Psalm Chapter 31
King David frequently referred to "Sheol" in his Psalms, not merely because he had put many men into their grave (see Sheol and Hades) in battle, but also because he knew that all humans are destined to die, from which a resurrection is coming (see Resurrections; also Could Christ Return Tonight?). For that reason, David's "Into Thy hand I commit my spirit" (Psalm 31:5) was quoted by Jesus Christ
as He was about to die: "Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,
"Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit!" [see the Fact Finder
question below] And having said this He breathed [again, see the Fact
Finder question below] His last" (Luke 23:46 RSV)
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
In Thee, O Lord, do I seek refuge [see also Sanctuary];
let me never be put to shame; in Thy righteousness deliver me! Incline
Thy ear to me, rescue me speedily! Be Thou a rock of refuge for me, a
strong fortress to save me! Yea, Thou art my rock and my fortress; for
Thy name's sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net which is
hidden for me, for Thou art my refuge. Into Thy hand I commit my spirit;
Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I Trust in The Lord [see also The Trysting Tent].
I will rejoice and be glad for Thy steadfast love, because Thou hast
seen my affliction, Thou hast taken heed of my adversities, and hast not
delivered me into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a
broad place.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from
grief, my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and
my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my
bones waste away. I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my
neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in
the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead
[see What Happens When You Die?]; I have become like a broken vessel [see Vessels].
Yea, I hear the whispering of many - terror on every side! - as they
scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in thee, O Lord, I say, "Thou art my God." My times are in
Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors! Let
Thy face shine on Thy servant; save me in Thy steadfast love! Let me not
be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on Thee; let the wicked be put to
shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol. Let the lying lips be dumb,
which speak insolently against the righteous in pride [see The Two Kinds Of Pride] and contempt.
O how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for those who
fear thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in thee, in the sight
of the sons of men! In the covert of Thy presence Thou hidest them from
the plots of men; Thou holdest them safe under Thy shelter from the
strife of tongues [see also Speaking In Tongues].
Blessed be The Lord, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to
me when I was beset as in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, "I am
driven far from Thy sight." But Thou didst hear my supplications, when I
cried to thee for help. Love The Lord, all you His saints! [see What Is A Saint?]
The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly requites him who acts
haughtily. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait
for The Lord!" (Psalm 31:1-24 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 32
David's "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is
covered" speaks directly about the "covering" sacrifice of Christ (see Christ's Mercy Seat) for those who repent. Christ died for repentant
("I acknowledged my sin to thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I
said, "I will confess my transgressions to The Lord"; then Thou didst
forgive the guilt of my sin," see quote below) sinners; unrepentant
("When I declared not my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning
all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my strength
was dried up as by the heat of summer," see quote below) sinners are
going to be cast into the lake of fire (see They Shall Be Ashes).
"A Psalm of David. A Maskil.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom The Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose
spirit there is no deceit.
When I declared not my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all
day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my strength was
dried up as by the heat of summer. [Selah]
I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said,
"I will confess my transgressions to The Lord"; then Thou didst forgive
the guilt of my sin. [Selah]
Therefore let every one who is godly offer prayer to thee; at a time of
distress, in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. Thou
art a hiding place for me, Thou preservest me from trouble; Thou dost
encompass me with Deliverance. [Selah]
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel
you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without
understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will
not keep with you. Many are the pangs of the wicked; but steadfast love
surrounds him who trusts in The Lord. Be glad in The Lord, and rejoice, O
righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:1-11
RSV)
Psalm Chapter 33
The Psalms (see The Harp String Verses to understand the meaning of "psalm") are musical compositions of prayer and prophecy, something well-known to The Host Of Heaven as well e.g. "And when He [see The Ancient of Days]
had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four
elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden
bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and they
sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art Thou to take the scroll and to open
its seals [see The Seven Seals], for Thou wast slain and by Thy blood [see Why Blood?] didst Ransom
men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and hast
made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on
earth." (Revelation 5:8-10 RSV).
"Rejoice in The Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. [see The Lord's Plumb Line]
Praise The Lord with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten
strings! Sing to him a new song, play skilfully on the strings, with
loud shouts. For the word of The Lord is upright; and all his work is
done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is
full of the steadfast love of The Lord.
