Category: Psalms

Psalm 97

Can you state you hate (or reject) evil? What about your gods, which are not gods at all? Do you accept them? They are evil. The way for you to full know you have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and have been placed into the kingdom of the Son He loves is how you live your life (Acts 26.18-19 and Colossians 1.13-14). Your works do not save you, but the display to yourself and others that you have been saved. And, part of this is to reject or hate evil.

Psalm 97

This psalm opens with the truth that the God of Promise, the covenant God, rules mightily. With this truth, all else is trivial. With this truth, there will be much joy. Because He reigns, not will reign but does reign, we have reason to rejoice. He is in control of all and He is good and just.

This psalm should remind the reader of the happenings at Mt. Sinai and the giving of the Law (Exodus 19). It is also a stark reminder of the days to come when God will indeed judge the earth in righteousness and truth.

Whereas Psalm 95 calls God’s people to sing and Psalm 96 calls all the earth to sing, Psalm 97 calls both the world and God’s people to rejoice. While the Septuagint ascribes this psalm to David, there is nothing else that supports or denies this. For the sake of our study, we will agree with the Septuagint.

  • Verses 1-6-This imagery is of God’s presence coming. With it comes blessing and judgement. Blessing for those who can rejoice in Him and judgement for all others.
  • Verses 7-12-We are called to hate evil if we love the Lord. We can read the verse this way: “The Lord loves those who reject evil and choose holiness.”

Can you state you hate (or reject) evil? What about your gods, which are not gods at all? Do you accept them? They are evil. The way for you to full know you have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and have been placed into the kingdom of the Son He loves is how you live your life (Acts 26.18-19 and Colossians 1.13-14). Your works do not save you, but the display to yourself and others that you have been saved. And, part of this is to reject or hate evil.

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Psalm 95

What gods have you allowed to interfere with your worship of the great and mighty God who saved us? Does your schedule, your family, your job, your church, your health, your ___________, battle for the place God rightly deserves?

Psalm 95

Hebrews 4.7 attributes this psalm to David. Psalm 95 is used to introduce the Sabbath in Jewish Synagogues and as a daily prayer in Western churches. The psalm divides in two parts, which are verses 1-7 and 8-11. The first is a call to worship and the second is a call to obedience as is fitting for a true worshiper. This psalm reminds us that going to church is not enough, we must be obedient to the One we proclaim to worship. In other words, people can manipulate others to believe they worship in church but obedience cannot be faked over the long haul.

  • Verses 1-7-Corporate worship involves all we are and should include joyful voices and humility before others and before God. This corporate worship involves both celebration (1-5) and contemplation (6-7). Looking at these two aspects of corporate and personal worship, David is calling us to acknowledge that God is the Great Omnipotent One and then calls us to recognize that He is also a personal God with whom we must deal on a personal basis. In verses 3-5, David calls God by three distinct names. He uses El (Great Omnipotent God), Jehovah (YWHW-the covenant God of Israel), and Elohim (the Creator God). The God we worship is Great.

The three “comes” of verses 1-3 are different Hebrew words. Verse one “come” is an invitation. Verse two “come” states “let us approach God’s presence.” And the “come” in verse three is “enter.”

  • Verses 8-11-The opposite of proper corporate worship would be proud grumblers (Meribah [Exodus 17.1-7] is a reference to grumbling and stubbornness and literally means “rebellion”).

The writer of Hebrews describes this event and a robber of rest (Hebrews 3.7-15). When the biblical description of rest is studied, it is a sense of worship. Grumbling, complaining, stubbornness, and doubt are a few disruptions of rest. Corporate worship involves obedience to God’s Word. Obedience is to be done by individuals and by those He calls to salvation. This is what Paul meant when he told us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is plural. This involves the Body of Christ, not merely the individual (Philippians 2.12-13).

What gods have you allowed to interfere with your worship of the great and mighty God who saved us? Does your schedule, your family, your job, your church, your health, your ___________, battle for the place God rightly deserves?

