Biblical Reflections

Psalm 71 is an individual lament in which a faithful person is in danger from enemies who would hurt him by taking advantage of a weakness or distress.  It appears to be taken from parts of Psalms 31 and other Davidic psalms. 1-3 – The singer opens with a profession of faith by being assured of God’s covenant promises.  God is righteous, that is he is faithful to keep his promises, and this is the basis of the prayer. 4-11 – Rescue me from those who want to hurt me.  They are wicked and cruel men, those who oppose true faith in God.  The singer acknowledges God’s protective hand and guidance all the way back to his conception.  The singer declares his faithful actions to God.  This is reminder that the benefits of the covenant are not automatic but are only for the faithful.  The singer has no hope of rescue except in God. 12-16 – The singer calls out for God to come quickly to rescue him.  He hopes to be able to praise God in the future to others for God’s saving grace during this danger. 17-21 – In my youth you taught me to trust you.  Do not abandon me now in old age.  Allow me to proclaim God to a new generation.  God’s attributes of righteousness and faithfulness are proclaimed. 22-24 – The conclusion that the singer expects to praise God in the future for his saving grace during this time of danger.

Psalm 70 is an individual lament to be rescued from gloating enemies.1-3 – Deliver me from those who seek my life, those who say, aha, aha.4-5 – Now a call for the faithful, those who seek God, to rejoice when God’s delivers the singer. Such a rescue would be evidence and assurance to the poor and needy that God keeps his promises.

Psalm 69 Psalm 69 is an individual lament in which a faithful person is suffering for the wrongs that he is done, but that the wicked are taking advantage of the suffering and making it worse.  But if this is from David, he represents the whole nation.  The New Testament cites several verses from this Psalm and applies them to the life of Christ. 1-4 – The singer describes great danger from treacherous enemies who hate him without cause.  Much of the attacks come as lies. 5-8 – The singer admits his own folly.  He does not hide it. 9-12 – The singer talks about bearing reproach.  In Romans 15:3, Paul applies verse 9 – the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me – to Jesus.  Jesus suffers reproach for the sake of God’s truth. 13-18 – The singer expresses his reliance on God.  We see the names of God, Elohim and YHWH.  God’s attributes are described as steadfast love and faithfulness.  These are basis for approaching God in prayer. 19- 21 – God you know all about me, all my faults, my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor.  The singer finds no comfort or pity from his attackers.  Verse 21 – is used by the Apostle John in John 19, where Jesus dying on the cross is given sour wine to drink.   22-28 – The singer now calls on punishment for his attackers, as they deserve it.  Verses 22-23 are cited in Romans 11:9-10 by Paul to explain why Jews who reject the message of Christ have hardened.  Verse 25 – is cited by Peter in Acts 1:20 and applied to Judas. 29-33 – Deliver me for the sake of the humble.  Then the singer will glorify and magnify God to the faithful for this salvation.   34-36 – As a result, the earth, sea, and heavens and all the faithful praise God.Weekly Comments on Prayer: 

Psalm 68 is a hymn of celebration for God’s continued care and protection for Israel.  The celebration includes recognizing the defeat of Israel’s enemies is also to benefit the gentile nations, who are constantly at war.  Many scholars believe that David composed this psalm for when the ark was returned to tabernacle in Jerusalem.   1-3 – There is gladness among the faithful when God arises to act.  The righteous are happy because now the wicked will perish.    4-6 – This is a call to praise God with singing, as God especially takes care of the fatherless, the widows, the solitary, and the prisoners.  The rebellious are not blessed.   7-10 – The singer recalls the progress of the nation during the Exodus as they moved through Sinai and into the promised land.  11-14 – The Psalmist now recalls victory that God gave to the nation over the gentile kings who opposed them.  Interesting observation, how the women of a village will go to the next village to spread the news of victory.  15-18 – The destination of the ark is Mt. Zion, not the larger, higher, northern mountain of Bashan. Verse 18 is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4.  Paul changes the words.  Here we read God receiving gifts among men.  Paul says in Ephesians 4, that Christ ascended, referring to Psalm 68:18 and that Christ gave gifts to men.  The scholars say that in context we receive gifts from God in order to give them to others.   19-23 – God protects his people from their enemies.    24-27 – Here a procession is described, likely bringing the ark to the sanctuary in Jerusalem.   28-31 – Gentile enemies are described as fierce wild animals, who lust after tribute and who delight in war. But gentile kings will one day bring their tribute and praise to the true God in Zion.  32-35 – Finally, there is a call to all gentile kingdoms of the earth to praise the God of Israel.   The nation of Israel being the light of the true God to the world. 

Psalm 67 is a thanksgiving hymn for a fruitful harvest.  God blesses his people Israel so the rest of the world may come to know the true God.  1-3 – May God bless us, the people sing, so that all the nations may know him. 4-5 – May the all the nations be glad in the rule of the true God, who rules justly.  6-7 – God will bless us, his people, so that all the nations of the world will fear him and turn to him.

