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is difficult to anticipate a book of poetry and songs with a richer and more inspirational tapestry of spiritual light and beauty than the Book of Psalms.
From the pen of inspiration, the Lord has moved upon several chosen individuals in Israel’s ancient past to compose poetry and songs expressing gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His continuing love, support, and faithfulness.
The Lord, our God, is a highly compassionate Person, and He cares for Creation and His chosen people on earth—those whom God in His love has written on His own heart. For them and mankind, the Book of Psalms was composed, compiled, and remarkably preserved by God for the generations of people who have lived on earth for their support, uplifting, and enlightenment.
Indeed, such is the strength and richness of Divine light revealed in the Book of Psalms that if a mortal person had no other writings, save for the Book of Psalms, they could still come to walk with God in this life and be redeemed into God’s Kingdom!
All this comes through learning and practising harmony and communion with the Lord, and living by the moral codes and high level of spiritual conduct and purity that the reader of the Psalms learns; so great is the power of these ancient and most excellent writings.
Essentially the whole collection of poems and songs, one hundred and fifty in all, are summed up and expressed in the first Psalm, which in itself acts as a guide and an outline of the contents of this book:
1BLESSED is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or stand in the way of sinners,
or sit in the seat of mockers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on His law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season,
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners stand in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Praise be to the Lord our God that He has given us this most excellent book, the Book of Psalms, to have with us for our guidance and inspiration as we pass through the years of our life span here on this earth. Blessed are the readers of this book who make their peace with God, and find harmony with Him while the days of their mortal lives last.
• Psalm 1 • Psalm 2 • Psalm 3 • Psalm 4 • Psalm 5 • Psalm 6 • Psalm 7 • Psalm 8 • Psalm 9 • Psalm 10 • Psalm 11 • Psalm 12 • Psalm 13 • Psalm 14 • Psalm 15 • Psalm 16 • Psalm 17 • Psalm 18 • Psalm 19 • Psalm 20 • Psalm 21 • Psalm 22 • Psalm 23 • Psalm 24 • Psalm 25 • Psalm 26 • Psalm 27 • Psalm 28 • Psalm 29 • Psalm 30 • Psalm 31 • Psalm 32 • Psalm 33 • Psalm 34 • Psalm 35 • Psalm 36 • Psalm 37 • Psalm 38 • Psalm 39 • Psalm 40 • Psalm 41
• Psalm 42 • Psalm 43 • Psalm 44 • Psalm 45 • Psalm 46 • Psalm 47 • Psalm 48 • Psalm 49 • Psalm 50 • Psalm 51 • Psalm 52 • Psalm 53 • Psalm 54 • Psalm 55 • Psalm 56 • Psalm 57 • Psalm 58 • Psalm 59 • Psalm 60 • Psalm 61 • Psalm 62 • Psalm 63 • Psalm 64 • Psalm 65 • Psalm 66 • Psalm 67 • Psalm 68 • Psalm 69 • Psalm 70 • Psalm 71 • Psalm 72
• Psalm 73 • Psalm 74 • Psalm 75 • Psalm 76 • Psalm 77 • Psalm 78 • Psalm 79 • Psalm 80 • Psalm 81 • Psalm 82 • Psalm 83 • Psalm 84 • Psalm 85 • Psalm 86 • Psalm 87 • Psalm 88 • Psalm 89
• Psalm 90 • Psalm 91 • Psalm 92 • Psalm 93 • Psalm 94 • Psalm 95 • Psalm 96 • Psalm 97 • Psalm 98 • Psalm 99 • Psalm 100• Psalm 101• Psalm 102• Psalm 103• Psalm 104• Psalm 105• Psalm 106
• Psalm 107• Psalm 108• Psalm 109• Psalm 110• Psalm 111• Psalm 112• Psalm 113• Psalm 114• Psalm 115• Psalm 116• Psalm 117• Psalm 118• Psalm 119• Psalm 120• Psalm 121• Psalm 122• Psalm 123• Psalm 124• Psalm 125• Psalm 126• Psalm 127• Psalm 128• Psalm 129• Psalm 130• Psalm 131• Psalm 132• Psalm 133• Psalm 134• Psalm 135• Psalm 136• Psalm 137• Psalm 138• Psalm 139• Psalm 140• Psalm 141• Psalm 142• Psalm 143• Psalm 144• Psalm 145• Psalm 146• Psalm 147• Psalm 148• Psalm 149• Psalm 150
The first and opening psalm of the Book of Psalms.
Fittingly, the psalm forms the introduction to the entire contents of the five books of the Book of Psalms, especially the first book. Because of this, it is known as the ‘Threshold Psalm’. It is a brief poetic expression of the spiritual truth that righteousness succeeds, whereas unrighteousness fails. This same theme is presented continually throughout the Book of Psalms.
Psalm 1 is a psalm of wisdom. It outlines the choices open to mortal people in their lives. People can serve God in righteousness and receive abundant blessings and eternal life, or live in sin and unrighteousness. Although unrighteous people may prosper for a time, ultimately, this lifestyle choice results in their failure in the sight of God and eternal death.
This psalm is one of fifty-one known as ‘orphan psalms’, because they contain no evidence of the author’s identity or circumstance at the time these psalms were composed. The theme of Psalm 1 is the powerful contrast between the lives of the righteous and those who are evil in the sight of God.
(The author contends that the scriptural term ‘blessed’ in the Bible most typically describes the situation between God and His faithful individual people on earth that occurs when, through His love and appreciation for them, He directly honours, supports and uplifts that beloved person. God places His goodwill, support, and protection upon them, dramatically increasing their provision, long-term happiness, and well-being. That blessed person is righteous and obedient to the ways and laws of human life that the Lord God designed for the mortal man before the foundation of the world, which He has revealed to us in the Holy Bible. As such, the term blessed engenders the benefits of a close, living relationship between God and that faithful believer whom God indeed does love.)
The psalm has been carefully constructed in two contrasting stanzas. It commences with an outline of the blessings given to an upright man who avoids all evil, but instead delights in the Law of God (verses 1-3), before declaring the unhappiness and condemnation of the wicked (verses 4, 5). The psalm closes with the revelation that the ways of the righteous are known to God, but the wicked perish (verse 6).
Psalm 1 is a moving testimony of the powerful salvation granted to those God brings to righteousness and obedience.
Author not stated.
6 verses 128 words.
Psalm 2 is the first of the ‘Messianic psalms’.
The psalm is familiar to Christians by virtue of its relevance to Jesus Christ. Peter and Luke ascribed David to be the author of this psalm in Acts chapter 4; verses 24–26 and Acts chapter 13; verse 33 and quoted from Psalm 2, verses 1 and 2 in reference to Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
In the Old Testament times, however, the psalm was considered a royal coronation psalm and as such was used by the kings from the lineage of David. The contents describe a celebration at the coronation of a new king, despite hostility from surrounding nations, but also bear a striking resemblance to the ministry of Jesus Christ. The psalm consists of four stanzas, each containing approximately the same number of words.
The first stanza describes the exalted and proud people of the earth defying the Almighty God and His Christ (verses 1–3). The second stanza is a contrasting revelation of God’s disdain for them and their taunting (verses 4–6). In the third stanza, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is granted full ownership and authority over the earth by His Father, the Almighty God. He commences His reign in the fullness of His power (verses 7–9) and, in the fourth and final stanza, wisely counsels the kings of the earth to submit to the Christ of the Almighty God and serve Him with fear and trembling (verses 10–12). The final verse of the psalm closes with a promised blessing on all who place their trust in God (verse 12).
Psalm 2 is a psalm of preparation for the coming of the Son of God to the earth.
Author not stated.
12 verses 203 words.
The psalm of a devout man whom God has rescued from his peril.
According to the title, David wrote this psalm when he fled from his son Absalom. David was the king of Israel, but Absalom rose in high treason against his father David, attempting with widespread support to seize the throne of Israel for himself by force. David and his band of followers then fled Jerusalem. David was comforted in his hour of trial to still have God’s presence with him. The psalm is known as ‘a morning prayer’, for it came after the night’s passing.
The psalm commences with David’s complaint to God about his many enemies, who rise against David and then claim God will not help him (verses 1, 2). But David honours God for His protection and acknowledges His acceptance of his prayer (verses 3, 4). In complete confidence in God’s support, David lives securely in the knowledge that God sustains and saves him from his enemies (verses 5, 6). He calls on the Lord to rise for his deliverance (verse 7) and finishes the psalm with an appeal for the Lord’s blessing on His people (verse 8).
Psalm 3: David found his confidence and hope in God, writing the psalm at a time of great personal affliction.
A Psalm of David.
8 verses 144 words.
God’s rescue of His righteous servant.
