PSALMS

Dr. H. L. Willmington

GREAT TRUTHS FROM GOD'S WORD

 OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK
PSALMS

There are at least three distinct ways one may employ in the study of the Psalms. By book
division. By authorship. By subject matter.

I. By Book Division
A. The 150 psalms naturally fall into five main divisions or sections, with each group ending with a
doxology. These divisions are:
1. Psalms 1-41
2. Psalms 42-72
3. Psalms 73-89
4. Psalms 90-106
5. Psalms 107-150
B. Some believe these five divisions in a general way reflect the main thought expressed in the
Pentateuch (first five books in the Bible).
1. Psalms 1-41 (Corresponds to Genesis)
2. Psalms 42-72 (Corresponds to Exodus)
3. Psalms 73-89 (Corresponds to Leviticus)
4. Psalms 90-106 (Corresponds to Numbers)
5. Psalms 107-150 (Corresponds to Deuteronomy)

II. By Authorship
A. David
1. The number of his psalms
2. The nature of his psalms
B. Asaph
1. The person
2. The psalms
C. Heman
1. The person
2. The psalm
D. Ethan
1. The person
2. The psalm
E. Solomon
1. The person
2. The psalms
F. Moses
1. The person
2. The psalm
G. Hezekiah
1. The person
2. The psalms
H. Sons of Korah

III. By Subject Matter: Here an attempt is made to group various psalms according to their topical
content.
A. Penitential Psalms
1. The nature of these psalms
2. The number of these psalms
B. Imprecatory Psalms
1. The nature of these psalms
2. The number of these psalms
C. Degree or Ascent Psalms
1. How many are there of these Psalms?
2. Who wrote them?
3. Why were they written?
4. How were they to be sung?
D. Hallel or Hallelujah Psalms
1. The number involved
2. The nature involved
E. Historical Psalms
1. The number
2. The nature
F. Acrostic Psalms
1. The number
2. The nature
G. Messianic Psalms: The messianic psalms (predictions about Jesus) help us, as few other Old
Testament books in that preparation for the Savior. In fact, no less than 14 aspects involving his
earthly ministry and eternal reign are introduced by the Psalms. These are:
1. His obedience to the Father
2. His zeal for the Father
3. His rejection by Israel
4. His betrayal by a friend
5. His false witnesses
6. His prayer for his enemies
7. His sufferings and death
8. His Resurrection
9. His Ascension
10. His triumphal entry into the heavenlies
11. His high priestly work
12. His marriage to the church
13. His destruction of the heathen
14. His millennial reign
H. Attributes of God Psalms
1. His uniqueness
2. His holiness
3. His eternality
4. His glory
5. His majesty
6. His mercy
7. His goodness
8. His justice
9. His omnis
a. God’s omnipresence
b. God’s omnipotence
c. God’s omniscience
10. His providential care
I. Possessions of God Psalms
1. His Word
2. His voice
3. His wealth
4. His city
5. His house
J. Man-Related Psalms
1. The godly man
 2. The godless man
3. The purpose of man
4. The frailty of man
K. Contrasting Psalms
1. The Psalm of Death
2. The Psalm of Life
L. Special Event Psalms
1. The Exodus
2. The Babylonian Captivity
3. The Return from the Babylonian Captivity
4. The Coming Great Tribulation
5. The Coming Millennium
M. Daily Psalms
1. Morning
2. Evening
N. Distress Psalms
1. The author speaks of his doubt
2. The author speaks of his despair
O. Faith Psalms
P. Protection and Deliverance Psalms
Q. Revival Psalms
R. Family Psalms
S. Davidic Covenant Psalm
T. Fellowship Psalm
U. Relationship Psalms
1. The relationship of the Shepherd to his flock
2. The relationship of the Son to His Father
V. Lordship Psalms
1. The pursuit of God
2. The worship of God
 PSALMS

THINK OF IT ...THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF SONGS EVER COMPOSED AND

PRAYERS PRAYED ALL INCLUDED IN A SINGLE BOOK.

In no other writings, whether sacred or secular, is the heart and soul of man more clearly revealed than in
the Psalms. The sighs, sobs, and songs buried deeply within human spirits find their release and utter
their message through these 150 Psalms. They review the past, view the present, and preview the future.
Nearly half of all the direct quotes taken from the Old Testament and quoted in the New Testament
come from the Psalms. In fact, the book of Psalms is either quoted from or alluded to 103 times in the
book of Revelation alone, and 149 times in the four Gospel accounts.
The book of Psalms is by far the most messianic Old Testament book. Of the 45 Old Testament
prophecies about Christ, no less than 14 are found in the Psalms.

A. These prophecies are:

1. His zeal for the Father (69:9; John 2:17)
2. His praise by little children (8:2; Matt. 21:16)
3. His rejection as God's cornerstone by Israel (118:22-23; Matt. 21:42)
4. His sufferings on the cross:
a. Given vinegar to drink (69:21; Matt. 27:34,48)
b. His terrible thirst (22:15; John 19:28)
c. The garment that was gambled for (22:18; Luke 23:34)
d. Surrounded and ridiculed by his enemies (22:7; Matt. 27:39-44)
e. But no bones to be broken (34:20; John 19:33-36)
f. His final words on the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (22:1; Matt.
27:46). "Into thine hands I commit my spirit" (31:5; Luke 23:46).
5. His resurrection without suffering bodily corruption (16:10; Matt. 28:2-7)
6. His ascension (24:7-10; Luke 24:51)
7. His elevation at the Father's right hand (110:1; Heb. 10:12-13)
8. His great High Priesthood (110:4; Heb. 5:4-6, 10; 7:11-28)

Our Lord began and concluded his earthly ministry by quoting from the Psalms. Compare Psalm 69
with John 2:17; Psalm 31:5 with Luke 23:46.

B. The book of Psalms contains the following unique chapters:

1. The most beloved Old Testament chapter, 23.
2. The two greatest praise chapters, 103,104
3. The greatest chapter on God's omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience, 139
4. The three most extended summaries of Israel's history, 78, 105, 106
5. The longest biblical chapter, 119
6. The shortest biblical chapter, 117
7. The most personal prayer of confession in the Bible, 51

The book of Psalms is the longest biblical book, with 150 chapters, 2,461 verses, and 43,743 words. It
is quoted from or alluded to 454 times by 23 New Testament books.

PSALMS

There are at least three distinct ways one may employ in the study of the Psalms. By book division. By
authorship. By subject matter.

I. By Book Division
A. The 150 psalms naturally fall into five main divisions or sections, with each group ending with a
 doxology. These divisions are:
1. Psalms 1-41
2. Psalms 42-72
3. Psalms 73-89
4. Psalms 90-106
5. Psalms 107-150
B. Note the doxology at the end of each section:
1. "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."
(41:13)
2. "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed
be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and
Amen" (72:18-19).
3. "Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen" (89:52).
4. "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say,
Amen. Praise ye the LORD" (106:48).
5. "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD" (150:6).
C. Some believe these five divisions in a general way reflect the main thought expressed in the
Pentateuch (first five books in the Bible). Note some examples from each of these stages:
1. Psalms 1-41 (Corresponds to Genesis) The key word is man. "Blessed is the man who
walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly" (Gen. 1:1). "What is man, that thou art mindful of
him?" (8:4) "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men" (14:2). "Verily,
every man at his best state is altogether vanity" (39:5).
2. Psalms 42-72 (Corresponds to Exodus) The key word is deliverance. "Thou art my king, O
God; command deliverances for Jacob." (44:4) "For he hath delivered me out of all trouble"
(54:7). "For thou hast delivered my soul from death" (56:13). "Deliver me from mine enemies,
O my God" (59:1). "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth" (72:12).
3. Psalms 73-89 (Corresponds to Leviticus) The key word is sanctuary. "For I was envious. .
.when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.. .until I went into the sanctuary of God; then
understood I their end" (73:3,17). "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary" (77:13). "And he built
his sanctuary .. which he hath established forever" (78:69).
4. Psalms 90-106 (Corresponds to Numbers) The key words are unrest and wandering.
Especially to be noted under this section are two entire psalms which are given over to Israel's
failures as recorded in the book of Numbers. These are Psalms 90 and 106.
5. Psalms 107-150 (Corresponds to Deuteronomy) The key word is the Word of God. "He sent
his word and healed them" (107:20). "I waited for the LORD... and in his word do I hope"
(130:5). "Thou hast magnified thy word" (138:2). In addition to these verses this final section
contains the 119th Psalm, Scripture's longest chapter. It is totally given over to the Word of
God. It is mentioned in 171 of the 176 verses in the chapter. The author gives the Bible nine
titles in this psalm and ascribes some 12 ministries to it. Thus:
a. The titles:
His law (v. 1)
His testimonies (v. 2)
His ways (v. 3)
His precepts (v. 4)
His statutes (v. 5)
His commandments (v. 6)
His righteous judgments(v. 7)
His word (v. 9)
His ordinances (v. 91)
b. The ministries
It cleanses (v. 9)
It quickens (v. 25)
It strengthens (v. 28)
It establishes (v.. 38)
It defends (v. 42)
It comforts (v. 50)
 It instructs (vv. 98, 99)
It enlightens (v. 105)
It assures (v. 114)
It upholds (v. 116)
It brings peace (v. 165)
It delivers (v. 170)

(Note: See special study at the end of the Psalms section for a brief overview concerning each of the 150
Psalms.)

