This psalm calls the earth to rejoice that the LORD reigns The fact "the LORD reigns" ( Ps. 93:1; 96:10; 97;1; 99:1 ) or God is King ( Ps. 95:3; 98:6) is emphasized repeatedly in the psalms through this section. 97:2 The LORD dwells in thick darkness- Sinai- Exod. 19:16-19; 20:18-21; Deut. 4:11-12; 5:22; Heb. 12:18. Solomon's prayer stresses the same in I Kings 8:12; II Chron. 6:1. Sometimes the Bible stresses God dwells in light- Ps. 104:2; I Tim. 6:16. Whether God is pictured as dwelling in li...
Nov 29, 2023•21 min
I Chron. 16:23-33 records this virtually word for word. That chapter is describing the moving of the ark to Jerusalem. “In recapturing for us the triumphal entry of the ark to Jerusalem, the Chronicles writes out nearly the whole of this psalm, with part of two others (105, 106), as the centerpiece of his chapter” Kidner, 346. Invitations to praise are found in vv. 1-3, 7-10a, 11-12a and reasons for praise are found in vv. 4-6, 10b, 12b-13. “Three strophes in vs. 1-6, 7-10, and 11-13, each consi...
Nov 10, 2023•18 min
This is both a call to worship and praise and a prophetic rebuke. vs. 1-2, 6 are exhortations which continually cry "Let us" (6 times). We are called to praise, thank, and bow showing our humility before God. vs. 3-5, 7 give reasons to praise, thank, and bow before God. vs. 7c-11 is a prophetic rebuke quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11 in the NT. New Testament use of this psalm Heb. 3:7-4:11 “Christians are like the wanderers in the wilderness, rescued from Egypt (the bondage to sin and death), but not ye...
Nov 02, 2023•23 min
94:1-7 God of vengeance shine forth 94:1 O Lord, God of vengeance- This is the only time in the Bible that the LORD is addressed this way. Deut. 32:35; Ps. 58:10; 79:10; Prov. 20:22; Isaiah 35:4; Jer. 51:6; Ezek. 25:12, 14, 17; Nah. 1:2; Rom. 12:19; Heb. 10:30. He is the God who rights wrongs that wicked men bring upon those helpless to resist. 94:8-11 A warning to those who think they can hide their way from God 94:12-15 An encouragement to those who are experiencing evil treatment 94:16-23 The...
Oct 25, 2023•24 min
The LORD reigns is declared in Ps. 93:1; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1. The LORD is King is said in Ps. 95:3; 98:6. The word King is the noun and reign the verb of the same Hebrew root word. The only Psalm between Psalms 93-99 that do not state God is King or He reigns in Psalm 94 and it must be associated in some way with His reign. We will see more about that, LORD willing, when we cover that text. Psalm 89 was a Royal Psalm, a psalm emphasizing the human king from the line of David, and apparently writte...
Oct 18, 2023•18 min
There is no title like the one in Psalm 92. I t was used for worship on the Sabbath days . Lev. 23:3 shows us that the Sabbath was a day of worship. The Psalm praises God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness. These attributes of God are especially highlighted in the Psalms. Recently in our study of the Psalms, Psalm 89 used both of these terms 7 times. The last time these words were used the author was questioning what happened to God’s lovingkindness and God’s faithfulness- 89:49. Psalm 92:2 empha...
Sep 27, 2023•24 min
This psalm gives far reaching promises to which few passages of the Bible compare. While people will fall dead all around the righteous, it will not happen to God's people (vs. 7). "No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near you (vs. 10) . God's angel will not even let us strick our foot against a stone (vs. 12). Do these words mean that someone who suffers any of the difficulties described has been unfaithful to God? That seems to be the way that Eliphaz uses these kind of pictures ...