Psalm 66 is a hymn of thanksgiving for God’s answer to a personal request.  Yet, it is written to highlight that God’s answers to one person are in context of his answering the prayers of the nation and of all the earth. 1-4 – Let all the earth worship the God of Israel based upon his awesome deeds. 5-7 – The singer describes the miracles of the Exodus as evidence of God’s awesome deeds, which result in the basis of all people worshipping God. 8-12 – The singer now recounts how God tested the Hebrew people and brought them through the Exodus to the promised land, a place of abundance.  God has a chosen a special people to bring light and knowledge of God to all the people of the world. 13-15 – Now, the singer gets personal and explains that his offerings at the sanctuary to thank God for answer to his personal prayer.  These offerings are not bribes but gratitude. 16-20 – Because God has answered his prayer, the singer is praising God for all to hear.  Each-and-every person should be able to thank and to praise God for their answered prayers.  Notice that one of the requirements for God to answer your prayer is that you must not cherish iniquity (sin) in your heart.  This is not a requirement to be sinless, but a reminder to thank God and to serve him better.

Psalm 65 is a hymn of thanksgiving for a fruitful harvest.  The fruitful harvest is the result of God’s covenant promises.   1-4 – The singer begins with praise for God in Zion.  Blessed are those who are part of the covenant people; they are called to worship God.  5-8 – God is praised for his awesome deeds of creation.  The hope of all the ends of the earth are in this awesome creator. 9-13 – Now the people delight in the abundant harvest that God provided through the showers of rain.  

Psalm 64 shares the theme with Psalm 63 of confidence in God’s victory over the wicked who pursue David.  Yet, Psalm 64 is an individual lament or request for God’s help against deadly enemies and with confident expectation that God will fight for him.  Psalm 64 presents God’s purpose for his victory as instruction for the faithful and as a way of bringing joy to the godly. 1-6 – David asks that God would hide him from the secret plans of the wicked.  The tools of the wicked in this case are bitter words, lies. 7-10 – But the wicked who shoot bitter words like arrows at the faithful will find that God shoot arrows at them.  The lies of the wicked are turned against them, and they are brought to ruin.  The world looks on in amazement and the faithful rejoice in the LORD.

Psalm 63 is a lament offered with confident expectation.  The idea is to develop confidence in God during times of trouble.  David probably wrote this Psalm as he was fleeing from Absalom.   1-2 – David is apparently inflight and unable to worship at the sanctuary, so he remembers past worship at the sanctuary.  His soul thirsts and his flesh faints for God. 3-4 – David is confident of future worship in the sanctuary.  David anticipates singing, lifting his hands, and praising God. 5-8 – Yet, David states he clings to God wherever he is, even in the watch of the night because God is his help. 9-11 – David then in confidence declares that those who seek his life will fail and die.  As a result, David will rejoice in God.

Psalm 62 is a call for confidence in God as his people are faced with the wicked who use power and wealth to oppress them.  The temptation in this case is to lose hope and to despair or seek security in power and wealth rather than in God. 1-2 – The singer begins by stating that on God alone and in silence will his salvation come. 3-4 – Next the singer addresses the wicked who attack him with lies and injustice.   5-7 – Verses 5-7 repeat verses 1-2, although the description of “wait in silence” is now and imperative, a command.  In this way the singer expresses confidence in God salvation. 8-10 – Here the singer addresses the faith.  The wicked are but a breath.  Do not trust riches. 11-12 – God’s word is certain.  To say once and then twice is to say that the idea is sure or certain.  In this case, God alone has power and steadfast love, and God will judge a man’s heart by his deeds.  We see the same sentiment in the New Testament Book of James chapter 2, where faith is displayed by ones works.

Psalm 61 is a lament.  In many ways it is both an individual lament and a community lament, yet it also prays for the well-being of the Davidic King.  The idea here is that the well-being of the people is tied to the well-being of the king, the descendant of David. 1-3 – In poetic form, the congregation imagines themselves at the end of earth as they call upon God who is their refuge and their strong tower against the enemy. 4-5 – Although offered in first person, the Psalm is sung by the entire congregation.  The request for help is again poetic as they request to dwell in God’s tent forever and to find refuge under the safety of his wings. 6-7 – Now the Psalm asks for protection of the king.  Impliedly, the protection of their king will result in their protection as well. 8 – This protection and safety from God will result in songs praising God.

Psalm 60 is a lament for the whole community at a time when Israel’s existence on the land is threatened by gentile nations.  Stated differently, this Psalm informs us how to pray when your soldiers must fight in order to survive as a nation.  We are not sure which of the events in 2 Samuel 8 are the background for this Psalm.  1-5 – The nation has lost its initials battles with the enemy and now their very existence is at risk.  The singer recognizes that these initial defeats are from God. 6-8 – The singer acknowledges that the land of Israel belongs to God and that they will yet have victory.   9-12 – There is another plea for God’s saving hand and the acknowledgement that victory only comes from God, not from human effort.  Vain is the salvation of man.