By the word of The Lord the heavens were made [see Christ The Creator], and all their host by the breath [see The Spirit Of God]
of His mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; He put
the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear The Lord, let all the
inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him! For He spoke, and it came
to be; He commanded, and it stood forth. The Lord brings the counsel of
the nations to nought; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The
counsel of The Lord stands for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all
generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is The Lord, the people whom He has
chosen as His heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven, He sees all the
sons of men; from where He sits enthroned He looks forth on all the
inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, and
observes all their deeds. A king is not saved by his great army [see High Places of The Mind];
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a
vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. Behold,
the eye of The Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His
steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death, and keep them
alive in famine.
Our soul waits for The Lord; He is our help and shield. Yea, our heart
is glad in Him, because we trust in His Holy Name. Let Thy steadfast
love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in Thee." (Psalm 33:1-22 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 28
David's "be Thou their shepherd" prayer in this psalm portrays how
humans are free to roam the pastureland that The Lord created for His
"sheep." Jesus Christ
frequently used the same analogy e.g. "I am the good shepherd; I know
My own and my own know Me, as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;
and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are
not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed My voice.
So there shall be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:14-16 RSV).
"A Psalm of David.
To Thee, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if thou be
silent to me, I become like those who go down to the Pit [see Sheol and Hades; also What Happens When You Die?]. Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to thee for help, as I lift up my hands toward Thy Most Holy Sanctuary.
Take me not off with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil [see Evil Means Fool], who speak peace with their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts [see Glass Houses].
Requite them according to their work, and according to the evil of
their deeds; requite them according to the work of their hands; render
them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of The Lord,
or the work of His hands, He will break them down and build them up no
more. Blessed be The Lord! for He has heard the voice of my
supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart
trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give
thanks to Him.
The Lord is the strength of His people, He is the saving refuge of His anointed [see Ointment]. O save Thy people, and bless Thy heritage; be Thou their shepherd, and carry them for ever." (Psalm 28:1-9 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 29
Ironically, "nature" is often more aware of God than humans are i.e.
"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and
they will tell you; or the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does
not know that the hand of The Lord has done this?" (Job 12:7-10 RSV)
"A Psalm of David.
Ascribe to The Lord, O heavenly beings [see The Host Of Heaven and What Do Angels Do?], ascribe to The Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to The Lord the glory of His Name [see What Is God's Name?]; worship The Lord in holy array.
The voice of The Lord [see All That Are In The Graves Shall Hear His Voice]
is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, The Lord, upon many
waters. The voice of The Lord is powerful, the voice of The Lord is full
of majesty. The voice of The Lord breaks the cedars, The Lord breaks
the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion
like a young wild ox. The voice of The Lord flashes forth flames of
fire. The voice of The Lord shakes the wilderness, The Lord shakes the
wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of The Lord makes the oaks to whirl, and
strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; The Lord sits enthroned as king
for ever. May The Lord give strength to His people! May The Lord bless
His people with peace!" (Psalm 29:1-11 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 30
Although the Psalm was likely sung again "at the dedication of the
Temple" (Psalm 30:1 RSV), the original composition had to be referring
to David's palace (see The Zion Bridge)
which was completed before the Temple, while David was still alive. The
King James translates the verse as "the dedication of the house of
David."
"A Psalm of David. A Song at the dedication of the Temple.
I will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast drawn me up, and hast not let
my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to Thee for help, and
Thou hast healed me. O Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to The Lord, O you His saints [see What Is A Saint?],
and give thanks to His Holy Name. For His anger is but for a moment,
and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but
joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." By Thy
favor, O Lord, Thou hadst established me as a strong mountain; Thou
didst hide Thy face, I was dismayed. To Thee, O Lord, I cried; and to
The Lord I made supplication: "What profit is there in my death, if I go
down to the Pit? [see also The Quick and The Dead] Will the dust praise Thee? Will it tell of Thy faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be Thou my helper!"
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth [see Sackcloth and Ashes]
and girded me with gladness, that my soul may praise Thee and not be
silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to Thee for ever." (Psalm
30:1-12 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 25
King David (see also Israelite Monarchy - The Origin, The Civil War and The United Kingdom)
was often a man of war, but at the same time he was a man seeking peace
with God through true repentance. Every genuine Christian knows the
"heart" of David's "Make me to know Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy
paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me, for Thou art the God of my
salvation; for Thee I wait all the day long. Be mindful of Thy mercy, O
Lord, and of Thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions."