Psalm 4 is apparently intended to accompany Psalm 3, and has been considered to be a sequel to it. If Psalm 3 can be called ‘a morning prayer’, then Psalm 4 can be titled ‘an evening prayer’. The Psalmist reviews the troubles of the day and is satisfied.
David commences this sacred song with prayer, asking God to hear and show him mercy (verse 1). He reasons earnestly with the ungodly (verse 2), revealing the status of upright people before the Lord (verse 3). David counsels the reader to avoid sin and work out the leanings of their own heart to develop trust in the Lord (verses 4, 5) and commends himself to God (verses 6, 7). He closes the psalm with a brief ballad of sweet release at the end of the day: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”; (verse 8).
Psalm 4 is an evening psalm of wise counsel to everyone who desires to be upright in the sight of God.
A Psalm of David.
8 verses 177 words.
The morning prayer of a righteous man.
Psalm 5 is a ‘morning prayer’, written in the same spirit as Psalm 4, an ‘evening prayer’. The psalm was probably written by David when he was in terrible danger from the treacherous ambitions of his son Absalom.
The Psalmist commences with a plea that God would hear the prayers he offers up each morning (verses 1-3). He expresses his confidence in approaching a God who hates evil and evildoers (verses 4-6) so that through God’s mercy, he can enter God’s House and reverently worship Him (verse 7). He prays for God’s leading in righteousness but condemnation for evildoers in their rebellion (verses 8-10). The Psalmist closes the psalm with gracious words of encouragement, knowing that the Lord blesses and protects His people in righteousness (verses 11, 12).
Psalm 5 seems intended for singing accompanied by wind instruments, specifically flutes, although the Psalmist may have also anticipated the accompaniment of other wind instruments.
A Psalm of David.
12 verses 255 words.
A distressed man’s plea to God for mercy.
Psalm 6 is the first of what is commonly known as the ‘penitential’ psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). They were composed by individuals ashamed and sorrowful for their sinful condition and wanted to depart from evil in their lives. The language used in Psalm 6 certainly fits in well with one who is repentant, contrite, and sorry for his sins and faults.
The Psalmist expresses the sorrow, humiliation, and hatred for sin, which are the true signs of the contrite soul when they turn to God (verses 1-7). Although he is near death, he earnestly prays for relief, insisting that God does indeed hear his prayer and redeems him (verse 8). Profound sadness becomes exultation; the Psalmist has found safety and security in God (verses 9, 10).
Psalm 6 is the mournful lament of a penitent soul.
10 verses 182 words.
A just man appeals to our righteous God to rescue him.
During his reign as the king of ancient Israel, David survived several attempts to seize the crown from him. In ancient times successful coups invariably cost the deposed monarch their own life, as the new king eradicated any potential opposition to his future kingship. One of the features of David’s life was his extraordinary ability to survive. The historical accounts of David’s reign indicate the twelve tribes of ancient Israel to be politically unstable, inconsistent in their loyalty to the monarchy, and ready to receive a new monarch if one arose who took their fancy. Given the attempted coup by his son Absalom almost succeeded, the reigning King David faced the likelihood of future termination if his kingship was less than stellar.
Given this dangerous situation, it is remarkable that David successfully reigned as the monarch of Judah and Israel for the length of time that he did. He reigned in Hebron for seven and a half years over the kingdom of Judah and in Jerusalem thirty-three over the united kingdom of Israel and Judah. The renaissance historian Ussher places David’s reign around 1045-1015 BC and modern sources 1010-970 BC. David established a royal dynasty of kings that lasted for about four hundred and twenty-five years before dying of natural causes when he was 71.
With the widespread treachery and political instability common throughout the Near East when David was alive, this was a remarkable achievement, providing further substantial evidence that God chose and protected him throughout his lifetime. It was from the background of the frequent and regular bloody violence and warfare, treachery, crime and terror that existed in ancient Israel and the Middle East that David penned the words of this psalm. David wrote the song at a time before his ascension to the throne when the previous king, Saul, was hunting David down fervently bent on his murder. After David slew the Philistine champion Goliath the maidens of Israel proclaimed David as the hero of Israel, rousing the melancholy Saul to attempt to kill him.
David survived as a fugitive on the run for several years, as King Saul hunted David down to take his life. It is from this background that David penned the words of Psalm 7 (see 1 Samuel chapter 22; verses 7, 8; 1 Samuel chapter 24; verses 9-11; and 1 Samuel chapter 26; verses 17-20).
Psalm 7 is entitled “A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush the Benjaminite”. The person named Cush is unknown in Jewish history outside the use of his name in the title of this psalm. However, David was likely referring to King Saul cryptically, who was from the tribe of Benjamin and remained prominent in the national conscience of Israel and Judah when David penned the words of this psalm.
David prays to the Lord requesting God’s protection from his enemies, utterly confident that God’s unchanging laws save righteous people but punish the wicked. While David does not acknowledge any wrongdoing, his enemies have sinned by plotting against him. He prays for deliverance from his enemies and that the wrath of his enemies would fall back on their own heads. He finishes this sacred song with an expression of confident anticipation that God will fulfil his prayers as a vindication of God’s moral justice.
In praying for his deliverance from his enemies who would “rip him to pieces” without a rescuer (verses 1, 2), David, protesting his innocence, challenges God to punish him with his life should he be wrong as accused (verses 3-5). He asks God to judge both him and his enemies and bring an end to the wickedness, ensuring the security of the righteous (verses 6-9). Proclaiming God as a righteous judge, David points out the reward awaiting the wicked (verses 10-16). He then concludes the psalm (verse 17) by giving thanks to God and praising Him.
Psalm 7 is sung at the Feast of Purim by Jewish people, because it celebrates vengeance against powerful adversaries (see Esther chapter 9; verses 13-32).
A Psalm of David.
17 verses 335 words.
Psalm 8 is a celestial celebration of the Lord Most High, the God of angels and man, and earth and sea.
David marvels that the glorious Lord of Heaven, the Almighty One who is so excellent, should graciously grant mankind dominion over the earth. The psalm is still very popular for singing and it was quoted in part by Jesus Christ, the Author of Life, when He was on earth. The Psalmist declares that God in His great love and mercy even visits His people on earth (verse 4). Man is shown dignity and honour as God’s representative on earth, without noticing mankind’s fall into sin.
Exalting the glory and majesty of God (verse 1), David declares that the praises of small children in their innocence silence the enemy (verse 2). The Psalmist is amazed that the same God who created the Universe is also mindful of man and cares for him, and has granted him to be ruler over His handiwork here on earth, giving dominion over all creatures, both domestic and wild (verses 3-8). The Psalmist concludes his song of praise by declaring the Lord’s majesty (verse 9).
Psalm 8 is a beautiful psalm and song of praise to the Lord God, the God of humanity’s design and creation, and the great King across the majestic celestial heavens above.
A Psalm of David.
9 verses 186 words.
Psalm 9 is a celebration of the justice and righteousness of God.
Psalm 9 is the first of the acrostic, or alphabetic, psalms, of which there are nine in total (Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). Acrostic or alphabetic psalms are poetic compositions where each line or section begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This method was probably incorporated into the design by the Psalmist to assist in memorizing the sacred poem. Psalm 9 is one such psalm, although it is not entirely rigid in its acrostic organization. It is also closely linked to Psalm 10 by the acrostic organization and word repetitions. Some early versions of the Old Testament, such as the Septuagint and the Vulgate, even presented Psalms 9 and 10 as one psalm, presented as Psalm 9. Psalm 9 has been called ‘A Psalm of Thanksgiving’.
God is praised in this sacred verse for being the righteous Judge. He defends those who are oppressed but punishes the wicked. David commences the psalm by praising, proclaiming, and rejoicing in God’s wonders (verses 1, 2) and the victories over his enemies because of God’s help (verses 3-6). In extolling the justice and authority of God, David acknowledges His uprightness and support to those who know and trust Him (verses 7-10). He then praises the Lord of Zion (verse 11), as the One who avenges blood and is mindful of His people (verse 12). He prays for mercy and support and promises to proclaim the salvation of God to Zion (verses 13, 14).
David declares the folly of the godless nations, the judgment of God (verses 15-17), and the sure knowledge that wicked people will die and go down to their graves. However, God will not forget the needy (verse 18). David invites God to triumph over the wicked and to judge the nations, proving to them that they are but mere men (verses 19, 20). This phrase was likely a reference to the common practice of the great kings of the Middle East in ancient times of believing that they were gods and declaring themselves gods to their subjects.
Psalm 9 is a psalm of proclamation of the power and authority of God over the kingdoms of men.
A Psalm of David.
20 verses 379 words.
A psalm exploring the trials and persecution suffered by God’s people on earth.