II. By Authorship
A. David
1. The number of his psalms: David authored at least 75 of the 150 psalms.
a. 73 of these are ascribed to him in the Old Testament. These are 3-9; 11-32; 34 41;51-
65;68-70;86;101;103;108-110;122;124;131;133;138-145
b. Two of the psalms are ascribed to him in the New Testament. These are:
(1) Psalm 2 (Acts 4:25)
(2) Psalm 95 (Heb. 4:7)
2. The nature of his psalms: The historical background for some of David's psalms is as follows:
a. Psalm 8-written after his victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17)
b. Psalm 11-written while he was still living in Saul's court (1 Sam. 18)
c. Psalm 59-written after his wife Michal saved him from Saul (1 Sam. 19)
d. Psalms 63 and 143-written when fleeing from Saul (1 Sam. 19-31)
e. Psalms 34 and 56-written after escaping from Achish, the Philistine king of Gath (1 Sam.
21)
f. Psalm 52-written upon learning of the slaughter of the priests at Nob by the cruel Doeg (1
Sam. 22)
g. Psalms 57 and 142-written while he was living in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22)
h. Psalm 54-written after being betrayed by the citizens of Ziph (1 Sam. 23)
i. Psalm 18-written after Saul had given up trying to kill him (1 Sam. 26:21)
j. Psalms 19 and 101-written to celebrate the capture of Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5)
k. Psalms 15, 24, 68, and 132-written when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into
Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6)
l. Psalm 60-written to celebrate Joab's victory over the Edomites (2 Sam. 8)
m. Psalm 21-written after his kingdom was established (2 Sam. 8)
n. Psalms 32 and 51-written in regards to his sins of adultery and murder
(1) Psalm 32 describes the terrible guilt he experienced before his confession (2 Sam. 11).
(2) Psalm 51 describes the prayer he offered during his confession (2 Sam. 12).
o. Psalms 3, 4, 35, 41-written during his flight from Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam. 15-18)
p. Psalm 3-written at the end of a divine plague caused by a census he took (2 Sam. 24)
B. Asaph
1. The person
a. His appointment (1 Chron. 6:39; 15:17; 2 Chron. 5:12; Neh. 12:46)
(1) By David: This Levitical musician was appointed by David to oversee the song services
in the tabernacle.
(2) By Solomon: Solomon appointed him to oversee the song service in the temple.
b. His associates: He worked closely with Heman, Ethan, and Jeduthun (1 Chron. 15:19;
16:5; 2 Chron. 5:12).
c. His activities
(1) He sounded the bronze cymbals (1 Chron. 15:19).
(2) He ministered before the ark, praying and giving thanks to God (1 Chron. 16:4-5).
(3) He led a choir consisting of 288 musicians (1 Chron. 25:7).
(4) He conducted a special musical service during the dedication of Solomon's temple,
employing 120 priests sounding trumpets (2 Chron. 5:12-14).
d. His achievements
(1) He was the forefather of the prophet Jahaziel, who reassured Jehoshaphat the king,
 years later (2 Chron. 20:14).
(2) He had the gift of prophecy (1 Chron. 25:2; 2 Chron. 29:30).
(3) He may have composed the music for Psalm 105, one of David's great psalms of
praise (1 Chron. 16:7-36).
2. The psalms: Asaph wrote (at least) 12 psalms-Psalms 50, 73-83.
C. Heman
1. The person
a. Who he was
(1) He was Samuel's grandson and one of three key Levitical musicians in the time of
David (1 Chron. 6:31, 33).
(2) His two associates were Asaph and Jeduthun (1 Chron. 6:39; 25:1).
b. What he did
(1) These three musicians, dressed in fine linen, played cymbals and were accompanied
by 120 priests sounding trumpets at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chron.
5:12).
(2) Heman also led his 14 sons and three daughters in the musical service of the
tabernacle (1 Chron. 25:4-6).
2. The psalm: Heman later wrote Psalm 88, which includes one of the most despondent prayers
in all the Bible.
D. Ethan
1. The person: He was a Levite priestly musician who led singing both during the time the Ark
was brought into Jerusalem by David and afterwards. "And these are they whom David set
over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest" (1 Chron. 6:31).
2. The psalm: He later wrote Psalm 89, known as the psalm of the Davidic covenant.
E. Solomon
1. The person: Solomon was the son of David and Israel's wisest king who ruled for 40 years.
2. The psalms: Two psalms are attributed to Solomon. They are Psalms 72 and 127.
a. Psalm 72: This psalm contains both prayer and prophecy.
(1) The prayer-Solomon prayed for his earthly reign: "Give the king thy judgments, O God,
and thy righteousness unto the king's son. He shall judge thy people with
righteousness, and thy poor with judgment" (72:1-2).
(2) The prophecy-Solomon predicted the Messiah's eternal reign: "He shall have dominion
also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Yea, all kings shall
fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. His name shall endure for ever: his
name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all
nations shall call him blessed." (72:8,11,17)
b. Psalm 127: "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the
LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to
sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep" (127:1-2).
F. Moses
1. The person: Moses was Israel's great deliverer and lawgiver.
2. The psalm: He was the writer of the oldest Psalm (Ps. 90).
a. He talks about the permanence of God: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art
God.... For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a
watch in the night" (90:2, 4).
b. He talks about the passing of man: "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return,
ye children of men.... Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the
morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth
up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.... The days of our years are three score
years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength
labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (90:3, 5-6, 10)
G. Hezekiah
1. The person: Hezekiah was the 13th king over Judah.
2. The psalms: Ten psalms are attributed to him. These are: 120, 121, 123, 125, 126, 128-
130,132,134.
 H. Sons of Korah: These descendants of Korah (see Num. 16) wrote ten psalms. They are: 42, 44
49, 84, 85, 87.
III. By Subject Matter: Here an attempt is made to group various psalms according to their topical
content.
A. Penitential Psalms
1. The nature of these psalms: A penitential psalm is one in which the author confesses his sin to
God.
2. The number of these psalms: There are at least seven such psalms and they are: 6, 32, 38,
51, 102, 130, 143. David wrote no less than five of the seven. The most well known are
Psalms 32 and 51. Both are associated with his terrible sins of adultery and murder as
recorded in 2 Samuel 11.
a. Psalm 32 describes that terrible year following his transgression, but before his confession.
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man
unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I
kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night
thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I
acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my
transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah" (32:1-5)

In the book of Romans (4:7-8) Paul quoted the first two verses of this Psalm to illustrate one of
Scripture's great doctrines, that of imputation. Imputation is that act of one person adding something to
another person's account. There are three main imputations in the Bible:
That of Adam's sin nature upon mankind (Rom. 3:23; 5:12)
That of man's sin upon Christ (Isa. 53:5, 6; Heb. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; 1 Pet. 2:24)
That of Christ's righteousness upon the believing sinner (Phil. 3:9; James 2:23; Rom. 4:6-24)

b. Psalm 51 records his actual prayer of confession after being confronted by Nathan the
prophet in 2 Sam. 12: "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me
throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my
transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and
done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear
when thou judgest.... Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.... Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in
me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy
presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners
shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my
salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give
it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken
and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (51:1-4, 7, 9-17).

He began this great confessional by doing what God expects every sinning saint to do-freely
acknowledge his sin. The Father will accept our tears, but not our excuses. David refused to blame
his failure on society, heredity, poverty, or environment.
He stated that he has sinned "against... thee only" (v. 4). In a technical sense, of course, this was
not true. David had sinned against himself, against Bathsheba, against Uriah, and against all Israel
who looked up to their beloved king. But his sin against God was so serious and stupendous that all
other parties involved faded away. The last part of this verse was quoted by Paul to prove the
universal condemnation of mankind (Rom. 3:4).
In verse seven David pleaded to be purged (or cleansed) with hyssop. Perhaps his mind slipped
back to his nation's first Passover night some five centuries before. Doubtless he had read the
account many times: "Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out
and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of
hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with
the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the
morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon
the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the
destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you" (Exod. 12:21-23). So God purged him. Later,
David's greater Son would perform this ministry for all believers everywhere. We are told: "When he
had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3b).
David wanted this ministry that he might be whiter than snow. Some three centuries later God would
use David's words in addressing sinful Israel. Through the mouth of Isaiah, Jehovah said: "Come
now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isa. 1:18).
David prayed a prayer, however, which no believer need or should request today (v. 11).
Regardless of the seriousness of our sin, we need not concern ourselves over losing the indwelling
Holy Spirit. In the Upper Room our Lord promised: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16).
However, every child of God will sometime need to pray David's words in verse 12. The entire
church at Ephesus needed to pray these words, as Jesus told them: "Nevertheless I have
somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Rev. 2:4). When this joy and first love
returns, the conversion of sinners will indeed take place as mentioned in verse 13.
This confession psalm brings out many precious truths, but perhaps the greatest of all is found in
verse 16 and 17. The reason for this was very simple-there existed no sacrifice for the sin of
adultery. Rather, the one guilty of adultery was to be taken out and stoned to death (Lev. 20:10). So
then, David bypassed the Levitical offerings and threw himself completely upon the mercy and
grace of God.

B. Imprecatory Psalms
1. The nature of these psalms: To imprecate is to pray against, or to invoke judgment upon
someone of something. There are many instances where the psalmist calls down wrath upon
his enemies, asking God to:
a. Fight against them (35:1)
b. Bring them into confusion (35:4)
c. Scatter them as chaff (35:5)
d. Allow the Lord's angel to chase and persecute them (35:5)
e. Cause their way to be dark and slippery (35:6)
f. Allow death to seize upon them (55:15)
g. Pull them down into hell (55:15)
h. Break their teeth (58:8)
i. Cut up their defense (58:7)
j. Withhold all mercy from them (59:5)
k. Consume them in wrath (59:13)
l. Set a trap for them (69:22)
m. Darken their eyes (69:23)
n. Make their loins to shake (69:23)
o. Let their habitation be desolate (69:25)
p. Blot them out of the book of the living (69:28)
q. Make them as the dung of the earth (83:10)
r. Persecute them (83:14)
s. Give them over to Satan (109:6)
t. Let their days be few (109:8)
u. Let their children be beggars (109:10)
 v. Let burning coals fall upon them (140:14)
w. Cast them into a deep pit (140:10)
2. The number of these psalms: At least nine can be referred to David. These are: 35, 55, 58, 59,
69, 83,109,137,140

The problem involved in these psalms: How can we reconcile these phrases with the New Testament
admonition of Jesus in Matthew 5:44? Jesus said, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). The suggested answers for these psalms: (The following material is taken
from Dr. Roy L. Aldrich, Notes for Lectures on the Psalms [Dallas Seminary Notes].)
The Psalms are inspired and the Holy Spirit has a right to denounce sin and sinners.
This is in harmony with the law (28:4; Jer. 50:15).
Such judgment against evil and evildoers is in harmony with the teachings of Christ and the epistles
(Matt. 18:6; 23:33; 26:24; Gal. 1:8-9; 5:12; James 5:3; Jude 13, 15; 2 Peter 2:12, 22; 2 Thess. 2:10-
12; Rev. 14:10-11)
The Scriptures pronounce maledictions against the Israelites also for falling into sin and idolatry
(Lev. 26; Deut. 27-28; Isa. 5:24, 25; and 28:13).
David in private exercised great forbearance, but in the Psalms he makes God's cause his cause
(5:10-11).
The Oriental was accustomed to using stronger language than the Westerner. His denunciations
were more exaggerated and his praise more vehement.
Many of the imprecations are uttered out of sympathy for the injured and the oppressed (10:8-10).
Some of these psalms are prayers for success on the battlefield (144:5-7). Many of Israel's wars
were definitely approved by God.
Some of the petitions have reference to scriptural predictions (137:8-9). The psalmist has before
him a direct prophecy where the fall of Babylon is predicted in these same terms (Isa. 13:16; also
Jer. 50:15; 51:6, 36).
Some concern Christ and his betrayers (40; 55; 60). Ps. 69:22-25 gives us the punishment meted
out to Judas. Psalm 109 has been called the "Iscariot Psalm."
The wicked in the Psalms are looked upon as confirmed or apostate wicked. This is in keeping with
the sovereignty of God and also with the prophetic character of the Psalms. Many of the Psalms
look forward to the final earthly judgments against the wicked.
Grace is manifest in frank and repeated warnings to the wicked. (2:12)
The imperative may be changed to the future without violence to the Hebrew: Instead of, "Let them
be confounded" we have, "They shall be confounded. " The prayer thus becomes a prophecy (see
Ps. 109:8-10).