"A Psalm of David.
To thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul [see Where Is Your Soul?; also The Spirit Of God].
O my God, in Thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my
enemies exult over me. Yea, let none that wait for Thee be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy
truth, and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation [see Salvation Unto All That Obey Him and The Way To Salvation];
for Thee I wait all the day long. Be mindful of Thy mercy, O Lord, and
of Thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the
sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to Thy steadfast love
remember me, for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord!
Good and upright [see The Lord's Plumb Line] is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners [see What Is Sin?] in the way. He leads the humble [see The Two Kinds Of Pride]
in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the
Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His
covenant and His testimonies [see Covenant and Testament]. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt [see Your Pardon],
for it is great. Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him will He
instruct in the way that he should choose. He himself shall abide in
prosperity, and his children shall possess the land. The friendship of
the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His
covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet
out of the net.
Turn Thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart [see Trials and Tribulations],
and bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my
trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and
with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh guard my life, and deliver me;
let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in Thee [see Where Is Your Place Of Safety?]. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for Thee [see To Meet The Lord In The Air]. Redeem Israel [see Physical and Spiritual Israel], O God, out of all his troubles." (Psalm 25:1-22 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 26
Although some regard this psalm of David to be "boastful" or "self righteous," David was actually speaking of his determination to do all of those things right. David's "Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity" is a plain statement that David was asking for forgiveness. Vindicate means to excuse (not to make an excuse).
"A Psalm of David.
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have
trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test
my heart and my mind [see Glass Houses].
For Thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to
Thee. I do not sit with false men, nor do I consort with dissemblers; I
hate the company of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. I
wash my hands in innocence, and go about thy altar, O Lord, singing
aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all thy wondrous deeds. O
Lord, I love the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy glory
dwells.
Sweep me not away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, men
in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of
bribes. But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be
gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great
congregation I will bless the Lord." (Psalm 26:1-12 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 27
David's "that I may dwell in the house of the Lord" was speaking of the
eternal home (see the Fact Finder question below) that is coming for
those who repent. Jesus Christ
referred to it as "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not
so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you
to Myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2-3 RSV; see Mansions)
"A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my light [see The Light Of Life]
and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me, uttering
slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and
fall. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though
war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His Temple [see Physical and Spiritual Temples]. For He will hide me in His shelter [see Sanctuary] in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent [see Pavilions; also The Trysting Tent],
He will set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices
with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! Thou
hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, Lord, do
I seek." Hide not Thy face from me. Turn not Thy servant away in anger,
Thou who hast been my help. Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of
my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord
will take me up. Teach me Thy way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for
false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! [see Born Again, How and When?] Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:1-14 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 22
King David was a key ancestor of Jesus Christ, but David was also, at times, a prophet of the coming Messiah (see Christ In The Psalms)
- including in this Psalm in which David's song portrayed the words
(e.g. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" of Psalm 22:2 - see
the Fact Finder question below) and the suffering of the Messiah (e.g.
David's "they have pierced my hands and feet" of Psalm 22:16 and David's
"they divide my garments among them and for my raiment they cast lots"
of Psalm 22:18 happened moreover to Christ, not to David himself) on the
"cross" (see Crosses).
"To the choirmaster: according to The Hind of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from
helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but
Thou dost not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
Yet Thou art holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In thee our fathers trusted [e.g. see The Trysting Tent];
they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. To Thee they cried, and were
saved; in Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm, and no man; scorned by men, and despised by the people.
All who see me mock at me, they make mouths at me, they wag their
heads; "He committed his cause to The Lord; let him deliver him, let him
rescue him, for he delights in him!"
Yet Thou art He who took me from the womb [see When Does "Life" Begin?];
Thou didst keep me safe upon my mother's breasts. Upon Thee was I cast
from my birth, and since my mother bore me Thou hast been my God. Be not
far from me, for trouble is near and there is none to help.
Many bulls [see Bully]
encompass me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their
mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like
water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is
melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my
tongue cleaves to my jaws; thou dost lay me in the dust of death. Yea,
dogs are round about me; a company of evildoers encircle me; they have
pierced my hands and feet - I can count all my bones--they stare and
gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment
they cast lots.