Psalms 9 and 10 describe similarly the treatment meted out upon God’s enemies, but in Psalm 10, the enemies are oppressing their weaker brethren from within the nation of Israel. Psalm 9 is rich in praise and thanksgiving, whereas, in Psalm 10, the Psalmist voices an appeal to God to avenge those oppressed. Psalm 10 is the second of nine acrostic psalms (Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). Acrostic or alphabetic psalms are poetic compositions where each line or section begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This method was probably incorporated into the design by the Psalmist to assist in memorizing the sacred poem.
This prayer commences with an exclamation of spiritual despair. The Psalmist opens the prayer with questions to the Lord about why God seemingly cannot be found by His people when persecutions and times of trouble come upon them (verse 1). The Psalmist lives in a world where ruthless and evil men persecute, oppress, and even murder God’s people in the land, while believing they will not receive judgment and retribution for their great wickedness (verses 2-15).
The Psalmist describes the ways of the wicked man; he hunts down the weak, trapping them in his schemes (verse 2). The evil man is boastful, greedy, and filled with pride, which reviles the Lord (verses 3-4). Yet, despite his many sins, the evil man seems to prosper, not knowing God’s judgments are stored up against him (verse 5). Arrogance, curses, and lies are always on his tongue (verses 6, 7). He falls upon his victims like a lion, and they are crushed under his strength (verses 8-10), while he erroneously assumes that God does not look on and see (verse 11).
The Psalmist begs God not to forget the humble people and wonders why the wicked man in his time of great sin dismisses God from his thoughts (verses 12, 13). Yet the Psalmist knows and is confident that God sees and hears the trouble and grief caused and takes it to heart, helping His people in their hour of need (verse 14). He pleads for justice against the wicked man (verse 15). Foreseeing God’s answer, the author praises the Lord, who will hear the cries of His people in their time of great need. The Psalmist knows that his God will defend, strengthen, and uplift them (verses 16-18) so that the wicked man of the earth will terrify no more (verse 18).
Psalm 10 is a powerful and moving account of the ways of wickedness in this world. This powerful and moving prayer accurately reflects the ruthlessness, brutality, and murder that has long been commonplace on earth, right back to the time when mankind first fell into sin. The annals of world history graphically reveal the prolific evil powerfully evident and commonplace across Planet Earth since the beginning, while God looks on and takes action for His people. The psalm is presented here as a tribute to Jesus Christ and the Jewish race, and to all the many victims in the great tragedy of the Nazi holocaust of the European Jews during the Second World War. The psalm is ascribed to David.
Psalm 10 is dedicated to the Jewish peoples of Europe with respect, to honour the victims of the Jewish Holocaust that took place during the Second World War.
Author not stated.
18 verses 381 words.
The focus of the Lord among mankind is on the righteous.
Psalm 11 is a short yet profound spiritual song expressing confidence in the righteous acts of the Lord. David the Psalmist acknowledges God’s sovereignty over the earth and His measure and judgment over the people of this world.
Although no references reveal the context of the psalm’s composition, it was apparently at a time when David was in great personal danger. He commences the psalm with a statement of confidence in the watchcare and protection of God (verse 1). Using figurative language, David then reveals some profound truths about the spiritual struggle and warfare that have taken place between God’s people and the powers of darkness on earth since the beginning of time (verses 2-7).
David suffered many trials and hardships over his lifetime. He endured these through the faithfulness, safekeeping, and protection the Lord his God provided. He saw the great spiritual struggle of truth and righteousness versus darkness and wickedness played out thoroughly in the nation of Israel all his life. David recognized the formidable obstacles that the righteous faced in identifying truth from error and discerning the path of life (verses 2, 3).
Following verses 1 to 3, the Psalmist then continues to acknowledge that God’s place is in heaven, where, from God’s position of ownership and absolute authority over all Creation, He looks down upon the people of the earth (verse 4). God examines the righteous but finds nothing pleasing in those who love evil and violence (verse 5). God has a terrible judgment to wield against the wicked (verse 6), but He loves righteous deeds. One day those who are upright will live to see His face (verse 7). Jesus Christ also confirmed that those whom the Lord God the Almighty Himself loves and selects for immortality would one day look upon His face in person (see Matthew 5:8).
“8 “Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.”
Psalm 11 is an inspirational psalm of truth for all time.
A Psalm of David.
7 verses 148 words.
A song of prayer pleading for God’s protection in evil times.
Psalm 12 was probably composed by David during the difficult period in Israel’s history in the reign of his predecessor King Saul (see the Psalm 7 outlineℝ). Hardship descended on ancient Israel during a time of trouble that was marked by the widespread decay of integrity and righteousness. The fall from grace radiated out from the royal palace and fell on the whole nation, which the Psalmist complains about to God.
The psalm is divided into eight verses making four regular stanzas. In the opening lines of the psalm, David spreads out his complaint to God about the treachery of his era, asking for help. The Lord hears and answers the Psalmist and declares that He will speedily arise to protect His people.
David commences this prayer with an expression of heartfelt sadness, for he feels alone in a nation of godless people (verse 1). Those around him speak lies and deception, boasting that they can triumph without God (verses 2-4). The Lord, seeing the oppression, arises to protect the poor (verse 5). The Lord’s promises are upright and good, and He can keep them safe (verses 6, 7), while those who are wicked are honoured among men (verse 8).
Psalm 12 is the ode of an upright man distressed at the endemic corruption that daily surrounds him.
A Psalm of David.
8 verses 166 words.
The answered prayer of an exuberant worshipper.
This short psalm is remarkable in its rapid transition from sorrow and affliction to joy and victory. David probably composed the psalm out of the many bitter trials he suffered while trying to survive the murderous intentions of King Saul.
The psalm is readily divided into three parts, beginning with a protest at seemingly being overlooked and forgotten by God (part 1), passing through a time of prayer (part 2), to a song of faith and rejoicing at its conclusion (part 3). This psalm begins with the persecuted David in despair, asking the Lord whether He will forget him forever (verse 1), lamenting with sorrow in his heart because of his enemy’s victories over him (verse 2). He earnestly prays to God to consider his case and comfort and protect him because of his enemies (verses 3, 4). David declares his trust in God’s unfailing love and rejoices, singing that the Lord has been good to him (verses 5, 6).
Psalm 13 is the cry of an afflicted man.
A Psalm of David.
6 verses 121 words.
The Lord looks across the earth for those seeking after God.
Psalm 14 commences by painting a brief but vivid picture of widespread atheistic godlessness and moral degradation across a decadent world. For this reason, the psalm is highly applicable to the age we now live through here on this earth. The Psalmist then reveals that God looks down from heaven to see if any people on earth seek after Him, with the assurance that God will save His people. The psalm appears again later in the Book of Psalms with a few slight variations as Psalm 53.
The Psalmist recognizes that corrupt and vile people say no God exists (verse 1). The Lord searches the earth from on High, looking for those who seek Him (verse 2), but finds only corruption, for all humanity has abandoned Him (verse 3). The Psalmist wonders if corrupt people will ever learn, for they trample God’s people and do not call upon the Lord (verse 4). The ungodly shall become terrified because God is with the righteous (verse 5). Although the ungodly would confound the people of God, they see that the Lord protects His people (verse 6). The psalm is closed with a plea for the deliverance and restoration of Israel (verse 7).
Psalm 14 vividly portrays the folly of the godless and God’s final triumph.
A Psalm of David.
7 verses 159 words.
A psalm of instruction in wisdom and righteousness.
Psalm 15 is one of the most appreciated of the psalms. It develops and portrays the ideal man in the sight of God in a complete statement, and for this reason, the psalm is known as ‘The Good Citizen’ and ‘God’s Gentleman’. It is a short but highly descriptive psalm outlining the high principles of people who are truly righteous in the sight of God and are therefore qualified to abide with God in His sanctuary. This psalm has long been very popular, and along with Psalm 23, they are perhaps two of the best-known psalms in the Book of Psalms.
The psalm is presented as a type of dialogue between God as the host, and a lesser person seeking God’s counsel. It commences with the question being asked of the Lord what type of person He would have to dwell with Him in the temple (verse 1). In response, God supplies eleven particulars that satisfy His righteous requirements of one who must have a flawless and upright character (verses 2-5).
God is asked who is worthy to dwell in His sanctuary (Hebrew: ohel; that is, literally, ‘tent’. The sanctuary is referred to this way because Solomon’s Temple at Jerusalem was not built until after David reigned as king), (verse 1). In reply, God, as the host, answers:
“He who walks blamelessly,
who does what is right,
who speaks the truth from his heart” (verse 2);
“who does not slander with his tongue,
who does no wrong to his friend,
who does not bring reproach upon his fellow man” (verse 3);
“in whose eyes a vile person is despised
but honours those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts” (verse 4);
“who does not lend money at interest,
and who refuses to accept a bribe against the innocent.”
According to the Lord, people who follow these excellent principles “will never be shaken” (verse 5).
