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THE BOOK OF PSALMS –Chapters 1 through 24
The book of Psalms is made up of 150 of the world’s most beautiful and powerful religious poems. The Psalms range through the whole scale of human emotions and have been of great comfort and encouragement to millions. Here we have a sort of “hymn books of Israel” or “The Hebrew Prayer and Praise Book.” There are numerous New Testament quotations from the Psalms and Jesus quoted from them more than any other OT book.
The Hebrew title for this book was tehillim, meaning “praises” or “hymns.” We get Psalms from the Greek psalmos, meaning “a song set to music.” We will do well to remember that the Psalms were written by people who lived under the Law of Moses, the Old Testament, and so reflect the worship and events of the OT.
Psalm 1 – Life’s alternatives. Here we may have the theme of the Psalms. God’s person knows how to say “No” , refusing to accept the advice and adopt the thinking of the world, to be party to the ways of the world, or to adopt the fatal attitudes of the world – notice the clear progression, refuses step by step (1). God’s person knows how to say “Yes” to the Lord, spending time in serious thought with God’s teaching and its application to life (2). As a result, God’s person has found an oasis in a dry land and so is fruitful and evergreen, blessed of God ((3). With the evil person it is different, for they are as worthless and unstable as chaff (4), not fit to face God or be among God’s people (5). God has a personal relationship with the righteous but will punish evil (6).
Psalm 2 –The reign of Yahweh’s anointed. A Royal or Messianic psalm, quoted often in the New Testament. A psalm related to a natural king (perhaps at his coronation) is applied in the NT to a description of the King of Kings. A worldly conference against the LORD’s anointed (1-3)(cf. Acts 4:25,26). The heavenly confidence (4-6). His royal authority (7-9)(cf. Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; Rev. 2:26-28; 12:5; 19.15,16). The reasonable action of worldly rulers (10-11).
Psalm 3 – Prayer changes things! His complaint (1,2). His confidence (3,4). His security (5,6). His prayer and rejoicing (7,8). David’s name is attached to 73 of the psalms, but the Hebrew preposition translated here (lamedh) can mean “of” or “for” or “by.” Notations such as this on the psalms are ancient but were not likely originally attached to the psalm. The word “Selah” is not to be read as part of the psalm. It is found 71 times in the psalms but its exact meaning is not known (it likely is a musical notation: “lift up the voice there”? “An interlude”? “Worshipers utter a cry” such as “amen”?).
Psalm 4 – An evening prayer. Is this from a background of distress due to crop failure?
A prayer for help (1). Rebuke of enemies(2,3). Teaching (4,5). Confidence in God (6-8).
Note especially v. 8 – “Now I will lie down in peace, and sleep; for thou alone, O LORD, makes me live unafraid” (NEB).
Psalm 5 –A morning prayer. Perhaps associated with going to the House of God for morning worship (3,7).
Psalm 6 – A prayer for deliverance. There is repentance and sorrow for sin and then assurance of a good answer (8-10). The note “according to The Sheminith” (the 8th or “octave”) perhaps means for bass or male voices.
Psalm 7 – A prayer for justice. He is being pursued by enemies (1,2). He declares his innocence of false charges (3-10). Confidence in the divine judgment (11-17).
Psalm 8 – God’s glory (1,2) and mankind’s dignity (3-9). Verses 4-6 are quoted in Hebrews 2:6-8 in reference to Jesus, who, as a man, fulfills God’s intended plan for man.
Psalm 9 – This is an “acrostic” or “alphabetical” psalm, but an incomplete one, using a different letter (consonant) of the Hebrew (which has 22 consonants) for every second line.
It is believed that Ps 9 and Ps 10 were originally one. Thanksgiving (1-6) and Trust (7-12). A prayer for help (13,14). God’s past judgments (15,16). Assurance of justice (17-20).
Psalm 10 – Prayer in time of trouble. Look at what is going on (1-11)! God sees – confidence (12-18)!
Psalm 11 – A song of steadfastness. Voices of despair: What can the righteous do (1-3)? Faith’s answer to fear – the forgotten dimension (4-7).
Psalm 12 – Untruth versus truth. The general misuse of the tongue (1-4). God’s Word can be trusted (5-8).
Psalm 13 – Despondency changes to confidence. Protest (1,2), prayer (3,4), praise (5,6).
Psalm 14 –Outline of a corrupt society. Faith that God will vindicate right (5-7). Almost the same as Ps 53. (Psalms is composed of five “books.” # 14 is in Book I and #53 is in Book II)
Psalm 15 – A fit guest of God. The one whose character is true (2), whose words are restrained (3), whose allegiance is clear-cut (4a), whose dealings are honorable (4b,5a) and whose place is thus assured (5b).
Psalm 16 – Refuge in God. The marks of the believer (1-4). The present blessings of the believer (5-8). The prospects of the believer (9-11). V. 8-11 were applied by Peter to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:35-31.
Psalm 17 – Prayer for vindication.
Psalm 18 – A victory song. This psalm is virtually the same as that in 2 Samuel 22, placed after the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba were crushed. The few changes seem to have been to adapt the song to public use. Take note of the strong symbolism.
Psalm 19 – Two witnesses to God. The natural revelation of God in the universe (1-6). The special revelation of God in the Law (7-13). Prayer for an inward and outward purity (14). “I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world” (C. S. Lewis).
Psalm 20 – Prayer for the king before battle.
Psalm 21 – Thanksgiving for the king after the battle.
Psalm 22 – Crucifixion and resurrection. Crucifixion (trial)(1-21). Resurrection (triumph)(22-31). “…it has become so perfectly and properly associated with the one Son of God that it is almost impossible to read it any other way” (Morgan).
Psalm 23 – The Shepherd (1-4) and the Host (5-6). Likely the best known of all the Psalms.
Psalm 24 – The King of Glory entering Zion. Written in relation to the bringing of the ark of the covenant into Zion? Often thought of in reference to Christ’s ascension.
A relationship between Psalms 22-23-24 has often been noted: 22 – the Saviour (the Cross)
23 – The Shepherd (the Crook/Staff) 24 – the Sovereign (the Crown)
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