Psalms – Page 14 – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 35

This Psalm, as was Psalm 17, is set in a courtroom. Deuteronomy 19.16-17 provides the instruction on how to bring this dispute to court. Job 23.2-7 shows how Job handled a similar situation.

Psalm 35

This Psalm, as was Psalm 17, is set in a courtroom. Deuteronomy 19.16-17 provides the instruction on how to bring this dispute to court. Job 23.2-7 shows how Job handled a similar situation.

This Psalm is also the first of the imprecatory psalms (35; 52; 58; 59; 69; 79; 83; 109; 137; 140). These psalms are cries to God to bring destruction on those who stand against God and God’s people.

Verses 1-3-David once again calls for God to be his vindication, his salvation. He is calling for God to go to war for him on account of those who pursue him. As the psalm is read, it appears as though this prayer is concerning Saul more so than the others who pursued him. He mentions his mourning for their losses in verse 13-14 as if they were close.

Verses 4-6-David’s prayer is for God to drive his enemies away, even to the point of destruction. This is a common theme in Scripture (Job 21.18; Psalm 35.19-21; 40.14-15, 70.2-3; 83.13; 129.5; Isaiah 29.5; and Jeremiah 23.12). God will discipline His children and will judge those who refuse Him. In this case, He could be disciplining David and judging those who have judged David. In all this, God is righteous. He knows the hearts and intentions of those whom He judges. Could verse six be a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ?

Verses 7-8-David is asking God to judge them in the manner they attempted to judge him. They sentenced David to death and laid traps for them. David is asking that God do the same for them (Matthew 7.1-2). There are many prayers and judgments like this throughout the Scripture (Psalm 9.15; 55.23; Isaiah 47.11; and 1 Thessalonians 5.3). Remember that God knows the intentions of the heart and judges righteously.

Verses 4-9 present a sevenfold curse or malediction against those who afflict and oppose David that sounds vengeful. However, is more a cry for God to bring, to judge the evil doers by returning their own evil upon themselves. Since God is the only one who can do this justly, David cries out for God to do so.

Verses 9-10-David proclaims he will do what he should already be doing, he will praise God. Deliverance is reason for praise. As God helps you, do you praise Him? At what point should you praise Him? Should it be after He delivers or in anticipation for the help? Again, this is a common theme in Scripture (Exodus 15.11; Psalm 71.19; 86.8; and Micah 7.18) because God is worthy of praise for He is unlike all others.

Verses 11-14-David is accused of things of which he has no idea. He is speechless because he does not know about what they are accusing him. The principle he presents here is Scriptural (Job 30.25; Psalm 38.20; 109.5; Jeremiah 18.20; John 10.32; and Romans 12.14-21). Is this something we do? When people seek us harm, do we pray for them, help them, mourn with them? Or, do we behave as the world does (Psalm 35.15-16)?

Verses 15-16-The world would rather taunt those who are their enemies than help them. How do you behave when others treat you poorly (Matthew 5.38-48)?

Verses 17-18-David is asking God to do what God is going to do. He is requesting God to do it now. He proclaims that he will praise God for doing this now. Is it wrong to pray this way? Is it wrong to ask God to do something now instead of later? From this Scripture? No. There are other places where biblical writers asked the same thing and based it on Scripture (Psalm 13.1 and Habakkuk 1.13). When we base our prayers and request on Scripture, God answers.

Verses 19-21-Refer to verses 4-6 above for thoughts on these verses. David is describing his persecutors in these verses. They are worthless and wicked (Proverbs 6:12–14 and 10:10). These words are used in Mark 15:29–30 as a derision against Jesus. Are people unjustly accusing you of things you have not done because of the good you stand for or do they justly accuse you?

Verses 22-25-As in the beginning, David is calling God to defend him before his accusers. Whom do you ask to defend you?

Verse 26-David again calls for God to judge those around him with righteous judgment (see verses 17-18 above).

Verses 27-28-David needs someone to mourn with him and to rejoice with him (Romans 12.15). Are you that someone for others? Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, can you proclaim the greatness of God? Do you do this all day?

