Psalm 51

A psalm of David. A penitential psalm. “The sinners prayer.” For occasion see 2 Sam. 12:1-15.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.

v.1-2 David confesses his sin to God and asks for mercy so that God might “blot out” his sin.
David had broken 2 commandments (6, 7). See 2 Sam. 11.
v.4-6 David says his sin is ever before him. Only God can cleanse us from our sin. The psalmist desires deliverance from his guilt.

6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

v.7-12 Petition for forgiveness (and a new heart).
v.12-15 Vow to teach others about God’s forgiveness.
v.16-17 David acknowledges that God desires a broken and contrite heart. (More than just ritual sacrifices — it is the inner relationship with God that matters.)
v.18-19 Final petition for God to bless Zion, then God can delight in right sacrifices.

This psalm is a good place to start if you are experiencing guilt or distance from God. No sin is too great to be forgiven! But while we receive forgiveness, the earthly consequences of the sin are still present. Right conduct in our lives comes from a clean heart. Confess your sin to God — our God is an awesome God and he will have mercy and forgive you (1 John 1:9).

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Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph. God brings charges against his people.

v.1-2 God speaks:

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.

v.3-6 God himself will judge the people. (Isa. 3:13)
v.7-15 God wants his people to keep their covenant, (empty) sacrifices are not enough.
v.16-21 God lays out his charges against the wicked.
v.22-23 Admonishment to offer thanksgiving to God.

23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!

God wants a faithful and righteous people, not empty religion. God will judge his people for their sin. Selah.

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Psalm 49

A wisdom psalm for instruction. Riches won't get you to heaven (the futility of wealth).

v.1-4 Call for all peoples (rich and poor) to listen (those who live in this world that is passing away).
v.5-9 Why should I fear the wicked all around. Their riches can't buy forgiveness for sin. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).
v.10-12 Both the wise and the wicked die.

12 Man in his pomp will not remain;
he is like the beasts that perish.

See also Luke 16:19-31
v.13-15 The wicked will go to Sheol but the power of God will ransom the righteous.
v.16-20 The rich will take nothing with them when they die (see also Luke 12:16-21).

20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

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Psalm 48

A song. The city of our God! A worship psalm.

v.1-3 The city of our God (Zion).
“the joy of all the earth” — See Isa. 2:1-4
v.4-7 The kings scatter in panic (Because of the presence of God). They are destroyed.
v.8 The eternal security of Zion.
v.9-11 God is worthy of praise.
v.12-14 Tell future generations about God.
“He will guide us forever.” — The Holy Spirit is our constant guide.

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Psalm 47

A kingship psalm. Sing praises to God, sing praises! God is praised and worshiped as king over all the earth. This may refer to the millennial kingdom.

v.1-2 Praise to God who is to be feared.

1 Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

v.3-4 The psalmist recalls past military victories attributed to God. Selah.
v.5-7 Sing praises to God.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

v.8-9 God, highly exalted, reigns over the nations.
“God sits on his holy throne.” — See Isa. 6:1-9

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Psalm 46

A song. A hymn of praise.

God is our fortress. The main theme is repeated 3 times (v.1, 7, 11).

v.1-3 God is our refuge in natural disasters. Selah.

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal. — Martin Luther

v.4-7 God's protection of his holy city (The City of God). Selah.
“God is within her, she will not fall” (v.5a, NIV)
The City of God — See Rev.21:10

v.8-11 God is sovereign over the nations. Selah.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”

God's power is complete and his ultimate victory certain. Though creation itself may dissolve back into chaos, we have no need to fear.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

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Psalm 45

A love song celebrating the king's marriage. A messianic psalm picturing the 2^nd coming of Christ.

v.1 The poet’s introduction generating a sense of excitement about what is to follow. “Beautiful words stir my heart.” (v.1a, NLT)
v.2-5 The psalmists addresses the king and praises his military victories.
v.6-9 God has blessed the king.
v.10-15 The psalmist addresses the bride and tells her to be loyal to the king
v.16-17 Prediction of royal offspring.