C. Degree or Ascent Psalms

1. How many are there of these Psalms? There are 15 (120-134).
2. Who wrote them? A commonly held theory is that they were composed by three men.
a. Hezekiah wrote ten of them (120, 121, 123, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 132, 134).
b. Solomon wrote one of them (127).
c. David wrote four of them (122,124,131,133).
3. Why were they written? Many believe it was because of the following: Around 716 B.C., God
healed a Judean king named Hezekiah of a fatal illness. Isaiah (chapter 38) recorded the
prayer of thanksgiving of the grateful king, composed after his recovery. In verse 20 he
exclaimed: "The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed
instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD." In fact, God not only healed
Hezekiah, but promised him an additional 15 years of life. Some believe this was the reason
that there are 15 degree psalms-his ten, plus five others which may have been previously
written by David and Solomon and now added to the sacred Old Testament canon by
Hezekiah.
4. How were they to be sung? Here there are various theories:
 a. An old Jewish tradition explains that they were sung when the choir ascended the
semicircular flight of stairs leading up to the court of men in the temple.
b. The ascents may have referred to the stages of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to be sung along
the way by travelers en route to the various annual feast days.
c. Ascent means "a song in the higher choir," the singers being on the stairs of some high
place.
d. The reference may be musical, signifying that the notes rose by degrees in succession.
Whatever the reason for the titles, there is frequent mention of both Jerusalem and the
temple in these degree and ascent psalms: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go
into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem
is builded as a city that is compact together.... Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall
prosper that love thee" (122:1-3, 6). "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the
LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever" (125:2). "The LORD shall
bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life"
(128:5). "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation" (132:13).
"Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the
house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD
that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion" (134:1-3).
D. Hallel or Hallelujah Psalms
1. The number involved-there are six of them (113-118).
2. The nature involved: These psalms were sung on the night of the Passover. Our Lord and his
disciples doubtless sung them during the close of the Passover in the upper room: "And when
they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives" (Matt. 26:30). What must have
gone through the Savior's mind on that emotion-filled night as He sang the following (among
the many) hallelujah verses, knowing full well of his impending death at Calvary! "But our God
is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." (115:3; compare with Isa.
53:10). "The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found
trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee,
deliver my soul. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD" (116:3-
4,13; compare with Mark 14:34, 36). "The stone which the builders refused is become the
head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day
which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (118:22-24). In fact, just a few
days before his crucifixion, our Lord quoted these words to the wicked Pharisees: "Jesus saith
unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the
same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our
eyes?" (Matt. 21:42) These psalms are still recited in Israel 18 times a year at various
occasions and 21 times yearly by those Jews outside the Holy Land.
E. Historical Psalms
1. The number: There are three psalms with a combined total of 165 verses which aptly
summarize God's dealing with Israel in the Old Testament. These are: 78, 105, and 106.
2. The nature: Two key themes are stressed in these psalms, namely, the sins of Israel and the
grace of God.
a. The sins of Israel
(1) They refused to walk in His law (78:10).
(2) They forgot his works (78:11, 42; 106:13).
(3) They spoke against Him: "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a
table in the wilderness?" (78:19)
(4) They didn't trust His salvation (78:22).
(5) They lied to him: "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto
him with their tongues" (78:36).
(6) They grieved him (78:40).
(7) They limited him (78:41).
(8) They worshipped graven images (78:58; 106:19).
(9) They envied His leader Moses (106:16).
(10) They despised the Promised Land (106:24).
(11) They murmured in their tents (106:25).
 (12) They ate the sacrifices of the dead (106:28).
(13) They mingled among the heathen (106:35).
(14) They sacrificed their sons and daughters to devils (106:37).
(15) They shed innocent blood: "And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and
of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was
polluted with blood" (106:38).
b. The Grace of God
(1) He remembered His covenant when they cried unto him (105:8-11).
(2) He divided the sea (78:13).
(3) He led them with a cloud by day (78:14).
(4) He led them with a fire by night (78:14).
(5) He provided water for them out of rocks (78:15).
(6) He rained down manna for them (78:24).
(7) He was full of compassion and forgave their iniquity: "But he, being full of compassion,
forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger
away, and did not stir up all his wrath" (78:38).
(8) He wrought signs for them in Egypt (78:43; 105:27-36).
(9) He brought them to the border of the Promised Land (78:54).
(10) He cast out the heathen before them (78:55).
(11) He chose David to lead them: "He chose David also his servant, and took him from the
sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his
people, and Israel his inheritance" (78:70-71).
(12) He allowed no man to hurt them (105:14).
(13) He fed them (78:72).
(14) He reproved kings for their sake (105:14).
(15) He elevated them through Joseph (105:17).
(16) He gave them the riches of Egypt (105:37).
(17) He kept them all strong: "He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there
was not one feeble person among their tribes" (105:37).
(18) He continually forgave them (106:43).
(19) He continually heard their cry (106:44).
F. Acrostic Psalms
1. The number: There are at least nine. These are: 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145.
2. The nature: The acrostic psalms are also known as the alphabetical psalms. This is so
because each line of these psalms begins with a successive letter of the 22 letters in the
Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 119 is, of course, the most famous of the acrostic psalms. It has 22
stanzas. Each stanza has eight verses, for a total of 176. Each of these stanzas begins with
one of the 22 Hebrew letters. Not all of these Psalms are complete in this arrangement. That
is, some are missing a letter or more. Thus we find:
a. Psalms 9, 10, 25 are missing several letters.
b. Psalms 34 and 145 have all but one letter.
c. Psalms 37,111, 112, and 119 have all the letters: It is reasonable to suppose that the
acrostic device was designed to assist the memory. God had previously commanded his
people to hide the word in their hearts: "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your
heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as
frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them
when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up" (Deut. 11:18-19). In fact, David, the author of Psalm 119 gave
testimony of his obedience to God's command. He wrote: "Thy word have I hidden in mine
heart, that I might not sin against thee" (119:11).
G. Messianic Psalms: Reduced to its purest and most precise form, the Bible is a book about Jesus.
He alone is its subject, Savior, and song. The following outline aptly brings this into focus.
1. The Old Testament gives us the preparation for Jesus.
2. The Gospel accounts give us the manifestation of Jesus.
3. The book of Acts gives us the propagation of Jesus.
4. The Epistles give us the explanation for Jesus.
 5. The book of Revelation gives us the coronation of Jesus.
6. The messianic psalms (predictions about Jesus) help us, as few other Old Testament books in
that preparation for the Savior. In fact, no less than 14 aspects involving his earthly ministry
and eternal reign are introduced by the Psalms. These are:
a. His obedience to the Father
b. His zeal for the Father
c. His rejection by Israel
d. His betrayal by a friend
e. His false witnesses
f. His prayer for his enemies
g. His sufferings and death
h. His Resurrection
i. His Ascension
j. His triumphal entry into the heavenlies
k. His high priestly work
l. His marriage to the church
m. His destruction of the heathen
n. His millennial reign
7. Here now is a record of the above 14 as foretold in the Psalms and fulfilled in the New
Testament.
a. His obedience to the Father
(1) Foretelling: "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened:
burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the
volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is
within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not
refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my
heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy
lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation" (40:6-10).

Thus, the first recorded words of our Lord regarding His earthly ministry would be these, and not the
ones found in Luke 2:49: "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be
about my Father's business?" The statement here in Psalm 40 would probably transpire as Jesus
leaped over the ivory palaces of heaven to join himself to the tiny body being prepared by Mary.

(2) Fulfilling: "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering
thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices
for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it
is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" (Heb. 10:5-7).
b. His zeal for the Father
(1) Foretelling: "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them
that reproached thee are fallen upon me" (69:9).
(2) Fulfilling: "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house
hath eaten me up" (John 2:17).
c. His rejection by Israel
(1) Foretelling: "The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the
corner" (118:22).

This Psalm, often used during the Feast of Tabernacles, may have been sung by the Savior en
route to Gethsemane.
This "Supreme Stone of the Scriptures" is referred to in many Old Testament and New Testament
passages.
 It is the cornerstone (Matt. 21:42; Eph. 2:20).
It is the headstone (Zech. 4:7; Acts 4:11).
It is the smitten stone (1 Cor. 10:4).
It is the stumbling stone (1 Cor. 1:23).
It is the crushing stone (Dan. 2:34).
It is the living, chosen, and precious stone (1 Pet. 2:4-7).

(2) Fulfilling: "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which
the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's
doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" (Matt. 21:42) "Then came Jesus forth, wearing
the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify
him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault
in him" (John 19:5-6).
d. His betrayal by a friend
(1) Foretelling: "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my
bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.... For it was not an enemy that reproached
me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself
against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal,
my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto
the house of God in company" (41:9; 55:12-14).
(2) Fulfilling: "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they
covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity
to betray him" (Matt. 26:14-16).
e. His false witnesses
(1) Foretelling: "For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened
against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me
about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause" (109:2-3).
(2) Fulfilling: "Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness
against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses
came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow
said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days" (Matt. 26:59-
61).
f. His prayer for his enemies
(1) Foretelling: "For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer"
(109:4).
(2) Fulfilling: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And
they parted his raiment, and cast lots" (Luke 23:34).

Both Stephen and Paul would later follow the Lord's example here by also praying for their enemies in
the hour of death. Note:
Stephen: "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60).
Paul: "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be
held against them" (2 Tim. 4:16. NIV).

g. His sufferings and death:

(a) That he would be forsaken by God
(1) Foretelling: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from
helping me, and from the words of my roaring?" (22:1)
 (2) Fulfilling: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt.
27:46)
(b) That he would be ridiculed
(1) Foretelling: "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the
people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the
head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him,
seeing he delighted in him" (22:6-8).
(2) Fulfilling: "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou
that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son
of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with
the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King
of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in
God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The
thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth" (Matt. 27:39-
44).
(c) That he would be beaten
(1) Foretelling: "The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows" (129:3).
(2) Fulfilling: "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him" (John 19:1).
(d) That he would be crucified
(1) Foretelling: "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed
me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare
upon me" (22:16-17).
(2) Fulfilling: "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they
crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left"
(Luke 23:33).
(e) That he would be given vinegar to drink
(1) Foretelling: "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar
to drink" (69:21).
(2) Fulfilling: "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted
thereof, he would not drink" (Matt. 27:34).
(f) That his garments would be gambled for
(1) Foretelling: "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture"
(22:18).
(2) Fulfilling: "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and
upon my vesture did they cast lots" (Matt. 27:35).
h. His Resurrection
(1) Foretelling: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy
One to see corruption" (16:10).
(2) Fulfilling: "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the
week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold,
there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and
came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was
like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake,
and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not
ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as
he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matt. 28:1-6).
i. His Ascension
(1) Foretelling: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast
received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell
among them" (68:18).
(2) Fulfilling: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and
blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them,
and carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:50-51).
j. His triumphal entry into the heavenlies
 (1) Foretelling: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and
the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and
mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye
everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The
LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah" (24:7-10).
(2) Fulfilling: "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of
all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud
voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four
beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen:
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,
be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 7:9-12).
k. His High Priestly work
(1) Foretelling: "The LORD said unto my LORD, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make
thine enemies thy footstool.... The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a
priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (110:1,4)

Verse 1 is quoted more times in the New Testament than any other single Old Testament verse. On
at least four occasions it is repeated.
In Matthew 22:41-46 (to point out the deity of Christ)
In Acts 2:34-35 (to point out the identity of Christ)
In Hebrews 1:13 (as a question, to point out the superiority of Christ)
In Hebrews 10:12-13 (to point out the finished work of Christ)
Verse 4 is found no less than three times in the New Testament, and all three deal with his high
priesthood.
In Hebrews 5:6 (to give the qualifications of this high priesthood after the order of Melchizedek)
In Hebrews 6:20 (to give the immutability of this high priesthood)
In Hebrews 7:21 (to give the necessity for the high priesthood)
Note the fivefold description of Christ in this Psalm.
He is God (v. 1).
He is King (v. 2).
He is a Priest (v. 4).
He is a judge (v. 6).
He is a mighty warrior (v. 6).
Note the twofold description of Christ's people in this Psalm.
They are priests: "Thy people shall be willing" (literally, "They shall offer up freely offerings;" v. 3)
(Compare with Revelation 1:6.)
They are soldiers: "In the day of thy power" (literally, "Thy army," v. 3). (Compare with Ephesians
6:11.)

