Carefully Examining the Text

Psalm 45

This psalm describes a royal wedding. The king is mentioned in 45:1, 5, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15. 45:1 The writer speaks of his skill and his good theme 45:2-9 Give a description of the queen These verses present an ideal picture of who the king is. The king is the best looking of men- vs. 2; I Sam. 9:2; 16:12; II Sam. 14:25; I Kings 1:6 The king is the mightiest of warriors- vs. 3-5; I Sam. 8:20 The king fights for the most noble of causes- vs. 4 The king loves what is right and hates what is wrong- v...

Psalm 44

This is the first of eleven national laments in the book of Psalms. 44:1-8 Israel's Glorious Past The word save is used in vs. 3, 6, 7. They did not win the land of Canaan nor their great victories in the past by their own power but by God's. The phrase "all day long" is going to be used in vs. 8, 15, 22. 44:9-16 Israel's Miserable Present Nothing in vs. 1-8 prepared us for the dramatic shift in vs. 9-16. 44:17-22 Their Protest of Innocence No other psalm make such claims of national fidelity li...

Psalms 42 and 43

Why would we combine these Psalms? 1. The same refrain appears in 42:5, 11; 43:5 2. There are other similar lines- compare 42:9; 43:2 3. There is no heading to Psalm 43 in the Hebrew text These are the first Psalms we have studied ascribed to someone other than David. The "sons of Korah" are mentioned in the heading of Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88. They are apparently descendants of Korah the Levite of Num. 16 who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron and perished. His sons did not perish- N...

Psalm 41

The writer may state his conclusion at the beginning of the Psalm- 41:1-3. How blessed is the one who considers the helpless- 41:1 Then the text gives six (6) lines to show how he will be blessed- 41:1b-3. David's speaks- 41:4 His enemies take center stage- 41:5-9. The psalm mentions "enemies" 41:5, "enemy"- 41:11, and those "who hate me" 41:7. The plot and plan against David. They gossip about him. They anxiously await his death. Be gracious to me, David says- 41:10. The plea for God to be grac...

Psalm 40

A Psalm of David 40:1-2 He has waited for the LORD and he has lifted his feet up out of the clay 40:3-5 The LORD put a new song in his mouth 40:6-8 God desires a complete submission to Him and a desire to do His will 40:9-10 He has not been quiet about God's deliverance 40:11-12 He begs God not to withhold compassion from Him 40:13-17 He asks God to hurry to his rescue

Psalm 39

Key Themes in Psalm 39 Silence- 39:1-3, 9, 12 Brevity of Life- 39:4-6, 11, 12 Sin and suffering- 39:8-11 Jesus fulfills Psalm 39 This ending is answered in the resurrection of Jesus. This psalm reveals “the bewilderment about man that was only finally dispelled when the Word became flesh, and when the gospel brought life and immortality to light” Kidner, 156. 39:1-2, 9 Jesus’ silence when on trial- Matt. 26:62-64; 27:11-14. 39:2 His silence did not eliminate Jesus’ grief - Matt. 26:37-38. 39:8 J...

Psalm 38

This Psalm repeatedly references David's sickness- 38:3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17. He is suffering intensely. He is suffering because of his sin- 38:3, 4, 5, 18. This is not to say all suffering is directly connected to our personal sin. The book of Job shows that is not true. However, we cannot say that there is no connection between personal sin and suffering either. David experiences it right here. His enemies add to his pain- 38:12, 16, 19, 20 - while his friends stand far off- 38:11 . Jesus exper...

Psalm 37

Righteous- vs. 12, 16, 17, 21, 25, 29, 30, 32, 39 Other brief descriptions of the righteous: 11 “humble” same word used in vs. 14 14 “The afflicted and needy,” “who are upright in conduct” 18 “the blameless” 22 “blessed by Him” 37 “the blameless man,” “upright,” and “man of peace” Characteristics of righteous- 21 “the righteous is gracious and gives” 26 “All day long, he is gracious and lends. And his descendants are a blessing” 30 “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks ...

Psalm 36

This psalm contrast the character of the wicked- 36:1-4- with the character of God- 36:5-9 36:1 Transgression speaks- These two words are put together this way only here in the Bible. The word "speaks" is often translated "oracle" and refers to an oracle from the LORD. Here it is transgression or rebellion that is giving this oracle. "There is no fear of God before his eyes" Romans 3:18 quotes this. 36:4 The wicked man plans evil upon his bed. Compare Micah 2:1-2 and Proverbs 4:16. Contrast this...

Psalm 35 C

Three main points that we make in this our third podcast on Psalm 35. 1. Jesus experienced the pain and suffering David spoke of on a level deeper than he ever did See vs. 7, 11, 12, 15 especially 2. Jesus did not curse because of this suffering but He called for a blessing instead This is not to criticize imprecatory prayers, but it is to say that is not what Jesus engaged in. Jesus took the curse upon Himself- Galatians 3:13/ Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Jesus called for mercy for those who tormented ...

