119:129-136 פ “His own appreciation of the supernatural quality of the Lord’s word (129) is bracketed with his grief over the flouted word (136)” Motyer, 570. “YHWH’s Torah will be presented in the פ strophe as a wonder-working power” Hermenia, 279. 119:129 Your testimonies are wonderful- The same root for wonders is in vs. 18, 27. The word wonderful is used in Exodus 15:11; Psalm 77:11, 14; 78:12; 88:10, 12; 89:5; 139:5; Isaiah 9:6: 25:1; 29:14. This word is especially used of “YHWH’s deeds in ...
Sep 20, 2024•21 min
119:89-96 ל “From its nadir, Psalm 119 moves to its zenith. Complaint has given way to a profession of faith in God’s sovereignty for all time (vv. 89a, 90a), in all places (vv. 89b, 90a), and over ‘all things’ (v. 91). The profession is highlighted by the uniqueness of vs. 90, which does not contain one of the eight synonyms” McCann, 1171. 119:97-104 מ “The mem strophe is a quiet interlude without petition” Allen, 143. The eight verses begin either with the word מה in vs. 97, 103 and מן in vs. ...
Sep 11, 2024•24 min
119:89-96 ל “From its nadir, Psalm 119 moves to its zenith. Complaint has given way to a profession of faith in God’s sovereignty for all time (vv. 89a, 90a), in all places (vv. 89b, 90a), and over ‘all things’ (v. 91). The profession is highlighted by the uniqueness of vs. 90, which does not contain one of the eight synonyms” McCann, 1171. 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven- God’s word is eternally relevant. Just as the stars in the heavens provide fixed points of navigation...
Sep 03, 2024•19 min
Psalm 119:49-56 119:53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked- The word translated “burning indignation” is a rare word used only in Ps. 11:6 and Lam. 5:10. In Ps. 11:6 the word speaks of the divine judgment on the wicked. “The psalmist’s commitment to the Lord and His word dictates what He loves and what He hates. He cannot be neutral when it comes to wicked behavior by those who refuse to live by God’s law” Estes, 413-414. “The truly devout naturally have a moral outrage over ...
Aug 27, 2024•18 min
119:33-40 ה The alphabetic arrangement lends itself to these hiphil verb forms, but the rest of the psalm reveals a studied effort to demonstrate reliance upon the God of the word as well as the word of God” Miller, 387. These hiphel verbs are in the imperative but, “in these petitions a tone of humility and dependence comes through” VanGemeren, 744. 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes- vs. 12, 26. “God is the teacher (v. 33); the Hebrew verb ‘to teach’ ( ׳רה ) underlines the noun ...
Aug 15, 2024•21 min
“vv. 25-28 describe his internal distress (I-lament), that is, that is the threat of physical and spiritual destruction” Hermenia, 268. 119:25 My soul cleaves to the dust- “Clinging to the dust is a graphic depiction of being in a life-threatening condition (see Ps. 44:25)” Ross, 490. Revive me according to Your word- revive is used in vs. 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159. This “is a prayer for God to renew his vitality” Ross, 490. Lev. 18:5 connects life with keeping God’s law. The Psalm...
Aug 14, 2024•23 min
Psalm 119 This “is the longest psalm in the collection and the longest chapter in the Hebrew Bible, 176 verses or lines of poetry” Alter, 419. Its size has oft times discouraged serious study. Weiser in the Old Testament Library series views it as wearisome in its repetition of motifs and says it opens the door for legalism, but he offers no commentary on the text- Weiser, 739-741. “It is recited at the Feast of the Pentecost, the spring festival observed fifty days after Passover, which celebra...
Aug 08, 2024•23 min
“The psalm (may have) originated in victory celebrations of Israel’s king and people (cf. II Chron. 20:27). Later it was probably used in periodic commemoration of God’s past goodness to the Davidic dynasty” Laymen, 684. “ The ‘I’ standing collectively for Israel, verses 5-14, 17-19, 21, and 28 seem to portray a great deliverance which has come to a king, possibly David himself. There are similar sentiments in Psalm 18 ” Miller, 381. “It is best to see this as a corporate thanksgiving, although ...
Jul 27, 2024•27 min
“It is not only the shortest psalm in the collection but also the shortest chapter in the Bible” Alter, 414; Longman, 398. It is 27 words in the NASB and 28 in the ESV. In Hebrew it is only 17 words. “Many Hebrew mss.attach it to Ps. 116 ….Other Hebrew mss. join the psalm to Ps. 118 ” Allen, 117. The basic structure of a song of praise is simple. It begins with a call to praise (vs. 1). Then the word translated for or because introduces the reason for praise ( lines 1 and 2 of vs. 2). Last, ther...
Jul 11, 2024•14 min
A few notes “The Septuagint and Vulgate treat this as two psalms, the second of them beginning at verse 10 (but some Heb. MSS make a similar break after verse 11).” Kidner, 407. “He has come now to the temple to tell the whole assembly what has happened, and to offer God what he had vowed to Him in his extremity” Kidner, 407. “The situation was one of deadly threat (3, 8, 15), brought about by human deceitfulness (11) and personal lack of discernment (6)” Motyer, 563. “Either the psalmist has be...