(2) Fulfilling: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an
high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens"
(Heb. 8:1).
l. His marriage to the church
(1) Foretelling: "Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips:
therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.... All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes,
and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad" (45:2, 8).
(2) Fulfilling: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness
of saints" (Rev. 19:7-8).
m. His destruction of the heathen
 (1) Foretelling: "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings
of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD,
and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their
cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in
derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore
displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree:
the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of
me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of
the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash
them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (2:1-9).

This psalm is in four parts:

The rebellion of man (vv. 1-3)
The reaction of God (vv. 4-6)
The rule of the Son (vv. 7-9)
The recommendation of the psalmist (vv. 10-12)

(2) Fulfilling: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as
blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her
untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a
scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their
places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief
captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid
themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains
and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be
able to stand?" (Rev. 6:12-17)
n. His millennial reign
(1) Foretelling: "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as
the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed" (72:17).

Note but a few of the characteristics of the Lamb's reign according to this Psalm:
The poor will receive righteousness (v.2).
The mountains and hills will flourish (v.3).
All oppressors will be crushed (v.4).
His rule will be as gentle and fruitful as the springtime rains upon the grass (v.6).
All good men will prosper exceedingly (v. 7).
His reign will extend to the ends of the earth (v. 8).
All nations will give him gifts and serve him (vv. 10-11).
All peoples will bless and praise him (v. 15).
His name will be honored and will continue forever (v. 17).

(2) Fulfilling: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,
saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his
Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15).
H. Attributes of God Psalms
1. His uniqueness: (115,135) "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath
pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they
speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have
 they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk
not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is
every one that trusteth in them" (115:3-8).
2. His holiness: "The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise
thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.... Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his
footstool; for he is holy.... Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD
our God is holy" (99:2-3, 5, 9).
3. His eternality: "But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all
generations.... Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work
of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a
garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the
same, and thy years shall have no end" (102:12,25-27).
4. His glory: "Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and
strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into
his courts" (96:7-8). "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S
name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens"
(113:3-4).
5. His majesty: "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my
voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook
and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was
wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals
were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his
feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He
made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick
clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones
and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice;
hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out
lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations
of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils"
(18:6-15). "The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength,
wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.... The
LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the
sea" (93:1, 4).
6. His mercy: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever"
(136:1). The last part of this verse, "for his mercy endureth forever," is repeated no less than
36 times in this chapter, once in each verse.
7. His goodness: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up....
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living"
(27:10,13). "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever....
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the
children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness"
(107:1,8-9).
8. His justice: "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods....
Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations" (82:1,8).
9. His omnis: (33, 139,147) Note: The word omni means "all." In the Psalms we read of God's
omnipresence (he is all-present, that is, everywhere at once), of his omnipotence (he is all-
powerful), and of his omniscience (he is all-knowing).
(1) God's omnipresence: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy
presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold,
thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the
sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say,
Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the
darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the
light are both alike to thee" (139:7-12).
(2) God's omnipotence; "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the
host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as
 an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all
the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he
commanded, and it stood fast" (33:6-9).
(3) God's omniscience: "The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of
men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.... Behold, the eye of the
LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy" (33:13-15,18). "O
LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine
uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my
lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue,
but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before,
and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I
cannot attain unto it.... For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my
mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous
are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from
thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members
were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of
them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of
them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I
am still with thee.... Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting" (139:1-6,13-18,23-24). "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up
their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite" (147:3-5).
10. His providential care: "Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the
river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it
soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy
goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the
little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are
covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing" (65:9-13). "He sendeth the springs
into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild
asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which
sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with
the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of
man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of
man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. The trees
of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds
make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the
wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth
his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do
creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun
ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth
unto his work and to his labour until the evening. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in
wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches" (104:10-24).
I. Possessions of God Psalms
1. His Word: "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is
sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the
commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be
desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great
reward" (19:7-11). "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto
according to thy word.... Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee....
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
 light unto my path.... The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the
simple.... Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.... Thy
word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.... Thy word is true from the beginning: and
every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.... I rejoice at thy word, as one that
findeth great spoil.... Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them"
(119:9, 11, 89, 105,130,133,140,160,162, 165).
2. His voice: "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD
is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of
majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of
Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the
wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the
hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his
glory" (29:3-9).
3. His wealth: (50) "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I
am God, even thy God.... For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand
hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were
hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof" (50:7, 10-12).
4. His city: "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain
of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of
the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.... As we have
heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will
establish it for ever. Selah.... Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad,
because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following"
(48:1-3, 8, 11-13). "His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah"
(87:1-3). "Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city
that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony
of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. For there are set thrones of judgment, the
thrones of the house of David. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces"
(122:2-7). "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my
rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will
satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall
shout aloud for joy" (132:13-16). "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her
cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not
Jerusalem above my chief joy" (137:5-6).
5. His house: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even
fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea,
the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her
young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell
in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.... For a day in thy courts is better than a
thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness." (84:1-4,10)
J. Man-Related Psalms
1. The godly man: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.... For the LORD knoweth the way of the
righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish" (1:1-3, 6). "LORD, who shall abide in thy
tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh
righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. He that putteth not
out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.... He that doeth these things
shall never be moved" (15:1-3, 5). "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the
 LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the
generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his
righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is
gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he
will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall
be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting
in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his
enemies" (112:1-8).
2. The godless man: "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the
devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth
the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance,
will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy
judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath
said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of
cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking
places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set
against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor:
he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth
himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath
forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it" (10:2-11). "The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that
doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there
were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together
become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (14:1-3). "Draw me not away with
the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but
mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the
wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their
desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he
shall destroy them, and not build them up" (28:3-5). "They that trust in their wealth, and boast
themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his
brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it
ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. For he seeth that
wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to
all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour
abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity
approve their sayings. Selah. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them;
and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume
in the grave from their dwelling.... Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of
his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not
descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when
thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see
light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish" (49:6-14, 16-
20). "Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth
continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest
evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all
devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall
take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the
living. Selah. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man
that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened
himself in his wickedness" (52:1-7). "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the
prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They
are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride
compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand
out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly
concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their
 tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup
are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the
most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches"
(73:3-12).
3. The purpose of man: "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the
stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast
crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy
hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the
field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of
the seas" (8:3-8).
4. The frailty of man: "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it
is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and
mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he
heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.... When thou with rebukes dost
correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every
man is vanity. Selah.... O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no
more" (39:4-6, 11, 13).
K. Contrasting Psalms (90,91)
1. The Psalm of Death: "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of
men.... Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are
like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is
cut down, and withereth. For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we
troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy
countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that
is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they
be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly
away" (90:3, 5-10).
2. The Psalm of Life: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in
him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome
pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth
shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the
arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction
that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;
but it shall not come nigh thee.... For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways.... He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will
deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation" (91:1-
7,11,15,16).
L. Special Event Psalms
1. The Exodus : "When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange
language; Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan
was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. What ailed
thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?... Tremble, thou
earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob. Which turned the
rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters" (114:1-5, 7-8).
2. The Babylonian Captivity: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when
we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there
they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us
mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a
strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not
remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above
my chief joy" (137:1-6).
3. The Return from the Babylonian Captivity: "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion,
we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with
 singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The
LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad" (126:1-3).
4. The Coming Great Tribulation: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the
mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.... The heathen raged, the kingdoms were
moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.... Come, behold the works of the LORD, what
desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he
breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still,
and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth"
(46:1-3, 6, 8-10).
5. The Coming Millennium: "For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the
earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.... For God is the
King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God
sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even
the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly
exalted" (47:2-3, 7-9). "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise,
and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of
a psalm. With trumpets and sound of comet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King....
Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the
world, and the people with equity." (98:4-6,9)
M. Daily Psalms
1. Morning: "Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of
my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the
morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up" (5:1-3).
2. Evening: "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be
still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.... I will both
lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety" (4:45, 8).
N. Distress Psalms
1. The author speaks of his doubt: "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long
wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my
heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD
my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death" (13:1-3). "Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for
the help of his countenance.... I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why
go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?... Why art thou cast down, O my
soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who
is the health of my countenance, and my God" (42:5,9, 11).
2. The author speaks of his despair: "In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for
ever. Selah. But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. Thou
makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about
us. Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking head among the people.... Yea,
for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter" (44:8-
14, 22). "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where
there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of
my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.... I am become a stranger
unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.... Reproach hath broken my heart;
and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for
comforters, but I found none" (69:1-3, 8, 20). "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day
and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my
soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go
down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength. Free among the dead, like the slain that
lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.... Mine
 eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out
my hands unto thee.... LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from
me?" (88:1-4, 5, 9, 14)
O. Faith Psalms: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the
strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against
me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One
thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the
time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he
shall set me up upon a rock.... When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will
take me up.... I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of
the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say,
on the LORD" (27:1-5, 10, 13-14). "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious
against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the
green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt
be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit
thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy
righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently
for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who
bringeth wicked devices to pass.... The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their
inheritance shall be for ever... The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth
him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (37:1-7,18,23-25). "What time I am afraid, I will trust in
thee.... Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?...
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may
walk before God in the light of the living?" (56:3,8,13) "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful
unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until
these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for
me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.
Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth." (57:1-3)
P. Protection and Deliverance Psalms: (31, 34, 66,116,121) "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let
me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me
speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and
my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they
have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast
redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.... I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a
broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took
counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I
said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and
from them that persecute me" (31:1-5,12-15).
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he
heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and
their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out
of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and
delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.... The righteous cry,
and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them
that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the
righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all" (34:3-9, 17-19).
"For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into
the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we
went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.... Come and
hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.... If I regard iniquity in
my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice
 of my prayer" (66:10-12,16,18-19).
"I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath
inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death
compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I
upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD,
and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and
he helped me.... For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet
from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.... I will take the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name of the LORD.... Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his
saints" (116:1-6, 8-9,13,15).
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the
LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth
thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is
thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor
the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The
LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore"
(121:1-8).
Q. Revival Psalms: (80, 85)
"Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." (80:3) Note: This
thought is repeated again in verses 7,14, 19.
"Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.... Wilt thou not
revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?... I will hear what God the LORD will speak:
for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly....
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (85:4, 6, 8,
10).
R. Family Psalms: (127, 128)
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows
are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his
quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate"
(127:3-5).
"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the
labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a
fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.... Yea, thou shalt see thy
children's children, and peace upon Israel" (128:1-4,6).
S. Davidic Covenant Psalm: (89)
"I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I
establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.... I have found David my
servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him.... My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my
covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as
the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my
statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and
their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor
suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my
lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for
ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a
faithful witness in heaven. Selah" (89:3-4,20,28-37).
T. Fellowship Psalm: (133)
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the
precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went
down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore"
(133:1-3).
U. Relationship Psalms
1. The relationship of the Shepherd to his flock (22, 23, 24)
Psalm of the Good Shepherd: (22) This corresponds to John 10:11 and describes the
 Sacrifice of Christ. His past work, the cross, is seen. "I am the good Shepherd: the Good
Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and
from the words of my roaring?.... All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip,
they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver
him, seeing he delighted in him.... For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked
have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and
stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture" (22:1, 7-
8, 16-18).
Psalm of the Great Shepherd: (23) This corresponds to Hebrews 13:20-21 and describes
the Sufficiency of Christ. His present work, the crook (staff) is seen: "Now the God of peace,
that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will."
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever" (23:1-6).
Psalm of the Chief Shepherd: (22) This corresponds to 1 Peter 5:4 and describes the
Sovereignty of Christ. His future work, the crown, is seen: "And when the Chief Shepherd shall
appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth now away."
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of
glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty
in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King
of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Selah" (24:7-10).
2. The relationship of the Son to His Father: (2, 40, 45, 102, 110) No less than five intimate
conversations between the Father and the Son are recorded in these five psalms. They relate
to the creative work of Christ, his earthly obedience, his anointing, his victory at Armageddon,
and his eternal priesthood.
a. His creative work (102:25-27; see Heb. 1:10-12) Words of the Father to the Son:
"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy
hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a
garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the
same, and thy years shall have no end." (102:25-27)
b. His earthly obedience (40:6-8; see Heb. 10:5-9) Words of the Son to the Father:
"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering
and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it
is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (40:6-8).
c. His anointing (45:6-7; see Heb. 1:8-9) Words of the Father to the Son:
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows" (45:6-7).
d. His victory at Armageddun (2:6-9; see Heb. 1:5) Words of both the Father and Son to each
other
(1) Words of the Father to the Son: (v 6) "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion"
(v. 7).
(2) Words of the Son to the Father: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me,
Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."
(3) Words of the Father to the Son: (vv. 8-9) "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen
for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt
break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
e. His eternal priesthood (110:1, 4) see Heb. 7:17, 21) Words of the Father to the Son:
"The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy
 footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of
thine enemies.... The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after
the order of Melchizedek" (110:1-2,4).
V. Lordship Psalms
1. The pursuit of God (27, 63)"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I
may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to enquire in his temple.... When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.... When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will
take me up" (27:4, 8, 10).
"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth
for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.... My soul followeth hard after thee: thy
right hand upholdeth me" (63:1, 8).
2. The worship of God
a. The source of this worship (148)
"Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon:
praise him, all ye stars of light.... Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all
deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all
hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men,
and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name
alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven" (148:1-3,7-13).
b. The sound of this worship
(1) The music (150)
"Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and
organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding
cymbals." (150:3-5).
(2) The message (100, 103, 145)
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that
hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto
him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth
endureth to all generations" (100:1-5).
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless
the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth
thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good
things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth
righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto
Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to
anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger
for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our
iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them
that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our
transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them
that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust" (103:1-14).
"I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every
day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD,
and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall
praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the
glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.... Thy kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD
upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait
upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand,
 and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that
call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear
their cry, and will save them" (145:1-5,13-19).