Psalm 15 is a brief but concise psalm of excellent instruction for those who would find God’s favour.
A Psalm of David.
5 verses 118 words.
A revelation of the bountiful blessings given to one dedicated to the service of God.
Psalm 16 is a delightful and uplifting song. The Psalmist, through his submission to God, credits God as the Source of his goodness, happiness, and security. The last verses have significant Messianic importance and echo the joy the saints will experience in the coming immortality of eternal life. The structure of the psalm is composed of six reasonably regular stanzas.
The Psalmist commences with a plea to be kept safe (verse 1). He declares his virtue is only found in God (verse 2). He affirms his delight in the saints in the land (verse 3) and announces the sorrows the unfaithful will suffer (verse 4). Furthermore, he acknowledges his commitment to God, reviews his lot in life, and is satisfied (verse 5), for God has granted him a goodly inheritance (verse 6). Joyfully he praises the Lord who gives him counsel and instructs him (verse 7). He rejoices in his security, for he knows that God’s favour rests upon him, so he is assured that God will not abandon him to the grave forever (verses 8-10). Therefore, God will grant him life beyond the grave and the right hand of God’s own personal favour (verse 11).
Psalm 16 is a delightful song about faithfulness and salvation.
A Psalm of David.
11 verses 213 words.
Psalm 17 is the righteous plea of a man close to God’s heart.
Although David lived for seventy-one years, for part of his youth, he was desperately trying to survive the murderous intentions of Saul, the paranoid, melancholy and jealous king of Israel. In many psalms David wrote, he earnestly prayed out his soul, begging God to protect him in his difficult plight. Psalm 17 is one such psalm. Although it is similar to Psalm 16 in many ways, there is one significant difference. When David wrote Psalm 16, he was aware that he faced an ongoing danger from King Saul, but his faith caused him not to fear. However, when he wrote Psalm 17, mortal peril was pressing in on him, so the need for God’s help was far more urgent.
The psalm contains three sets of appeals. The first appeal that David makes to the Lord comes from David’s righteousness (verses 1-5). David’s second appeal is to save him from his enemies (verses 6-12), and the third appeal is for God’s intervention against David’s enemies (verses 13, 14).
Petitioning God to hear his prayer, David pleads for vindication, calling on God to examine his heart, thus suggesting God will find no wickedness. He informs God he has kept from violence and has stayed firmly on the right path (verses 1-5). Calling again on God to hear his prayer, David praises God for His great love, for He saves those who seek refuge in Him (verses 6-9). Of his enemies, he likens their malice to that of a hungry lion ready to attack (verses 10-12). Seeking rescue and deliverance by God, David describes the characteristics of the unrighteous men of this world (verses 13, 14). David’s rich reward will be his salvation from the enemy and the delight of personal communion with God Himself (verse 15).
Psalm 17 is a prayer of earnest appeal for God’s deliverance in a time of desperate circumstances.
A Psalm of David.
15 verses 326 words.
A song of praise to God for His deliverance of David.
Psalm 18 is a psalm celebrating David’s triumphant victory over the Philistines. Highly favoured by God, David was God’s close personal friend, psalmist, servant, and the anointed king of God’s people, Israel. Saul campaigned unsuccessfully, apparently for some years, to kill David and his band of followers. After Saul’s death, David, a famous and popular figure, succeeded him as the next king of Israel.
The ancient nations of the Near East required their king to lead the troops into battle. To neglect this duty to the nation would be considered a sign of weakness and cowardice, jeopardising the king’s popular leadership and raising the risk of a usurper seizing the crown. When David was king, he survived numerous battles against Israel’s old enemies, the Philistines. David was himself a brave and seasoned veteran warrior. However, he came close to being killed several times in battle, and after one such close encounter, his men urged him not to fight on the battlefield again.
In this dignified and elaborately structured lyric poem, David praises and glorifies God for granting him His favour and protecting and preserving his life. David declares his love for God and vividly describes his fear of death and his salvation by God. Psalm 18 is a magnificent tribute of thanksgiving to God, and it is repeated in 2 Samuel chapter 22 with numerous slight variations.
David commences the psalm with fervent praise to God for His deliverance and safekeeping (verses 1-3). He describes the anguish leading to his cry for help, and the release felt when his cries are heard by God (verses 4-6). Verses 7-15 describe the result of God’s anger towards David’s enemies, and the effect it caused on the earth, resulting in rescue and salvation, all because God delighted in him (verses 16-19).
David knows that his deliverance is due to God’s acknowledgement of his righteous ways (verses 20-24), and God’s powerful attribute of justice (verses 25-28). The glorious victory found in God is revealed (verses 29-36), followed by the destruction of his enemies (verses 37-42), resulting in the submission of those enemies who are terrified by David’s presence (verses 43-45). In closing, David acknowledges God’s love and glorifies Him (verses 46-50).
Psalm 18 is the powerful testimony of a man whose life is deeply bound and intertwined with God.
A Psalm of David.
50 verses 924 words.
Psalm 19 is a sacred song of honour glorifying the God of the Universe.
The masterful capabilities of the Lord God extend beyond life. In the heavens above, the finger of God is seen in each and every individual star. Like silent sentinels, the stars in the heavens above stand guard over the earth at night, and whisper to mankind about the vastness of the wisdom and majesty of God. David looked up and beheld the glory of God in the starry hosts of the heavens above, and wrote of the mastery of God’s handiwork in Psalm 19.
This song is divided into three parts. The opening verses of this beautiful psalm describe the glory of God as seen in the heavens above (verses 1-6). In the middle portion of the psalm, David glorifies God for His perfection as seen in God’s Law (verses 7-11), for God’s great wisdom, purity, and mastery over life are clearly displayed throughout His Law.
For the vast multitudes of holy people in the Kingdom of God, immortal and alive forever in righteous peace and tranquil harmony, God stands supreme in unapproachable excellence. His glorious and infallible attributes find concrete application in His mode of operation. These are fully existent and thoroughly blended throughout the Knowledge of God, the Law of God, and God’s statutes and commandments. To all the forms of life that God has created throughout the Universe, and in the same measure of the strength of life that the Almighty God possesses, these attributes of God are living, and they are life.
David closes the psalm by praying that God would graciously cleanse him from sin and faults, so he can honour God with his lips and with his life (verses 12-14).
Psalm 19 is a sacred song of honour and thanksgiving to the Lord God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Author of Life, the Giver of the Law, and the Finisher of our faith.
A Psalm of David.
14 verses 293 words.
A sacred prayer song begging God to safeguard and protect the king.
During the reign of David, the Hebrews were almost continuously at war with the hostile nations surrounding ancient Israel. In those days, the king went out with the soldiers into battle, and it was from such encounters that David, under inspiration, wrote Psalms 20 and 21. These companion psalms were likely composed for use as sacred hymns in ritual services of public worship: Psalm 20 is a humble petition to God to be sung before the king went out to the battlefield, and Psalm 21 when he returned victoriously.
The divisions of Psalm 20 suggest that the composer intended this sacred song for use in an antiphonal arrangement. The Psalmist probably intended the first part being sung by the congregation, the next by the king or a priest or Levite, and the final portion by the congregation. The introduction to the psalm in the Syriac version of the Bible states that it was written at the time of David’s war against the Ammonites and Syrians (see 2 Samuel chapter 10).
A prayer is offered for the king that his offerings are accepted, his plans succeed, and requests of God are granted (verses 1-5). His subjects promise to honour him in his victories (verse 5). The Psalmist compares the trust and downfall of others to the steadfastness of those who trust in God (verses 6-8). He then concludes with the plea to save the king and answer those who call on the Lord (verse 9).
Psalm 20 conveys the central theme that God is the Protector of His people.
A Psalm of David.
9 verses 174 words.
A joyous hymn celebrating God’s deliverance of the king from his enemies.
Psalm 21 is a companion song to Psalm 20. David composed these sacred hymns for use in ritual services of public worship. Psalm 20 is a humble petition to God, apparently intended for singing before the king went out with his army to battle, and Psalm 21 when they returned in victorious triumph.
The psalm is a sacred hymn of worship and thanksgiving, dedicated to God for the success of the military campaign. It consists of three different sections. The first part expresses the king’s thanksgiving to God; the second addresses the king about his coming military victories over the enemy; then the song finishes with a statement of praise to God. The king is shown dignity, honour, glory, and invincibility throughout the psalm because of God’s robust support.
David gives thanks to God for answering his prayers and giving him victory (verses 1, 2). He lists the blessings given to him by God—riches, long life and salvation, joy and unfailing love (verses 3-7). David pronounces the destruction of his enemies (verses 8-12) and closes with a shout of praise for God’s strength and might (verse 13).
Psalm 21 is a sacred song of thanksgiving expressing the king’s gratitude to his God.
A Psalm of David.
13 verses 242 words.