The poem is applied to Christ in Heb. 1:8-9 with the church as his bride (Eph. 5:25-32).

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Psalm 44

A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A communal lament.

The psalmist pleas: come to our help!! The setting seems to be in the exile and dispersion of Israel.

v.1-8 The psalmist recalls God’s help in the past. Selah.
God choose Israel. (See Deut. 4:37-38) He went with them in their battles. (See Josh. 1:9)
v.9-16 But now you have rejected us. We are defeated. God is portrayed as the cause of all their woes.
v.17-22 We have remained faithful to our God; but, “We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” The community claims to be innocent (although other parts of the Old Testament seem to witness to their fault). It seems apparent that the psalm is pointing to the fact that the people of God endure undeserved suffering. "Yet for your sake we face death all day long" (v.22, NIV).
v.23-26 Petition for God to deliver. “Wake up! ... Rise up; come to our help!” They express the hope that God will set things right.

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Psalm 43

This is a continuation of one Psalm (42-43 combined).

The godly remnant calls on God to act on their behalf. The deceitful man is the Antichrist (TTB).

v.1-2 The psalmist asks for vindication from a deceitful man.
v.3-4 “Send out your light and truth” (and let them lead me)
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
v.5 refrain

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

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Psalm 42

A Maskil of the sons of Korah. Psalms 42 and 43 are a single psalm with 3 movements ending in a common refrain (42:5, 42:11, 43:5).

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

v.42:1-5 The psalmist "thirsts" for God as he remembers days past.

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.

v.42:6-11 The psalmist (who is depressed) laments his separation from God (or the temple in Jerusalem) as he is tormented by oppressors but hopes in God for restoration.

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

This beautiful psalm gives us a picture of the godly remnant in the great tribulation period.

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Psalm 41

A Psalm of David. A messianic psalm.

In sickness the psalmist complains of enemies, but God upholds him. There are 4 stanzas of 3 verses (1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) and a conclusion (v.13)

(1) v.1-3 The Lord sustains the one who remembers the poor. As he has blessed us, so we should bless others.
(2) v.4-6 The psalmist confesses sin, recounts his many enemies, and requests God's grace.
(3) v.7-9 Even close friends desert him — verse 9 is applied in John 13:18 to Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus).
(4) v.10-12 You (God) have upheld me and set me in your presence.
v.13 Doxology. Concluding blessing to God.

13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen.

Even when we are sick and everyone deserts us, God is still there.

This concludes Book 1 (Psalms 1-41, the Genesis section)

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Psalm 40

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my help and my deliverer.

A messianic psalm.

Section 1 Thanksgiving for past deliverance.
v.1-3 Psalmist waited on the Lord and was delivered from destruction. We sometimes must endure the trial of waiting to receive the blessing God has for us. We should wait expectantly (see Matt. 25:1-13)
v.4-5 Blessed is the man who trusts in God and doesn't go astray. Praise the Lord.
v.6-8 God doesn't want burnt sacrifices, but rather the one who desires to do His will. v.6-8 is quoted in Heb. 10:5-7

22 And Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22, see also Jer. 6:20 and Amos 5:22)

Transition I have told of your deliverance.
v.9-10 I have told of your deliverance in the congregation. We should share with others what God has done in our lives! God's love is unfailing.

Section 2 Lament. Petition for divine intervention.
v.11-12 Despite the evils that surround me (both enemies and his own sin), your love and faithfulness preserve me.
v.13-17 The Lord is my help and my deliverer. “Do not delay, O my God!” (See also Psalm 70)

The voice is of Jesus celebrating his resurrection, his triumph, and his ascension. Without the crucifiction and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no gospel (good news).

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Psalm 39

A psalm of David. A lament. Deliver me from all my transgressions.

The crisis is God's discipline in David's life for his sins. He confidently places his hope in the Lord and petitions for deliverance.

v.1-4 David's distress and petition to God.
“O Lord make me know my end” (v.4a)
v.5-6 Mankind is but a mere breath before you.
“Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah.” (v.5b)
v.7-13 David petitions God to restore him.
“Hear my prayer, O Lord” (v.12a)

God is both discipliner and savior.