But Thou, O Lord, be not far off! O Thou my help, hasten to my aid! Deliver my soul [see Where Is Your Soul?; also Do Animals Have A Soul?]
from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! Save me from the
mouth of the lion, my afflicted soul from the horns of the wild oxen!
I will tell of Thy Name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation
I will praise thee: You who fear The Lord, praise him! all you sons of
Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you sons of Israel! For
He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and He
has not hid His face from him, but has heard, when he cried to Him.
From Thee comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear Him. The afflicted [see Trials and Tribulations]
shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise The Lord!
May your hearts live for ever! All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to The Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship
before Him. For dominion belongs to The Lord, and He rules over the
nations [see The Coming World Dictator].
Yea, to Him shall all the proud of the earth bow down; before Him shall bow all who go down to the dust [see Resurrections],
and he who cannot keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve Him; men
shall tell of the Lord to the coming generation, and proclaim His
deliverance to a people yet unborn, that He has wrought it." (Psalm
22:1-31 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 23
The twenty-third Psalm is one of the most well-known of the Holy
Scriptures. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie
down in green pastures" has been read and recited as a comforting
assurance by millions of people in their time of tribuation.
"A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He
leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou
art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou
anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house
of The Lord [see Born Again, How and When?] for ever." (Psalm 23:1-6 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 24
The Lord was sent (see Christ The Creator) to build the earth (see The Lord's Plumb Line) as a house for God's people.
"A Psalm of David.
The earth is The Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who
dwell therein; for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it
upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of The Lord? [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?]
And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a
pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not
swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from The Lord, and
vindication from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of
those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah]
Lift up your heads, O gates! [see Through The Gates Of Hell]
and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, The Lord, mighty
in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient
doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory! [Selah]" (Psalm 24:1-10 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 17
King David knew much trouble in his life, at first from his God-appointed rise to king (e.g. see The Civil War), thereafter sometimes due to his own human imperfection (e.g. see Bathsheba), sometimes due to power struggles within his own family (e.g. see Absalom and Tamar and Amnon),
but regardless of when or how, David's heart never strayed from The
Lord. The psalms of David are prayers of a true man of God.
"A Prayer of David.
Hear a just cause, O Lord [see YHVH, Adonai, Jehovah, LORD];
attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From
thee let my vindication come! Let thy eyes see the right!
If Thou triest my heart [see A Pure Heart], if Thou visitest me by night, if Thou testest me [see No Pain, No Gain],
Thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. With
regard to the works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have avoided the
ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to Thy paths, my feet have
not slipped.
I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; incline Thy ear to me,
hear my words. Wondrously show Thy steadfast love, O Savior [see Israelite Monarchy - The Messiah; also Christ The Creator and The God Of The Old Testament] of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Thy right hand. Keep me as the Apple Of The Eye; hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.
They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly [see The Two Kinds Of Pride].
They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast
me to the ground. They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion
lurking in Ambush.
Arise, O Lord! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by Thy sword [see also Strong Is He Who Has Come Down],
from men by Thy hand, O Lord, from men whose portion in life is of the
world. May their belly be filled with what Thou hast stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over
to their babes. As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness;
when I awake [see the Fact Finder question below], I shall be satisfied
with beholding thy form." (Psalm 17:1-15 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 18
When David was in trouble, he prayed for help (e.g. Psalm 17 above). When David was delivered, he prayed thanksgiving.
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David the servant of The Lord, who
addressed the words of this song to The Lord on the day when The Lord
delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul [see also Israelite Monarchy - The Origin].
He said: I love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock [to understand who the "Rock" is, see Why Did Christ Put Moses To Death?],
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. I call
upon The Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my
enemies.