Psalm 35 B - Can we pray calling judgment on the wicked?

This Psalm calls down curses upon those who have opposed the Psalmist. See verses 1-8, 26. Sometimes we hear that these prayers were acceptable in the Old Testament but they are not acceptable today. In the OT God's people were encouraged to love their enemies- Exodus 23:4-5; Prov. 25:21-22. In the OT God's people were forbidden from taking personal vengeance- Proverbs 20:22; 24:29. In the NT we find God's people calling down curses upon the wicked- I Cor. 16:22; Galatians 1:8-9; 5:12; Rev. 6:9-...

Psalm 35

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. In this Psalm David describes how he was mistreated, lied about, pursued by wicked people. Frequently through the Psalm David will affirm his innocence- vs. 7, 7, 11, 13-14, He calls on God to rescue him and to judge those who are mistreating him- vs. 3, 4-8, 26 He calls on God to bring the same kind of judgment upon the wicked that they are bringing upon him. We sometimes call this lex talionis. Lex talio...

Psalm 34

This psalm speaks of the fear- vs. 4- troubles- vs. 6, 17- afflictions - vs. 19- of the righteous. This psalm speaks of the LORD delivering and rescuing His people from afflictions- vs. 4, 6, 17, 19. Psalm 34 speaks of God protecting HIs people- vs. 7, 9, 10, 15, 20, 22. This psalm speaks of God judging the wicked- vs. 16, 21. Psalm 34:20 is applied to Christ's death on the cross- John 19:36 and context. John 19:36 also applies to Jesus fulfilling the picture of the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12:46...

Psalm 33

This Psalm praises God 33:1-5 Sing to Him a new song and praise Him you who are righteous 33:6-9 The LORD as Creator- Let all stand in awe of Him 33:10-12 The counsel and plans of the nations are thwarted but God's counsel and plans stand 33:13-15 The LORD sees all people and all their works 33:16-17 Victory belongs to the LORD Kings, warriors, and horses cannot bring victory by their own strength but the LORD is source of our strength 33:18-19 The eyes of the LORD are upon us and rescue us from...

Psalm 32

This psalm describes David's struggle with unconfessed sin and then the joys of forgiveness when he humbled himself before God. 1. The burden of sin - 32:3-5 His bones have wasted away and he is groaning- 32:3 His pain is perpetual- 32:3 "all day long" and 32:4 "Day and night" The hand of the LORD is heavy against him- Ruth 1:13; I Sam. 5:6, 7, 9. The hand of the LORD that David looked to in 31:5, 15 is now pressing against him heavily. This is not God's fault but it is David. His strength is dr...

Psalm 31

The Psalm is quoted by Christ on the cross. Psalm 31:5 is quoted by Jesus in Luke 23:46. This does not mean that the psalm speaks exclusively of Jesus since 31:10 makes a reference to the writer's "iniquity"- NASB. Some versions have words like "misery" instead of "iniquity." The word "iniquity" is based on the Hebrew text and the word "misery" is based on the Greek translation of the OT. Notice some of the things that David experienced that Christ also experienced. They laid a net to trap him- ...

Psalm 30

This psalm tells us God's anger is for a moment but His favor is for a lifetime- vs. 5. God will turn our mourning into danger and give us garments of joy instead of sackcloth- vs.11 Judgement is not the final word for God's people Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 54:7-10 Jesus fulfills the psalm in the greatest sense by HIs resurrection and He turns our grief to joy.

Psalm 29

The Power of God in the thunderstorm The psalm speaks of the LORD 18 times and the "voice of the LORD" 7 times. The Canaanites believed that Baal controlled the storm and the lightning. But the things that psalms attributes to Baal, the Bible attributes to YHWH. The showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is about who controls these the storm, the lightning, and the weath. 29:1-2 A Call to Praise God 29:3-9 The glory of God in the thunderstorm 29:10-11 The LORD as King forever Jesus ful...

Psalm 28

This psalm has been described as an individual lament or a psalm of thanksgiving or a royal psalm. 28:1-5 Petition 28:6-9 Praise Key words: Notice has "hear the voice of my supplication" in vs. 2 is picked up in vs. 6. The word "hands" is used to refer to David lifting his hands to God in vs. 2, the hands of the wicked in vs. 4, and the work of God's hands in vs. 5. The word "bless" is used in vs. 6 of David blessing God and in vs. 9 begging God to bless David. In vs. 2 David "lifted up" his han...