Psalm 17

Psalm 17 is one of three psalms designated as a prayer (Psalm 86 and 142). That this psalm is a prayer is evidence by the words we use for prayer: hear, incline, give ear, among others. This Psalm is also a psalm of lament in which David proclaims his innocence (Psalm 26; 35; 43; and 69) [see our studies Psalm 26, 35, 43, and 69).

This Psalm begins and ends with the same thoughts. This could be a loose chiastic structure as verse one opens with David’s vindication and closes in verse fifteen with his righteousness. The Psalm also opens with God seeing and closes with David seeing. Many psalms and most of the prophets are written in terms of a courtroom. This Psalm appears to be David pleading his case before God, seeking a verdict of innocence on himself and guilty on those around him.

Although there is no time frame given in the title, most commentators see this as a prayer of deliverance from Saul during the time of 1 Samuel 21-27. Some people look at this psalm and find problems with David’s statements regarding his blamelessness in verses 1-5 and his reference to “mortals” in verses 13-14. Their argument is that these make David seem to be a demigod. However, these statements are found elsewhere, stated by others in Scripture, and are not referring to absolute blamelessness or as to be a little god. These will be covered in the verses.

Verses 1-2-David is calling out to the only one who can help him. This is the cry of many of the psalms that have been covered in these discussions. He states he has not deceived people, in this case Saul, and yet he is being pursued by those who are deceptive (either Saul, the Ziphites, Doeg, and the like). He does not state he is perfect, but he seeks the perfect righteousness of God to be known. When he prays this, he is also stating that God would see where David is right, which implies where David is also wrong.

Verses 3-5-These verses reflect the previous verses. These three verses can be found in the mouth of Job (Job 23.10-11), God (Zechariah 13.9), David and other psalmists (Psalm 39.1; 44.18; 66.10; 119.133), and Peter (1 Peter 1.6-7). Each time the reference for purity is mentioned, it is by the hand of God. David sees the fruit of his life in that he has evidence (or fruit) that he has walked blamelessly in this area and in other areas of life. This is also true for us. We have evidence that we are walking in the power of God’s salvation because of the life we are living and the fruit He is producing in and through us (Galatians 5.22-23). David sees those around him and notices that they have transgressed (13-14), which is also an evidence of fruit but this is the fruit produced by pursuing fleshly desires (Galatians 5.16-21). What fruit is being produced in your life? That fruit will show evidence of whose power you are walking under.

Verses 6-7-David has confidence in God. He knows that God hears our prayers. The term “incline” is found in other Psalms (Psalm 86.7 and 116.2, for example). It suggests that God is bending from the throne desiring to listen to what we have say. Because God leans down from His throne to listen, He is seated on His throne, which means He is victorious and in command. Those who seek His refuge need to come under that command and proclaim Him as their sovereign. In what areas of your life are you holding onto and not letting God command?

Verses 8-12-These verses contain much imagery that will be completed at a later time in these studies. For now, here is a list: “apple of the eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10), “shadow of Your wings,” and “lion lurking in ambush.” The picture being painted is the polar opposite of what we have in God and what those who pursue of desire for us. One is protection (guard me as a man would guard his eye) and loving-kindness and the other is pitiless suffering leading to death. God reminds us that He weighs the heart and knows the desires (1 Samuel 2.3) and that He will judge those who have no pity on those in need (Ezekiel 16.49). Reading that last verse should cause us to ponder what we are doing with our wealth and excess, what forms of service are we involved in, and where are we meeting the needs of those around us?

Verses 13-14-David does not desire to be judged by those around him but by Him who is above him.

Verse 15-David knew that life is greater than today. We are to reflect our relationship with God in this world that they may see His righteousness in us (Psalm 4.6-7 and Matthew 5.16). We are also to look forward to the day that we will be like Him, when our desires will conform to His, when sin will no longer have a stranglehold on us (Psalm 16.11; Isaiah 26.19; and 1 John 3.2). Do people notice the God we serve or do they notice the god we try to be?