Psalm 59 is another individual lament as the faithful person seeks protection from enemies who threaten his life.  The background for this Psalm is 1 Samuel 19:11 where King Saul sends men to watch and to wait for David at his house.  David escapes through a window.  The point of the Psalm is that David claims this pursuit is not his fault.  David uses the words: God – Elohim, O LORD – YHWH, and LORD of Hosts, YHWH Sabaoth for deity.  1-10 – This is a cry for help in the face of fierce and bloodthirsty enemies.  Verses 1-2 are plea to be delivered from enemies.  Verses 3-4 give the reason for the prayer.  These evil men pursue David but for no transgression or sin of David.  The wicked are described as howling dogs, prowling about the city, with swords in their lips.  David states that God holds all the nations in derision, perhaps he. Is implying that Saul’s men are acting like gentiles.   11-17 – This stanza declares confidence that God will protect David and make an example out of his persecutors.  David asks that the wicked may be defeated so that all will know that God rules over Israel and to the ends of the earth.  David again describes these men as howling dogs who curse and lie and who are trapped in their pride.  But David confidently sings of God’s steadfast love for David.  God is David’s fortress and refuge      

The first episode on the Commands of Jesus from 'The Bible in 3D Podcast' from Cogworks Media

Psalm 58 is a community lament, wherein God’s faithful people sing about injustice by their own rulers.   1-2 – The Psalm begins by directly addressing the wicked rulers over them, who allow injustice, wrongs, and violence to the people.  Calling the wicked rulers gods is not to say that the wicked rulers are somehow the Nephilim, but rather to mock them because they act like they are gods.  Alternatively, some scholars believe that the meaning of the word in Hebrew is not gods but mighty lords.   3-5 – David now brings the charge against these wicked rulers. The common thread is that the wicked rulers do not honor God.  They do not fear him, and so they act with impunity.  They are compared to poisonous serpents with venom like the adder.   6-9 – A poetic curse is called upon the wicked rulers that their teeth will be broken, that they will dissolve like snails in the sun, that they will be like a still born child, and that they be swept away like brittle thorns in a fire.  10-11 – The faithful are reminded that God will seek vengeance against the wicked rulers, and the faithful will glorify God as righteous.  God is the ultimate righteous ruler who will call these petty tyrants to account.

Psalm 57 is a lament as David is once again being pursued by King Saul, who wants to kill David.  Each of the two stanzas mention God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. 1-5 – David begins with a confident request for mercy.  David uses the titles of deity to include the Most High - El Elyon and God - Elohim.  David displays cheerful confidence amid danger because he knows that God fulfills his purpose for David.  Again, we see the poetic terms.  Enemies are described as lions, fiery beasts, men with teeth as sharps as spears, swords, and arrows.  God is described as a mother bird who puts her wings of protection around David.  God is exalted above the heavens and his glory is over all the earth.  And we honor God for such glory. 6-11 – Notice more poetic terms like a pit to fall into.  Here David emphasizes the expectation of victory and God’s vindication.  The result of answered prayer is that David will thank God within the congregation and will also praise God among the nations.  Here now is a question for us, do we thank God for answered prayers among the faithful, and do we praise God for his steadfast love and faithfulness among the unbelievers? 

Psalm 56 is part individual lament and part a Psalm of anticipated thanksgiving.  A prayer of gratitude that God has heard the cry for help and will act.  The events behind this Psalm are the same as Psalm 34, and they are discussed in 1 Samuel 21:10-15, when the Philistines seized David in the City of Gath. 1-4 – David reviews his difficult circumstances and sets his mind to trust in God for help and rescue.  Notice the words attacker, oppress, and enemies are followed by the word trust.  In this way, with the proper response of trust in God, David is not afraid. 5-7 – David gives further description of his enemies.  They are the opponents of all that is good, not just opponents of David. 8-11 – Here the singer acknowledges that God is for him, and this is the basis of his trust and his decision not to be afraid.  God is always for those who trust in him. 12-13 – Finally, the singer expresses confidence that if God is for him, then it is as good as done.

Psalm 55 is an individual lament only this time the danger comes from the betrayal of a close friend.  This likely based upon the betrayal of David by his closest friend and counselor, Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 15:12, 16:15-23. 1-3 – Here is a plea for mercy.  Danger comes from an enemy that bears a grudge against David in anger. 4-8 – David describes his desperation with words like anguish, terrors of death, fear, trembling, and horror.  He wishes he could be a dove and fly away to the desert for safety. 9-11 – David now asks God to destroy the enemy that brings such fear upon him.  Notice that the singer does not pray that the enemy will repent and relent as in other individual laments. 12-15 – David describes the betrayer, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, with whom he took counsel, and with whom he walked side-by-side together in house of God. 16-19 – Now a call to God for help and an expression of trust that God will hear David’s plea.   20-21 – Here is further description of the enemy, my companion, with whom we swore and oath together to protect each other. 22-23 – Confident declaration that the faithful who cast their burden on the LORD will be sustained by God and the righteous faithful person will be delivered from his enemies.  

Psalm 54 is an individual lament asking for God’s help against those who threaten the lives of the faithful.  This Psalm is based upon 1 Samuel 23:19 when the Ziphites, Hebrews, inform King Saul that David is hiding among them.   1-3 – David calls to God to save him from ruthless men who seek his life.  Although the Ziphites are covenant people of Israel, they do not set God before themselves. 4-5 – David calls God his helper, the one who upholds the life of the faithful and who will return the evil back on his enemies. 6-7 – David looks forward when his promises to make a freewill offering God in thanksgiving of his anticipated rescue.

