Psalm Chapter 60
The "according to Shushan Eduth" in this Psalm is an obvious musical
term "to the choirmaster." It literally means "lily of the testimony"
and most likely refers to a musical instrument that may have been shaped
like a lily, either stringed or trumpet-like - or possibly even the
music of another composition with a "lily" title (i.e. "to the tune of
Lilies"). It is referred to "according to Lilies" in Psalm 45:1 and 69:1
(RSV).
"To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam of David; for
instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and
when Joab on his return killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt [see The Salt Sea].
O God, Thou hast rejected us, broken our defenses; Thou hast been angry; oh, restore us. Thou hast made the land to quake [see Earthquake!],
Thou hast rent it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. Thou hast
made Thy people suffer hard things; Thou hast given us wine to drink
that made us reel. Thou hast set up a banner for those who fear Thee, to
rally to it from the bow. [Selah]
That Thy beloved may be delivered, give victory by Thy right hand and
answer us! God has spoken in His sanctuary: "With exultation I will
divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine;
Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet [i.e. the northern section of
Israel that after David's time of The United Kingdom later became the separate northern kingdom of "Israel" - see The Division Of Israel and The Northern Kingdom];
Judah [i.e. in David's time the southern area of the land of Israel,
that later became the separate southern kingdom of "Judah" - see The Southern Kingdom]
is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe [Moab and
Edom were conquered territories east and south of Israel ruled by David
and later his son Solomon - see Solomon's Kingdom]; over Philistia [e.g. see Gath of the Philistines] I shout in triumph."
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Hast
Thou not rejected us, O God? Thou dost not go forth, O God, with our
armies. O grant us help against the foe, for vain is the help of man!
With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes."
(Psalm 60:1-12 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 61
David's "May he be enthroned for ever before God" in this Psalm was not
speaking merely of David because David well knew Who the King of Israel,
and the world, will always be (see Israelite Monarchy - The Messiah).
"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer [see also The House Of Prayer Of All Nations];
from the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint. Lead
Thou me to the rock that is higher than I; for Thou art my refuge, a
strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in Thy tent for ever! Oh to be safe [see Where Is It Safe?] under the shelter of Thy wings! [Selah]
For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows, Thou hast given me the heritage of those who fear Thy Name [see What Is God's Name?].
Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
May he be enthroned for ever before God; bid steadfast love and
faithfulness watch over him!
So will I ever sing praises to Thy name, as I pay my vows day after day." (Psalm 61:1-8 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 62
David spoke often of his "soul," always in a physical sense because he knew exactly where the "spirit" in man comes from (see Giving Up The Ghost and The Spirit Of God).
"To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress [see Fortress of Zion and Zionism]; I shall not be greatly moved.
How long will you set upon a man to shatter him, all of you, like a
leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from
his eminence. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their
mouths, but inwardly they curse. [Selah]
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only
is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God
rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah]
Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath [see
No Class Struggles In Christianity].
Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches
increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I
heard this: that power belongs to God; and that to Thee, O Lord,
belongs steadfast love. For Thou dost requite a man according to his
work." (Psalm 62:1-12 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 57
The Psalms are filled with principles of Christian Living, Prophecy (see also Christ In The Psalms) and numerous segments of Bible History, including this Psalm about the time of The Civil War
when David's "palace" was a cave i.e. "David departed from there and
escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his
father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And every one who
was in distress, and every one who was in debt, and every one who was
discontented, gathered to him; and he became captain over them. And
there were with him about four hundred men." (1 Samuel 22:1-2 RSV).
"To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in Thee my soul [see Where Is Your Soul?] takes refuge [see Where Is Your Place Of Safety?];
in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge, till the storms of
destruction pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfils His
purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me, He will put to
shame those who trample upon me. [Selah]
God will send forth His steadfast love and His faithfulness! [see Faith and Works]
I lie in the midst of lions that greedily devour the sons of men; their
teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords. Be exalted, O
God, above the heavens! [see How High Is Heaven?] Let Thy glory be over all the earth!
They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit [see Sheol and Hades] in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. [Selah]
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! [see A Pure Heart] I will sing and make melody! Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and Lyre! I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. [see The House Of Prayer Of All Nations]
For Thy steadfast love is great to the heavens, Thy faithfulness to the
clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Thy glory be over all
the earth!" (Psalm 57:1-11 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 58
While The Lord still permits evil in the world, for a purpose (see Why Does God Allow Evil?), there is also a judgment day coming when all will be dealt with in justice (see Baptism Of Fire and When Will You Be Judged?).