Psalm 54

Psalm 54 is related to both 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. The inscription gives us the account of Saul being informed by the Ziphites of David’s whereabouts. The inscription also informs us that it is a Maskil of David, which is a skilled instruction given at an annual celebration.

Psalm 54 is related to both 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. The inscription gives us the account of Saul being informed by the Ziphites of David’s whereabouts. The inscription also informs us that it is a Maskil of David, which is a skilled instruction given at an annual celebration.

Verses 1-3-David pleas to God for protection from Saul and vindication of the actions of the Ziphites. He goes to the only one who can help; he turns to God who hears our prayers. Verse three gives us insight into David, Saul, and the Ziphites. David set his eyes on God, which implies the others were setting their eyes on worldly things. Saul’s focus was an earthly kingdom and power. The Ziphites may have had wealth, protection by Saul, or power as their focus. God wants us to always have Him as our focus. It is His desire to be preeminent in our lives (Colossians 1.18).

Selah. Where is your focus? Is it on what God has required, what you have desired, or what the world decides? The answer to that question can be found in to whom or what you “pray.” Can and do you go to God with the desires of your heart, with the pains that surround you, and with the joys you are given? Or, are you pleased with what you have, complain about your circumstances, and merely enjoy what comes your way? If the latter are true, your focus is on what you have desired or what the word decides. If you cannot go to God for the matters on your heart, it is due to sin. This sin is either that the activity or item in life is sinful or that your heart is placing you above Him.

Verses 4-5-David’s prayers are for his enemies to be destroyed. Read the comments on Psalm 140 for insight into our enemies. We either destroy that which stands against God or are destroyed by them. As an aside, when God changes the hearts of our enemies, He has destroyed them for now they are our friends.

Verses 6-7-Some view this as written after the fact that David received his answer and then offered the freewill offering as a sign of gratitude to God. It can be seen as faith where David knows that God delivers and will do so for him. In this knowledge David offers his sacrifice out of gratitude for whom God is not necessarily for what He has done or will do (Leviticus 22:21–23; 23:38).

Are you in the habit of thanking God for who He is rather than for what He has done or will do? David prayed to God to take control (He is sovereign), to protect (He is omnipotent), and to vindicate (He is Judge) because he knew that God hears our prayers (He is omniscient), God helps us (He is Good), and He can help us (He is sovereign). Our only response to all that He is to us is praise or thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5.12-24). As with David, God is our Helper (Hebrews 13.6) and our only response to that is to offer our freewill offering of praise to Him (Hebrews 13.15-16).

Psalm 142

David again is crying out from a cave (Adullam?) for God’s help. He knows his strength is gone. He knows it is only through God that he is able to continue God’s work.

Psalm 142

David again is crying out from a cave (Adullam?) for God’s help. He knows his strength is gone. He knows it is only through God that he is able to continue God’s work. How aware are we that we are not able to do things for His kingdom without His strength? There are times I wonder how we think we can do God’s work without God’s power (Philippians 4.13).

Psalm 141

Psalm 141
David, according to the title, is seeking not to be consumed by evil.

Psalm 141

A friend wrote a song based on this passage. Here are the lyrics. I may place the music online as-well later this week.

David, according to the title, is seeking not to be consumed by evil.

Verses 1-2-David calls out to the only one who can truly help. That one is God. David shows the importance of prayer. It is a sacrifice to God. What are you in prayer for today? When you are overwhelmed with evil (read comments from Psalm 140), to whom do you turn?

Verses 3-4-David knows our tendency to sin (as did Paul in Romans 7). He realized that he would begin to sin if God did not intervene. Are we that aware of our own propensity to sin? We need God to keep us from sin.

Verses 5-7-David knows accountability is key to growth. It is not the words of the flatterer he is seeking. His desire is for truth to be told him, no matter how painful. Who is in your life to help you honestly view your life?

Verses 8-10-He calls to God one more time for deliverance. He is persistent in prayer, are we?