A key Messianic psalm outlining the sufferings of Jesus Christ in His day.
David, God’s Psalmist king, lived an extraordinary life. He was one of the world’s most exalted servants of God Most High since Creation, the warrior king of Israel, the inspirational Psalmist, and a central and vitally important prophet. Used to excellent effect by God, David composed no less than seventy-three psalms in the Book of Psalms that bear his name and probably numerous others as well.
David, as the sacred poet and warrior king, through the psalms he wrote and Bible accounts detailing his life and exploits, have been well known, loved, and by now heavily utilised worldwide by billions of people. Many of the psalms that David composed, in part or whole, have been included in the popular hymnals of Judaism and Christianity since he first penned them around 3,000 years ago.
In truth, it is impossible to over-estimate the vast spiritual contribution made by David to the work of Jesus Christ on earth. David was the legendary warrior king and hero of the peoples of ancient Judah and Israel and God’s most prodigious composer of psalms. He was also one of two prophets alongside Isaiah, who effectively became virtual repositories for the great Messianic prophecies. The Lord God the Almighty has used David to great effect to author the Messianic psalms, revealing intimate, emotive, and inspirational details clearly identifying the true Messiah to humanity.
Psalm 22 is a tragic psalm penned by David under the inspiration of God. Superficially, the psalm appears to be primarily concerned with King David’s hardships and sufferings. However, its verses contain many richly interwoven intimate predictions describing the terrible sufferings of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, a thousand years afterwards. The psalm has so many parallels to the events surrounding the intense agony of crucifixion that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered that the reader is persuaded to consider the entire psalm as applying to Jesus.
Psalm 22 has sometimes been called ‘The Psalm of the Cross’. The name reflects the numerous references in the psalm that Gospel writers of the New Testament have applied to the sufferings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The awful crucifixion experience of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem is known as ‘the Passion of the Christ’. At that time, Jesus faced a gruesome fate from the cruelty and murderous brutality of the Jewish authorities and Romans, as He languished in the agony of His wounded and severely afflicted condition. All the more unbearable for Jesus was the intimate knowledge that, despite His sinless innocence and absolute spiritual purity, He appeared to have been forsaken by His Father, the Almighty God.
The author of this sacred song appears to be relating his own experiences in Psalm 22, for it contains expressions and imagery used by David in the psalms attributed to Him. However, frequent New Testament references testify to the Messianic character of portions of this psalm (see Matthew 27:35, 39, 43, 46; Mark 15: 24, 34; Luke 23:34, 35; and John 19:24, 28).
The psalm is rich with intense spiritual content, and it has held special significance to Christians for nearly 2,000 years because it clearly foretells the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many of the awful and agonising experiences of Jesus Christ at His crucifixion are closely paralleled in the event referred to in Psalm 22. Some of the phrases used in Psalm 22 accurately foretell the crucifixion of Jesus, such as one that refers to the “congregation of the wicked” piercing the hands and feet of the victim (verse 16) and another, dividing the victim’s clothing by the casting of lots (verse 18).
It is of extreme significance to consider that crucifixion as a form of capital punishment was not devised until many centuries after David wrote this psalm. In fact, Psalm 22 so closely and accurately foretells the crucifixion of Jesus Christ that the author of these inspirational Bible writings has included capital letters to compliment the personal references used. For Christian believers, it is as though the Psalmist has specifically written these statements about our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The psalm consists of two parts, with the first twenty-one verses outlining the complaint and prayer of the sufferer. The last ten verses register the Psalmist’s thanksgiving after his deliverance. The two portions are without transition: the writer jumps straight from despair to praise.
The psalm commences by calling out to God, who seems to have forsaken His servant (verses 1, 2). However, the Psalmist knows that God is holy and has delivered his people in the past (verses 3-5). The Psalmist is despised by the godless, who mock him for his trust and faith in God (verses 6-8). He has trusted in God from birth and pleads with God to draw close to him in his time of great need and terrible anguish (verses 9-11).
The Psalmist is going through a time of extreme persecution and details his immense suffering (verses 12-18) before begging God again to remain close to him and save his life from those who want to kill him (verses 19-21a). Then he sees God’s answer to him in his time of need and rejoices in the Lord (verse 21b). He proclaims the great rescue God has granted him and vows to declare God’s name before the people (verses 21b-25), resulting in a widespread return to the worship of God and the resultant abundance of blessings (verses 26-29).
The Psalmist concludes Psalm 22 with the moving declaration that the rescue God has provided will be so successful, that what He has done will be recounted to future generations (verses 30, 31).
Psalm 22 is a tragic psalm predicting the sufferings of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Yeshua ben Yosef, Jesus son of Joseph, was the pre-eminent One—Jesus the Christ, the holy Son of the Most High God. Jesus Christ was anointed to undergo His terrible ordeal of intense agony, suffering, and death to be resurrected back to life forever, from before the beginning of Creation, from before the foundation of the world.
In truth, the coming of the Messiah to this world is the most powerful, significant, and important singular event that has ever happened on earth, even back to the Creation itself. The death of the Messiah on the cross at Calvary has forever secured the Throne of God and wrested back the safety, security, and peace of the Kingdom of God from the eternal threat posed by Lucifer’s rebellion.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the blessed, cherished, and highly exalted Son of the Kingdom of God. He is the Saviour of the generations of God’s holy people from the earth, whom God will soon call back to life from the dust of the earth and redeem for Himself and His Kingdom forever.
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
glory, hallelujah!
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
glory, hallelujah!
Jesus, Prince of Peace,
glory, hallelujah!
Amen, and Amen.
A Psalm of David.
31 verses 598 words.
Psalm 23 is the psalm of the Good Shepherd.
Perhaps the best known and most loved of all, in Psalm 23, people of all ages have found great comfort and reassurance in the words of this beautiful spiritual poem, from generation to generation for thousands of years. For Christians, the reference to the Good Shepherd is immediately accepted as referring to Jesus Christ. Upon meditation on this theme, faith and hope spring up, for to those who know Christ, it is apparent through this psalm that He cares deeply for them, and their courage is renewed.
The psalm is commonly known as the ‘Shepherd Psalm’, but it has received several different names over the years, such as ‘The Pearl of Psalms’, ‘The Shepherd’s Song About His Shepherd’, ‘The Nightingale Psalm’, and other terms. Indeed more articles have been written, and more hymns and poems are composed about this psalm than any others.
David wrote this psalm from a background of shepherding the family flock as a boy and knew first-hand the loneliness and the many dangers that the shepherd faced in protecting the sheep, yet without the watchcare of the shepherd, the sheep would not survive. David describes the Lord as the Good Shepherd and His people as the sheep in this psalm. Tenderly the Lord looks after His sheep and protects, feeds, and waters them in a pleasant country. This is an appropriate analogy to describe God’s benevolent watchcare and faithfulness in looking after His people on earth.
Because the Lord is protecting and blessing him, David the Psalmist has no other needs outside God’s leadership (verse 1). With God to lead him, he is spiritually nourished and lives with inner peace as he walks the path of righteousness (verses 2, 3). He is comforted by the sense of peace and protection that God gives, even when the shadow of death threatens, and delights in his favour with God (verses 4, 5). Because of God’s goodness, he proclaims he will live in the House of the Lord forever (verse 6).
Psalm 23 is a deeply meaningful and timeless psalm of universal appeal to all generations.
A Psalm of David.
6 verses 122 words.
A psalm celebrating the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the King of Glory.
It seems likely that David composed Psalm 24 for the occasion when the sacred Ark of the Covenant was joyously taken by David from its temporary resting place in the house of Obed-edom at Kiriath-jearim to Mount Zion. David and his armies had captured the Jebusite city of Mount Zion (Jerusalem), and David built his capital there. Psalm 24 was probably one of the anthems used when Jerusalem was established as the ‘City of the Great King’.
The psalm commences with the great truth of the Lord as the Sovereign Ruler and Owner of the heavens and the earth. Then the imposing question is asked about which sort of person is fitted and worthy to minister to the Lord in His temple. Apparently, David anticipated the presence of the Lord God dwelling in Jerusalem over the Ark of the Covenant, as the last section of this sacred poem speaks of the gates of the city opening so the ‘King of Glory’ may enter the city.
David begins this psalm proclaiming God as the Creator of all things on earth (verses 1, 2) and specifies God’s requirements of purity and uprightness for those who would be able to stand before God in His sanctuary (verses 3, 4). Those who are counted worthy will receive blessings, righteousness, and salvation from God when in uprightness they seek His face (verses 5, 6). Then the cry goes forth to lift up the city gates that the Lord, the King of glory, may enter (verses 7-9). The psalm is closed with the question of whom the title King of Glory refers to and the answer: the Lord of Hosts is the King of Glory (verse 10).
Psalm 24: lift up the gates; the King of Glory is coming!