"To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David.
Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the sons of men uprightly? [see The Lord's Plumb Line]
Nay, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on
earth. The wicked go astray from the womb, they err from their birth,
speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent [see also Dragons], like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.
O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! [see YHVH, Adonai, Jehovah, LORD]
Let them vanish like water that runs away; like grass let them be
trodden down and wither. Let them be like the snail which dissolves into
slime, like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.
Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of Thorns, whether green or ablaze, may He sweep them away! [again, see Baptism Of Fire]
The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe
his feet in the blood of the wicked. Men will say, "Surely there is a
reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."
(Psalm 58:1-11 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 59
David was always wary of Ambush because he knew that evil never strikes in the light, only against the light.
"To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God, protect me from those who rise up
against me, deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from
bloodthirsty men.
For, lo, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men band themselves against me. For no transgression or sin of mine [see Trespass],
O Lord, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Rouse Thyself,
come to my help, and see! Thou, Lord God of hosts, art God of Israel.
Awake to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously
plot evil. [Selah]
Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the
city. There they are, bellowing with their mouths, and snarling with
their lips - for "Who," they think, "will hear us?" But Thou, O Lord,
dost laugh at them; Thou dost hold all the nations in derision. O my
Strength, I will sing praises to Thee; for Thou, O God, art my fortress
[see also Fortress of Zion].
My God in His steadfast love will meet me; my God will let me look in
triumph on my enemies. Slay them not, lest my people forget; make them
totter by Thy power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! For the
sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in
their pride [see The Two Kinds Of Pride].
For the cursing and lies which they utter, consume them in wrath,
consume them till they are no more, that men may know that God rules
over Jacob to the ends of the earth. [Selah]
Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the
city. They roam about for food, and growl if they do not get their fill.
But I will sing of Thy might; I will sing aloud of Thy steadfast love
in the morning. For Thou hast been to me a fortress and a refuge in the
day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to Thee, for
Thou, O God, art my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love."
(Psalm 59:1-17 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 54
Ziph was a highland city in Judah where David took refuge during his time of political troubles with Saul (see Israelite Monarchy - The Origin and Israelite Monarchy - The Civil War):
"Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Does not David
hide among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah,
which is south of Jeshimon? Now come down, O king, according to all your
heart's desire to come down; and our part shall be to surrender him
into the king's hand." (1 Samuel 23:19-20 RSV). This Psalm was written
in that time.
"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, "David is in hiding among us."
Save me, O God, by Thy Name [see What Is God's Name?], and vindicate me by Thy might. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
For insolent [see Reprobate] men have risen against me, ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before them. [Selah]
Behold, God is my helper; The Lord [see YHVH, Adonai, Jehovah, LORD] is the upholder of my life. He will requite my enemies with evil; in Thy faithfulness put an end to them.
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice [see Place Of Sacrifice]
to Thee; I will give thanks to Thy Name, O Lord, for it is good. For
Thou hast delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in
triumph on my enemies." (Psalm 54:1-7 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 55
David also experienced betrayal from some of those closest to him (e.g.
"But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to
hold sweet converse together; within God's house we walked in
fellowship" Psalm 55:13-14 RSV), just as Jesus Christ did, as prophesied
in the Psalms (see the Fact Finder question below to understand how
"wolves in sheep's clothing" have always stalked The Lord's sheep).
"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.
Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication!
Attend to me, and answer me; I am overcome by my trouble. I am
distraught by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the
wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish Enmity against me.
My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death [see What Happens When You Die?]
have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror
overwhelms me. And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly
away and be at rest; yea, I would wander afar, I would lodge in the
wilderness, [Selah]
I would haste to find me a shelter [see Sanctuary] from the raging wind and tempest." Destroy their plans, O Lord, confuse their tongues [see Speaking In Tongues];
for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around
it on its walls; and mischief and trouble are within it, ruin is in its
midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place.
It is not an enemy who taunts me - then I could bear it; it is not an Adversary
who deals insolently with me - then I could hide from him. But it is
you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to hold sweet
converse together; within God's house we walked in fellowship.
Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves [see Sheol and Hades].