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Psalm 38

A psalm of David. A penitential psalm. (The penitential psalms are: 2, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143)

Confess your sins before God and be confident in his deliverance.

v.1-14 David groans under the weight of his sin and the resulting torment (physical, emotional and relational). The Lord is seen as discipling the psalmist (divine instruction).

4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

v.15-22 But he confesses his sin and waits on the Lord, fully confident in His salvation.

22 Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

My God = My salvation

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Psalm 37

Of David. A wisdom psalm. An acrostic psalm.

A collection of proverbs where the righteous is being afflicted by the wicked. But God assures David that when the smoke clears, the wicked will be gone and the righteous will remain to inherit God's blessings.

v.1-2 Fret not due to evildoers, they will fade away (like spring grass).

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matt. 6:30)

v.3-8 The people of the Lord should:
- trust in the Lord
- befriend faithfulness
- delight in the Lord
- commit their way to the Lord
- trust in him
- wait patiently on the Lord
- don't fret over evildoers
- refrain from anger
v.9-11 The wicked will be cut off, but those that wait on the Lord will inherit the land.
v.12-22 Misc proverbs illustrating that the wicked are helpless before God as contrasted to the secure future of the righteous.

“but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.” (v.13)

v.23-34 The benefits of the righteous

The Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable. (v.23, NET)

v.35-38 The blessings of the righteous and the fall of the wicked.

37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

v.39-40 Confidence in God's salvation.

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Psalm 36

To the choirmaster. Of David, the servant of the Lord.

A picture of the wicked.
v.1-4 The wicked person:
1. Transgression speaks to him deep in his heart (v.1) “Rebellious to the core” (NET)
2. He has no fear of God (v.1) (See also Rom. 3:18)
3. He flatters himself in his own eyes (v.2) (so much that he cannot see his sin)
4. His words are trouble and deceit (v.3)
5. He has ceased to act wisely or do good (v.3)
6. He plots trouble on his bed (v.4) — scary
7. He sets himself in a way that is not good (v.4)
8. he does not reject evil (v.4)

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (Jer 17:9)

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (Matt 15:19)

A picture of God
v.5-9 Praise to God and God's favor on his people
1. Your steadfast love extends to the heavens,
2. your faithfulness to the clouds.
3. Your righteousness is like the mountain of God.
4. Your judgments are like the great deep.
5. Man and beast you save.
6. How precious is your steadfast love.
7. Man takes refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8. They feast on the abundance of your house.
9. You give them drink from the river of your delight.
10. With you is the fountain of life.
11. In your light do we see light.

“Great is thy faithfulness”

v.10-12 Request that God will deliver the righteous from the evildoers (they [the evil doers] are thrust down, unable to rise. [v.12])

If we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. (MHC)

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Psalm 35

Of David. A lament or imprecatory psalm. A plea for deliverance from his enemies.

There are 3 cycles of prayer followed by praise (vv.1-10, 11-18, 19-28).
v.1 Opening cry to God
v.1-3 Petition for deliverance from his opponents.
v.4-8 More petitions for help.
“May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated!” (v.4a, NET)
“For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life” (v.7) — We must be on guard against the traps set by the devil.
v.9-10 Psalmist rejoices in the salvation of the Lord.
v.10 First climax. The Lord delivers me.

v.11-12 His opponents rise up against him.
v.13-14 David says he grieved for his adversaries when they were sick.
David's intercessory prayer for illness:
- put on sackcloth
- fasting
- prayed with head bowed
- grieved as for a brother
- bowed down in mourning
v.15-16 But they rejoice when he stumbles.
v.17 Psalmist petitions the Lord to rescue him.
“How long, O Lord, will you look on?”
v.18 Second climax. Praise to God.

v.19-21 My foes open their mouths against me, do not let them rejoice over me.
v.22-25 The psalmist petitions for vindication.
v.26 Put my enemies to shame.
v.27 Let those on my side shout for joy.
v.28 Third climax. Concluding praise to God.
The psalmist ends his prayer with praise (as all prayers should end).