A Psalm of David.
10 verses 198 words.
A psalm of devotion to the Lord, the God of the Hebrews.
Psalm 25 is the third of the acrostic or alphabetic psalms, of which there are nine (Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). Acrostic or alphabetic psalms are poetic compositions where each line or section begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This was likely incorporated into the design by the Psalmist to assist in memorizing the sacred poem. It consists of twenty-two verses corresponding to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Each verse begins with a different Hebrew letter, although this acrostic arrangement is not strictly adhered to because of the absence of three letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The psalm is a prayer of devotion, displaying expressions of faith, supplication, and repentance. However, the verses appear to show no absolute logical arrangement; instead, they feature a rapid change of direction.
Lifting his soul to the Lord, the Psalmist prays that he is shielded from shame and that the Lord shows him His ways (verses 1-5). He pleads for mercy and forgiveness for his past sins (verses 6, 7). He then proclaims the goodness of God’s ways (verses 8-10) before asking for God’s forgiveness again (verse 11). David then asks who the man is that fears the Lord, because God will teach him His ways (verse 12) and he will prosper, and the Lord will confide in him (verses 13, 14). He declares his afflictions and asks for God’s mercy and protection from them and his enemies, as his hope is set on the Lord (verses 15-21). The Psalmist closes with a plea for the redemption of Israel (verse 22).
Psalm 25 is a tender prayer illuminating the Lord God as our protector and guide as we pass through the years of our mortal lives.
A Psalm of David.
22 verses 372 words.
An appeal by the Psalmist for God’s saving grace.
Psalm 26 is a prayer of pleading to God for His watchcare and faithfulness over the Psalmist’s life. Although the author of this sacred prayer song is unknown, it shows strong evidence of a genuine depth of association and a relationship with God that is true and authentic. This is demonstrated in the Psalmist’s appeal to God to search out his mind and heart, a process of testing and purifying that only God alone has the power and supernatural ability to do. The psalm is a written proclamation of the author’s love and devotion to God.
The Psalmist asks God to test him to see that he has led a blameless life, for he has always walked in God’s truth (verses 1-3). He displays the truth that he does not associate with evildoers (verses 4, 5), but instead he seeks God in innocence, for he loves proclaiming God and being in His sanctuary (verses 6-8). He pleads to God to let him live and not die with the wicked (verses 9-11). He stands firm in his commitment to God and promises to praise the Lord before the people (verse 12).
Psalm 26 is the prayer of a truly righteous man.
A Psalm of David.
12 verses 188 words.
A heartfelt appeal for an ever stronger bonding between the Psalmist and his God.
David wrote Psalm 27 when he was hiding from Saul in the wilderness. It is the song of a righteous man who has absolute confidence in God. His devotion and love towards God are intense, for, in this sacred hymn, he expresses his desire and hope of surviving the murderous intent of others so he can dwell in God’s Temple all his life and look upon God’s face. There are no other psalms where David more strongly expresses his desire to be in the sanctuary of the Lord.
The psalm contains three sections. The first six verses express the Psalmist’s complete confidence in God, despite the peril he is in from his enemies. In the following six verses, he cries out for help, and then in the last two verses, he concludes the song with the expression of his confidence in God’s blessing.
Praising the Lord, David declares his confidence in God (verses 1-3). He expresses the strong desire to live in the Lord’s presence all his life, a place where he is safe from trouble (verses 4-6). David prays for mercy and seeks the Lord’s presence (verses 7-9). God’s love is greater than that of his parents for him (verse 10). David asks God to teach him His ways and to keep him from his enemies (verses 11-13). He then advises others to wait on the Lord (verse 14).
Psalm 27 is the song composed by a man of God who has absolute confidence in the virtue and saving grace of the Lord his God.
A Psalm of David.
14 verses 358 words.
The man of God rejoices in his answered prayers for God’s protection and support.
Psalm 28 contains no internal evidence indicating the context of its composition. David fulfilled his role as the man chosen by God and anointed as the future king of Israel. Initially, David was the king of Judah, then the king of the united states of Israel and Judah. But those were dangerous times to be king, and David encountered much treachery and many plots and schemes against his own life. Many of the psalms David composed were inspired by the numerous dangerous experiences he survived from the background of his unique circumstance. Psalm 28 has likewise arisen from this background. It is a prayer of supplication penned by David. David pleads that God would not abandon him and treat him like those who are evil in the sight of God.
The psalm has two contrasting sections. The first half is a cry for deliverance, while the second half, with an abrupt change of direction, is an inspiring expression of gratitude to God for His Divine support and assistance.
The Psalmist, David, calls to God to hear him, declaring that without God’s safekeeping, he is as good as dead (verses 1, 2). He asks for protection from the malice of his enemies and for justice to be brought down on them (verses 3, 4). They will be torn down forever as they show no regard for the Lord (verse 5). Blessed God in song for the mercies given him (verses 6-7), David praises God for being the strength of the people and the Source of their salvation and their Shepherd forever (verses 8, 9).
Psalm 28 is a valid declaration of the assistance and support that God gives to all who place their trust in Him.
A Psalm of David.
9 verses 216 words.
Psalm 29 is a s powerful and moving tribute to the Lord, the God of His people Israel.
It isn't easy to find words fitting to describe the power of this majestic psalm. With great spiritual insight, the Psalmist beautifully portrays the power and might of God, drawing on the theme of a mighty thunderstorm that rolls in from the Mediterranean Sea and crosses over the coast of Lebanon in full fury. Steadily the terrible storm moves over the land, flashing forth bright bolts of lightning, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain, flooding the countryside, yet leaving refreshment and renewal. Everything in its path is shaken and moved. The great oak trees in the forests for which Lebanon was famous cannot resist the storm's power but are twisted and stripped bare of their foliage by the strong winds and lightning. Even the majestic mountains of Sirion (Mount Hermon) are shaken. Finally, the storm reaches the Wilderness of Kadesh, delivering the last of its load of rain and spending itself in the desert region.
With expressions of intense reverence and worshipful gusto, a thrilling revelation of the glory of our God shines forth in this delightful psalm. The psalm is based on the aspect of power as seen in nature. Yet, after reading this psalm, the reader may even ponder whether nature is but a dim reflection of the Divine. The psalm conveys a powerful revelation of the brilliance, the power, and the majesty of all that is Divine and intensely reveres the Almighty God. In fact, the name of God, ‘Yahweh’ in the original Hebrew, appears eighteen times throughout this sacred song.
David praises the Lord for His glory, strength, splendour, and holiness (verses 1, 2). He proclaims God’s glory in the thunder as it roars over the water and breaks the cedars in Lebanon (verses 3-6). He likens the flashes of lightning to that of the voice of the Lord (verse 7), able to twist trees and flatten the forests (verses 8, 9). The Lord sits enthroned as King, forever overseeing the deluge, strengthening and blessing His people (verses 10-11).
Psalm 29 is a magnificent revelation of our God’s awesome power and majesty.
A Psalm of David.
11 verses 180 words.
Psalm 30 is a moving personal prayer of thanksgiving from a man whose life God has saved and prolonged.
David evidently wrote this psalm at a time when he had just recovered from a serious situation, possibly a severe injury or illness. It is a personal psalm, a prayer of rejoicing after passing through a difficult experience. The Psalmist rejoices in God for His watchcare and assistance.
The introduction of this psalm—“A Song at the Dedication of the House”, is of uncertain meaning. David may have written this sacred song for the dedication of David’s palace or the altar at the temple’s future location. David purchased the site for the temple from Araunah the Jebusite, at the time of the terrible plague (1 Chronicles chapter 21 verse 1 - chapter 22 verse 1).
Thanking God for delivering him from his enemies, David acknowledges his call on the Lord for help (verses 1-3) before turning to the saints to praise the Lord for His lifelong favour (verses 4, 5). With strength, he declares his steadfastness in God’s favour (verses 6, 7). Pleading God for mercy, David disdainfully proclaims the futility of going down to the grave (verses 8-10). With his prayer for mercy answered, David rejoices, declaring his joy and thanks to the Lord (verses 11, 12).
Psalm 30 demonstrates that God’s anger lasts only a moment, but His favour endures for life. Those who find His approval are greatly blessed.
A Psalm of David.
12 verses 238 words.
Psalm 31 is the Psalmist’s poetic rendition of God’s saving grace through many years of trouble and mortal peril.
David, the great Psalmist and king of Israel, was miraculously kept alive by the hand of God. God granted David seventy-one years of life, and he survived many hostilities and betrayals, living to a good old age and eventually dying from natural causes. Through the difficulties of some of these experiences, David came to pen the words of this poetic prayer.