Sep 13, 2023•25 min
The heading speaks of this as the prayer of Moses. Moses is mentioned 8 times in the Psalms and 7 of those 8 are in Psalms 90-106. Psalm 90 stresses The Eternity of God- 90:1-2, 4 The Sovereignty of God- 90:3, 5 God holds man's life in His hand The Wrath of God against sin- 90:7, 9, 11. God is also a God of lovingkindness- 90:14 This Psalm stresses the brevity of man's life- 90:3, 5-6, 10, 12 It stresses that man is frail, weak, and dependent upon God The link between sin and death is shown in t...
Sep 06, 2023•19 min
Verses 1-18 praised God and glorified HIm, especially for HIs lovingkindness and faithfulness V erses 19-37 celebrated God's lovingkindness and faithfulness in the promises to David Verses 38-51 But not introduces this section where it does not seem the promises of God have been fulfilled It seems like what was promised the kings from the line of David has not been fulfilled. 89:42 is a good illustration of this. Exalted- God is exalted in 89:13 and the people are exalted by God in 89:16, 17 and...
Aug 24, 2023•21 min
This psalm is a poetic version of the account in II Sam. 7 89:1-18 Praised God as incomparable and full of lovingkindness and faithfulness 89:19-37 God's promises to David stress His lovingkindness and faithfulness Many of the things said of the David/ His offspring are things similar to what was said in other royal psalms. 89:23 He will crush His foes militarily- Ps. 2:8-9; 110:1-3 89:25 I shall also set His hand of the sea- His reign will be universal- Ps. 2:8-9; 72:8-11 89:26-27 The Father/So...
Aug 16, 2023•24 min
This Psalm ends Book 3 of the Psalms- Psalms 73-89 It is unique in that it moves from praise in vs. 1-18 to lament in vs. 38-52. Most psalms of lament move in the opposite direction- Pss. 13, 22, 31, 69 are examples. Lovingkindness- NASB or steadfast love- ESV is a key word in the Psalm appearing in vs. 1, 2, 14, 24, 28, 33, 49. Faithfulness is also found 7 times in the Psalm- vs. 1, 2, 5, 8, 24, 33, 49. The word forever appears in vs. 1, 2, 4, 28, 29, 36, 37 God's lovingkindess and faithfulness...
Aug 10, 2023•20 min
There is not sadder psalm that Psalm 88 it gives an extensive vocabulary of death Sheol- 88:3 ; Pit- 88:4, 6; Dead/ death - 88:5, 10, 15; Grave - 88:5, 11; Dark/ darkness- 88:6, 12, 18; shades - 88:10; Abaddon- 88:11; land of forgetfulness - 88:12 He describes God as being behind his problems- 88;6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 18 Lessons from Psalm 88 1. Some suffering in this life may never end 2. He does not give up on God and continues to pray 3. It makes us long for God's blessings and eternity Jesus ...
Aug 02, 2023•21 min
It is a psalm of the sons of Korah 87:3 T he psalm emphasizes the city of God as does Psalm 46:4 and 48:1, 2, 8, 8. N otice the emphasis on those who were born in the city in 87:4, 5, 6. This city also clearly refers to a people who know God - 87:4 87:4 Rahab in this verse is tied to Egypt and proof of that word used is found in Isaiah 27:1; 51:9-11. God's people will include people from far away superpowers like Egypt and Babylon. God's people will include people from persistent enemies like th...
Jul 26, 2023•18 min
This psalm focuses on God The name Adonai is used and translated Lord in 86:3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15. The name Yahweh is used and translated LORD in 86:1, 6, 11, 17. The word Elohim is used and translated God in 86:2, 10, 12, 14 and gods in 86:8. The word El is used and translated God in 86:15. The personal pronoun You is used of God in 86:2, 5, 10, 10, 15, 17. Whatever else Psalm 86 is about, it is first and foremost about God. 86:1-7 He cries and begs for God to hear 86:8-13 There is no one like ...