As Christians, we should turn our grievances over to the Lord.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19, see Deut 32:35)

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Psalm 34

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. (See 1 Sam 21:10-15)

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. This thanksgiving psalm is acrostic.

v.1-3 Call to Praise the Lord
“His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (v.1b) — in every situation, in every circumstance, good times and bad, not just in my heart, but rather, in my mouth will I praise the Lord.

v.4-7 The Lord delivered David.
A frequent theme in Psalms, the Lord hears the prayer of his people and answers.

v.8-10 “Taste and see that the Lord is good”
See 1 Pet 2:3
This can only be known by personal experience. Try it.

v.11-14 The psalmist instructs in the fear of the Lord:
- keep your tongue from evil
- turn away from evil and do good
- see peace and pursue it (seeking diligently for wholeness, NIVAC)

v.15-18 The Lord hears the cry for help from the righteous.
Your afflictions might be numerous and complicated, but prayer to God can set you free from them all (cf. v.17).

v.19-22 The Lord redeems the righteous
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (v.19) — See 2 Tim 3:11-12.
“He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken” (v.20) — prophetic of Jesus on the cross (John 19:31-37, see also Num 9:12).
“Affliction will slay the wicked” (v.21) — Evil itself will bring the downfall of the wicked.
“none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned” (v.22) — See Rom 8:33-34. The believer is ensured of eternal salvation.

Read Psalm 34

Psalm 33

“Shout for joy in the Lord” — A praise psalm perhaps in response to the call for praise in 32:11.

v.1-3 Call to praise the Lord
“Sing to him a new song” — this new song can be understood as in the future:

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation, (Rev 5:9)

v.4-5 Praise him because he is upright, faithful, righteous, just
“the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord”

v.6-9 Praise him because he is the Lord of creation.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Gen 1:3)

v.10-12 Praise him because of his omnipotence in the affairs of the nations.
He brings the counsel of nations to nothing but blesses the nation whose god is the Lord.

v.13-15 Praise him because of his omniscience.
The Lord sees the deeds of all of mankind!

v.16-19 Praise him because his eye is on those who fear him.

v.20-22 The blessings of those who trust in the Lord.
- our soul waits on the Lord
- he is our help
- he is our shield
- our heart is glad
- we trust in him

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. (v. 22)

Read Psalm 33

Psalm 32

A Maskil of David (Maskil means to give instruction, [TTB, NIVAC])
Blessed are the godly, whose sins are forgiven.

v.1-2 Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven. (See Romans 4:5-8)
Who? The person “in whose spirit is no deceit.” (v.2)
Christ was made sin on our behalf that we can be the righteousness of God in him. (See 2 Corinth 5:21)

v.3-4 I wasted away when I was silent about my sin. Selah (meditate on this).
A bout of depression? The Christian cannot get away with his sin, it will eat away at him/her (until confessed). The psalmist sinned and illness was a consequence.

v.5 I confessed my sins and was forgiven. Selah.
Nathan said to David “you are the man!” (see 2 Sam 12:1-7)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Sin is forgiven and guilt lifted away (ie. a great burden is lifted from his shoulder).

v.6 Therefore let the godly pray to God “at a time when you may be found.”
v.7 “You are my hiding place” (NIV)
“you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” Selah.

v.8 Then I (the speaker) will teach you in the way to go (v.9-11):
v.9 Do not be like a mule without understanding.
v.10 The wicked has sorrows, the godly is surrounded by love.
v.11 “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” — Invocation to praise God.
If you know Jesus as your Saviour, you can have great joy in God.

Read Psalm 32

Psalm 31

A lament and praise psalm of David. Into your hand I commit my spirit.