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? These bold words introduce this psalm. 27:1-6 sound more like a psalm of confidence or praise 27:7-14 sound more like an individual lament as David pours out his problems to God Some have suggested that these were originally two different psalms. However, a common vocabulary ties the portions of this psalm together: "God of my salvation" vs. 1, 9; "adversaries" or "foes" in vs. 2, 12; "heart" in vs. 3, 8, 14; "seek" in . 4, 8, 9. These ar...

Psalm 26

Psalm 25

What does Psalm 25 teach us about God? 1. God is a God of forgiveness 25:6-7, 11, 18 God is a God of mercy- 25:6 Lovingkindness- 25:6, 7, 10 Good- 25:7-8 faithfulness or truth- 25:10 He forgives based on His goodness- 25:7- and His name's sake- 25:11 2. God is a God who teaches, instructs us in the right way 25:4-5, 8-10, 12-14 God instructs sinners in the way- Sin means to miss the mark- Judges 20:16- and those who miss the mark are taught the right way or right path by God- 25:4, 4, 8, 9, 12. ...

Psalm 24

This psalm could be divided into three distinct parts- vs. 1-2, 3-6, 7-10. 24:1-2 The LORD's dominion over all in heaven, earth, and sea 24:3-6 Who may ascend into God's holy place? One must have clean hands and a pure heart. He must not lift up his soul to falsehood nor swear deceitfully 24:7-10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts What does the Psalm teach us about God? How does the Psalm foreshadow Christ?

Psalm 23

The LORD is portrayed as the good shepherd in vs. 1-4 and a gracious host in vs. 5-6. Some passages that talk of the work of a shepherd are Genesis 31:39-40 The shepherd worked tirelessly I Samuel 17:34-36 He risked his life Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7 He went looking after every lost sheep Isaiah 40:11 He carried the sheep in his bosom The shepherd protected and provided for his sheep. The LORD is a gracious host unlike Simon in Luke 7:44-46 23:6 pursue- is a word that deals with a diligent c...

Psalm 22 Part 2

This psalm is quoted or echoed repeatedly in the New Testament and applied to the suffering of Christ. There is no clear record of pre-New Testament sources applying this to the sufferings of the Messiah. Psalm 22:1 is quoted in Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 Psalm 22:7-8 is alluded to in Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29; Luke 23:34-35 Psalm 22:18 is quoted and applied to Christ's suffering in John 19:23-24 Psalm 22:22 is quoted and applied to Jesus in Hebrews 2:12 Does this psalm speak exclusively of Jesus...

Psalm 22 Part 1

This psalm is often quoted in the New Testament. In this podcast we are simply seeking to explain it in its OT setting. Lord willing, in the next podcast we will talk about its use in the NT. In this psalm there is a contrast between the "I/me" sections where David explains his crisis and the sections that emphasize "You" as he begs God's help. 22:1-2 Why have You forsaken me? 22:3-5 The LORD has delivered Israel in the past 22:6-8 David is despised and mocked The glorious past only increases hi...

Psalm 21

This and the previous psalm are both usually called "royal psalms." These psalms are linked by the Hebrew word for "salvation" in 20:5, 6, 6, 9; 21:1, 5. The word "king" is used in 20:9; 21:1, 7. The "right hand" appears in 20:6; 21:8. Psalm 21 begins and ends with a mention of the LORD and His strength 21:1-7 The LORD is source of all the king's blessings and strength 21:8-12 The enemies are conquered Are the "you" and "your" words a reference to God or to the king? Whichever view we take may n...

Psalm 20

This is called a royal psalm because of the emphasis on the role of the anointed- vs. 6- and the king- vs. 9. Key words in the Psalm: "answer" in vs. 1, 6, 6, 9 "victories" "saves" "saving" or "save" are all from the same root word in vs. 5, 6, 6, 9 The word "name" is used in 20:1, 5, 7. The people had great hopes for the king- II Sam. 21:17; Lamentations 4:20 The king's responsibility is to trust God and to remember Him- vs. 7 Some trusted in horses and chariots but battles were won by God's po...

Psalm 19

C. S. Lewis called it the greatest poem in the book of Psalms. 19:1-6 The heavens are declaring the glory of God If creation overwhelms us and leads us to stand in awe, how much more should we stand in awe of the Creator HImself. 19:2-4 They bear constant testimony to who God is. They speak a language with no words but they speak a language that has no limits or boudaries. 19:4-6 The glory is shown in the sun bursting forth from its chamber. 19:7-11 God's glory in HIs special revelation of Scrip...

Psalm 18- Part 2

In this royal psalm, David acknowledges that all he is and has is from God. 18:3 He hears David's call and rescues him 18:16 He drew him out of many waters 18:17 He delivered him from the strong enemy 18:18 The LORD is his stay in time of calamity 18:28 The LORD is his lamp 18:29 By God's strength he performs heroic acts 18:30 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him 18:31 The LORD is his rock 18:32 The LORD girds him with strength and makes him blameless 18:33 He makes his feet strong 18:...