Psalm 31 is a sincere heartfelt prayer pleading with God to save him from the evil intentions of his enemies, those who plotted against him and slandered him. It contains mingled verses of faith, hope, and trust in God. The psalm also has the phrase that much later was exclaimed by Jesus Christ on the cross when He was at the point of death, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (Luke chapter 23; verse 46)
This phrase of absolute trust in God was also uttered by many Dark Age European Christian martyrs, such as Anabaptists, Waldenses, and other Protestant peoples. During the thousand-year period of heinous and barbaric Catholic persecutions, perhaps a hundred million or more Protestant Christians suffered imprisonment, torture, and death by being burnt at the stake, or suffered similar cruel, protracted, and agonising deaths.
The Psalmist, David, pleads to his God for deliverance. He acknowledges the strength of the Lord as his rock, his strong fortress, and his redeemer (verses 1-5). Expressing hatred for idolatry and attesting to his trust in God (verse 6), David remembers the Lord’s love and past deliverance (verses 7, 8). He asks for mercy as he is in distress, grief, and anguish; even his eyes grow weak with sorrow (verses 9, 10).
David is in pain from the contempt and rejection of his neighbours, being shattered like pottery, and enduring slander and terror from plots against his life (verses 11-13). David asks for relief from this disgrace and that the wicked be shamed and silenced instead (verses 14-18). He notes the refuge found in the Lord by those who trust in Him (verses 19, 20). The Lord is praised for loving him and hearing his prayers even when he felt cut off from God (verses 21, 22). He implores the saints to love the Lord and be strong (verses 23, 24).
Psalm 31: the Lord saves His chosen people through great adversity.
A Psalm of David.
24 verses 525 words.
The song of a repentant man truly forgiven of his grievous sin.
Psalm 32 is the second of what is commonly known as the ‘penitential’ psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). Individuals composed the penitential psalms because they were ashamed and sorrowful for their sinful condition and wanted to depart from evil in their lives. David wrote this reverent penitential psalm after being chastened by the prophet Nathan for committing adultery with the woman Bathsheba. David also deepened the severity of his sin by having Bathsheba’s husband Uriah the Hittite slain on the battlefield. Remarkably the union between David and Bathsheba that had started in such a disgraceful and scandalous manner later produced the son Solomon. Solomon became heir to the throne of the kingdom of Israel and was remarkably the wealthiest man on earth in his day.
The psalm is one of repentance and instruction. Essentially it is the heartfelt reflective thoughts of one God has chastened for his misconduct. In the opening verses, David rejoices at the blessedness of forgiveness, thankful that God would forgive His people of their sins. He then confesses his sinfulness and gives instructions on how a person should live, concluding with an outlining of the two great classes of people.
David acknowledges the blessedness of being forgiven of his sins (verses 1, 2). He relates the agony and anguish upon him before confessing his sin (verses 3, 4) and the forgiveness found once he became repentant (verse 5). David calls on the godly to seek God for forgiveness while they can (verse 6). The Lord is his haven, and He will teach him the right way to go freely, without compulsion (verses 7-9). The Lord’s love is unfailing for all who trust Him, who rejoice in the Lord (verses 10, 11).
Psalm 32: God forgives the sins of His people and cleanses them of their iniquities.
A Psalm of David.
11 verses 252 words.
It is good for the righteous to rejoice in the Lord and praise Him for His awesome works.
Psalm 33 is a joyful hymn of praise to the Lord God. Although the psalm lacks an introduction and does not include the author’s name, it was probably composed for use on a day of national celebration. The name of God is used extensively throughout the psalm, appearing thirteen times in total.
The psalm consists of twenty-two verses, the same number as the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, but it is not acrostic. Praise is given to God as the Creator, Sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth, and the faithful Provider for His people on earth. The righteous are called upon to glorify God in song with the accompaniment of musical instruments.
Because God is worthy, the Psalmist calls on us to sing joyfully to the Lord, praise Him with music, and shout for joy (verses 1-4). He should be revered as He made the heavens and the earth by His Word (verses 5-9). The Lord’s plans are firm, and He can readily thwart man’s plans (verses 10, 11).
The Lord, who looks down on the earth from heaven and sees all of humanity, knows that man has nothing by which he can save himself (verses 12-17). Only those who hope in the Lord will be delivered from death (verses 18, 19). Those who hope in the Lord rejoice in His unfailing love (verses 20-22).
Psalm 33: A psalm of praise to the Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, and the Protector of His people.
Author not stated.
22 verses 364 words.
An acrostic psalm highly commending the service of the Lord.
Psalm 34 is the fourth of the acrostic or alphabetic psalms, of which there are nine in total (Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). Acrostic or alphabetic psalms are poetic compositions where each line or section begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic design was probably incorporated into the phrases by the Psalmist to assist in memorizing the sacred poem.
According to the introduction, David wrote the psalm to commemorate his successful escape from Abimelech by feigning insanity. Abimelech here probably refers to Achish, the king of the Philistine city of Gath. David fled to Gath seeking to escape Saul, only to find that Achish was also a substantial threat (see 1 Samuel 21:10 - 22:1). However, David makes no other mention of this incident throughout the remainder of Psalm 34. The psalm is a song of heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving to God for his deliverance.
The psalm consists of twenty-two verses written with considerable regularity, with each verse commencing with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet arranged in alphabetic order with only two exceptions. John the Beloved, the disciple of Jesus, quoted in part from this psalm in the Gospel Book of John in describing the awful mistreatment the Messiah would have otherwise received after He was crucified and still hung dead on the cross: “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken” (John chapter 19; verse 36).
Psalm 34: taste and see that the Lord is good!
A Psalm of David.
22 verses 393 words.
Psalm 35 is the descriptive account of a hunted and persecuted man.
The theme of this psalm is remarkable in that it closely resembles the experience of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth.
David found himself the target of many treacherous schemes and insurrections. From one such encounter, we now have this psalm, penned by David while he was being hunted, possibly by Saul or by David’s son Absalom. Essentially it is a psalm of appeal, a prayer of a distressed man pleading to God for deliverance. Hostile men who were once friends David loved later hated him, and some even wanted to kill him. But David knew that God had chosen him from a young age to lead God’s people, Israel, through the hostile times they faced. David had experienced God’s watchcare and faithfulness for many years, so he knew that God would certainly now protect him from his enemies.
Psalm 35 is an imprecatory psalm (a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon someone), with David pleading for Divine punishment on his adversaries. He calls on God to fight for his cause and bring dismay against his enemies. It consists of twenty-eight verses with three principal divisions that each finish with a grateful note of thanksgiving. The first ten verses are a prayer (verses 1-10), the following eight verses give a detailed description of his enemies (verses 11-18), with the closing ten verses being an appeal for Divine intervention and the promise of praise to come (verses 19-28).
The Psalmist looks to his God for rescue. David calls on God to fight with him against his enemies (verses 1-3), causing them to be shamed and brought to their ruin (verses 4-8). Then his soul will rejoice in the salvation of the Lord, and he will exclaim, “Lord, who is like You?” (verses 9, 10). Even former friends betray him, repaying him with evil for good. He mourned for them when he suffered ill health, but when he stumbled, they mercilessly slandered him (verses 11-16). Because of their malice, David asks God to defend him and put these enemies to shame and dishonour (verses 17-26). He asks all who remained loyal to him to exalt the Lord because He delighted in His servant (verse 27). David vows to always speak of God’s righteousness and praise (verse 28).
Psalm 35 is presented here with respect to our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus endured great suffering and hardship during His Messianic mission to the earth. However, while He appeared to be an ordinary man in form, so hiding His Divine identity from all, He obtained an enormous victory for the Most High God. The difficulties Jesus Christ faced before He was crucified appear to closely parallel David’s own experiences, according to the type of descriptions David has used throughout this psalm.
A Psalm of David.
28 verses 560 words.
Psalm 36 provides a powerful contrast between human wickedness and the pure and upright virtues of the Lord our God.
David has long been honoured as the celebrated Psalmist for a good reason. This psalm is another of his classics: powerfully moving, inspiring, and spiritually rich. The language used is beautiful.
The first four verses describe human wickedness (verses 1-4), which is then contrasted with the Psalmist’s celebration of the goodness and love of God. God is praised for the beauty of His attributes with elevating descriptions (verses 5-9). Then David offers a brief prayer of faith, asking that God would continue to reveal His goodness and His salvation to His people, and His protection and safe keeping (verses 10, 11), to the one whom God spoke of as being a man after His own heart—David (the prophet Samuel addressed David’s predecessor, the Israelite king Saul with the words recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 13; verses 13 and 14). The psalm closes with an extraordinary analysis of the final outcome of wickedness, which is entrapment and death (verse 12).
Psalm 36 is an inspiring revelation of our God and His wisdom for everyone on earth.
A Psalm of David.
12 verses 239 words.
A popular psalm presenting a rich treasure of godly wisdom and sacred truth.