SPECIAL STUDY: A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF EACH PSALM

Psalm 1
Jesus may have had this very first Psalm in mind during his Sermon on the Mount when he related the
parable of the two builders and two foundations. (See Matt. 7:24-27.)

Psalm 2
This is the first of at least 16 messianic psalms. These are 2, 8, 16, 22, 23, 24, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 72, 89,
102, 110, and 118. It refers to the millennial reign of Christ, and features a conversation between the
Father and the Son.

Psalm 3
King David wrote this psalm when he fled from Absalom his son. It is the first of many "troubled Psalms,"
where the writer is experiencing pain, or trouble, or persecution.

Psalm 4
Psalms 3 and 4 should be considered together. The former is a morning psalm (that is, it was originally
recited by ancient Israel in the morning), while the latter is an evening psalm. This psalm stresses the
holiness of God.

Psalm 5
This psalm, like Psalm 3, is a morning psalm. In it David spoke of God's judgment upon the wicked, and
his faithfulness in the life of believers. What wonderful promises were given to those who obey the God of
Israel!

Psalm 6
This is the first psalm where the writer (in this case, King David) cried out to God for mercy due to his sin.
Here he pleaded with God, "Have mercy upon me, O Lord." Needless to say, God did.

Psalm 7
David wrote this psalm when he was slandered by the unfounded charges of a man from the tribe of
Benjamin named Cush. Here David does what we should do-he went to God in prayer.

Psalm 8
It is generally believed that David wrote this psalm following his victory over the Philistine giant Goliath.
The subject of the psalm is man and nature. In it David marveled at how the mighty God of creation could
actually be interested in puny man.

Psalm 9
Here the repeated theme is God's judgment upon wicked nations. For the first time in the Psalms, the
word "hell" is mentioned. This place is said to be reserved for those nations who forget God.
Psalm 10
This is the first psalm to ask one of life's most painful questions: "Why do the wicked seem to prosper?"
Why does not God immediately step in and punish them? Even though the question is not fully dealt with
here, David took comfort in knowing that "the Lord is King forever."

Psalm 11
David may have written this psalm while he was still living in Saul's court, greatly favored by the people,
but privately hated by a jealous Saul. David was probably still in his teens at the time.
Psalm 12
The Psalms have much to say concerning the Word of God. This is the first to mention it. In his
persecution, David turned to the holy scriptures.

Psalm 13
Often in our troubles, we are tempted to believe God has forsaken us. David was subjected to the same
temptation, as this psalm brings out.

Psalm 14
In all the Bible, there is no attempt made to prove God's existence. It is always taken for granted. The
conclusion is that only a fool would deny that God exists. Paul quoted from this psalm in Romans 3.

Psalm 15
When David became king over all Israel, he located the sacred Ark of the Covenant and brought it to
Jerusalem. He probably wrote this psalm at that time.

Psalm 16
This is one of the most important of the messianic psalms, for it predicts the glorious resurrection of our
Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Peter later quoted from Psalm 16 during his sermon at Pentecost in Acts
2:25-28.

Psalm 17
Alexander Hume closed his life by singing the last verse of this psalm before being executed at Edinburgh
in 1682. It can thus be thought of as the martyrs' psalm. In it David acknowledges that he was the apple
of God's eye, and asked to be hidden under the shadow of God's wings. What wonderful thoughts for a
dying saint!

Psalm 18
This psalm is unique because we discover it is recorded twice in the Bible, here, and in 2 Samuel 22.
Because of this, if for no other reason, we should take double notice of it. It was written by David as a
song of thanksgiving after King Saul had given up all attempts to kill him.

Psalm 19
This entire psalm is given over to praising God for two things-his works and his Word. David marveled at
creation, the mighty works of God in nature, testifying that the universe itself shows his glory. The
psalmist then gave thanks for God's Word, describing it as more precious than gold, and sweeter than
honey.

Psalms 20 and 21
W. Graham Scroggie has written the following: "Psalms 20 and 21 are a pair: Both are battle songs; the
20th precedes the encounter, and the 21st follows it. The one is prayer, and the other is praise. The one
anticipates, and the other reflects" A valuable lesson is seen here. God would have us both to petition him
before and then praise him after our victories. We are prone to neglect one or both.

Psalm 22
This begins a trilogy, which includes Psalms 22, 23 and 24. All are messianic, and each describes Christ
as a shepherd. In Psalm 22 he is the Good Shepherd, corresponding to John 10:10. In Psalm 23, he is
the Great Shepherd, corresponding to Hebrews 13:20. Finally, in Psalm 24, he is the Chief Shepherd,
corresponding to 1 Peter 5:4. Our Lord quoted the first verse of Psalm 22 while on the cross. This psalm
also gives one of the most vivid (and terrible) descriptions of Christ's sufferings at Calvary in the entire
Old Testament.

Psalm 23
Here we see what is no doubt both the most famous and most loved chapter in all the Bible. Only eternity
itself will reveal how many countless saints have refreshed themselves at its cool and clear spiritual water
brook. It has been said the world could ill afford to trade all its vast libraries of books for these six little
verses. The psalm begins with "the Lord is," and ends with "the Lord forever."

Psalm 24
Certain psalms were sung at morning service in the temple worship each day of the week. This psalm
was sung each Sabbath. It celebrated the capture of Jerusalem by David. Some of its verses were sung
at the foot of the hill on which Jerusalem stood, while the remaining verses were sung in front of the gates
of the city.

Psalm 25
This psalm repeatedly covers two subjects, David's words to God and David's thoughts about God. When
a bride is with her beloved, she talks to him; when he is away, she thinks about him. Of course God is
always with us. We should therefore, give a portion of our day over to talking with him, and the remaining
hours thinking about him.

Psalm 26
This psalm may be entitled: "The Claim to Integrity." It is good when the child of God can go as David did
here, namely, to God in prayer with no unconfessed sin in one's life. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, he
will not hear us when we pray.

Psalm 27
Six wonderful attributes are attributed to God by David in this psalm. He said the Lord is his light,
salvation, foundation, strength, protection, and guardian. In fact, he concluded that even though his
friends and family members would forsake him, the Lord alone could sustain him, meeting all his physical
and spiritual needs.

Psalm 28
A dying saint overheard a loved one who stood with others around her bed whisper, "How sad to realize
she's sinking." Using her last breath, the departing believer replied: "Dear friends, you have made two
errors. First it is not sadness but gladness that now fills this room, for soon I shall be in glory. Secondly,
how can I possibly be sinking when I am securely planted on the Rock. David brings this blessed truth out
in this psalm.

Psalm 29
This is the "voice of the Lord" psalm. It is mentioned no less than seven times in its 11 verses. David
actually has in mind here the amazing and awesome power of God. His conclusion is glorious, namely
that this almighty Creator will give strength to his believing creatures.

Psalm 30
Although David was not allowed to build the Temple, he nevertheless did spend the remaining years of
his life gathering the necessary materials which were later used in its construction after his death. It is
thought he may have composed this psalm at the dedication of these building items of marble, gold,
silver, and wood.

Psalm 31
During his sufferings on the cross of Calvary, Jesus quoted several verses from the Psalms. His final
statement before he gave up the ghost was taken from Psalm 31, verse 5: "Into thine hand I commit my
spirit:" In essence, this psalm reassures the troubled believer that all of life's why's, when's, what's,
where's, and wherefore's are in God's hands. Knowing this we can with full confidence say with David,
"My times are in thy hands" (31:15).

Psalm 32
Two of David's psalms are directly linked to his terrible sin of adultery and murder. Psalm 51 gives us his
active prayer of confession, while this one, Psalm 32, describes his terrible guilt before his confession.
Paul quoted from Psalm 32 in Romans 4.