The cords of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; the cords of Sheol [see Sheol and Hades]
entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I
called upon The Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He
heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations [see also The Lord's Plumb Line]
also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because He was angry. Smoke
went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; glowing
coals flamed forth from Him. He bowed the heavens [see Heavens Below, Heavens Above],
and came down; thick darkness was under His feet. He rode on a cherub,
and flew; He came swiftly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness
His covering around Him, His canopy thick clouds [see also The Clouds of Heaven]
dark with water. Out of the brightness before Him there broke through
His clouds hailstones and coals of fire. The Lord also thundered in the
heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of
fire. And He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; He flashed forth
lightnings, and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and
the foundations of the world were laid bare, at Thy rebuke, O Lord, at
the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils [see The Spirit Of God]. He reached from on high, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for
they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my
calamity; but The Lord was my stay. He brought me forth into a broad
place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the
cleanness of my hands He recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of The
Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His
ordinances were before me, and His statutes I did not put away from me. I
was blameless before Him, and I kept myself from guilt. Therefore The
Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the
cleanness of my hands in His sight.
With the loyal Thou dost show Thyself loyal; with the blameless man Thou
dost show Thyself blameless; with the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure;
and with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself perverse. For Thou dost
deliver a humble people; but the haughty eyes Thou dost bring down. Yea,
Thou dost light my lamp [see The Light Of Life]; The Lord my God lightens my Darkness. Yea, by thee I can crush a troop; and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God - His way is perfect; the promise of The Lord proves true; He
is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but
The Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? - the God who girded me
with strength, and made my way safe. He made my feet like hinds' feet,
and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war [see Christ the Conqueror For Peace and The Coming World Dictator],
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thou hast given me the shield
of thy salvation, and thy right hand supported me, and thy help made me
great. Thou didst give a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet
did not slip.
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; and did not turn back till they
were consumed. I thrust them through, so that they were not able to
rise; they fell under my feet. For Thou didst gird me with strength for
the battle; Thou didst make my assailants sink under me. Thou didst make
my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed.
They cried for help, but there was none to save, they cried to The Lord,
but He did not answer them. I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I
cast them out like the mire of the streets.
Thou didst deliver me from strife with the peoples; Thou didst make me the head of the nations [see The United Kingdom];
people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they
obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart, and
came trembling out of their fastnesses.
The Lord lives; and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my
salvation, the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me;
who delivered me from my enemies; yea, thou didst exalt me above my
adversaries; Thou didst deliver me from men of violence. For this I will
extol thee, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to Thy name
[see Thou shalt not take The Lord's Name in vain].
Great triumphs He gives to his king, and shows steadfast love to His
anointed, to David and his descendants for ever." (Psalm 18:1-50 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 19
Although some scientists arrogantly and foolishly refuse to acknowledge The First Scientist, The Lord is the Creator of the Cosmos "and the firmament proclaims His handiwork."
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
The heavens are telling the glory of God [see also Hydrogen]; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day to day [see Do We Have The Original Calendar?]
pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no
speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice
goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes forth like a
bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course
with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of
them; and there is nothing hid from its heat. The law of The Lord is
perfect [see Timeless; also How Old Is God?], reviving the soul [see Where Is Your Soul?]; the testimony [see Covenant and Testament]
of The Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of The Lord
are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of The Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes; the fear of The Lord is clean, enduring for ever;
the ordinances of The Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to
be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than
honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant
warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern His errors? Clear Thou me from hidden faults. Keep
back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion
over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great
transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable
in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:1-14 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 20
The City of David was founded long before David because "Zion" (see link below) is a purpose, not merely a place.
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! May He send you help from the Sanctuary, and give you support from Zion! [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?] May He remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! [Selah]
May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfil all your plans! May we
shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our
banners! May The Lord fulfil all your petitions!
Now I know that The Lord will help His anointed [see also The Anointed One]; He will answer him from His holy heaven [see also The Throne Of God, From Heaven To Earth]
with mighty victories by His right hand. Some boast of chariots, and
some of horses; but we boast of the Name of The Lord our God. They will
collapse and fall; but we shall rise and stand upright.
Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call." (Psalm 20:1-9 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 21
Another prayer of thanksgiving for the victory given to His servant.
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
In Thy strength the king rejoices, O Lord; and in Thy help how greatly
he exults! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withheld
the request of his lips. [Selah]
For Thou dost meet him with goodly blessings; Thou dost set a crown of
fine gold upon his head. He asked life of Thee; Thou gavest it to him,
length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great through Thy help;
splendor and majesty Thou dost bestow upon him. Yea, Thou dost make him
most blessed for ever; Thou dost make him glad with the joy of Thy
presence. For the king trusts in The Lord; and through the steadfast
love of the Most High [see also The Ancient of Days] he shall not be moved.
Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out
those who hate you. You will make them as a blazing oven when you
appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath; and fire will
consume them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their
children from among the sons of men. If they plan evil against you, if
they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to
flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.
Be exalted, O Lord, in thy strength! We will sing and praise thy power." (Psalm 21:1-13 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 14
The Psalms are frequently quoted in the New Testament. King David's
Psalm 14, which is about a world that is yet Satan's world (see Who Still Rules The World Today?
and the Fact Finder question below) is quoted in Romans 3:10-12 i.e.
"as it is written: 'none is righteous, no, not one; no one understands,
no one seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have gone
wrong; no one does good, not even one.'"
"To the choirmaster. Of David.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do
abominable deeds, there is none that does good. The Lord looks down
from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act
wisely [i.e. God's Wisdom], that seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no, not one.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon The Lord [see YHVH, Adonai, Jehovah, LORD]? There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous [see Children Of God]. You would confound the plans of the poor, but The Lord is his refuge.
O that deliverance for Israel would come out of Zion! [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?] When The Lord restores the fortunes of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad." (Psalm 14:1-7 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 15
Zion is far more than just a national capital for the people of Judah alone (see Zionism):
"Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this
mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the
full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as
it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish
ungodliness from Jacob" (Romans 11:25-26 RSV)
"A Psalm of David [King David was the prototype of a far greater King - see Israelite Monarchy - The Messiah].
O Lord, who shall sojourn in Thy tent? Who shall dwell on Thy holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from
his heart; who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his
friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; in whose eyes a Reprobate
is despised, but who honors those who fear The Lord; who swears to his
own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at
interest, and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does
these things [see Daughter of Zion] shall never be moved." (Psalm 15:1-5 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 16
"For David says concerning Him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for He
is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was
glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For
Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see
corruption" (Acts 2:25-27 RSV) is quoting this prophetic, Messianic,
Psalm of David.
"A Miktam of David.
Preserve me, O God, for in Thee I take refuge. I say to The Lord, "Thou
art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." As for the saints [see What Is A Saint?]
in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. Those who
choose another god multiply their sorrows; their libations of blood I
will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. The lines
have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
I bless The Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart
instructs me. I keep The Lord always before me; because he is at my
right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my
soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure. For thou dost not give me up
to Sheol [see Sheol and Hades],
or let thy godly one see the Pit. Thou dost show me the path of life;
in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures
for evermore." (Psalm 16:1-11 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 11
King David (see also The Civil War and The United Kingdom) knew all too well that obedience to The Lord is the only "place" of safety (see the Fact Finder question below).
"To the choirmaster. Of David.
In The Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains; for lo, the wicked bend the bow [see Archers],
they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the
upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the
righteous do"?
The Lord is in His Holy Temple [see Physical and Spiritual Temples], The Lord's Throne is in heaven [see The Throne Of God, From Heaven To Earth];
His eyes behold, His eyelids test, the children of men. The Lord tests
the righteous and the wicked, and His soul hates him that loves
violence. On the wicked He will rain coals of Fire and Brimstone; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For The Lord is righteous, He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face [see When Will You Be Judged?]." (Psalm 11:1-7 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 12
David also well understood how mendacity, the lust to lie, is the foundation of Satan's world (see Who Still Rules The World Today?).
"To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
Help, Lord; for there is no longer any that is godly; for the faithful
have vanished from among the sons of men. Every one utters lies [see Thou shalt not bear false witness] to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
May The Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great
boasts, those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are
with us; who is our master?"
Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now
arise," says The Lord; "I will place him in the safety for which he
longs." The promises of The Lord are promises that are pure, silver
refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
Do Thou, O Lord, protect us, guard us ever from this generation. On
every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the sons of
men." (Psalm 12:1-8 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 13
Although he was himself a deliverer to many, David looked forward to the coming of the ultimate Deliverer (see also Could Christ Return Tonight?).
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
How long, O Lord? Wilt Thou forget me for ever? How long wilt Thou hide
Thy face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow
in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death [see What Happens When You Die?]; lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him"; lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Thy steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Thy
salvation. I will sing to The Lord, because He has dealt bountifully
with me." (Psalm 13:1-6 RSV)