Lament
v.1-5 The Lord my refuge and high ridge. “Vindicate me by rescuing me!” (v.1b, NET)
v.6-8 “You have seen my affliction.” (v.7) The Lord sets my feet on a broad place.
v.9-13 The psalmist is in great distress.
- I am in great distress (v.9)
- my eye is wasted from grief (v.9)
- my soul and body also (v.9)
- my life is spent with sorrow (v.10)
- my years with sighing (v.10)
- my strength fails (v.10)
- my bones waste away (v.10)
- I have become a reproach (v.11) (because of my adversaries)
- an object of dread (v.11)
- those who see me flee (v.11)
- I have been forgotten (v.12)
- I have become like a broken vessel (v.12)
- terror on every side (v.13) (for I hear the slander of many - NIV)
- they plot and scheme to take my life (v.13)
v.14-18 But (in these circumstances) I trust in God to rescue me. “My times are in your hand.”

Praise
v.19-20 How abundant is your goodness to those who fear you.
v.21-22 The Lord has shown me mercy
v.23-24 “Love the Lord, all you his saints”

The righteous will continue to suffer, but will trust in God for his mercy regardless of the apparent consequences.

“Into your hand I commit my spirit” (v.5) — Quoted by Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:46) and used by many church martyrs like Stephen (Acts 7:59). This is a complete surrender of your self-control and total submission to God's will; placing yourself in his protective care. The Lord has seen our affliction (v.7) and will preserve the faithful (v.23). All Christians should thus commit themselves completely to God.

Read Psalm 31

Psalm 30

David celebrates God's deliverance and healing.

v.1-3 The Lord rescues David from a deadly illness.
v.4-5 David calls on God's people to praise him.
v.6-7 David fell into false security and God disciplined him.
v.8-10 David cries out for mercy.
v.11-12 Praise and thanks to God for deliverance.

v.1 “I will extol you, O Lord” — Praise to God
v.12 “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” — The psalm begins and ends in praise to God.

This is a psalm that any believer who was healed from a serious illness can relate to. The psalm also assures the faithful that “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (v.5)

Read Psalm 30

Psalm 29

The voice of the Lord in a thunderstorm.

v.1-2 Prologue: Ascribe to the Lord glory.
v.3-4 Thunderstorm over the waters.
v.5-9 Thunderstorm over the land.
v.10-11 Epilogue: The Lord sits enthroned as king.

v.1 “Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings” — a reference to other gods worshiped by pagans.
v.2 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” - A call to worship.

The psalm focuses on the majestic power of the Lord; with his voice appearing in a thunder and lightening storm. “The voice of the Lord” appears seven times in v.3-9. This comes in response to the psalmists call for deliverance in Psalm 28.
The voice of the Lord:
- thunders over the waters v.3
- is powerful v.4
- is full of majesty v.4
- breaks the cedars of Lebanon v.5
- makes Lebanon skip like a calf v.6
- flashes forth flames of fire v.7
- shakes the wilderness v.8
- makes the deer give birth (v.9, ESV), or, twists the oaks (v.9, NIV)
- strips the forest bare v.9

v.9 “and in his temple all cry, ‘Glory’!” — our response to his glory revealed in creation.

v.10a “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood” — refers to God's control over the chaotic floods of creation.
v.10b “the Lord sits enthroned forever” — Having come in a great display of power across the waters (creation and the Mediterranean), having left devastating evidence of his power in Lebanon, and having entered the temple with acclamations of his glory, God sits on the throne forever. (NIVAC)
v.11 The enthroned God now provides his people strength and peace.
This God who created all and is all powerful is available today to all who come to him through the name of Jesus (Eph. 1:19-20)

Read Psalm 29

Psalm 28

“O Lord, my rock” a help in time of trouble.

v.1-2 David calls to God for mercy.
v.3-5 Petition to God that he might repay the evil for their deeds.
v.6-7 Praise to God for his deliverance.
v.8-9 Request that God shepherd his people forever.

“lift up my hands” (v.2) - appropriate posture for prayer and praise

“Give to them according to their work” (v.4) - the psalmist is confident that God will judge people according to what they have done. Importantly, “evil in the heart” (v.3) will ultimately inform what the hands do.

God answers his call for help and David promises to give thanks with song — “Blessed be the Lord.” (v.6-7)

“his anointed” (v.8) - the coming Messiah. The psalmist requests that God be their shepherd forever. Jesus said “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11)

If you trust God, he will be your help. He will hear your prayer and answer it.