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David’s Psalms in Other Places

David’s Psalms in Other Places

What was happening to David Passage in Samuel

(click link to view our study)

 Passage in Psalms

(click link to view our study)
Saul sent men to kill David. 1 Samuel 19.11 Psalm 59
David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath. 1 Samuel 21.10–12 Psalm 56
David feigned insanity in Gath. 1 Samuel 21.13 Psalm 34
David fled to the cave of Adullam. 1 Samuel 22.1 Psalm 142
Doeg the Edomite told Saul that David was in Nob. 1 Samuel 211 Samuel 22.9 Psalm 52
The Ziphites told Saul that David was hiding in the hill of Hachilah. 1 Samuel 23.191 Samuel 26 Psalm 54
David spared Saul’s life. 1 Samuel 24.3, 4 Psalm 57
David and his army killed 18,000 Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 2 Samuel 8.13 Psalm 60
David admitted his sin with Bathsheba to Nathan the prophet. 2 Samuel 12.13 Psalm 51
David fled from his son Absalom. 2 Samuel 15.16 Psalm 3
The Israelites mourned the civil war between Absalom and David. 2 Samuel 15.23 Psalm 63
Shimei cursed David. 1 Samuel 21-24 or 2 Samuel 16.5 Psalm 7
David rejoiced over his deliverance from Saul. 2 Samuel 22.1–51 Psalm 18

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson Study Bible. New King James Version (2 Sa 22.6). Nashville. T. Nelson Publishers.

 

 

Psalm 57

Verse one presents the phrase “In the shadow of Your wings will I make my refuge.” This phrase is first used in Deuteronomy 32.11, it is a stirring metaphor. We find in this psalm that David ran to that shelter. As Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, He cried out that the nation of Israel did not seek that shelter (Matthew 23.37). Protection, mercy, kindness, salvation, joy, and life, to name a few, are found in that shelter. Where are you today? If you are a Christian, run to His shelter. If you are not a Christian, you need to ask Him to be your shelter.

Psalm 57

This psalm is out of place in our study, it may have been overlooked along with Psalm 108, which will come later. Verses 6-12 are used in Psalm 60.5-12 (see our study). In our study of the Psalms, we have seen the term in the superscription, “Altaschith,” which means “Do not destroy,” occurs in Psalms 57-59 and 75 (see our study of Psalms 57, 58, 59, and 75). Although the meaning is not clear, some have conjectured that it was a tune of a popular song. Isaiah 65.8 seems to reference it. This psalm references the time David fled from Saul and lived in a cave, probably the cave of Adullam or the cave of Engedi (see our study of 1 Samuel 21-24). Another “cave” psalm is Psalm 142 (see our study).

Have two Selahs (pauses), we can rightly divide this psalm in three parts, which is a call for God’s mercy (1-3), a confession of trust (4-6), and a deep desire to praise (7-11). However, this psalm also contains a refrain in verses five and 11, which would divide the psalm in two parts. The latter option will be used here.

  • Verses 1-5-Prayers and Complaints of David. The movement is from God to the threats against David.

Selah (3)-David recognizes that his help will be sent from Heaven. John reminds us that Jesus was sent from Heaven (John 1). Where do you find your help? Is it from the things of this world, people or stuff, or is it only in Jesus? The former things are useless in terms of eternity. Only He can help eternally (1 John 2.15-17).

David recognizes the enemy is like a lion seeking to devour him (1 Peter 5.8). But, he also knows that God is greater (1 John 4.4) and that faith in Him overcomes such things (1 John 5.4).

The refrain reminds us that God is the God of all nations, not merely one nation.

  • Verses 6-11-Complaint of David leading to Exultation. These verses are used by many churches as a Resurrection Sunday (Easter) passage (8-11). The movement is from the threats back to God. David sees the traps the enemy has laid in his path. He also knows that God protects him from them and even causes them to fall into their own traps. These metaphors are quite appropriate due to the timing of this psalm. David is being pursued or hunted down by Saul who is laying out nets and digging holes to capture him.