Psalm 33
Henry Morris has written: "The dominant theme of the 33rd Psalm is the Word of the Lord, and it is
appropriate that it contains 22 verses, corresponding to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet.
Three tremendous statements are made concerning the Word. In verse 4 it is claimed that '...the word of
the LORD is right;' According to verse 6, 'By the word of the LORD were the heavens made;' Then in
verse 9, 'He spake, and it was done;'" God's word, therefore, is right, powerful, and certain.

Psalm 34
This psalm was written during an especially low time in David's life. Attempting to escape from the
murderous plans of wicked king Saul, he fled to the land of Philistia, only to be threatened by the
Philistine ruler Abimelech. In spite of all this, David displayed great faith in God as seen by this psalm.

Psalm 35
After ruling over all Israel for many years, David was temporarily driven from Jerusalem through a vicious
revolt led by his favorite son, Absalom. This marked perhaps the darkest hour of his entire life. In this
psalm he pleaded with God to both defend and restore him.

Psalm 36
Three themes are developed in this psalm. They are: The wickedness of the wicked; the graciousness of
God; and the confidence of the Christian. This confidence comes from the realization that God will punish
the sinner and preserve the saint. This is especially brought out in verses 7 and 12.

Psalm 37
This is known as the "Ladder of faith" psalm. Notice it has five spiritual rungs in it.
1. Fret not (v. 1)
2. Trust in the LORD (v. 3)
3. Delight thyself in the LORD (v. 4)
4. Commit thy way unto the LORD (v. 5)
5. Rest in the LORD (v. 7)

Psalm 38
Perhaps in no other psalm that he wrote was David so brutally frank as he was here in Psalm 38. If
language means anything, we seem to have here his prayer for forgiveness of sexual impurity, which had
resulted in great physical sufferings. How honest and unadulterated is the Word of God!

Psalm 39
A historian of the fifth century told of a plain man who came to a learned man and asked him to teach him
some psalms. He began to read to him this psalm. Having heard the first sentence, however, the ignorant
man took his leave, saying he would make this his first lesson. He did not return, and when his teacher
met him after the space of two months and asked him when he would proceed, he replied that he had not
yet mastered his first lesson, and he gave the like answer for the next 40 years.

Psalm 40
This is another important messianic psalm. It spoke of our Lord's wonderful obedience to his heavenly
Father. Note especially verses 6-8. Paul later quotes these words in Hebrews 10:5-9.

Psalm 41
This is the last of a group of psalms having to do with the terrible rebellion against David by his son
Absalom. W. Graham Scroggie wrote of visiting a dying loved one. When he asked how he was feeling,
the suffering one replied, "My head is resting very sweetly upon three pillows-infinite power, infinite love,
and infinite wisdom. David rested on these also, as Psalm 41 brings out.

Psalm 42
This is the "Longing for God" psalm. It features two different conversations. First, the psalmist talked to
God, and then, he talked to himself. This approach is often a very helpful one.

Psalm 43
Verse 3 of this psalm reads: "O send out thy light and thy truth." Two thousand years later, God answered
this prayer of Psalm 43, for Christ, the light of the world, and the truth of God appeared upon the scene.

Psalm 44
In A.D. 397, Ambrose lay dying at Milan. His last labor was a commentary on this psalm. He died after
reflecting on verse 22.

Psalm 45
The background for this psalm is believed to be the wedding of king Solomon to his bride. But it goes
farther in its meaning and seems to describe the future glorious wedding of Christ and his church.

Psalm 46
This can be entitled the "Tribulational Psalm", as some Bible students believe it may be the one used by
remnant Israel as the surviving Jews are protected from the Antichrist by the Lord during the final part of
the coming Great Tribulation.

Psalm 47
The entire theme of this little psalm has to do with the offering of praise to almighty God for his rightful
reign over all the earth-even over those pagan nations who may not believe in him. The psalm also looks
forward to the glorious millennium when Christ shall rule with a rod of iron.

Psalm 48
This is one of several Jerusalem psalms, that is, a note of thanksgiving to God for choosing the beloved
city of David for the divine habitation. It may have been written to celebrate the salvation of Jerusalem
from the Assyrian army by the death angel during the reign of king Hezekiah.

Psalm 49
This can be entitled, "Worthless Worldly Wealth." In essence it is an expansion of Jesus' statement: "For
what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Psalm 50
Here we have the "Wealth of God" psalm. Especially is this brought out in verses 11 and 12. The popular
little chorus, "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills," is taken from Psalm 50.

Psalm 51
Shortly after he had become king, David was guilty of two horrible sins. First, he committed adultery with
another woman, and secondly, he later had her husband murdered so he could marry her. Eventually his
terrible crimes were condemned by Nathan the prophet. A heartbroken and guilt-ridden David then fell to
his knees and prayed this prayer of confession.

Psalm 52
When David was an outlaw in the days of Saul, he encountered a vicious enemy named Doeg, an
Edomite. This blood-thirsty man would later arrange for the slaughter of 85 priests of God. This psalm,
written by David, pronounced his doom at the hands of God.

Psalm 53
Some of the material in this psalm can be found in Psalm 14 also. It is doubtless repeated here for
emphasis. Note especially the opening words: "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." God
wants us to know that in his eyes, an atheistic fool is not one with head trouble, but rather one with heart
trouble.

Psalm 54
Again, here is another psalm written by David during his long years of flight from king Saul. On one
occasion he took refuge in a little town of Ziph, located 15 miles from Hebron. The citizens of this village
at first appeared to befriend him, but he soon discovered they intended to betray him to Saul. This was
the background for Psalm 54.
Psalm 55
Here we see the first of several known as the "Iscariot Psalms," that is, psalms that predict the
treacherous betrayal of Christ by Judas in the New Testament. This is seen here in verses 12 to 14.
When we suffer from slander or betrayal, it is good to accept David's conclusion at the end of this psalm.
"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee." (55:22)

Psalm 56
The title of this psalm locates it during the period in David's life as described in 1 Sam. 21. David is both
fleeing from Saul, and fighting the tears, as he so beautifully brings out in verse 8 of this psalm: "Thou
tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"

Psalm 57
During his flight from Saul, David took refuge in a cave near the Dead Sea. This rugged hole in the
Judean mountain side would become his home for several long years. From this place came Psalm 57.

Psalm 58
This psalm, written around 1000 B.C. actually anticipates and expands upon a statement made by
Jeremiah the prophet some four centuries later: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?"

Psalm 59
In the early days of his attempts to kill David, Saul sent soldiers to the young giant killer's house to murder
him. At the last minute, Michal (David's wife and Saul's daughter) learned of this and helped her husband
escape through a window. This was the background for Psalm 59.

Psalm 60
Shortly after becoming king, David waged war with Syria. The Edomites took advantage of his absence to
invade Palestine. News of this reached David, who once dispatched his commander-in-chief Joab and
some forces to deal with the Edomites. A severe but victorious battle was fought near the southern
extremity of the Dead Sea. In praise to God, David wrote Psalm 60.

Psalm 61
Evangelist D. L. Moody's famous gospel singer composed the music to a beloved Christian hymn entitled,
"Hiding in Thee." The words in this hymn were taken from Psalm 61. Note the words of the gospel hymn.
Verse 1: "O safe to the Rock that is higher than I, My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly; So sinful,
so weary, Thine, Thine would I be; Thou blest 'Rock of Ages,' I'm hiding in Thee."
Verse 2 "How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my
woe; How often, when trials like sea-billows roll, Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul."

Psalm 62
The great Protestant reformer Martin Luther once wrote: "Bear and forbear, and silent be, tell to no man
thy misery; Yield not in trouble to dismay, God can deliver any day."

Psalm 63
John Chrysostom, well-known spiritual leader in the days of the early church once said: "It was decreed
and ordained by the primitive Fathers that no day should pass without the public singing of this the 63rd
Psalm."

Psalm 64
We can title this, the "Psalm of the Hurtful Tongue." It is both a description of and warning against
slander. Psalm 64 can be favorably compared to James chapter 3. As a poet has written: "I hate the man
who builds his name on ruins of another's fame."

Psalm 65
A favorite hymn of believers is, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Especially beautiful are the words in the
second stanza:
"Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,/ sun, moon and stars in their courses above,/ join with
all nature in manifold witness,/ to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. This hymn is based on Psalm 65.

Psalm 66
One of the divine purposes for suffering in the life of a believer is to instruct that believer. Psalm 66 clearly
brings this fact out. But what can we learn from pain and persecution? At least two things: God's creative
power (vv. 1-9), and God's keeping power (vv. 10-20).

Psalm 67
This psalm was written by king Hezekiah and it served, among other things, as a poem
of praise, thanking God for saving Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. It is also a missionary psalm, in its
clear anticipation of the universal spread of the knowledge of God. The ancient expositors called it, "The
Lord's Prayer of the Old Testament."

Psalm 68
If you have studied the subject of prophecy, you are aware of that final conflict known as the Battle of
Armageddon. John the Apostle, in Revelation 19, described for us the coming of heaven's King of kings
and Lord of lords to do battle with Satan. This 68th Psalm seems to anticipate Armageddon, as it pictures
the victorious God of creation scattering his enemies.

Psalm 69
This is one of the messianic psalms, and with the exception of the 22nd, none is more frequently quoted
in the New Testament. It can be entitled, "The Psalm of Innocent Suffering."

Psalm 70
Paul once wrote to one of his churches, "To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but
for you it is safe." This approach is often seen also in the Old Testament. For example the material found
in Psalm 40:13-17 is, for the most part, repeated here word for word in Psalm 70.

Psalm 71
The preacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes ended by saying, "Let us hear the conclusion of the matter." In a
very real sense this is what we see here in this psalm, which contains material found in 16 other psalms.
It also can be thought of as the "Psalm of the Old Age." (See vv 17-18.)

Psalm 72
As he approached 70, David knew his days on earth were limited. He thus gathered the tribal leaders of
Israel together and challenged them. Following this, he composed this prayer here in Psalm 72
concerning his son and successor upon the throne, Solomon. But the language of this psalm cannot be
limited to Solomon. It rather predicts the glorious reign of Christ.

Psalm 73
There are three psalms which deal with that bothersome question, "Why does God allow the wicked to
flourish while the righteous suffer?" These psalms are: 37, 49, and 73.

Psalm 74
In 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian soldiers captured the city of Jerusalem, slew the Jewish
priests, murdered the people, and utterly destroyed the Temple of God. It is thought this psalm came out
of that horrible time.

Psalm 75
The prophet Daniel once warned the arrogant Babylonian monarch Nebuchadnezzar that, "The Most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Dan. 4:25). The proud ruler soon
found this was exactly right. This is the theme of Psalm 75-God ruling and overruling in the affairs of men.

Psalm 76
In 1588 this psalm was given out to be sung at the Market Cross Church of Edinburgh as a chorus of
grateful praise when the news came of the defeat and dispersion of the Spanish armada.

Psalm 77
Three of Scripture's greatest words were those uttered by the dying thief when he cried out, "Lord,
remember me!" All this is well and good. But on occasion, especially during the hour of trial, God
whispers these three words to us-"Child, remember me." Psalm 77 spoke of this.