Read Psalm 28

Psalm 27

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

What does this saving relationship mean?
1. Confident in God. No fear. (v.1)
2. Confidence in the face of enemies. (v.2-3,5)
3. Longing to worship God (v.4,6-8)
4. God is his help (v.9-12)
5. Wait on the Lord, be strong (v.13-14)

This psalm is a prayer of David for help and sustenance in the face of his enemies.

He is my light. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

He is my salvation. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

David's greatest desire was to live in God's presence. “Hear me as I pray, O Lord” (v.7, NLT)

“Wait for the Lord” (v.14) In the face of our many difficulties, we should trust God rather than our own plans.

Read Psalm 27

Psalm 26

David declares his loyalty to God.

This psalm is similar in content to the first psalm. It emphasizes a life pleasing to God. David talks about his life of righteousness and asks God to prove me, O Lord, and try me (v.2). He stands on the level ground (v.12) and asks that God not sweep my soul away with sinners (v.9). As examples of a God pleasing life, David tells us:
1. I have walked in my integrity
2. I have trusted the Lord without wavering
3. your steadfast love is before my eyes
4. I walk in your faithfulness
5. I do not sit with men of falsehood
6. nor do I consort with hypocrites
7. I hate the assembly of evildoers
8. I will not sit with the wicked
9. I wash my hands in innocence
10. (I) go around ... proclaiming thanksgiving aloud
11. and telling all your wondrous deeds
12. I love the habitation of your house
13. I shall walk in my integrity
14. my foot stands on level ground
15. in the great assembly I will bless the Lord

Ponder the list for a while.

Read Psalm 26

Psalm 25

The Lord, he is good.

v.1-3 “O my God, in you I trust”
The psalmist expresses trust in the goodness of God.

v.4-5 “teach me your paths”
He asks to know the way of God. A man can go God's way or his own way. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov 14:12)

v.6-7 “Remember your mercy”
A petition for forgiveness of sins.

v.8-10 “Good and upright is the Lord”
David expresses confidence in the goodness of the Lord. The Lord teaches the humble his ways and their path is love and faithfulness if they keep his covenant.

v.11 "Pardon my guilt, for it is great"
Again he petitions for the forgiveness of sins.

v.12-15 The man who fears the Lord:
- God will instruct in the way he should choose
- his soul will abide in well-being
- his offspring will inherit the land
- he will have the friendship of the Lord
- God makes known to him his covenent
- the Lord will pluck his feet out of the net

v.16-22 “Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me”
Another petition for the forgiveness of sins in a time of trouble.

Read Psalm 25

Psalm 24

“The Chief Shepherd”

v.1-2 Establishes the Lord the creator as the subject of this psalm.

v.3-6 Who can properly worship such a holy God?
- he who has clean hands and a pure heart
- he who does not lift up his soul to what is false
- he who does not swear deceitfully
This person will receive blessing and righteousness from the Lord

v.7-10 The king of glory (he is coming).
The psalmist celebrates him as great warrior-king.
(1 Peter 5:4) And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.


Read Psalm 24

Psalm 23

“The most exquisite psalm.”

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

David writes from his own experience as a shepherd. Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:11) and we (Christians) are his sheep. We are completely dependent on him as a sheep is on the shepherd.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

We cannot overcome death by our own strength. Only one person can safely bring us to the other side — Jesus

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Here the metaphor changes to a banquet. The table speaks of the Lord's table. The oil speaks of the holy spirit. The "cup overflows" speaks of joy. The promises are for those who can say Jesus is my shepherd.