Psalm 53 is almost identical to Psalm 14.  They were likely alternate versions of the same Psalm before they were included in the Psalter.  The theme is to mourn that mankind does not seek after God, and they thus treat God’s people cruelly.  Psalm 14 uses the word LORD for Deity, whereas Psalm 53 uses the word God for Deity.  Psalm 53 describes in greater detail the terror that will befall the wicked, while Psalm 14 emphasizes the God’s care of the poor. 1-6 – The fool says in his heart that there is no God.  All people are corrupt.  No one is good no not one.  They eat up my people as they eat bread.  Yet, it is God who fights against them for us.  Although the Psalm is talking about the salvation of the faithful people of Israel, how much more we can pray the prayer as those saved by the blood of Christ.

Psalm 52 is a Psalm that gives the faithful confidence that God will deliver them when they are confronted with ruthless enemies.  This Psalm is based upon the murder of the priests of Nob, who had helped David, when he was being pursued by King Saul.  The chief evil doer is a man named Doeg.  Who reports the priests of Nob to King Saul, and at King Saul’s command Doeg slaughters all but one of high priests.  See 1 Samuel 21:1-7 and 1 Samuel 22:9-19. 1-4 – The main attack of Doeg against David is his lying tongue and boastful words.  5-7 – David says to Doeg that God will deal with Doeg in the sight of all for his evil against David. The faithful who take refuge in God, like David, can rely on the LORD’s protection.  Doeg trusts in the abundance of his riches, but it will not help him.  8-9 – In contrast, the man who trusts in God will be safe in the steadfast love God forever and ever. 

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Cogworks Media.

Psalm 51 is one of the seven penitential Psalms, and it is probably the best known of the penitential psalms because it is David’s confession and repentance when he is confronted by the Prophet Nathan after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah the Hittite.  David appeals to God’s grace as the grounds for forgiveness.  Note that sacrifices in and of themselves do not provide forgiveness, but they are only of benefit to the sinner who is humble and repents in faith.  1-2 – David begins by asking God to have mercy upon him because of God’s steadfast love. Here David calls back to Exodus 34:6-7, where God passes before Moses, who is in a cave on the side of a mountain, and proclaims “the LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty…”  David calls for God to wash away his iniquity and cleanse him from sin.3-5 –  David confesses his sin; he owns up to his sin.  David acknowledges that his actions have sinned against God, and that God’s judgment or justice upon him is clear and justified.  David goes so far as to say that he has been a sinner since the moment that he was conceived.    6-13 – David asks for restoration and renewal with a fresh sense of God’s presence.  He wants to be clean on the inside, his inner self.  David asks that God blot out and no longer look at David’s sin.  David asks that God not take away the Holy Spirit from him.  Much has been said and written about this statement. The Old Testament says little about the Holy Spirit, so it is hard to use this one-line to justify a theological position on the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. 14-17 – These verses deal with worship after a person’s sins have been forgiven.  True worship only comes as a result confession, repentance, forgiveness and restoration. 18-19 – These are interesting verses that imply each person’s spiritual relationship with God is somehow related to everyone else’s spiritual relationship with God.  The application for us is that as church body, we are a community of forgiven people worshipping God in the way that he has directed us.

Psalm 50 is a hymn an oracle, where the worshippers sing God’s instruction for how they should live holy lives.  Yes, the sacrificial system was given to the people as part of their covenant worship, yet sacrifice does not buy any favor or reward from God.  God wants faithfulness, thanksgiving, and obedience.  Of note there are seven different names of God in this Psalm.  This seems to be intentional as to say to the worshipper, no matter what your conception of God may be, God does not want you to think that your sacrifices can buy favor with him or bribe him to answer your supplications.  1-6 – God summons the Earth to assemble before him.  Three names of God are given in verse one; the Mighty One – El Gibhor, God – Elohim, and LORD – Yahweh.  El Gibhor means Mighty God, the powerful and mighty warrior, and the Messiah.  Elohim refers to God, the creator, all powerful and strong.  Notice that this word is plural, in reference to the Trinity and the name of God used in the creation account of Genesis chapter 1. Yahweh is the special covenant name that God told the Hebrews who agreed to the covenant blessings that they should call him.  Again, the psalmist uses poetic terms describing God as a devouring fire and a mighty tempest.  The fourth name of God is found in verse 6, where the word Judge – Shaphat is used.  God is the one who pronounces judgement.  These all-encompassing names of God make way for God as judge, who will judge all of the people of Earth.7-15 – God calls people to worship him from their heart.  There he will judge their worship of him.  He does not need their sacrifices.  Instead, God wants their thanksgiving, praise, and obedience, this is what worships God.  In verse 14 we see the fifth term for God, the Most High – El Elyon.  God wants sacrifices from the heart from all peoples of the Earth.  16-22 – God now rebukes the wicked who mouth their praise to God, yet by their actions show that they do not honor God with their heart.  In verse 21, we see the sixth term for God, I – Yahweh, which often stated in the English translations as I Am.  God is, he has no beginning and no end.  So, this instruction from God is not going to change, it is timeless.  Finally in verse 22, we find the seven name of God, God – El-oah, this is a term for Mighty God, made in the vocative case, directly addressing God. 23 – The final verse summaries the Psalm, the one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me, to the person who is disciplined and follows my commands, I will show that person the salvation of God.

Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm.  It explains why the pious often deal with trouble, while in contrast, the unfaithful seem to get along so well in life.  The short answer is that God will distinguish between the faithful and the unfaithful after their death.    1-4 – Here is a call to pay attention to attain wisdom and understanding, which is often used in Wisdom Literature to mean spiritual perception, the ability to approach life from God’s perspective.  The singer states that he will do this by solving a riddle.5-12 – The riddle is presented, which, as stated above, is the question of why the faithful have times of trouble, while the unfaithful always seem to prosper.  The unfaithful trust in their wealth, yet they are not wealthy enough to ransom their lives from death.  All of the wealth of the unfaithful is left to others.  The unfaithful will die just as the faithful will someday die.  Then the Psalm explains what happens after death. 13-20 – The singer tells us that after death the unfaithful will be sent to Sheol, a grim place of destruction.  The unfaithful dead will be in an unnatural situation of having a soul unattached to a body.  In contrast God will ransom the soul of the faithful from Sheol.  Here we see future reference of Christ’s death on the cross that paid the ransom for our sins.  Instead of Sheol, the faithful after death will live in glory with God.  The implication is that the faithful will have new bodies in glory with God.

Official episode 1 from our sister podcast, The Bible in 3D, Slaves of God Season.

 Psalm 48 is a hymn celebrating Zion as God’s special city, which God defends for the sake of the world. It commemorates an event where gentile nations threatened Zion, and God protected the city and the people within.  We can identify with this psalm as it is God himself who is our defense.  1-3 – The LORD is King, and he resides in Zion, Jerusalem. The reference to the holy mountain could be to the Temple in Jerusalem, but because of the reference of the holy mountain to be in the north, it is probably a poetic term, idiom, not for a physical location but for the throne of God over all creation.  See Isaiah 14:13.4-8 – The gentile nations that attacked Jerusalem are defeated.  Even a mighty east wind destroys their ships.   9-11 – The LORD’s presence and protection of Jerusalem brings joy to his people.  Such deliverance displays God’s steadfast love for his people.  The reference to the daughters of Judah is a poetic term for the towns and villages of Judah. 12-14 – While the congregation admires the strength of the city, yet it is God secures the city.  The congregation commissions itself to tell the next generation of this display of God’s steadfast love for them.

Psalm 47 is a hymn praising God for his kingship, that is his rule over all the earth.  We praise God because of God’s promises to Abraham that all peoples will be blessed though him, Genesis 12:3.    1-4 – The LORD loved Israel and gave them the covenant blessings, but this was done so that all peoples of the world might come to fear and to love the God of Israel.  The term clap your hands, all people is a poetic expression of exultation.  Again, verse 2 uses the term the LORD, the Most High, El Elyon, the highest God over all the gods of the world.5-7 – The psalmist now issues a call for all peoples to praise the God of Israel by voice and instrument. 8-9 – God reigns over all the nations.  The psalm looks to a future time when the leaders of the nations will worship God as children of Abraham worshipped God.

The First episode of our new flagship series, The Bible in 3D. An introductory episode on our newest podcast available everywhere you get your podcasts.

Psalm 46 is a hymn praise celebrating Zion, Jerusalem, as the city, to which God has pledged himself and through which he will bless the world.  1-7 – Here is the scripture which inspired Martin Luther’s hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God.  The people of God are secure within Zion, even in times of tumult, for God is their strength and refuge.  Here the psalmist uses poetic forms, such a raging sea, great earthquakes and warring nations, to state that God will protect the people of Zion, no matter what.  Notice verse 4, the title Most High is El Elyon in Hebrew, the Most-High God of all gods, of all people, and is first referenced in Genesis 18:14.  This title for God is often used when relating the to the gentiles. 8-11 –  This God who protects Zion will one day be exalted by all the nations of the Earth.  In verse 11, the title for God is the LORD of Hosts, which in Hebrew is Yahweh Tsabot, or in Latinized form, LORD Sabbaoth.  Here is God presented as the commander of the hosts of heaven, the heavenly beings.  One day God will make all wars cease and all people and all nations exalt and worship him.

Psalm 45 is a hymn celebrating a royal wedding.  It is a love song.  1 – The singer addresses the king, a descendant of David, directly. 2-9 – The king is described as handsome, majestic, and just.  In verse 6 the singer addresses God, who sits above the throne of the Davidic King.  Then the singer describes the divine ideals of how the earthly king should reign, which includes righteousness and which hates wickedness.  These are an admonition to the young king about to be married. These verses also have double meaning as they are cited in Hebrews 1:5 to refer to Christ as the Son, the Son of God, who is superior to the angels.  10-15 – In verses 10-15, the singer addresses the bride and describes the wedding procession. She is described as beautiful, and she is a princess of a foreign country, 16-17 – Now singer addresses the young king that his sons will continue his line after he is gone.

Psalm 44 is a community lament when the people of God have suffered a great calamity at the hands of their enemies, and they are seeking God’s help. (Elohim). Please note that the focus of the group is personal. Each member identifies with the singular “I” although the request for God’s help is a group request. This is to remind them that they have a personal obligation under the covenant, and on that basis, they appeal to God’s unfailing loyalty to his covenant people.1-8 – The congregation recites that they have heard of what God has done in the past for their ancestors. He drove out the nations and planted them in Palestine/Israel.9-16 – They pour out their plea for help as it seems God has abandoned them just now on the battlefield. Their troops have been slaughtered and taunted.17-22 – The congregation states that they have been faithful and have not forsaken the God of the covenant.23-26 – Therefore, they cry out for God to come and to help them now. They use the poetic form of asking God to wake up, to see their distress, and to save them. They can boldly ask God with confidence for help because they are his covenant people. The Psalm is ended with the request for God to redeem his people for the sake of his steadfast love.

