Psalms

In this Psalm the writer speaks of Israel turning from God. They had forgotten the miraculous deeds that God did for Israel in Egypt. They turned to their natural sinful desires. The writer says, “For their heart was not steadfast toward Him. Nor were they faithful in His covenant.” In other words, Israel did not have the motivation to continue in obedience to God’s commandments. So, God punished Israel in order to reestablish that motivation.…

In this Psalm the writer Asaph speaks of Israel receiving God’s laws and commandments but not being obedient to them. Israel witnessed God’s power and enjoyed God’s blessings. However, they did not take God’s guidance to heart. Asaph says of Israel, “A generation that did not prepare its heart, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” The Bible says that we are to love God with all our heart, with all our mind, with…

In this Psalm Asaph speaks of God’s apparent rejection of Israel. He wonders if God’s favor will ever return to Israel. Asaph writes, “Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever?” However, Asaph retains his hope in God when Asaph ponders and meditates on what God has done for Israel in the past. He also has hope when…

In this Psalm the writer says, “Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them.” According to the Bible, making vows to God is serious business. God expects us to fulfill them, and there are consequences if we don’t. Therefore, we must think carefully before making a vow to the Lord. People usually make vows to God when they are in deep distress about something. They may be in a dire predicament fearing for…

This Psalm, like many others, is written from a dual perspective. The Psalmist Asaph speaks first. Then God speaks. God speaks of how He deals with the righteous and the wicked of the Earth. God says, “When I select an appointed time, it is I who judge with equity.” The wicked will not get away with their evil deeds. God will judge them fairly, and they will receive retribution. However, God will select the appropriate…

In this Psalm the writer, Asaph, is in despair. The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, and it appeared that God had abandoned Israel. There were no longer any Prophets who spoke the Truth. There were no longer any Prophets who spoke God’s words to the people. Evil and decadence had overtaken Israel. Goodness and Truth had been removed from the land. The standards of evil and lies had been established. The people were no…

In this Psalm, the writer Asaph speaks of the apparently easy and prosperous lives of the wicked people. Asaph perceived that the wicked had no hardships or pains as did Asaph. The wicked people were rich and lived lives of abundance. Asaph considered becoming wicked like them. He did not perceive any advantage to being righteous. Then, Asaph’s eyes were opened. Asaph said, “It was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary…

In this Psalm David writes of his son Solomon who would become King after David. He asks God to make Solomon’s kingdom great and enduring. David prays that Solomon’s kingdom will be characterized by justice and righteousness and that it will span the entire globe. David also prays that it will last forever. As King David prays, he is describing the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Jesus humanly descended from David. The Bible says that…

In these passages David acknowledges God’s lifelong blessings and guidance. David was aware of and relied on God’s help since David was a young boy. David first observed God’s help when David was a shepherd of his father’s sheep. With God’s help, David killed a lion while protecting the sheep. Later, with God’s help, David was able to kill the giant, Goliath. Now, David was growing old and appealed to God to continue helping David…

In these passages David expresses his need for God during challenging and painful moments in David’s life. David writes, “I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me! O God! Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord do not delay.” It seems that during these times David urgently needed God’s help. God always helped David. However, God’s help sometimes did not occur when David wanted it to occur. God has his own schedule. However,…