But I call upon God; and The Lord will save me. Evening and morning and
at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice. He
will deliver my soul [see Where Is Your Soul?]
in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old;
because they keep no law, and do not fear God. [Selah]
My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his
covenant. His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his
heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on The Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never
permit the righteous to be moved. But Thou, O God, wilt cast them down
into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half
their days. But I will Trust in Thee." (Psalm 55:1-23 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 56
Gath was a major Philistine city that is mentioned a number of times in Bible History
e.g. the captured Ark of The Covenant was there for a short time, the
giant Goliath was from there and David sought refuge there (see Gath of the Philistines), as stated in this Psalm.
"To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
Be gracious to me, O God, for men trample upon me; all day long foemen
oppress me; my enemies trample upon me all day long, for many fight
against me proudly [see The Two Kinds Of Pride].
When I am afraid, I put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me? [see Where Is Your Place Of Safety?]
All day long they seek to injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil [see Why Does God Allow Evil?].
They band themselves together, they lurk, they watch my steps. As they
have waited for my life, so recompense them for their crime; in wrath
cast down the peoples, O God! Thou hast kept count of my tossings; put
Thou my tears in Thy bottle! Are they not in Thy book?
Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose Word [see The Logos] I praise, in The Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can man do to me?
My vows to Thee I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to
Thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, yea, my feet from
falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." (Psalm
56:1-13 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 51
Some of the Psalms are very specific as to who wrote them and why, but
the words expressed are universal to the sinfulness, and hopefully, the
repentance of humanity.
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan The Prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy steadfast love; according to
Thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from
my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against
Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy
sight, so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence and blameless in Thy
judgment [see When Will You Be Judged?].
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother
conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore
teach me wisdom [see God's Wisdom] in my secret heart.
Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me [see Living Waters],
and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the
bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and
blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within
me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy holy Spirit
from me [see also The Holy Ghost and The Holy Spirit]. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners will return to Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness [see Why Blood?],
O God, Thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Thy
deliverance. O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth
Thy praise. For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a
burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to
God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt
not despise.
Do good to Zion [see Zionism]
in Thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then wilt Thou
delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt
offerings; then bulls will be offered on Thy altar." (Psalm 51:1-19 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 52
The Psalms are also a historical record of specific events, such as David's experience with the treachery of Doeg the Edomite.
"To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and
told Saul, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech." [see The Civil War]
Why do you boast, O mighty man, of mischief done against the godly? All
the day you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor,
you worker of treachery. You love evil more than good, and lying more
than speaking the truth. [Selah]
You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break
you down for ever; He will snatch and tear you from your tent; He will
uproot you from the land of the living. [Selah]
The righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, "See
the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance
of his riches, and sought refuge in his wealth!"
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the
steadfast love of God for ever and ever. I will thank Thee for ever,
because Thou hast done it. I will proclaim Thy name, for it is good, in
the presence of the godly." (Psalm 52:1-9 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 53
Although all humans, "good" and "bad," are sinners (ironically, it's a
sin to claim to be without sin i.e. "If we say we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from
all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10 RSV), Christian Living is about living a life as a repentant sinner.
"To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none that does good.
God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any
that are wise, that seek after God. They have all fallen away; they are
all alike depraved; there is none that does good, no, not one.
Have those who work evil no understanding, who eat up my people as they
eat bread, and do not call upon God? There they are, in great terror, in
terror such as has not been! For God will scatter the bones of the
ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.
O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When God restores
the fortunes of His people, Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad."
(Psalm 53:1-6 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 48
"His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion [see Zionism], in the far north, the city of the great King" (Psalm 48:2 RSV) will be fulfilled by Jesus Christ,
as plainly described in many prophecies, including one of the most
well-known passages of the Holy Scriptures: "It shall come to pass in
the latter days that the mountain of the house of The Lord shall be
established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up
above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall
come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of The Lord, to the
house of the God of Jacob [see The God Of The Old Testament
to understand Who that was, and is]; that He may teach us His ways and
we may walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and
the Word [see The Logos]
of The Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and
shall decide for strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their
swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more." (Micah 4:1-3 RSV; see also the Fact Finder question below)
"A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Great is The Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His
holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her
citadels God has shown Himself a sure defense [see Where Is It Safe?].
For lo, the kings assembled, they came on together. As soon as they saw
it, they were astounded, they were in panic, they took to flight;
trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in travail [see
also The Beginning Of The Birth Pangs]. By the east wind thou didst shatter the ships of Tarshish.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of The Lord of hosts, in the city of our God [see The City To Come], which God establishes for ever. [Selah]
We have thought on Thy steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Thy
temple. As Thy Name, O God, so Thy praise reaches to the ends of the
earth. Thy right hand is filled with victory; let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah [see Daughter of Zion] rejoice because of Thy judgments!