Jul 04, 2024•23 min
115:2 Why should the nations say, Where, now, is their God?- 42:3, 10; 79:10; Joel 2:17; Micah 7:10 This question may be “motivated by the fact that the Lord had no idol who represented His presence” Longman, 393. 115:4 the work of man’s hands- Psalm 135:15-18. The word work in vs. 4 is the noun from the verb translated do in vs. 3. The participle is used in vs. 8 to those who make idols. In vs. 15 God is Maker of heaven and earth. “There is no spiritual force or reality behind the idol; it did ...
Jun 14, 2024•23 min
“This psalm celebrates the deliverance of God’s people at the exodus- a fitting song to be sung at Passover which was instituted at that time (Ex. 12 )” BK, 876. “This is a hymn, but a unique one. It contains no imperative call for worship.” Broyles, 426. This psalm is “a fierce delight and pride in the great march of God gleams through every line of this poem” Kidner, 402-403. “The psalm celebrates God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt- vs. 1, 3, 5 , His provision during the wilderness wander...
Jun 06, 2024•17 min
“This is the first of six psalms collectively known as the hallel that are recited in synagogues during the festival service” Alter, 403. Psalms 113-118 are the Egyptian Hallel. “ Psalms 113-114 are sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115-118 after it. These psalms are also sung at the feast of Pentecost, Tabernacles, and Dedication (Hanakuah, or Lights)” Miller, 373. These psalms were “used at all major festivals but especially the beginning and conclusion of the Passover” McCann, 1138. So...
Jun 01, 2024•23 min
This "is a wisdom poem based on the nature of God set forth in Psalm 111” Miller, 372. It is an acrostic as Psalm 111. “ Like the preceding psalm, this one is also an acrostic in which every colon begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, again indicating order and complete coverage of the topic” Longman, 387. This psalm “anticipates the exaltation of the righteous and the grievous destruction of the wicked” BK, 875. “ Psalm 111 celebrates God’s grace, this one commends the good wo...
May 24, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 112
Psalms 111 and 112 are connected in their subject matter and vocabulary . “Both are acrostic containing twenty-two lines, each succeeding line beginning with the following letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 111 describes God as reflected in His works, and Psalm 112 the man who fears God and properly responds to Him. Some of the phraseology used in Psalm 111 to describe God is repeated in Psalm 112 to describe the God-fearing man” Miller, 370. “Psalm 111 focuses primarily on God’s work, Psalm 1...
May 15, 2024•19 min
“In the second century, Jewish teachers applied it to Hezekiah (Justin Martry, Dialogue with Trypho , 33, 83)” Lewis, Matthew 14-28 ; 108. 110:1 seems quoted or alluded to in Matt. 26:63-64; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:34-35; 5:30-32; 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; I Cor. 15:25; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12-13; 12:2; I Peter 3:22. Lessons from this section Mark 12:35-37 paralleled by Matthew 21:41-46; Luke 20:41-44 “ Psalm 110 is the psalm most frequently quoted and alluded to in the New Testament....
May 03, 2024•20 min
The Psalm is based on the two decrees in vs. 1 and vs. 4. Every word of vs. 1 will prove important and two different words for Lord are used. Notice the use of "right hand" in vs. 1 and vs. 5. Melchizedek only appears in the OT elsewhere in Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek is king and priest. He blessed Abram. Abram paid tithes to him. The psalm gives different words to refer to the foes or enemies. It shows us the victory over these foes is complete. The victory is because of the LORD....
Apr 19, 2024•19 min
Some have described this as the longest sustained imprecatory prayer. A Psalm of David 109:1-5 He describes his mistreatment at the hands of others They spoke against him constantly- vs. 2, 3, 4. They lied about him- vs. 2 . They spoke words of hatred- vs. 3 . He did good to them, but they did evil to him- vs. 5. 109:6-20 He prays that judgment may fall on them. Notice how many of these judgments he requests tie to the concept of lex talionis, the punishment fitting the crime. vs. 6 accuser - Th...
Apr 11, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 109
This Psalm combines sections of Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12. Psalm 57 and Psalm 60 are in their titles tied to specific circumstances in the life of David. There are some 13 Psalms that do this and these are two of them. This Psalm stresses 108:3 Giving thanks to the LORD 108:4 God's lovingkindness and faithfulness 108:7-9 God's complete sovereignty over Israel and their neighbors 108:11-13 God alone is responsible for victory. Trust in men is vain- Jer. 17:5-8. The Psalm foreshadows the sal...
Apr 01, 2024•17 min
Give thanks to the LORD for He is good for HIs lovingkindness is everlasting. 107:1-3 is an answer to Ps. 106:47 107:4-32 Four stanzas that follow a standard procedure. The 2 and 4 lines are refrains in this Psalm. 1. There is a statement of a specific problem (107:4-5, 10-12, 17-18, 23-27). 2 .Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, He delivered them out of their distress (107:6 , 13, 19, 28). 3. A specific act of deliverance from the specific problem mentioned (107:7, 14, 20, 29-30)....