Read Psalm 23

Psalm 22

“The crucifixion psalm.”

v. 1-2 Psalmist's cry of distress.
v. 3-5 God delivered his people in the past.
v. 6-8 Rejected by mankind.
v. 9-11 Be not far from me, God.
v. 12-18 Psalmist's extreme rejection and suffering.
v. 19-21 Deliver me God.
v. 21-31 Praise God for his deliverance.

v.1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Quoted by Jesus on the cross in Matt. 27:46. Many suggest Jesus quoted all of Psalm 22 on the cross.

v.3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Why was Jesus forsaken of God on that cross? He was made sin for those 3 hours on the cross — our sin.

v.6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. God visited mankind in person, but mankind did not recognize him. He was totally rejected.

v.10 “from my mother's womb you have been my God” — pro-life? The psalmist is certain of his relationship with God (despite the enemy's taunts). God's love reaches from before we are born through our life and beyond.

v.16 “they have pierced my hands and feet.” — Ouch.

v. 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
“a people yet unborn” - that is us!


Read Psalm 22

Psalm 21

“Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!”

This Psalm sounds like the answer to the prayer in Psalm 20.
v. 1-6 Rejoicing for victory in battle
v. 7-12 Future success against enemies
v. 13 Praise to God

Jesus, ..., who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, ..., and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2) Compare to v. 6 with the joy...

You will make them as a blazing oven ... and fire will consume them. (v. 9) — Yes, there is a hell.

Read Psalm 21

Psalm 20

“God save the king.”
The people pray for victory for the king in time of war. They confidently proclaim — we trust in the name of the Lord our God. O how I wish America would sing thus for the President in his time of war. I believe that, as the Psalm goes in verse 4 — may he grant your hearts desire and fulfill all your plans — the Lord would so do for us. The dollar says In God We Trust, and many do trust in God, but many more do not. Lord, bring salvation to the United States of America. May he answer us when we call.
According to Dr. McGee, this is a messianic psalm, closely linked to the two following. Other commentators suggest the blessings should be applied to believers in their battle of faith.

Read Psalm 20

Psalm 19

A Psalm of David. A great creation Psalm.
v. 1-6 Creation (Elohim)
v. 7-11 Law (Jehovah)
v. 12-14 Grace (Christ)

David praises God for his revelation in the heavens. "The heavens declare the glory of God." Amen. Lord, thank you for revealing yourself in creation. Day to day (the sky) pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge (ie. it reveals his greatness). From the beginning creation has been a witness of God to all men. — For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they (men) are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;

The law preserves the life of the one who studies it by making known God's will.
The law is (v 7-9):

• perfect


• sure


• right


• pure


• clean


• true


• righteous

12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

Who can understand his errors? No one. Only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ are we saved (Eph. 2:8).

Read Psalm 19

Psalm 18

A prayer of David when God delivered him from his enemies.

1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

Can you tell God you love him today? Can you say he is my rock?

David, confronted with Death, called upon the Lord who delivered him.

17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.

“He rescued me.” We need a personal relationship with God.

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing to your name.

The Psalm ends with praise to God. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. “This God — his way is perfect.”

Read Psalm 18. See also 2 Samuel 22.

Psalm 17

A prayer of David when he was in great adversity. He has great confidence that God will answer his prayer. David was surrounded by deadly enemies but believed God would wondrously show steadfast love to those who seek refuge in him.

This has direct application to us today. We are certainly surrounded by deadly enemies and this is a wonderful Psalm to pray.

Read Psalm 17

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I thank the Lord that he did not let his holy one see corruption.
Lord, I bless you and thank you because you give me counsel, I pray that in the night also my heart will instruct me. You will not abandon my soul to Sheol. You make known to me the path of life, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Read Psalm 16

Psalm 15

O Lord, who shall dwell on your holy hill:

• he who walks blamelessly


• he who does what is right


• he who does not slander with his tongue


• he who does no evil to his neighbor


• he who takes up no reproach against his friend


• he in whose eyes a vile person is despised


• he who honors those who fear the Lord


• he who swears to his own hurt and does not change


• he who does not put out his money at interest


• he who does not take a bribe against the innocent

Read Psalm 15

Psalm 14

Only a fool says in his heart "there is no God." They are corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

But God is with the generation of the righteous - the Lord is their refuge.

Read Psalm 14

Psalm 13

Lord I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

The Lord remembers those that are his. Put your trust in God and pray to him day after day.

