Through the Psalms

In this Psalm of David, the sweet psalmist of Israel prays to God for deliverance and protection from his enemies. The Ziphites have betrayed David's location to Saul, but God expresses his confidence in God, whom he calls his helper. He praises and thanks God for his deliverance and letting him see his desire upon his enemies.

This wisdom psalm is nearly identical to Psalm 14, with the exception of verse 5. It contains the well-known verse about what the fool says in his heart about God. The sinfulness and depravity of humanity is contrasted with the salvation and deliverance which God brings from Zion.

This short wisdom psalm contrasts the wicked man Doeg, who boasts in his wickedness, with the righteous man David, who trusts in the mercy of God. The tongue of the wicked is compared to a razor, while David compares himself to an olive tree in the house of God.

In the month of June, sadly, we are confronted with the celebration of sexual deviancy. How should Christians respond to this? What does the Bible say about sexual sin, gender, and marriage?

In light of the current controversy in the SBC regarding the question of women pastors, it is helpful to look at what the Bible says about this topic.

In this well-known Penitential Psalm, David confesses his sins of adultery and murder and asks God for mercy and cleansing. He also asks God to create in him a clean heart and restore the joy of salvation to him so that he can teach others and praise God once again. David realizes God wants a broken and contrite heart, not sacrifice.

This Song of Zion by Asaph presents God as the Judge of Israel and the wicked. God rebukes Israel for superficial and shallow worship, and He reproves the wicked for their thievery, adultery, deceit, and slander. The psalm reminds us that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and it closes with a warning and admonition against forgetting God.

I talk about the recent controversies in the SBC as well as the frustrations I've dealt with as I've sought to make people aware of these problems.

This wisdom psalm by the sons of Korah is written to all inhabitants of the world and has as its main message a warning against trusting in riches. It contains a messianic prophecy in verse 15. This psalm also contrasts the destiny of the righteous who trust in God with that of the wicked who trust in their wealth.

This psalm is a Song of Zion. Jerusalem, or Mount Zion, figures prominently in this psalm. The city of God is called the joy of the whole earth, and God is shown to be her protector. The people of God meditate on God's loving-kindness in the temple. The ships of Tarshish are also mentioned.

One of the six enthronement psalms of the divine kingdom, this psalm celebrates Christ's rule over all the earth and His ascension to His throne. It commands us to sing praises to the exalted King.

This is a well-known psalm which describes God as our refuge and help. Martin Luther wrote the famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, based upon the first verse of this psalm. Psalm 46 is a Song of Zion, as it mentions the city of God.

This is a Royal Psalm that is both historical and messianic in nature. The occasion is the King's wedding—possibly between King Solomon and an Egyptian princess. However, there is messianic language used in verses 6 and 7 with references to Christ, as quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9. Thus, this psalm points to the wedding between Christ and the Church and His future reign which will last forever.

There was a leak of Justice Samuel Alito's decision in the Dobbs case that could potentially overturn Roe v Wade. Pray for the conservative justices to stand strong, and pray that life would be honored in our nation once again.

A national lament psalm for the sons of Korah, this psalm contrasts God's deliverance for Israel in the past with the present persecution by Israel's enemies. The psalmist declares that he will not trust in his bow or sword, but he will boast in God. This psalm closes with a prayer for God to awake and arise for Israel's help and redemption.

A lament psalm that begins with the famous verse about the deer panting after the water brooks. The psalmist seems to be in exile, and he longs to return to Jerusalem to worship God. The self-inquiring refrain (Why art thou cast down, O my soul?) about hoping and praising God for the help of his countenance reoccurs throughout the two psalms.

David describes the blessedness of those who consider the poor. He asks God for mercy and healing as he confesses his sin. He also speaks about persecution by his enemies. He again asks God for mercy, and expresses confidence in the Lord's favor. He closes with a doxology of praise.

David talks about waiting upon God and praises Him for answered prayer. This Psalm has two main parts—thanksgiving and lament. The book of Hebrews quotes verses 6-8 in referring to Christ. Psalm 70 is almost identical to verses 13-17 in this Psalm.

David says he will take heed to his ways so that he will not sin with his tongue. He also reflects upon the brevity of life. He prays to God for deliverance and healing. He puts his trust in God, not in the temporary things of this world.

Parental notice: This episode contains sensitive content. In this Penitential Psalm, David seeks God's mercy, describes his guilt and misery, confesses his sin to God, and asks for God's help.

In this Psalm, David addresses the age old question, “Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?” He tells us to trust in the Lord and do good. David also encourages the listener to wait on the Lord. He says the wicked will be cut off, but the meek shall inherit the land. The introduction to this episode includes an excerpt from John Quincy Adams' diary on the topic of Psalm 37.

The motto of Columbia University comes from this Psalm. David speaks first of the wicked man. Then he switches gears to talk about the lovingkindness of God. He closes with a prayer of protection.

The Reverend Jacob Duche' read this Psalm in the First Continental Congress. John Adams was so moved by it and the following prayer that he mentioned it in a letter to his wife, Abigail. In this imprecatory psalm, David prays for God to fight against his enemies and pursue them. David, in the midst of this persecution, finds joy in the Lord and gives Him thanks.

