should see that you implore obedience to God's commands along with joy and praise for what God has done in your life and in the lives of those in history. Let them see your obedience, and they will see the joyful outcomes of your obedience, seeing God's power in your life.
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Verses 9-66
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This entire passage emphasizes one main point: God did more miracles and wonders among the Israelites, to save and preserve them, than most of us will ever experience; and still, they rebelled against God over and over again.
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This teaches us two things:
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1. Being familiar with God and seeing His works doesn't make you a believer. Without heartfelt obedience to Him there can be no relationship with Him (Hebrews 4:6, Luke 13:26-28).
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2. Seeing miracles will not turn a heart that's hardened with unbelief and disobedience (Hebrews 3:8-12). A heartfelt decision for belief and repentance is what's necessary.
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One key theme is that the Israelites continually tested God. How so?
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Verses 18-22. For instance, the Israelites complained to God about their hunger, and so they cried out to Him for food. However, they did this not because they sincerely believed God for His provision, but to test God—they wanted to see what God would do.
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God knows your motives. Never pray as a way to test God, or to see “if prayer will work or not”. This kind of prayer comes from unbelief, which means the request will not be granted (James 1:6-8). Pray instead as a way grow your trust in God.
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Secondly, never complain. Remember that complaining is also nothing but unbelief. For the Israelites, their complaints resulted in thousands of them being destroyed (1 Corinthians 10:10). You cannot be a believer and a complainer. By complaining you're acting like an unbeliever.
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Verses 25-32. When your flesh gets what it gropes and complains for, you will only indulge to your own demise. Remember that getting what the flesh wants will never satisfy. You will still sin and complain all the more, and such will end in destruction.
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Verses 34-36. Unfortunately, many people will not seek God until they are afflicted and suffering. Some of these do end up truly repenting, while others seek God deceitfully (they only seek God when things are hard, but after they've recovered they forget God again).
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Remember that God does not make Himself available so that He can fix all your problems. He desires that you obey Him. Don't seek God just because you're suffering and want His help. If this is the case, your pursuit of Him is a lie. Seek Him because you're ready to commit your life to Him in obedience and to know Him intimately. Seek Him for Him, not for what He can do for you.
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Verses 67-72
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God chose David because he was a servant of his sheep, and he would therefore, as a king, be a servant of God's people also.
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Like David, do everything skillfully and with integrity, and do so because you desire to serve God and His people excellently! See Colossians 3:22-24.