Psalm 78
This is the first of three extended historical psalms where we are given a factual and fastmoving review of
God's greatness and grace upon the nation Israel in times past. The other two Psalms are 105 and 106.

Psalm 79
This psalm, along with others, is connected to that terrible year, 586 B.C., when the temple built by
Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians. The first verse seems to bring this out. Yet, amidst the blood
and blasphemy, the Psalmist displayed hope, as seen in the final verse.

Psalm 80
Psalm 80 is thought to have come out of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. We can almost see the
Psalmist Asaph as he stood on a hill perhaps overlooking the smoking city. Like Jeremiah in his
Lamentations, Asaph poured out his heart and soul to God.

Psalm 81
John Greenleaf Whitter's poem reads:
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been!" Psalm 81 spoke of
this. Later, our Lord weeps over Jerusalem and says the same basic thing. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
(Matt. 23:37)

Psalm 82
Throughout Israel's history, on various occasions the nation suffered from corrupt judges. Especially was
this true in Judah just prior to the Babylonian invasion. In fact, it may well have actually triggered it. It is
bad enough to find wickedness in the business community, but intolerable when corruptness is
discovered among the legal circles. This psalm presents God as the Judge of the judges.

Psalm 83
In the year 455 B.C., Nehemiah the prophet arrived in Jerusalem from Persia to rebuild the fallen walls of
the city. He was immediately opposed by the pagan people who lived near Jerusalem. This opposition
included ridicule, threats, slander, and trickery. In spite of all however, the wall was completed in 52 days.
It is believed by some that Psalm 83 came out of this historical background.

Psalm 84
It is perhaps impossible for us today to realize just how much the Jewish people loved and revered their
beautiful temple of worship. To many, this magnificent building was not just a part of their worship
experience, but the focal point for life itself. Here in Psalm 84, the Psalmist attempted to express his
feelings for God's Old Testament dwelling place.

Psalm 85
W. Graham Scroggie wrote: "This psalm reflects the feelings of Judah shortly after the return from the
Babylonian captivity, and with it we should read Haggai, and the early part of Zechariah. The people had
expected much from their deliverance, but the harsh realities of their enterprise had stripped off its
imaginative charm. Only a small proportion of the captives had returned, and had returned to a scene of
desolations, and not to a little opposition."

Psalm 86
There are several kinds of prayer God will not hear. He will not hear us if we regard iniquity in our hearts.
He will not listen if our prayers are vague (example: "Lord bless all the missionaries today in the world,
and save all the heathen.") The prayer language in this psalm, however, is anything but vague. In fact,
David asks God for five specific things. He prayed: (1) "Hear me," (2) "Preserve me," (3) "Forgive me," (4)
"Teach me," and (5) "Show me."

Psalm 87
This is another psalm praising God for the city of Jerusalem. Since David took Jerusalem from the
Jebusites in the 10th century B.C., the Jewish people have revered their beloved capital more than any
other civilization in all history. This love for Jerusalem is seen today.

Psalm 88
This psalm contains the most despondent prayer in all the Bible, with the possible exception of Job's
prayer in Job 3. It is the saddest of them all. Scroggie wrote: "There is only one psalm like this in the
Bible, to intimate the rareness of the experience, but there is one, to assure the most desperately afflicted
that God will not forsake him."

Psalm 89
Bishop Hooper, who was burned at the stake in Gloucester, A.D. 1555, during the reign of Queen Mary,
commended this psalm to his grieving wife when writing his last letter to her from prison. It is one of the
greatest of the messianic psalms.

Psalm 90
It is generally assumed that this psalm is the oldest of them all. Moses wrote it, some 400 years before
David was even born. It is called the "Psalm of Death," as opposed to Psalm 91 which is known as the
"Psalm of Life." The theme of Psalm 90 is Israel's sin at Kadesh-barnea, which brought down judgment
upon that nation. It also stresses, however, the mercy and eternity of God.

Psalm 91
This psalm has the unique distinction of having been quoted (really, misquoted) by none other than Satan
himself. The occasion was the temptation event in Matthew 4. In a desperate attempt to entice Christ to
force the hand of God, Satan twists verses 11 and 12 out of context and brazenly offers them to the
Savior as scriptural proof texts. Needless to say, the plan failed.

Psalm 92
During the year 586 B.C. the first temple (Solomon's temple) was destroyed by the Babylonians. Some 50
years later Cyrus the Persian monarch allowed 40,000 Jews to return to Jerusalem from captivity and
rebuild the second temple. After 20 difficult and dangerous years, it was constructed. It is believed one of
the first psalms to be sung in this second temple was Psalm 92.

Psalm 93
In the time of the second temple each day of the week had its special psalm, which was sung at the
offering of the morning sacrifice. This psalm was used each Sabbath (Saturday), indicating the
importance placed upon it by the Jewish worshippers.

Psalm 94
This psalm was sung in the second temple each Wednesday. It probably was a favorite of Nehemiah the
prophet who returned some years later to rebuild the fallen walls of Jerusalem. As the psalm describes,
he too faced the opposition of brutish and bloody men, who unsuccessfully attempted to both discredit
and destroy him.

Psalm 95
Psalms 95 through 100 were thought to have been composed to celebrate the release from the
Babylonian captivity. The underlying theme of them all is the truth that Almighty God reigns supreme over
the world. Psalm 95 was a favorite of the European crusaders who attempted to capture Jerusalem from
the Arabs during the 11th and 12th Centuries A.D. The New Testament book of Hebrews quoted from this
psalm in chapters 3 and 4.

Psalm 96
This may be rightfully entitled, "A Missionary Melody." The Gentiles are referred to seven times, and the
words "earth" and "world" are mentioned four times. It is thus both a missionary and millennial song. It
proclaims a gospel to all mankind. Sometimes we forget that the seeds of the Great Commission can be
found in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms.

Psalm 97
This psalm anticipates two great future events. One is the battle of Armageddon, the other is the Second
Coming of Christ. Psalm 97 should be studied in conjunction with Revelation 19 and 20.

Psalm 98
Two hundred and fifty years ago a hymn writer wrote a song based on the language of this psalm.
Centuries later it has become a favorite with Christians who sung it in December. The name of the hymn
writer was Isaac Watts, and the title of his song, "Joy to the World." However, as one reads this psalm
and subsequent hymn it inspired, it becomes evident that neither author had the first coming of Christ in
mind, but rather his Second Coming.

Psalm 99
Four famous Old Testament personalities are referred to in this psalm. They are Jacob, Moses, Aaron,
and Samuel. Three divine characteristics are ascribed to the God of these four men. They are, his
greatness, his holiness, and his grace.

Psalm 100
Perhaps in no other single psalm, with the exception of the 23rd one, does the Psalmist pack so many
great and glorious statements about God, than in this the 100th Psalm. Its grand theme is the creative
work of God. Some have called it the "Psalm of Genesis one."

Psalm 101
After David became king, he ruled in Hebron for seven and one-half years. He then captured the city of
Jerusalem and moved his capital there. It is believed that this psalm was written by the king at this time to
celebrate this wonderful event. He closed the psalm with a reference to the city of the Lord.

Psalm 102
This was the favorite psalm of John Craig, a former Dominican monk at Rome, condemned to die for his
faith during the terrible Inquisition. However, the night before he was to be tied to the stake, the pope
died, an insurrection broke out, the prisons were thrown open, and Craig escaped. He went to Scotland
and became a colleague of John Knox.

Psalm 103
This psalm is looked upon as the greatest prayer of praise in the entire Bible. It may have been one of
David's final psalms, written just before he turned his kingdom over to Solomon. God's amazing mercy
and tender compassion are elevated to a new height in this psalm.

Psalm 104
This psalm is one of the most important accounts dealing with the early history of the world in the
scriptures. Beginning with creation, it continues by describing the universal flood and finally, those events
connected with the post-flood world. It is the greatest of all the psalms of creation.

Psalm 105
This is the second of three psalms completely given over to summarizing Israel's history. The other two
are Psalms 78 and 106. In relating this history, Psalm 105 provides us with additional information not
found in the original account. For example, verses 17 and 18 tell us of Joseph's torture while in his
Egyptian prison. The Genesis record omits this.
Psalm 106
Here we see the final of three historical psalms of the nation Israel. But the emphasis is different. In
Psalm 105 the theme was God's power in calling out and protecting Israel. Here though, in Psalm 106
Israel's sin and idolatry are pointed out. The author is very careful, however, to point out that in spite of
Israel's unfaithfulness, God still loved his people and freely forgave them.

Psalm 107
As we have previously seen, three psalms are given over in describing God's goodness to Israel. But in
this psalm, God, as it were, gives the Gentiles equal time. His love and concern is to all peoples. The
grand theme of this psalm is repeated four times. It is as follows: "O that men would praise the LORD for
his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men" (vv. 8,15, 21, 31).

Psalm 108
There are more geographical locations mentioned in this psalm for its size than in any other. Al Smith's
beautiful chorus, "Be Thou Exalted," is taken from Psalm 108.

Psalm 109
This is one of the Imprecatory psalms. To imprecate is to call down judgment upon God's enemies. In the
Upper Room, just prior to Pentecost, Simon Peter quotes from this psalm, telling us it was in reality a
prophecy describing the betrayal and defection of Judas Iscariot.

Psalm 110
Here we have a very important messianic psalm which predicts the eternal priesthood of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Chapters 7 through 10 in the book of Hebrews are, in essence, an amplification of Psalm 110. But
Christ is also pictured as a mighty king in this psalm also. Thus, we see him here occupying two of the
three great offices ascribed to him. He was a prophet. He is a priest. He shall come as a king.

Psalm 111
This psalm is one of several known as the alphabetical psalms. Here is why it is called this. There are 22
letters in the Hebrew alphabet. There are 22 lines in this psalm. Each line begins with a different letter in
chronological order, thus giving the complete Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 112
Does it pay to serve God? It does indeed! Not always (or even perhaps often) in matters of great earthly
riches, but with those precious things no amount of money can purchase, things like peace of heart,
purpose for living, and assurance of eternal life to come. This psalm describes some of the divine "fringe
benefits" received by all repenting sinners.

Psalm 113
This is the first of a group of psalms known as the "Hallelujah Psalms." They were to be sung during the
Passover meal. Doubtless, Jesus and his disciples sang it along with the others in the Upper Room that
final night before he was arrested and crucified. We read in Matthew 26:30, "And when they had sung a
hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives."

Psalm 114
This is another of the Hallelujah psalms. In the year 1445 B.C., during the month of April, the prophet
Moses led nearly two million Hebrew slaves out of the Egyptian captivity and safely across the Red Sea.
This psalm celebrates the marvelous power of God seen in that deliverance.

Psalm 115
Question: What is the greatest single attribute the God of the Bible possesses, which is not possessed by
any other pagan god?
Answer: The answer is amazingly simple-He exists, and they don't! The implications of this little statement
are mind-boggling. Psalm 115 develops this tremendous fact, contrasting the all-seeing, all-hearing, all-
knowing, all-powerful living God with those blind, deaf, ignorant, impotent, nonexistent pagan gods.
Psalm 116
This psalm, along with 113,114, and 115 was probably sung (as we have already seen) by our Lord
during the Upper Room Passover meal. How appropriate is its language here, as we remember just a few
hours separated the Savior from Calvary. Note especially verse 13: "I will take the cup of salvation, And
call upon the name of the LORD."