David blesses the Lord for delivering him from trouble. David encourages people to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. David teaches us what he has learned, which includes how to have life and see good days. Finally, David contrasts how the Lord deals with the righteous and the wicked.

This unattributed praise psalm (David probably wrote it) speaks of the importance of praising the Lord through music and singing because of his righteousness, truth, justice, creation, and mercy. It also reminds us to make sure that our trust is in the Lord and not in human strength or military might.

David describes the blessedness of forgiveness that can be ours when we confess our sins to God. God surrounded David with songs of deliverance and mercy. This is one of the seven Penitential Psalms or Psalms of Confession.

David trusts in God and prays for deliverance as he deals with enemies, physical suffering, and slander. He praises God for his goodness and faithfulness. He closes the psalm with an admonition to be of good courage.

David praises God for deliverance from his enemies, for healing, for turning his mourning into dancing, and for taking off his sackcloth and girding him with gladness. David also reminds us that while weeping may endure for the night, joy comes in the morning.

David urges us to worship the Lord and give glory unto Him. The power of the voice of the Lord is discussed in relation to the storms of nature. David concludes this psalm with a precious promise of God's blessing in the form of strength and peace.

David prays to God for deliverance and for punishment of the wicked. Then he rejoices and praises God for answered prayer. He concludes by asking God to save, bless, shepherd, and carry His people.

David declares that the Lord is his light and salvation. He expresses confidence in the Lord as his enemies surround him. He tells of his desire to dwell in the house of the Lord, to behold his beauty, and to inquire in his temple. He asks God for mercy and deliverance. He seeks God's face. He trusts in the goodness of the Lord and urges listeners to wait upon the Lord.

David prays that God would vindicate and examine him in light of unfair treatment by wicked people. David talks about how he has walked in truth and hates evildoers. He tells of his love for God's house, and he asks for redemption and mercy. He concludes with praise to God.

David lifts up his soul to God in prayer, and he asks for deliverance from his enemies, mercy and pardon for his sins, and guidance and direction in the way he should go. He closes with a plea that integrity and uprightness would preserve him and that God would redeem Israel out of all his troubles.

The last of the Shepherd Psalms, Psalm 24 asks, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” David also asks, “Who is this King of Glory?” The background of the Psalm is probably when David took the ark of the Lord up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). Christians see in this psalm the Ascension of Christ to heaven.

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in all of the Bible. David, a shepherd himself, describes the Lord as his shepherd. He outlines how the Lord provides, protects, and cares for his sheep. This psalm also describes the Lord as a host at a dinner. It concludes with the twin blessings of goodness and mercy as David says he will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

In Psalm 22, we have an amazing prophetic description of Christ's death on the cross. The latter part of the psalm discusses Christ's future reign over all the earth.

The Lord is praised for the victory He has given to the king; and how He has answered his prayers and given him his heart's desires.

The people pray that God would give King David victory in battle, grant his heart's desires, and make all his plans succeed. We are reminded to put our trust in the name of the Lord our God and not in horses and chariots.

David reflects on the glory of God, first through the creation, and then by the law of the Lord. He concludes with a series of prayers to be pleasing to God.

David praises the Lord for deliverance from his enemies. He calls the Lord his Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, his God, Strength, Shield, Strength of his Salvation, and his High Tower.

David prays for God to deliver him from his enemies, keep him as the apple of the eye, and hide him under the shadow of His wings. David also anticipates when he will see God's face.

A psalm about the joys of the believer in life and the hope of the believer in death. The last three verses are a messianic prophecy that deal with the resurrection of Christ.

David asks and answers two questions concerning, Who may dwell in God's sanctuary or holy hill?

David describes the wicked who live as atheists. After describing these people, David expresses his longing for the Messiah who will deliver Israel. The Apostle Paul quoted this Psalm in Romans 3:10-12 as he described the universal depravity of mankind.

David asks, “How long...” will the Lord hide his face and his enemies be exalted over him? He asks God to hear him and lighten his eyes. Then he trusts in God's mercy, rejoices in his salvation, and sings to the Lord because God deals bountifully with him.

David asks God for help because the godly seem to have disappeared in his society, and the wicked are oppressing the poor and needy. David falls back upon the pure words of the Lord for a sure foundation.

David trusts in the Lord while he is being persecuted by wicked men. As he laments the fact that the foundations are destroyed, he remembers that the Lord is in his holy temple. David also discusses the judgment of the wicked and the righteousness of God.

The Psalmist wrestles with the problem of the prosperity of the wicked and the oppression of the poor. He concludes that the Lord is king forever and will eventually punish the wicked and hear the cries of the fatherless and oppressed.

David praises God for deliverance and protection from his enemies. God is described as the righteous judge over the whole Earth. David describes God as a refuge for the oppressed. David also asks God for mercy. Finally, he asks God to arise and judge the heathen, or the Gentile nations.

David praises God and reflects upon the wonders of the creation. He then turns to the honor which God bestows upon mankind and describes mankind's dominion over creation. David concludes by again praising God.

David prays to God for deliverance from his enemies; he describes how God is angry with the wicked; and finally David praises God for his righteousness.