Walk about Zion, go round about her, number her towers, consider well
her ramparts, go through her citadels; that you may tell the next
generation [see Bulwarks Of The Truth] that this is God, our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide for ever." (Psalm 48:1-14 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 49
The Lord is a firm believer in property rights; everything belongs to the Creator (see Christ The Creator) and He has the absolute right to do, with everything, anything that He wishes (see also Eminent Domain).
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! [see No Class Struggles In Christianity]
My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be
understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my
riddle to the music of the Lyre.
Why should I fear in times of trouble [see Trials and Tribulations],
when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, men who trust in
their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man
can Ransom
himself, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of his
life is costly, and can never suffice, that he should continue to live
on for ever, and never see the Pit [see Sheol and Hades].
Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike
must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their
homes for ever [i.e. the body that is buried is not the new body that
will be resurrected - "But some one will ask, "How are the dead raised?
With what kind of body do they come?" You foolish man! What you sow does
not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body which
is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain" 1
Corinthians 15:35-37; see also Resurrections], their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own.
Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish [see also Do Animals Have A Soul?]. This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. [Selah]
Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd;
straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away;
Sheol shall be their home. But God will ransom my soul from the power of
Sheol, for He will receive me. [Selah]
Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house
increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will
not go down after him. Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy,
and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, he will go
to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light [see
Awaken To The Light]. Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish." (Psalm 49:1-20 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 50
Asaph was a Levite (see Levites
to understand how the Levites and priests were organized) who served as
one of the lead singers in the time of King David. A dozen Psalms
(Psalm 50 and Psalms 73-83) are credited to him.
"A Psalm of Asaph.
The Mighty One, God The Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the
rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth [see The Light Shines On Everyone].
Our God comes, He does not keep silence, before Him is a devouring
fire, round about Him a mighty tempest. He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that He may judge His people [see When Will You Be Judged?]:
"Gather to Me My faithful ones, who made a covenant with Me by
sacrifice!" The heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is
judge! [Selah]
Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against
you. I am God, your God. I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your
burnt offerings are continually before Me. I will accept no bull from
your house, nor he-goat from your folds. For every beast of the forest
is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the air
[see The First Scientist],
and all that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry, I would not
tell you; for the world and all that is in it is Mine. Do I eat the
flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; and call upon Me in
the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
But to the wicked [see Reprobate] God says: "What right have you to recite My statutes, or take My covenant on your lips? [see Thou shalt not take The Lord's Name in vain]
For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. If you see a
thief, you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers.
You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's
son. These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that
I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge
before you.
Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none to
deliver! He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors Me; to him
who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!" (Psalm
50:1-23 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 45
Psalm 45 is a love and/or wedding song of a king that, like many of the
Psalms, has direct Messianic qualities i.e. "Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his
Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine
linen, bright and pure - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of
the saints." (Revelation 19:7-8 RSV)
"To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah a love song.
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
You are the fairest of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you for ever. Gird your sword upon your thigh,
O mighty one, in your glory and majesty! In your majesty ride forth
victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right [see Christ the Conqueror For Peace];
let your right hand teach you dread deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the
heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your divine
throne endures for ever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of
equity; you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your
God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows; your
robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory
palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among
your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in Gold of Ophir.
Hear, O daughter [see Daughter of Zion],
consider, and incline your ear; forget your people and your father's
house; and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow
to him; the people of Tyre will sue your favor with gifts, the richest
of the people with all kinds of wealth. The princess is decked in her
chamber with gold-woven robes; in many-colored robes she is led to the
king, with her virgin companions [see The Parable Of The Ten Virgins], her escort, in her train. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.
Instead of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes
in all the earth. I will cause your name to be celebrated in all
generations; therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever."
(Psalm 45:1-17 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 46
"Zion" (see the Fact Finder question below) is often misunderstood to
mean merely a homeland/stronghold of physical people. It's much more.
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the
mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and
foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah]
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy
habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not
be moved; God will help her right early. The nations rage, the kingdoms
totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with
us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah]
Come, behold the works of The Lord, how He has wrought desolations in
the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth [see The Coming World Dictator];
He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, He burns the chariots with
fire! "Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth!" The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of
Jacob is our refuge. [Selah]" (Psalm 46:1-11 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 47
God's true people (i.e. anyone who truly obeys Him) understand that the
only safe place in the world is in obedience to The Lord (see Where Is Your Place Of Safety?).