Psalm 140

Psalm 140 brings us to another Psalm of deliverance. It seems David was always being pursued. When the historical context, 1 Samuel 19-27, is read the poetry of David begins to make sense.

Psalm 140 brings us to another Psalm of deliverance and the last imprecatory psalm. It seems David was always being pursued. When the historical context, 1 Samuel 19-27, is read the poetry of David begins to make sense.

Verses 1-3-David is stating that many people are attacking him both physically and verbally. He then asks us to pause and consider these phrases when he writes Selah. What wars are being waged against you? Are you standing righteous in the midst of them?

Verses 4-5-David is aware of the plans those who seek to destroy him have. Selah. How aware are you of the plans Satan has set for you? We are to be aware of the schemes of Satan (Ephesians 6.10-12 and 2 Corinthians 2.10-11). John reminds us that Satan is not our only enemy, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5.6-11), we need to be aware of “the world, the flesh, and the devil” (1 John 2.15-17). Again, how aware are you of those that seek to destroy your faith, your testimony, even your very life?

Verses 6-8-David prays for the God of the Universe to deliver and protect him. Selah. When persecutions come, and they will (1 Peter 2.18-20), to whom or what do you turn? Many people turn to sex, drugs, alcohol, music, or other things. We are commanded to turn to Him, which is only logical because He is the Author and Creator of life (Psalm 139). If He is unable to help (Numbers 11.23 and Isaiah 59.1), which He is more than capable, then nothing or no one else can.

Verses 9-11-David’s prayer is that God annihilates his enemies. Are we willing to pray this against our enemies: our own sinful desires (Matthew 16.24-26), the influence of our friends (1 Corinthians 15.33), and the influence of this world (2 Corinthians 10.4-5)? Are we willing to tear down our idols and choose to serve Him alone (Joshua 24.14-28)?

Verses 12-13-David understood the work of God in this world and how He desires to help those who are helpless. In order for us to truly understand this work of God we need to understand that we are the ones who are helpless. When we understand all that He has done for us the natural response will be to praise and thank Him before those in our area of influence. When was the last time you stood up to praise and thank Him where you are in your area of influence?

Psalm 120

Psalm 120 is one of the songs of ascents. The others are Psalms 121-134. These were sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem for their annual feasts. Some say these are what Jesus sang on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed by Judas (John 18).

Although this Psalm is not ascribed to David, it does reflect what was happening in David’s journeys through 1 Samuel.

Men, such as Doeg, were lying and stating evil of David. This does cause pain that lasts throughout life. Words can and do destroy us.

Meshech is a descendant of Japheth. He, and the location, are in major judgment from God in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 27.13, 21; 38.2, 3; and 39.1). Kedar is the second born from Ishmael. Kedar, the location, was to be destroyed by judgment from God (Isaiah 21.16 and 60.7).

The writer speaks his heart for peace while those around him speak for war. This could be a veiled reference to the time David spent in Gath with the Philistines who did not desire peace with Israel. Not much hope nor mention of God in the passage outside of deliverance from these evildoers.

Psalm 52

Psalm 52 is a short Psalm that provides the historical context of when Doeg was sent by Saul to kill Ahimelech’s family in 1 Samuel 21 and 22.

Psalm 52 is a short Psalm that provides a poetic backdrop to the historical context of when Doeg was sent by Saul to kill Ahimelech’s family in 1 Samuel 21 and 22.

Verses 1-3-Historically, Doeg lies about Ahimelech. He told Saul that Ahimelech was conspiring against his kingdom when he said that Ahimelech was aiding David’s escape (1 Samuel 22.9-10). What words are you speaking today? Do they reflect godliness or wickedness? Do you enjoy gossip? Do you tell half-truths, which are lies, in order to get out of trouble? When you do this, you are emulating Doeg. This is why David places the Selah here.

Verses 4-5-David pronounces God’s judgment on Doeg and all who are like him. Selah, consider that the next time you speak words.

Verses 6-7-The Hebrew here is interesting at the end of verse seven. Instead of the word “wealth” it has “in his destruction.” Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 6.10 that the pursuit of wealth (anything other than the pursuit of God) leads to destruction (Proverbs 14.12).