Psalms 42 and 43 go together as a song with three stanzas, and they share a refrain.  This is a lament in which the singer cries out about enemies who despise God and prevent his faithful servants from worshipping in the Sanctuary.  Here the emphasis is on the community singing praises to God as the corporate worship.  Such singing fosters a sense of yearning and expectation in the faithful as they look for God’s presence.  Stated simply, this is the yearning for God.   1-5 – Here is a poetic expression of the soul yearning for God as the deer thirsts for a flowing stream.  The soul’s yearning for God is only satisfied in the singing of public worship at the Sanctuary.    6-11 – The singer is geographically separated from God north of the Sea of Galilee near Mt. Hermon.  Verse 7 is a cryptic use of surging water, flowing streams and the roaring sea.  Deep calls to deep, perhaps speaks to two things.  First, the roaring waters are the troubles that flow over the singer and his deep need for God.  Second, only the deep water of God can satisfy the singer’s need.  Likely this is a call from the depth of despair to the depth of God’s goodness.  Psalm 43 1-5 –  The singer asks God to vindicate him against the wicked who prevent him from worshipping at the Sanctuary.  God’s light and truth are personified as guides who will lead him back to God’s holy hill. 

Psalm 41 is lament of a man who satisfies his responsibility to the poor under the covenant and now asks for the LORD’s help and vindication in the midst of severe suffering.   1-3 – The opening section calls in faith on the LORD to honor the covenant with Israel by sustaining those who are kind to the poor.  As an example, see Proverbs 19:17 - Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.  Note that the singer is praying according to God’s will.  See 1 John 5:13-15. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 4-10 – The previous statement of faith now turns to the singer’s predicament, serious illness and betrayal by a close friend.  In John 13:18 Jesus applies this verse to Judas, the betrayer.     11-12 – The singer returns to faith and acknowledges that the LORD will continue to honor him and to acknowledge his covenant help to the poor.   13 – The end of Book One.  This a doxology concluding Book One.

Psalm 40 gives thanks to the LORD for past mercies and then presents a new situation that has risen in which the singer is again in need of God’s mercy.     1-10 – The singer recounts past mercies from God that he is thankful for.  The singer recounts these past mercies to those in the great congregation.  In doing so, the singer highlights the LORD’s attributes of faithfulness and steadfast love.  The singer goes on to say blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust; such a man will not be disappointed.  The LORD does not seek sacrifice and offerings from his people, but an open ear to hear and to respond to the word of the LORD.   11-17 – The singer now asks for mercy once again from the LORD; he asks for deliverance from the wicked.  This deliverance would put the wicked to shame, and they would be disappointed in their schemes.  This is in contrast to the faithful, to all who seek the LORD; they should rejoice and be glad, shouting Great is the LORD!  The prayer is offered in humility.

Psalm 39 – In this psalm the suffering person expresses bewilderment to God for his suffering.  In many ways it is a lament on how fleeting and sad life is.     1-3 – The singer is trying to be quiet in his suffering and not to say anything disparaging about God in front of the wicked, but finally he speaks.  What follows next is worship, the only appropriate thing to say before God. 4-6 – The singer prays to know how fleeting is his life so that he may not engage in the turmoil of life trying to heap up wealth. 7-13 – The singer confesses his sin, which is perhaps partly responsible for his suffering.  The singer asks the LORD to deliver him from all of his transgressions and to take away God’s discipline for sin, and then he waits upon the LORD.  The final thought is a confession that the singer is just a sojourner, a guest in this present life, as are all men.

Psalm 38 is both a lament and a penitential psalm.  The singer lays his troubles before the LORD and confesses that his troubles are due to his own sins.  The Psalm describes anguish of body and of mind, dissertation by his friends, and attacks by enemies.   1-8 – The singer in anguish describes his sufferings because of his sins.  He refers to this anguish as the tumult of his heart.  His sufferings for his sins are described as arrows from the LORD.   9-14 – The singer’s anguish intensifies as he is estranged from the LORD and from his friends.  He describes intense loneliness.   15-22 – The singer ends with a confession that the LORD is his only hope in this otherwise hopeless situation.  In verse 18, he confesses his iniquity, his sin.  He says, I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.  On this confession, he now bases his petition for salvation from his troubles.