Selah (6)-Do you know the traps Satan has set for you (2 Corinthians 2.11 and Ephesians 6.11)? Do you know those temptations that so easily cause you to stumble (Hebrews 12.1-2)? Are you asking God to help you overcome them (1 Corinthians 10.13) or do you think you can handle them yourself (1 Corinthians 10.12)?

Verse one presents the phrase “In the shadow of Your wings will I make my refuge.” This phrase is first used in Deuteronomy 32.11, it is a stirring metaphor. We find in this psalm that David ran to that shelter. As Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, He cried out that the nation of Israel did not seek that shelter (Matthew 23.37). Protection, mercy, kindness, salvation, joy, and life, to name a few, are found in that shelter. Where are you today? If you are a Christian, run to His shelter. If you are not a Christian, you need to ask Him to be your shelter.

In verse two, David realizes that it is only God who has a purpose for good for us (John 10) and it is only He who can fulfill it (Ephesians 2.8-10). To what purpose has God called you? He has one for you. How has He gifted you? What are your passions? What experiences have you lived through? What talents do you have? These are some questions to ponder as you seek to know to what He has called you.

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Psalm 42

God desires you to be in His presence with great joy more than you can imagine. How great is your desire to be in His presence? He gave His Son in order for you to go there? What have you forsaken for Him to be there?

Psalm 42

The inscription of this psalm leads us to believe it was written by the family of the Korahites unless it is read that it was written for the family of the Korahites to play during worship service. If the latter are valid, then David wrote this on his retreat from Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19). If the former is valid, then it was written during the exile by a Korahite longing for Jerusalem. I prefer Davidic authorship due to the style and geographic locations mentioned in verse five. Whichever author is chosen, it reflects a genuine heart desire to be with God in the Temple/Tabernacle. If this were the heart attitude of Christians today, the world would be a much different place. The oddity for Christians is that we don’t have to go to the church to spend time with God, He indwells us. We are the temple of God. However, for true fellowship to occur we need to publicly worship Him as part of our growth toward Christlikeness (Hebrews 10.24-25).

This psalm and Psalm 43 (see our study) have a connection and many have placed them together as one psalm. The Septuagint combines them into one psalm. Each psalm has the same refrain and the same ending. However, if Psalm 43 was written during the Babylonian Captivity, it could have been inspired by Psalm 42. Psalm 43 and Psalm 71 are the only psalms in this section of the Psalms without an inscription (see studies on Psalm 9 and Psalm 10).

  • Verses 1-3-David realizes that his life is in God. Without the ability to enter into the presence of God in the Tabernacle, his life was devalued, depressing. What is your heart attitude about being in God’s presence? As mentioned above, the only place we need to go to be with God is nowhere for He indwells us. This is Jesus discussion with the woman at the well in John 4.15-26. We only need to be in right relationship with Him (His child) and in right fellowship with Him (confession of sins) in order to be in His presence. Do you long for God more than for the sins of this world? This is the essence of the book of 1 John.
  • Verses 4-8-David poetically presents his state without God’s presence in it (again, return to our discussion of Psalm 43 for thoughts on verse five). He misses the fellowship he had in Jerusalem with fellow followers of God and longs to see them and publically worship with them.
  • Verses 9-10-David laments over his current situation asking God to deliver him not only for the sake of David but for the sake of God. Do you see your relationship with God as a public demonstration of whom God is? When people see you, they see a representation of God. Your words and actions either tell His greatness or belie who He is. How do people see you when they ask “Where is your God?”
  • Verse 11-The ending of Psalm 43 is identical to this psalm. Our hope is not in others nor in things. It is solely in God.

God desires you to be in His presence with great joy more than you can imagine. How great is your desire to be in His presence? He gave His Son in order for you to go there? What have you forsaken for Him to be there?