Psalm 117
This psalm has the unique distinction of being the shortest chapter in the entire Bible. It has only two
verses and 33 words. It is said also to be located in the very center of the Bible. It probably served as a
short but sublime doxology in the temple song service. This psalm was sung by Oliver Cromwell, British
leader, and his army after a great victory in battle at a place called Dunbar, on Sept. 3,1650. The Puritans
later referred to it as the Dunbar Psalm.

Psalm 118
The great Protestant reformer Martin Luther said the following about this psalm: "This is my psalm, my
chosen psalm. I love them all; I love all Holy Scripture, which is my consolation and my life. But this psalm
is nearest my heart, and I have a peculiar right to call it mine. It has saved me from many a pressing
danger, from which no emperor, nor kings, nor sages, nor saints could have saved me."

Psalm 119
Here is Scripture's longest chapter. It is totally given over in describing the Word of God, mentioning it in
171 of the 176 verses. The Psalmist here gives the Bible nine titles and ascribes some 12 ministries to it.

Psalm 120
This is the first of a group of 15 known as the "Psalms of Degree or Ascent." They include Psalms 120-
134. Several theories have been suggested to explain the meaning of the titles "Degree" and "Ascent."
One theory is that these 15 psalms were sung by the Levitical choir as they ascended the 15 stairs in the
temple court. Another view is they were sung by the Jewish pilgrims en route to their temple ascent
during the various annual feast days.

Psalm 121
Some seven centuries B.C., the city of Jerusalem was entirely surrounded by several hundred thousand
brutal Assyrian troops. This powerful army had previously subdued most of the Middle East, including the
Northern ten tribes of Israel. Among the large cities in the land, only Jerusalem remained. But on the very
eve of the proposed breakthrough, God's angel slew 185,000 of the Assyrian soldiers, causing the
survivors to flee in panic. Psalm 121 was probably written either just before or following that great victory.

Psalm 122
This psalm is the best known of the Jerusalem psalms. Prior to his conversion, Gregory, the famous
church father, was an agnostic. He had read parts of the Bible, but refused its message. His wife Nonna,
prayed long and hard for his salvation. One night he dreamed of this psalm. The experience soon led him
to accept Christ. For 45 years he then served as a faithful bishop.

Psalm 123
Often in the New Testament Paul the Apostle described himself as a bond slave of Christ. His eyes were
constantly and forever fixed on Jesus. His ears strained to hear the Master's command. His feet then
leaped to perform those commands. This picture of complete consecration to the will of God is beautifully
depicted here in Psalm 123.

Psalm 124
In A.D. 1582, this psalm was sung on a remarkable occasion in Edinburgh, Scotland. An imprisoned
minister, John Durie, had been set free, and was met and welcomed on entering the town by 200 of his
friends. The number increased, till he found himself in the midst of a company of 2,000, who began in
unison to sing this psalm.

Psalm 125
Here we have one of the favorite psalms of the Scottish Reformation period. It was used to comfort the
hearts of the French protestants during the persecution under Louis XIV. Every verse and word seemed
made for such emergencies.

Psalm 126
In the year 536 B.C., the Persian monarch Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews of the captivity to return to
Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, destroyed by the Babylonians some years back. This psalm depicts
the overwhelming joy felt by the returning remnant. It was as if they were dreaming the entire wonderful
thing. The great Christian hymn, "Bringing in the Sheaves" is taken from Psalm 126.

Psalm 127
The difference between doubt and faith is this: Doubt says, "Why pray, when you can worry?" Faith says,
"Why worry when you can pray?" This is the Psalm of Faith. It says: "Don't worry about the security of
your city, or the sanctity of your family. God will take care of both."

Psalm 128
John Howard Payne's famous song, "Home Sweet Home" is taken from this psalm.
Psalm 129
This psalm both reviews and previews. It reviews the terrible sufferings of Israel, but also previews the
pain Christ would endure before Pilate as he was so fearfully beaten.

Psalm 130
Sometimes an indignant Christian will say, "I demand my rights!" This is a very dangerous statement for
any believer to make. Hopefully, if it is said, God will not take the demand seriously, for, apart from grace,
by all rights we should be consigned to hell forever. Psalm 130 brings this truth out.

Psalm 131
The following statements have been made from well known Bible scholars about this psalm: "A literary
gem of exquisite beauty and surpassing spirituality." "It is the most perfect expression of the childlike
spirit, which, as Christ has taught, is characteristic of the subjects of the kingdom of heaven." "Comparing
all the psalms to gems, we should liken this to a pearl; how beautifully it will adorn the neck of patience."

Psalm 132
During the days of Eli the high priest, the Philistines destroyed the tabernacle of Moses, located in the city
of Shiloh. The Ark of the Covenant that had once rested in the Holy of Holies was then shifted around
from place to place. During the reign of Saul the wicked king showed no interest in it whatsoever. But not
so with David. Even though an outlaw, he thought about it and vowed some day to build a house for it.
This is the background for Psalm 132.

Psalm 133
This has rightly been entitled, "The Unity Psalm." How many churches have been destroyed, not because
of doctrinal position, but because of personal disposition. Melanchthon, the great theoologian, once
wrote: "The left hand does not need the right hand more than the church needs concord among its
pastors."

Psalm 134
Shortly after coming to the throne of Judah, king Hezekiah began a massive work of repairing the temple
in Jerusalem which had been sadly neglected during the previous reigns of some ungodly Judean rulers.
This psalm reflects his interest in and love for the temple.

Psalm 135
This psalm will always be associated with the name of David Livingstone who, on a cold November
morning in England, rose at five o'clock, and after a frugal breakfast, read out loud this psalm to those
seated around the table. Having said goodbye, he then set out with his father and walked to Glasgow to
catch the Liverpool steamer for Africa. What history was made that day!
Psalm 136
It is not difficult to discover the main theme of Psalm 136, for the phrase, "His mercy endureth forever" is
repeated 26 times, once for each of the psalm's 26 verses. On one occasion when Athanasius, that great
champion of orthodoxy, was being persecuted and threatened with hostile soldiers who had actually
surrounded his church during a worship service, the fearless preacher mounted his pulpit and read Psalm
136. At the end of each verse, his inspired congregation answered back. "For his mercy endureth
forever."

Psalm 137
This is probably the saddest of all the psalms. The year was 586 B.C. Babylon had conquered Jerusalem
and destroyed the Jewish temple. Thousands of its citizens were then carried away from the Holy City
into pagan Babylon. This psalm tells the sad story of the captives upon reaching their land of bondage.

Psalm 138
This psalm is the exact contrast to the previous one. There, all was gloom and sobbing. Here we read of
glory and singing. In this psalm, the author (David) praised God for the following: his name, his Word, his
glory, his salvation, and his mercy.

Psalm 139
In no other psalm or chapter in all the Bible are the divine attributes of Almighty God more vividly
described than here in Psalm 139. In glowing terms David spoke of God's omniscience, omnipresence,
and omnipotence. This psalm is also, as we shall see, a striking example of the biblical pro-life position.
David completed this profound and precious psalm by suggesting a prayer all believers should utter at
least once a day.

Psalm 140
This psalm can be entitled, "The Wiles of the Wicked." In this sense it may be thought of as an Old
Testament summary of Satan's work. The Psalmist began by describing the fruits of evil doers and
concludes by depicting their future, namely, to be thrown in hellfire.

Psalm 141
In this remarkable prayer, David asked God to keep him from two ever-present dangers. He requested to
be preserved from wicked men, and a wicked mouth. Most believers have discovered that the second
danger is usually the most threatening. Note the Psalmist's acknowledgment here: "Set a watch, O
LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (141:3).

Psalm 142
The title of this psalm tells us it was written by David when he was living in a cave. During his 13 long
years as an outlaw, fleeing from wicked king Saul, David sought refuge in two caves. The first was the
cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22), and the second, the cave of Engedi (1 Sam. 24). Actually, David may have
had both caves in mind here. Note especially verse 4 of this psalm. "I looked on my right hand, and
beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." Have
you ever felt this way? Let it be said it is far better to be in a cave in God's perfect will, than to dwell in a
castle out of God's will. David would experience both.

Psalm 143
It has been estimated that there are some 40 concepts in this psalm that are found in other psalms, thus
making Psalm 143 a divine bottom-line spiritual summary on the subject of suffering. David said in verse
5 that he remembered "the days of old," and meditated "on all thy works." Just what did he remember and
meditate upon? Two simple facts, and these are vital to recall in the hour of suffering. First, "thou art my
God" (v. 10). Second, "I am thy servant" (v. 12).

Psalm 144
Two profound themes are brought out in this psalm: First, the brevity of physical life. Note verse 4: "Man
is like to vanity: His days are as a shadow that passeth away." An ancient Jewish saying goes as follows:
"Would that life were like the shadow cast by a wall or a tree; but it is like the shadow of a bird in flight."
Second, the blessings of spiritual life. This includes family blessings, and (on occasion) also financial
blessings, as the last part of this psalm brings out.

Psalm 145
This is the final psalm ascribed to David. It is as if he attempted to condense and summarize every
wonderful attribute of God previously discussed in all the formal psalms he wrote. Someone has referred
to Psalm 145 as the grand benediction and doxology of the Old Testament.

Psalm 146
These final five psalms (146-150) are thought to have been written by the prophets Haggai and
Zechariah. You may remember God had used these two dynamic men as his "spiritual cheerleaders" in
accomplishing the building of the second temple. These psalms were the favorites of C.H. Spurgeon.

Psalm 147
How would you like the job of counting all the grains of sand in a small cup and then choosing a name for
each tiny grain? Sounds impossible, doesn't it? Did you know scientists tell us there are as many stars in
the heavens as there are grains of sand upon all the seashores of the world? But what does all this have
to do with Psalm 147? Simply this: Here we are informed that God has created, counted, and named all
those stars. But even more utterly amazing-the same God who did all this- "healeth the broken in heart,
And bindeth up their wounds."

Psalm 148
This can be titled the "Psalm of a Universal Symphony." The word praise appears 12 times in these 14
verses. The Psalmist called for everyone and everything to worship and praise God. He included the
following: Angels, sun, moon, and stars, creatures of the deep, fish and fowl, fire, hail, snow, and wind,
mountains and hills, trees and animals, kings, princes, judges, and peoples of the earth, young men and
maidens, old men and children.

Psalm 149
This can be called "A Song of the Saints." Note it begins with the admonition for believers to "Sing unto
the LORD a new song." What is the nature of this new song? The last book in the Bible answers this for
us: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth"
(Rev. 5:9-10).

Psalm 150
For its size, this psalm is the greatest of all biblical chapters in matters of praise to God. The word is
found 12 times in its six verses. In no other psalm are as many musical instruments mentioned as are
found here. The author spoke of the trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, stringed instruments, organ and
cymbal. This was the favorite psalm of those believers who were members of the iron guild during the
Middle Ages in Europe. They would sing Psalm 150 as they stood around the fiery furnace, preparing
molten metal to be used for church bells.