Verses 8-9-David ends this Psalm with confidence in whom God is and an exclamation of praise before God’s people. We should never belittle what God has done in our lives. We need to tell what the Lord has done for us on a regular basis. We need to do this because He is good. When was the last time you gave praise for what God has done?

Psalm 56

Psalm 56 is a Psalm of David when he was in Gath as found in 1 Samuel 21. He, again, gives praise to God for what He has done for him. When He delivers, we should praise Him. Do we?

Verses 1-4-The beginning of this Psalm presents David as tired. He is trampled and oppressed. Does this sound like your life? He places his trust in God, no matter the circumstance. He then praises God because he remembers that life is fleeting and only work for God matters in this life (Matthew 16.24-26). What can those around you do to you?

Verses 5-7-David tells us what they can do. They can injure and do harm us. In the end, God will judge righteously (Romans 12). If we truly believe that God is sovereign, this should be of comfort to us as we go through our daily struggles.

Verses 8-11-Because God is for him, nothing can stand against him. God loves us. Read these verses. He counts are tears, He records them, He is for us, He removes fear (Romans 8.31 and Psalm 118.6). This is so important that David mentions it twice. What is our response? It should daily be that of praise.

Verses 12-13-Because of what God has done for us, our natural response should be to praise Him, to keep His commands. These will not save us. However, because we are saved, we can now do them!

What are you doing today that He has asked you to do?

Long. Hard. Worth it? Yes.

Psalm 34

Today we are provided a better look into the heart and mind of David when he faced difficult circumstances. David’s career is filled with passion. Seldom do you read of David being complacent about life. David gave his all to what he did. Sometimes that passion was for God and other times that passion was for himself. In the psalms we have been and will be studying based on his early life (7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 120, 140, 141, and 142), we see his passion for God.

Psalm 34 informs us, in the inscription, of the historical context of the Psalm. If you recall, the Hebrew version of the Psalms includes the inscriptions as a verse. Without the title as a verse, this psalm forms an acrostic. This Psalm is found played out in history in 1 Samuel 21.10-15 where David acted crazy in order to escape from king Abimelech who is called Achish in the passages in Samuel (1 Samuel 21.10-15 and 1 Samuel 27 and 29). If you read the psalm, it does not sound like it fits with the historical passage. However, David wrote it and ascribed the historical context to it. There are times when we wax poetic after we have encountered danger. It is more praise to God for the deliverance than an account of the deliverance. Such is the case with Psalm 34.

Verses 1-3-As the Psalm is read it is difficult not to look to God to praise Him. This is the purpose of the Psalm. David commands us to look to God to magnify Him. This doesn’t mean that we attempt to make God big but that we look to see Him as He is in reality. A telescope does not make the universe bigger. It helps us see how large it is in reality.

Verses 4-10-As Psalm 31 and 32 present to us the effects of sin on our bodies, these verses present to us the effect of God on our bodies. When we are in fellowship, much like Moses, are faces reflect Him, our bodies are refreshed, our minds are at ease, our fears are alleviated, and shame or disgrace in not our lot.

Verses 11-14-Second Timothy 2.22, Hebrews 12.14, and 1 Corinthians 15.33 both reflect the ideas presented in these verses. If we desire to live the life God created for us to live, we need to pursue God with a passion that is also found in those with whom we are friends.

Verses 15-18-David understands the mission of God in this world is to bring people back into right relationship and fellowship with Himself. Only the humble or the righteous will find Him. Those who are proud, who do what is right in their own eyes (Proverbs 14.12), He will oppose the proud. Remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble Jesus mentions this as His mission in life in His first sermon (Luke 4.18.19).

Verses 19-22-These verses reflect the previous four verses. When verse 20 is read, we see a reference to the day Christ was crucified in John 19.33 and 36.

This passage offers hope to those who are in dire straits. What do you do when times are tough? Is your focus on the circumstances or on the God who is greater than all of them (1 John 4.4)?