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Psalm 41

What is it that you believe? Do you live your life as if your beliefs were actually true? What would you change if you truly did believe? As you consider this psalm, look at your own life. What has gone done in and through you? Praise Him for it. What have you done to bless God as you have blessed others? What are people saying about you? Are they godly things? Are they mad due to your stand for God? Whatever the circumstances, look to God for His presence and help.

Psalm 41

This psalm appears to have been a response to those who stood against him in Psalm 38 (see our study).

  • Verses 1-3-Blessings for those who are blessed by the Lord by doing what He requires by taking care of those who are helpless, who are poor, is the theme of these verses.
  • Verse 4-A prayer to God in light of David’s sin.
  • Verses 5-9-Complaint against a close friend who has turned enemy. This refers to the betrayal of Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17 (see our study). This psalm is a Messianic psalm. Jesus, too, was betrayed by one who ate bread with Him. Jesus quotes this verse and applies it to Judas in John 13.18 (each Gospel refers to Jesus quoting this verse: Matthew 26.23; Mark 14.20; Luke 22.21). Peter seems to refer to this psalm in Acts 1.16. Read the psalm in light of the last few hours of Christ’s life to determine if this psalm is Messianic in nature.
  • Verses 10-12-Hope based, again, on the character of God. The sense in the Hebrew of “repay them” is “to make good again.” That is David would repay the evil with good. This is the sense of 2 Samuel 19 see our study), which is the context of the psalm. It is also evident in 1 Samuel 24 (see our study) and 1 Samuel 26 (see our study) in David’s dealings with Saul.
  • Verse 13-Praise God from whom all blessings flow, who is eternal. The double “So be it” (Amen) along with “Praise the Lord” emphatically close each section of the psalter (Psalm 41, Psalm 72, Psalm 89, Psalm 106, and Psalm 150). The doubling of the “Amen” provides a strong affirmation to all that has gone on before. David is stating, “You better believe it, for it is true!”

What is it that you believe? Do you live your life as if your beliefs were actually true? What would you change if you truly did believe? As you consider this psalm, look at your own life. What has gone done in and through you? Praise Him for it. What have you done to bless God as you have blessed others? What are people saying about you? Are they godly things? Are they mad due to your stand for God? Whatever the circumstances, look to God for His presence and help.

Psalm 38

Have you examined your heart today? Do you suffer? Is it from sin? If not, what is God doing in and through you for His glory?

Psalm 38

Although this psalm has twenty-two verses, it is not an acrostic like Psalm 37 (see our study yet to come). The inscription tells us David wrote this psalm. Many argue with this because the biblical account does not contain a sickness of David like this. This thought implies that everything that happened to David was written in the Bible, which is absurd. The inscription also states that this psalm is for the memorial offering (NRSV), which implies it is used as part of the service. The NASB does not include the word “offering,” which would mean it is used to remember what has happened and to learn from it (Psalm 70 contains the same inscription). It is also the third in the penitential type psalms. These are written for our benefit that we may know how to pray in repentance and in hope due to our sin. This psalm is normally read in higher churches on Ash Wednesday in preparation for the time of Easter. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.

This psalm is reminiscent of the book of Job wherein Job suffers, though not due to sin, and is mistreated by his friends, then turns to his only Hope, God. Verses 9, 15, and 21 gives us this hope too. In spite of our sin, we can still pursue God but only in repentance will He be found (see the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.11-31).

  • Verse 1-David opens in prayer asking God to remove His anger from him.
  • Verses 2-10-The usage of arrows throughout Scripture is of interest. This metaphor is used to show God’s discipline for His children and judgment on those who are not His children. If a study is desire, please post a request. These verses describe in detail what David was suffering physically. David’s body was filled with disease, there is no soundness in his flesh, his bones ache, his body agonized with a sense of burning, his heart palpitated, his strength and sight were failing.
  • Verses 11-20-These verses describe in detail what David was suffering mentally due to his sin and by those around him. Instead of doing what God has called them to do, restore one who is repentant (Galatians 6.1), this community was attacking David (16).
  • Verses 21-22-David ends this psalm with a plea to God not to deliver him from his suffering but to be with him through it all.