Jul 12, 2023•23 min
Notice what the Psalm says about the nature of God- 85:3-5 speaks of God's fury, burning anger, indignation, angry, anger 85:7, 10 God's lovingkindness 85:10, 11 God's truth or faithfulness 85:10, 11, 13 God's righteousness 85:8, 10 speaks of God's peace The word שוב in Hebrew used twice in vs. 1 and translated in the NASB "restore of captivty." It is used in vs. 3 and translated "turned away." In vs. 4 it is translated "Restore" and "again" in vs. 6 and in vs. 8 "turned back." How does Jesus fu...
Jun 28, 2023•18 min
What does the Psalm say about God? LORD of hosts- 84:1, 3, 8, 12 the living God- 84:2 my King and my God- 84:3 O God of Jacob- 84:8 LORD is a sun and shield- 84:11 How does the Psalm describe the temple? 84:1 Your dwelling place 84:2 the courts of the LORD; 84:10 Your courts 84:4, 10 the house of the LORD 84:3 Your altars What are the motivations and results of public worship? 1. It is an expression of a deep longing for God- 84:2, 10 2.It reminds us God is our strength-84:5-7 and our trust- 84:...
Jun 14, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 84
Name is a key idea in the Psalm appearing in vs. 4, 16, 18. vs. 1-5 Petition to God in the midst of crisis The enemies are God's enemies in vs. 2, 5 They are enemies of Israel in vs. 3-4 vs. 6-8 A roll call of the enemies These 10 groups seem to represent Israel's enemies past and present vs. 9-12 Deal with them as You dealt with the enemies of Your people in the days of the judges Jabin and Sisera - Judges 4-5 Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna- Judges 7-8 Interestingly, the judges are not mention...
Jun 07, 2023•21 min
The first podcast on Psalm 82 dealt with the question of who are the "gods" or "judges" of vs. 1 in whose midst God rules. 82:2-4 How long will you continue to judge unjustly? vs. 3-4 use four imperatives to describe what the judges should have done. vs. 3-4 some six terms are used to describe those who should have been the objects of the judges' mercy. 82:6 I said " You are gods" 82:7 These gods are told that they will die like men Let apply this to our interpretation of vs. 1. What is it speak...
May 25, 2023•21 min
This brief psalm has engendered must discussion and debate. Therefore, we seek to cover it in two podcast. This is part 1. 82:1 God stands in the congregation of God and He judges in the midst of the gods. The Hebrew term Elohim is the first word and the next to last word in the verse. Much of the debate centers are who are intended by this second use of Elohim. We mention three possibilities as to the identity of the second Elohim in 82:1. 1. They are human rulers. Human rulers seem to be indic...
May 23, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 82
In the podcast I mistakenly say that the New Moon was a weekly feast. That is incorrect. The New Moon was a monthly feast- Numbers 28:11-15. It is alluded to in the OT in several places like I Sam. 20:5, 18, 24, 27; II Kings 4:23; Isaiah 1:13-14; Amos 8:5. What does Psalm 81 teach us about God? 1. God is worthy of praise - 81:1-3 2. God rescued Israel out of Egypt- 81:6-7, 10 3. God asks that His people listen to Him - 81:8- and serve Him alone - 81:9 4. God longs for His people to do the right ...
May 10, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 81
This Psalm pictures God as a Shepherd (80:1) , as a Warrior (80:4, 7, 14, 19), and God as a Gardener (80;8...). 80:1 God dwells above the cherubim - I Sam. 4:4; II Sam. 6:2; Ps. 99:1 80:3, 7, 19 Cause Your Face to shine - Num. 6:24-26; Ps. 67:1
Apr 19, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 80
This psalm contains lamentation (79:1-5), imprecation (or curses) (79:6-7, 10b, 12), pleas for mercy (79:8-10a, 11), and thanksgiving and praise (79:13). The events of 587 BC were devastating to Jerusalem. Abraham was promised the land of Canaan and they were ripped off of it and taken into captivity. David was promised a king from his line to sit upon his throne and this king was removed. Solomon built the temple and the temple was destroyed. The Psalm is very similar to Psalms 44, 74, and 137....