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm dealing with themes presented in what we call the Wisdom Literature. In particular, Psalm 37 addresses the problem caused when godless people prosper. It contrast, it is better to stay faithful to God, which is expressed in contentment, honest dealing, generosity, and just speech. The LORD will make a distinction between the wicked and faithful in his own time. The faithful must wait patiently. This is an imperfect acrostic Psalm.1-11 – Do not be envious of evildoers. Do not fret, be assured that God’s justice will come in the end, then evildoers will fade like grass and be no more, but the faithful, the meek, will inherit the land and delight themselves in peace. Psalm 37:1 is almost identical to Proverbs 24:19. Notice the commands in verses 3-11. Trust in the LORD, Do good, Dwell in the land, befriend faithfulness, Commit your way to the LORD, Trust in him, Be still before the LORD, Wait patiently for him, Refrain from anger, and Forsake wrath.12-20 – The LORD thwarts the schemes of the wicked. The wicked think of all kinds evil schemes against the faithful, but the LORD sees to it that the wicked perish and that their evil schemes come to nothing. The LORD knows the days of the righteous; he is right there with them.21-31 – Therefore, commit yourself to doing good. The singer reiterates that the wicked will be cutoff, but those blessed by the LORD will inherit the land. Only those faithful, blessed by the LORD, can do good because it is by the LORD that the steps of a man are established. One verse that means a lot to me is Psalm 37:25, I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. Verse 31 also, for one who has hidden God’s word in his heart, his steps do not slip.32-40 – The LORD protects the righteous from the plots of the wicked. A common theme in the Psalms is that the faithful; are always under threat from the devices of the wicked, but they may trust in the LORD to preserve them. The singer then gives a final assurance that the LORD will not abandon the faithful to the power of the wicked, but will ensure that both the righteous and the wicked receive their proper regard in due time, most likely in the world to come.

Psalm 36 is a lament regarding the wicked who oppose the faithful and the steadfast love of the LORD.  It concludes with a prayer that God in his steadfast love will protect his people from the attacks of the wicked. 1-4 – The singer begins by stating that the wicked act without fear of God.  Who are the wicked?  The wicked are those who do not reject evil but who are given over to committing such acts of evil.  The wicked flatter themselves.  The wicked believe that God cannot see their sins.  They wicked always lie; they do not act wisely nor act good. 5-9 – In contrast God acts with steadfast love and faithfulness to his holy godly people.  We also see other attributes of God such as righteousness, and justice.  God figuratively takes his faithful people under the refuge of his wings. God nourishes them from the fountain of life, and so they may see the light, that is so that they may experience life. 10-12 – The final prayer is that God, through his steadfast love, will protect the faithful people of God from the wicked.  The faithful people of God are the upright of heart.

Psalm 35 shows the faithful how to pray when they know malicious people are seeking to harm them.  The singer asks God to fight on his behalf against the schemes of his persecutors.   1-3 – Images of combat are used to cry for help against those who pursue the singer.  4-8 – Petition that the schemes of the wicked will fail.  This petition is based upon the faithfulness of the singer; the evil devices of the wicked; the lack of cause by the wicked; not a vindictive request but one based upon faith God and his word. 9-10 – A promise to praise God for the coming answer to the singer’s petition for help. 11-16 – A second statement about the unjust schemes of the evil pursuers. 17-18 – How long, oh LORD, the request is urgent, and the waiting is hard. 19-21 – A third statement describing the evil pursuers. They wink the eye and hate me without cause. 22-26 – A prayer for vindication and deliverance.  Be not silent!  An appeal to the righteousness of God. 27-28 – The singer’s deliverance will be honored shared by the faithful as they delight in the deliverance of the righteous singer.  The high point of the Psalm is here as prospect of telling the faithful of God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 34 is a hymn of thanksgiving for God’s protection against Abimelech; it is also a wisdom hymn because the wise are those who live out their lives trusting in God. This Psalm is written in an imperfect acrostic style.1-3 – The singer invites the humble to bless the LORD at all times. The idea behind the word bless is to speak a good word about someone. When a person blesses God, he speaks a good word about God’s kindness and generosity. To magnify the LORD is to tell how great he is.4-7 – The singer gives specific instances of God’s kindness. He sought the LORD, and the LORD answered him. Those who look to the LORD are not disappointed. The poor man cried, and the saved him from all his troubles.8-14 – Therefore, the singer encourages all to fear the LORD. Fear the LORD and seek him. Note that a holy life is defined as how we deal with others. Keep your tongue from evil. Turn away from evil, do good, seek peace and pursue it.15-22 – The LORD cares for his faithful one who trust him. The broken hearted and the crushed in spirit are those who have been humbled. The Psalm is clear that both the righteous and the wicked will have affliction, the difference between the two is their outcomes. The LORD delivers the righteous, but the LORD will condemn and slay the wicked.

Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise to the God of all creation who has made a covenant with the people of Israel. 1-3 – A call to praise God who is righteous; he is faithful to act according to his holiness and his covenant promises.  God’s people are called “O you righteous” and “the upright.”  Praising God includes singing and musical instruments. 4-9 – Here the singer offers the first reason to praise God; God’s word is upright and spoke creation into existence.  The attributes of God extolled here include uprightness (expressing the very best motives on God’s part), faithfulness, righteousness, and steadfast love. 10-12 – Next, the singer offers the second reason to praise God; God’s will prevails.  God has made the world and rules it according to his own purposes.  There is no power that can successfully oppose God.  How fortunate are his covenant people. 13-19 – Reason three to praise God is that God is all knowing and discerns all things.  God is both immanent and transcendent.  The protective eye of the LORD is on those who fear him.  20-22 – As a result of these three reasons to praise God, the faithful, upright people of the covenant can be glad and trust in the steadfast love of God. 