Have you examined your heart today? Do you suffer? Is it from sin? If not, what is God doing in and through you for His glory?

Suffering

David sees what is happening to him as judgment from God due to his sins (18). We see this association in Psalm 51 and 32 as-well (see our study of Psalm 51 and Psalm 32). This can be the case (cf. 1 Corinthians 11.30-32 and Hebrews 12.5-11). But it is not always the case as Jesus presents in John 9.3 and 11.4. In both these incidents, the man born blind and the death of Lazarus, Jesus proclaims the sole purpose was to glorify God. This implies that we cannot determine the reason a person is suffering, unless they inform us that they are trapped in sin and are suffering for it. We can only determine why we are suffering. If we are in sin, our suffering may be due to that; if we are not bound by sin, we need to examine our heart to see if that is a truth. Whether it is due to sin or due to other factors, we must always give God glory for it. So that, in all circumstances, He might receive the praise and glory.

If further discussion on the topic of suffering is desired, please post.

Psalm 5

David calls out to God to hear what he has to say (1-6), to lead David in the correct and righteous path (7-8), to protect David from those who try to deceive and lead him astray (9-10), and to bless David with His presence (11-12). What are you praying for today?

Psalm 5

This psalm was written by David for the flute (Nehiloth) during the time of the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19). The references to the temple (the tent, 7), David’s house, and references to David’s enemies lying in wait, not pursuing him (9-10) support this period.

When reading this psalm, we are reminded of the necessity of daily reading God’s Word for it establishes our hope, directs our day, and provides us with guidance in times of joy and distress. Even David, the king of Israel, knew that he must bow to another King on a daily basis.

  • Verses 1-3-David seeks God to listen to what he has to say, to listen to his cries, and to help him order his words in such a way that they bring honor to God. In this David ruminates over what he is to pray. It is no flippant prayer offered to God on a whim. It is a thoughtful meditation of an arranged prayer presented to God with great fervor and understanding of whom this God is to whom he prays. The plea of David for God to listen to the sound of his cry can be seen in Romans 8.26-27.
  • Verses 4-6-Habakkuk 1.13 presents the truth of these verses. David understands all too well that God will not listen to His children in rebellion (see our study of Psalm 51), how much more will He reject those who set themselves as enemies against Him? Paul state that darkness and light have no dealings with each other (2 Corinthians 6.14-15). John states this truth in 1 John 1.5-10.
  • Verses 7-8-David’s desire was to enter God’s house, to worship Him. It is here that David brings his prayer before God. It is a prayer to stand justly before his accusers.
  • Verses 9-10-Paul quotes verse nine in Romans 3.13 as a testament to the character of those who do not know God.
  • Verses 11-12-The shield mentioned in verse twelve is the full-body shield used to protect the entire person. When our lives are protected by God, we experience joy, protection, and blessing.

David calls out to God to hear what he has to say (1-6), to lead David in the correct and righteous path (7-8), to protect David from those who try to deceive and lead him astray (9-10), and to bless David with His presence (11-12). What are you praying for today?

Thoughts on hate will be given if requested. So, reply if you desire a study on God’s hating (5).

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Psalm 64

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 64-A title, if I were to title these, “Two Archers, One Winner”

This, again, was written during the time of Absalom’s rebellions (2 Samuel 15-18). When reading these verses it is easy to see that words can hurt us greatly. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is a lie. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will surely kill me,” is more accurate. Slander and misuse of words is so severe a sin in the eyes of God, it made the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.16). James spends most of chapter three of his book discussing the problems of the tongue and its power (James 3.1-12).