Apr 12, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 79
This beautiful poetic psalm, Psalm 78, continues. It continues to tell the glory of God and sinfulness of His people, Israel. God in His mercy rescues them while the people forget Him time and time again. If this has a happy ending, it will be because of God's persistence.
Mar 31, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 78
Psalm 78 is a historical psalm. It is similar to Psalms 105-106, It tells the story of Israel's history much like Nehemiah 9; Ezekiel 16, 20, 23 ; and Acts 7. It stresses the goodness of God to His people and His people's stubborn rebellion to Him. It emphasizes both God's love and God's holiness and wrath and these attributes are seen against the picture of Israel's sin and rebellion. 78:1-8 The purpose of history History teaches us not to forget God History teaches us to put our trust in Him H...
Mar 23, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 78
This psalm moves from lament to praise. There are no mentions of enemies in Psalm 77 and only a brief mention of troubles in vs. 2 . However, his trials must have been intense for they lead him to question if God is who He revealed Himself to be. In vs. 7-9 what has happened to God's lovingkindness, grace, and compassion. These are terms by which God reveals HImself in Exodus 34:6-7 . The words of Exodus 34:6-7 are basically repeated in the Psalms in 86:5, 15; 103:8; 145:8. Is God who He said He...
Mar 14, 2023•23 min
Who can stand before God in His anger? This is a question asked repeatedly in Scripture- Ezra 9:15; Psalm 130:3-4; Nahum 1:6; Malachi 3:2; Rev. 6:16-17. The Scriptures give us an answer- Rev. 7:13-14 76:10 The wrath of man praises God. How? Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:27-28
Feb 28, 2023•19 min
Key words in the Psalm The wicked- 75:4, 8, 10 Lifted up, on high, exaltation, exalts- 75:4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 10. These are from the same Hebrew word Horn, horns- 75:4, 5, 10, 10 75:8 the cup is an image of judgment. Isaiah 51:17-23; Jer. 25:15-28; 49:12; 51:7; Ezek. 23:32-34; Hab. 2:15-16; Zech. 12:2; Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 18:5-6 Jesus fulfills this Psalm. I am sorry for any background knowledge.
Feb 15, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 75
Have you ever asked why or how long? Writers in the Bible did as well. In this podcast we say a few more words of explanation on 74:12-17. We make some vocabulary connections between Psalm 73 and Psalm 74 "sanctuary" in 73:17; 74:3, 7 "violence" in 73:6; 74:20 "right hand" in 73:23; 74:11 "ruins" in 73:18; 74:3 How does Jesus answer Psalm 73 and Psalm 74? 74:9 the words "signs" and "prophet" 74:10, 18 Jesus reviled and spurned 74:12 My King 74:2 Redeemed These are some ways....
Feb 09, 2023•19 min
Why? How long? These questions did not begin to be asked but they have been asked continually throughout history. These question are asked even in God's book. Psalm 74 is one example of this. Psalm 74 is a national lament. Psalms 44, 79, 89, 137 show great similarities. The book of Lamentations contains many such laments. It is hard for us to imagine the grief of the people when the Babylonians invaded their land and killed some with the sword and starved others in a siege. The lost their land, ...
Feb 09, 2023•22 min
This opens book 3 of the Psalms. The writer acknowledges that he almost lost his faith at the prosperity of the wicked. 73:1-14 The writer struggles to believe that God is good 73:2 But as for me- This phrase is actually a word in Hebrew that begins vs. 2, 22, 23, 28. 73:3 The Bible warns against being envious of the wicked- Ps. 37:1-2; Prov. 23:19 73:4-5 Their life seems care free and trouble free 73:8-9, 11 But they are defiant of God 73:6, 8 They mistreat others 73:13-14 What does it pay to s...
Feb 01, 2023•27 min