Read Psalm 13

Psalm 12

Save, O Lord, your words are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Read Psalm 12

Psalm 11

The Lord is in his holy temple, ... his eyes see, his eyelids test, the children of man. The Lord is righteous, he loves righteous deeds, the upright shall behold his face.

Read Psalm 11

Psalm 10

The Lord is king forever and ever. Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer.

Read Psalm 10

Psalm 9

Lord, I give you thanks with my whole heart. I thank you that you are a stronghold in times of trouble.

A warning (for America?): The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

Read Psalm 9

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. What is man that you are mindful of him. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength.

This is a psalm of adoration.

Read Psalm 8

Psalm 7

Lord, in you do I take refuge; judge me according to my righteousness. Lord I give you the thanks due to your righteousness, and I will sing to the name of the Lord, the most high.

Read Psalm 7

Psalm 6

O Lord, be gracious to me. Turn, O Lord, deliver my life. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.

O Lord, let me be numbered with your people, both now and forever.

Read Psalm 6

Psalm 5

A psalm of David. A morning prayer for deliverance from enemies and a call for God to lead him.

Lord, in the morning hear my voice (both that which I verbalize and that which remains trapped in my heart), lead me in your righteousness, make your way straight before me.

v.1-3 Psalmist's call to the Lord to hear his voice (in the morning). The secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to him each and every morning. Commit the day to God and wait in expectation of answered prayer.
“consider my groaning” — the unuttered meditations in the heart.
“my King and my God” — the psalmist acknowledges that the Lord is both king and God.

v.4-6 God does not delight in wickedness. Try to become less tolerant of sin in your life. God is entirely incompatible with evil. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
v.7-10 Lead me (in ways made straight by a merciful God), O Lord because of my enemies. May their own schemes be their downfall! (v.10b, NET)

v.11-12 (Praise) for God blesses the righteous (and surrounds them with favor), those who take refuge in him [Yahweh].

Read Psalm 5

Psalm 4

A lament psalm. Practicing the presence of God.

v.1 “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!”
David perhaps has a drought in mind. The Lord is present with them even in the midst of trouble.
v.2 The psalmist asks how long men will seek after lies, shame, vain words. Selah.
(How long will you seek after false gods who cannot save.) David's opponents were men of rank (see ESV footnote to v.2).

v.3 The Lord has set apart the godly for himself.
“godly” — those in (deep committed) covenant relationship with God.
v.4 Do not sin in your anger. (Have an attitude of humility.)

4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

v.5 Put your trust in the Lord (alone).

v.6-8 There is joy in a relationship with God. Praise to the God who (alone) makes us dwell in safety. “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15)

Read Psalm 4

Psalm 3

In this lament psalm, the psalmist has many enemies but trusts in God's deliverance.

Lord, thank you for your salvation and that you are a shield about me.

v.1-2 David is surrounded by enemies. Selah.

v.3-4 He cries to God, who hears him. Selah.
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me”

v.5-8 Deliverance. Selah.
“Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!”
Deliverance and blessing comes only from God.

The life of the Christian is not free from the attack of the enemy; but, “salvation belongs to the Lord.” (v.8)

Read Psalm 3

Psalm 2

A royal psalm written to celebrate the coronation of the coming Messiah.

v.1-3 The peoples plot in vain against the Lord and his anointed

v.4-6 The Lord holds them in derision
v.7-9 The Lord says "you are my son" and "I will make the ends of the earth your possession"
v.10-12 Serve the Lord with fear. Blessed are those who take refuge in him.

Read Psalm 2

Psalm 1

“The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked”
Lord, may my delight be in your word and may I meditate on it day and night.

Psalm 1 should be read as an introduction to the whole book of Psalms.

1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

“Blessed” calls to mind the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11.

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

“meditates day and night” — “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deut. 6:7)

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

“he prospers” (like a well watered tree) — consequence of faithfully meditating on God's word.

4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

“chaff that the wind drives away” (dried up) — consequence of those rooted in evil


5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

The “way” one chooses in life determines one's end. How do we find the right way — mediate on God's word and act on it. Hear and do. Such a person is blessed.

Read Psalm 1