There is a plot afoot to dethrone David by the words of his son Absalom (see our study of 2 Samuel 15). What Absalom, and those in later chapters such as Shimei and Ahithophel (see our study of 2 Samuel 16), slandering David, he felt his character was being blasted. Rather than railing against them, David does what we all should do and that is to pray to the only One who can do something about it. God.

  • Verses 1-2-David prays for protection from evil speakers.
  • Verses 3-6-David describes the evil actions of those who seek to destroy him. Verse five reflects the willful ignorance of people who are sinning for God sees and watches every move (see our study of Psalm 2).
  • Verses 7-9-David describes their defeat by the hand of God. Two of the greatest words in Scripture are found in verse seven: “But God . . .” Trace these two words together and find the presence of God intervening in the life of man. If there is enough interest, we can begin a study on these two words.
  • Verse 10-David, even before it occurs, expects people to praise God. The wicked try to hide their plots, but the righteous proclaims them before all.

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 62

Who or what do you trust the God described above or men who are here today and gone tomorrow, men who we celebrate, oppressing others to get your way, stealing what you want because you cannot trust God to get to you what you need, or wealth? Each of these are mentioned in this psalm as not satisfying our souls.

Psalm 62

This psalm was written during the time of Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15-18). We can sense the men of David who deserted or lied to him when Absalom rebelled in this psalm. The men were Ahithophel his counselor (4), Shemei the one still loyal to King Saul’s family (4), and Ziba the servant of the crippled Mephibosheth (3).

Another reference to Jeduthun (Psalm 39, 77, and 89). A feature of this psalm is the word “only.” It is repeated six times.

  • My soul waits in silence for God only (1)
  • He only is my rock and my salvation (2)
  • They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position (4)
  • My soul, wait in silence for God only (5)
  • He only is my rock and my salvation (6)
  • Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie (9)

The psalm is neatly divided into three parts by the Selahs (pause).  The first two divisions begin with the same words with one replacement. “Salvation” in verse one is replaced with “hope” in verse five. This presents the one who has received salvation with the surety of its completion (Hebrews 11.1-2).

  • Verses 1-4-As seen above this portion of the psalm is a complaint to God regarding those who have gone against David in his flight from Absalom in 2 Samuel 15. He is trusting in God to bring him safely through this matter.

Selah: Do you desire to wait patiently (Isaiah 40.28-31 and Psalm 103.1-5 [see our study]) or let circumstances and people determine your life?

  • Verses 5-8-David expresses what faith is and it is the essence of things hoped for. David knew that God would bring about His will and that God would be glorified and blessed through these dire circumstances. He then calls people to trust in God even as he does.

Selah: Do you proclaim God’s work in you so that others can glorify Him too?

  • Verses 9-12-David knew that man is temporary and that God is greater. This is the proclamation here.
    • Verses 9-10-The measure of a man is directly related to his relationship with God, which is then defined by his fellowship with God.
    • Verses 11-12-God is a powerful God full of love and mercy. He provides each of us with spiritual gifts and other blessings. He demands that we use these to bless Him and others through Him. We will be judged according to what we have done (Matthew 25.31-46). This is not a judgment of salvation but a critique of works we have done that He has called and created us to do (Ephesians 2.8-10 and Philippians 2.12-14).

When God states something twice as in this verse, it is emphatic. David is telling us to listen carefully (Job 33.14). This is why Jesus would repeat “Amen” to His followers (Verily, verily). He was basically instructing them to listen up, pay close attention, because this will be on the test.

God is described in this psalm as

  • Rock (1-2, 6-7)
  • Salvation (2, 6-7)
  • Defense (2, 6)
  • Glory (7)
  • Refuge (7-8)
  • Power (11)
  • Mercy (12)

Who or what do you trust the God described above or men who are here today and gone tomorrow, men who we celebrate, oppressing others to get your way, stealing what you want because you cannot trust God to get to you what you need, or wealth? Each of these is mentioned in this psalm as not satisfying our souls.

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