Psalm 37 is the fifth of the acrostic or alphabetic psalms, of which there are nine in total (Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). Acrostic or alphabetic psalms are poetic compositions where each line or section begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic design was probably incorporated into the phrases by the Psalmist to assist in memorizing the sacred poem.
David wrote this psalm in his old age, and it has been popular ever since it was written, with many of the verses appearing in the hymns and spiritual songs of both Jewish and Christian people alike. Essentially it is a psalm of counsel. The Psalmist is ageing, so he writes from the viewpoint of one of mature age who expresses his own experiences in hindsight throughout the verses. He counsels us to trust in God, for in His own time, the Lord will punish the wicked but reward the righteous.
Psalm 37 is a lengthy psalm consisting of forty verses. The Psalmist is concerned about the transitory nature of material wealth. He is discomforted that wicked people prosper through their ruthless activities, while the righteous pass through life without abundant wealth and prosperity. He describes the experience but is satisfied that the saints’ reward is vastly superior, for the salvation of God and all His blessings attend the godly but corrupt and wicked men pass away. The theme of the first verse is repeated and broadened throughout the following thirty-nine verses.
A Psalm of David.
40 verses 717 words.
A heart-rending plea to the Lord for help from a deeply distressed man.
Psalm 38 is the third of what is commonly known as the ‘penitential’ psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). They were written by individuals who were ashamed and sorrowful for their sinful condition and wanted to depart from evil in their lives. This prayer is a graphic portrayal of suffering.
The Psalmist provides a vivid description of the experience of intense suffering of both body and mind. He cries out in his sin and opens his heart to God. His sufferings are intensified by the realization that even his close friends have abandoned him, further grieving his soul. He is a hunted man who lives in constant fear for his own life, with enemies bent on killing him. He appeals to God, begging Him to stay close and save him.
The psalm consists of twenty-two verses and has three parts, each beginning with an appeal or request to God. Verses 1 to 8 present the immense extent of his suffering; verses 9 to 14 his patience and endurance; and verses 15 to 22 his plea to God for help. The psalm is the product of a skilful poet. It features clever wordplays, well-ordered parallelisms, and careful rhythmic measures throughout the original Hebrew language in which it was written.
David pleads with the Lord for mercy. His guilt is overwhelming, and his body is in pain. He is weak and in anguish (verses 1-10). He is forsaken by his friends and feels helpless (verses 11-16). Confessing his troubling wickedness, he notes his many enemies (verses 17-20) and ends with a final plea for help (verses 21, 22).
Psalm 38 is a cry to God for mercy from an afflicted and penitential man stalked by the wicked and tormented by his sins.
A Psalm of David.
22 verses 367 words.
A moving prayer lamenting the fragility of mortal life.
is the saddened prayer of the Psalmist laying bare the grievances in his soul. Many trials come upon him while living an upright life before God. He is concerned that even though God is good, suffering is inflicted upon the righteous under His rule. However, they are innocent (which was also the wholehearted complaint of the Biblical patriarch Job).
The Psalmist is uncertain about his future and asks that God would reveal the outcome of his days. With penitential solemnity, he speaks out against the sins of men and declares his righteous repentance. Being a man of faith, the Psalmist looks to God to deliver him from his transgressions and ponders the burden of the Lord’s correction he must carry.
In closing, he appeals to God to hear his prayer and grant him some peace from His seemingly harsh discipline. The psalm is addressed to Jeduthun, the chief musician, and as such, no doubt the Psalmist designed the prayer to be set to appropriate music in a song.
Trying to hold his tongue in the presence of his enemies, David becomes anguished and speaks to God (verses 1-3), asking to know the number of his days. He acknowledges the shortness of his life compared to that of God (verses 4, 5). Man and his wealth are temporal; his only hope is in God (verses 6, 7). Asking for salvation from both sin and the scorn of fools (verses 8, 9), he acknowledges the discipline already handed to him by God (verses 10, 11). David cries to God for help (verses 12, 13).
Psalm 39 is the prayer of a man of God expressing his soul’s anguish from the awareness of his mortal fragility.
A Psalm of David.
13 verses 304 words.
Psalm 40 is an inspirational psalm clearly foretelling key attributes of the Messiah.
The Book of Psalms contains seventy-three psalms where David is credited as the author in the title and probably a number of the other psalms without a title. David was a skilful writer and poet and musically competent. He had known God from infancy and wrote the spiritually rich content of the psalms under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Many of his psalms portray vividly detailed, accurate revelations of the Lord’s Messiah and wholesale revelations of God’s great spiritual truths and holiness.
David was so significant as an Old Testament author and authentic prophet that his far-reaching influence has forever changed world history. His powerful and intimately-detailed Messianic prophecies in the Book of Psalms were authored a thousand years before Jesus Christ fulfilled them.
David’s seventy-three psalms have been heavily utilised by both Judaism and Christianity since they were composed. The psalms were written for singing and have been extremely popular for use in hymns, spiritual songs, and devotional worship by individuals and public gatherings by billions of people worldwide for 3,000 years.
In like fashion, Psalm 40 breathes out the fragrance of heaven, the aroma of God to humanity, revealing the nature of the coming Messiah. Part of this timeless and uplifting psalm (verses 6-8) appears in the New Testament Book of Hebrews (see Hebrews 10:5-10), and is quoted as further evidence to powerfully ratify the truthfulness of the divinity of Jesus Christ to the Hebrew race.
In like fashion, Psalm 40 breathes out the fragrance of heaven, the aroma of God to humanity, revealing the nature of the coming Messiah. Part of this timeless and uplifting psalm (verses 6-8) appears in the New Testament Book of Hebrews (see Hebrews 10:5-10), and is quoted as further evidence to powerfully ratify the truthfulness of the divinity of Jesus Christ to the Hebrew race.
Essentially the psalm is of moderate length and contains a mixture of praise and petition. Consisting of seventeen verses, it opens with a personal thanksgiving (verses 1-3), followed by a declaration of the Lord’s watchcare and faithfulness to His people (verses 4-10). The psalm closes with a prayer for deliverance from pressing troubles and the overthrow of enemies (verses 11-17).
The Lord hears the cry of His servant and lifts him up from the ground. He sets him firmly on a rock and gives His servant a new song of praise to God (verses 1-3). The man who trusts in the Lord receives many blessings and grounds for praising God (verses 4, 5). The will be no need for burnt offerings and sin offerings, as the one written about beforehand with the Law of God written on his heart is coming (verses 6-8).
The man speaks of righteousness and doesn’t hide it in his heart. He outlines the faithfulness and salvation of the Lord, proclaiming the truth and love of God to people (verses 9, 10). He asks for God’s mercy and protection as many troubles surround Him (verses 11, 12). He asks the Lord for urgent help, so his enemies are made to be ashamed and put to confusion (verses 13-15). May the righteous always praise God, and the Lord not delay coming to his assistance (verses 16, 17).
Psalm 40 is a comforting witness to people of faith that God views them with compassion and kindness, caring for them through their times of trial and trouble.
A Psalm of David.
17 verses 407 words.
Psalm 41 is an admonishment to charity, goodwill, and blessings, foretelling God’s epic Messianic plan.
In His genuine care and concern for fallen humanity, God has encouraged Christians to show compassion and goodwill toward the world’s needy since Jesus Christ ascended back to Paradise nearly 2,000 years ago. To this day, Christian organizations expend many of their resources on welfare: a powerful witness to God’s benevolence for fallen humanity.
David opens this psalm with the phrase, “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in times of trouble”.
Since ancient times a measure of goodwill and support for those with lesser resources has accompanied God’s people on their journey through their mortal lives on earth. The Psalmist also promises God’s blessing and support towards such people in their time of need, like the popular phrase, ‘What goes around, comes around’.
David probably composed this psalm during a time of severe sickness. Former friends of David have become traitors, increasing his suffering. The psalm commences with promised blessings for people who minister to the needy before outlining the disloyalty of former friends and finishes with a prayer of hope and thanksgiving.
The latter part of this psalm appears to outline the treachery of Judas Iscariot prophetically. Jesus Christ quoted part of the psalm in the Book of John, chapter 13, verse 18, regarding Judas Iscariot.
Psalm 41 is the final psalm of Book One of the Book of Psalms.
The man who cares for the poor will himself be cared for by God (verses 1-3). Praying for mercy for his sins, David notes the hostility of his enemies and particularly that of a once trusted close friend. He asks the Lord for healing so he can avenge them (verses 4-10). David knows the Lord is pleased with and upholds him (verses 11, 12). He closes the psalm with praise to the everlasting God of Israel (verse 13).
Psalm 41: the Psalmist delivers the promise of God’s blessing on those who help the poor, and he writes of his own afflictions that were also paralleled and prophetically fulfilled much later by the Messiah in His day.
A Psalm of David.
13 verses 253 words.