Mar 25, 2024•24 min
This episode of Psalm 106 begins with verse 24. Nine portions of Israel's history and Israel's Scriptures are used to stress Israel's unfaithfulness and God's mercy in spite of their sin. 106:6-12 The events in Egypt and at the Red Sea- Exodus 14-15 106:13-15 The lusting or craving for quail in the wilderness - Numbers 11 106:16-18 T he rebellion of Dathan and Abiram - Numbers 16 106:19-23 The worship of the calf at Mt. Horeb- Exodus 32 106:24-27 The spies discourage the people from taking the l...
Mar 14, 2024•23 min
This psalm is a twin to Psalm 105 but a fraternal twin and not an identical one. The emphasis on Psalm 105 is on God's goodness and mercy to Israel. The emphasis in Psalm 106 is on the wickedness and sinfulness of Israel. God's grace is even more amazing in light of Israel's sin and Israel's sin looks even more hideous against the background of God's lovinigkindness. Praise the LORD is an inclusion in vs. 1 and vs. 48. How can a psalm that stresses Israel's sin be a reason for praise. The though...
Mar 05, 2024•25 min
This is a historical Psalm. We studied Psalm 78 previously and it has two points. God's goodness to Israel and Israel's sin against God. This psalm emphasizes only God's goodness to Israel. Psalm 106 will emphasize Israel's sin against God. Israel's sin looks all the more evil in contrast to God's goodness and God's grace to Israel looks all the more amazing against Israel's sin. 105:1-7 A call to Israel to praise God. vs. 5 calls Israel to remember God's miracles or marvels. This is little to a...
Feb 23, 2024•26 min
The Psalm, as the one before it, begins and ends with "Bless the LORD, O my soul!" 104:1, 35. The Psalm speaks of God's work in creation and nature. All of this is to motivate us to praise God. The idea of pantheism is that God is to be equated with the forces of nature. This psalm speaks of a God who is transcendent, who is far greater than the world He has made. He is clothed in "splendor and majesty" in 104:1. He is covered in light - 104:2; I Tim. 6:15. He created the moon and the sun- 104:1...
Feb 16, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 104
This psalm is an inclusio, beginning and ending with the same words- 103:1, 22 . It is a David's call to himself to bless the LORD with all that is within Him. Vs. 3-5 describes God's benefits 1. He forgives all your sins 2. He heals all your diseases 3. He redeems your life from the pit 4. He crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion 5. He satisfies you with good things vs. 9-10 Tell us what His love means by telling us what it will not do 1. He will not always contend 2. He will not keep H...
Feb 02, 2024•24 min
The heading for this is unique. It describes a specific situation in which the psalm can be prayed. It mentions no individual or group generally associated with the psalm nor any musical terms. 102:1-2 An urgent call for God to hear his prayer 102:3-11 His crisis. He is overwhelmed by life's brevity, pain, his suffering and loneliness. God's anger seems behind it all. 102:12-22 But You... God's eternity (12, 24, 25, 26, 27) is an answer to man's brevity. 102:23-24 He once again focuses on his in...
Jan 29, 2024•22 min
This is usually considered a Royal Psalm. In the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England, Psalm 101 is prescribed for use at the anniversary of the monarch’s ascension- Allen, 8; Goldingay, 139 The Psalm describes the kind of person the king longs to be and who he hopes to surround himself with. The people we surround ourselves with influence us for good or evil and the people the king surrounds himself with influence the whole nation. David's high aspirations were not realized in his per...
Jan 03, 2024•18 min
The LORD is mentioned in vs. 1, 2, 3, 5. The emphatic personal pronoun "He" is used twice in vs. 3 to emphasize the LORD. Seven imperatives are used in the first four verses to direct us to the proper attitude and actions toward the LORD. 100:3 Know that the LORD He is God- Deut. 4:35, 39; 7:9; I Kings 18:39. It is He who made us- He is our Creator and we are accountable to Him. We are...sheep of His pasture - He provides for us and sheep- Ps. 23:1 - and carries us- Ps. 28:9. 100:5 He is good, H...
Dec 22, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 100
What does this Psalm show us about the nature of God? 99:1 God is a king who reigns over the whole earth and all peoples- 99:1, 2 . 99:2, 3 The LORD is great 99:2, 5, 9 Though God of all the earth, God reveals Himself in a special way in Zion, His holy footstool or hill. 99:4 God is a God of justice, righteousness- Ps. 89:14; 97:2; and equity - 96:10; 98:9 99:3, 5, 9 God is holy. Where He reveals Himself is His holy hill- 99:9. 99:6, 8 God is a God who answers prayer- Psalm 65:2. “The Lord revea...
Dec 15, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 99
98:1-3 God's own arm has brought salvation and all the earth witnesses His lovingkindness and faithfulness to Israel. 98:4-6 All the earth is called to praise God When a king came to the throne there was a ceremony with blowing of trumpets and shouting (I Sam. 10:24; I Kings 1:39-40) and clapping of hands (II Kings 11:12). All nature responds this way to God’s kingship. 98:7-9 There are slight differences with Psalm 96:11-13. “Instead of the heavens and earth, this psalm has the world and all wh...
Dec 07, 2023•16 min