Psalm 32 is both a thanksgiving and a penitential hymn in which the worshippers thank God for forgiving their sins.  Psalm 32 is often associated with Psalm 51, but there is not much to sustain that claim, rather Psalm 32 is general in nature, and it is applicable to all confession and forgiveness.  1-5 – Psalm 32 presents deep spiritual truth; a person is only blessed and happy when his sins are forgiven.  Forgiveness of sin and iniquity is God’s expression of kindness and mercy to his covenant people.  Only when we uncover and do not hide our iniquities, our sins, will God forgive the iniquity and blot it out.   6-11 – This section opens with the word, therefore.  Therefore, this deep Biblical truth can be applied to everyone who repents and confesses his sin to God, while God may be found.  Do not be foolish and wait indefinitely to confess your sins.  The godly are not sinless, but they readily confess their sins.  There is a contrast presented between sorrows suffered by the wicked and the steadfast love of God that surrounds the godly person.

Psalm 31 is a lament by a faithful person who seeks help from God because trouble and beset by enemies who want to do him harm.  This lament could apply to all faithful people, not just David. 1-2 – The singer uses metaphors like rock, fortress, and refuge to demonstrate his dependence and trust in God.  It is God’s righteousness, that is God’s faithfulness to his covenant promises that is the ground for confidence and assurance of God’s help. 3-8 – Now the singer recounts previous experiences where God has rescued him from enemies that would do him harm, and so the singer rejoices and is glad.  Note that verse 5 states “into your hand I commit my spirit,” which Jesus recited on the cross.  Like Jesus, the innocent sufferer trusts in God for his vindication.  In verse 6 the singer says that he hates the wicked and has not part with them. 9-13 – Here the singer states that he is once again in distress.  His adversaries plot to take his life.  The singer confesses that he is a sinner. 14-18 – The singer expresses trust in God for deliverance based upon his prior experience and based upon covenant promises of God in the covenant to sustain the righteous.  “I trust in you, O LORD.”  “My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!”  “O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you.”  The faithful righteous people are those who trust in God, believe his word, and seek to please him.  The wicked are everyone else, and the wicked seek to destroy the faithful.  19-24 – the singer closes with assurance that God who made covenant promises and who kept the promises to his faithful people in the past will continue to do so.

David composed Psalm 30 for dedication of the temple, which was not built until after his death.  This is a Psalm of thanksgiving for God’s care and deliverance over the course of life.   1-3 – David begins with three reasons to extol or honor God, deliverance from the attacks of foes; answered prayer in time of sickness; and, rescue from impending death. 4-5 – David now urges fellow worshippers to give praise and thanks to God.  God’s anger is for a moment, but his favor his for a lifetime.   6-7 – God alone is David’s security.  8-10 – David prays for his life that he may continue to praise the LORD for his faithfulness to David. 11-12 – The experience in which sorrow has turned to joy leads David to praise and to thank God forever.  “My glory” means “one’s whole being.”

Psalm 29 is a hymn of praise for God’s awesome power as seen in a thunderstorm. This phenomenon of nature is God’s creation to show his power, his wisdom, and his glory.1-2 – The singer calls on the angels, the heavenly beings, to acknowledge the glory and the strength of the LORD, to worship him in the splendor of his holiness.3-9 – The thunderstorm is a representative of the voice of the LORD, which is described six-ways. And all in the temple, observing this power, majesty, and glory of the LORD, cry glory.10-11 – The LORD is enthroned over the flood as king forever over creation, and he will give strength to his faithful covenant people and bless them.

Psalm 28 is a lament, perhaps by an individual or perhaps by a representative of the people, for help from a threat posed by evil doers.1-2 – The singer cries earnestly for the LORD to hear him. This an urgent request for help in a time of emergency. The situation is desperate, to the point of death. This is a cry for mercy, not getting what you deserve.3-5 – The singer contrasts himself to the wicked, those who actively oppose God, the wicked are more than sinners. The singer asks to be rescued on that difference.6-9 – The LORD hears the prayer and rescues the individual or the people along with his anointed, the Davidic King. This is prayer of praise, thanksgiving, and continued confidence in covenant God, LORD.

In Psalm 27, faithful people call out for the LORD to keep them safe from evildoers, foes, enemies, and adversaries, who would destroy them by any means. 1-3 – Psalm 27 begins with an acknowledgment that the safety of the worshippers comes from the LORD. 4-6 – The singer presents a picture of safety in the LORD’s sanctuary as a means of demonstrating the LORD’s protection for his faithful covenant people. 7-12 – The singer cries out for continued favor of the LORD.  The deliverance asked for is for the purpose of continuing to seek God.  Verse 8a – “seek my face” is a command to many.  Verse 8b - “your face, LORD, do I seek,” is a personal response. 13-14 – The singer admonishes each of the worshippers to live in continued confidence and trust in the LORD.  To wait for the LORD is to look to him with dependence and trust; this is what enables one to be strong and courageous.

Psalm 16 is a hymn praise where those who sing entrust themselves to the Lord in confidence and contentment in his care.1-2 – The Lord is my refuse, the only one on whom I can rely on for my well-being.3-4 – My delight is being with the godly, those who also rely on the Lord for their well-being. The saints are the godly, in contrast to the ungodly who run after idols and false gods.5-6 – The Psalmist expresses contentment with God by referencing his allotment of the land of Israel which provides for his sustenance. This is the family inheritance.7-8 – The Psalmist expresses further contentment in God’s presence and moral instruction. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Compare this to Psalm 15, where the one who walks blameless and does what is right shall never be moved or shaken.9-11 – The Psalmist expresses his final contentment thinking about the everlasting joy that he will have after death in heaven with God, At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.