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For
The Lord, the Most High, is terrible, a great king over all the earth.
He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our
heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom He loves. [Selah]
God has gone up with a shout, The Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing
praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the king of all the earth [see High Priest to King of The World and The Throne Of God, From Heaven To Earth];
sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on His
holy Throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God
of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly
exalted!" (Psalm 47:1-9 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 40
David's "Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written
of me; I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy law is within my heart"
of Psalm 40:7-8 is directly Messianic in spoken words and fulfillment
i.e. "Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said,
"Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou
prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no
pleasure. Then I said, 'Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it
is written of me in the roll of the book" (Hebrews 10:5-7 RSV). See also
Aliyya and Haftara.
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
I waited patiently for The Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He
drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet
upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a
song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their Trust in The Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes The Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud [see The Two Kinds Of Pride],
to those who go astray after false gods! Thou hast multiplied, O Lord
my God, Thy wondrous deeds and Thy thoughts toward us; none can compare
with Thee! Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than
can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering Thou dost not desire; but Thou hast given me an
open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering Thou hast not required. Then I
said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me; I
delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy law is within my heart." I have
told the glad news of deliverance in the great Congregation;
lo, I have not restrained my lips, as Thou knowest, O Lord. I have not
hid Thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of Thy faithfulness
and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy steadfast love and Thy
faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not Thou, O Lord, withhold Thy mercy from me, let Thy steadfast love
and Thy faithfulness ever preserve me! For evils have encompassed me
[see Compass]
without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, till I cannot see; they
are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let
them be put to shame and confusion altogether who seek to snatch away my
life; let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my
hurt! Let them be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha,
Aha!" But may all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; may those
who love Thy salvation [see Salvation For All Nations] say continually, "Great is The Lord!"
As for me, I am poor and needy; but the Lord takes thought for me. Thou
art my help and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God!" (Psalm 40:1-17
RSV)
Psalm Chapter 41
David's "deliver us from evil" theme in many of his Psalms is also
directly Christian; the "Lord's Prayer" includes those very words i.e.
"Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come
[see The Throne Of God, From Heaven To Earth].
Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our
debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil."
(Matthew 6:9-13 RSV). A prophecy of Judas (see also Was Judas Necessary?)
is also found in Psalm 41:9 i.e. "Even my bosom friend in whom I
trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me" - which Jesus Christ
spoke "live" when it was fulfilled i.e. "I am not speaking of you all; I
know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, 'He
who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me." (John 13:18 RSV).
"To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
Blessed is he who considers the poor! [see No Class Struggles In Christianity] The Lord delivers him in the day of trouble [see also Trials and Tribulations];
The Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the
land; Thou dost not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord
sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness Thou healest all his
infirmities.
As for me, I said, "O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have
sinned against Thee!" My enemies say of me in malice: "When will he die,
and his name perish?" [see also The Warning About "Grievous Wolves"] And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers mischief; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
All who hate me whisper [see The Whisperer]
together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, "A deadly
thing has fastened upon him; he will not rise again from where he lies."
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted
his heel against me.
But do Thou, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may
requite them! By this I know that Thou art pleased with me, in that my
enemy has not triumphed over me. But Thou hast upheld me because of my
integrity, and set me in Thy presence for ever.
Blessed be The Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen." (Psalm 41:1-13 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 42
There are eleven psalms dedicated to "the sons of Korah" who were a division of Levites
for singing i.e. "And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites,
stood up to praise The Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice"
(2 Chronicles 20:19 RSV). A "Maskil" was the term used for a song that
had a moral lesson.
"To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.
As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul [see Where Is Your Soul? and The Spirit Of God]
for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When
shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day
and night, while men say to me continually, "Where is your God?" These
things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng,
and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and
songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. My soul
is cast down within me, therefore I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the Thunder of Thy cataracts; all Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me.
By day The Lord commands His steadfast love; and at night His song is
with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: "Why
hast Thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of
the enemy?" As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries [see Adversary] taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him [see Resurrections], my help and my God." (Psalm 42:1-11 RSV)
Psalm Chapter 43
The principle of No Pain, No Gain applies to Christian Living because The Way To Salvation is a journey in which effort is required.
"Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people;
from deceitful and unjust men deliver me! For Thou art the God in whom I
take refuge [see Sanctuary];
why hast Thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression
of the enemy? Oh send out Thy light and Thy truth [see Awaken To The Light]; let them lead me, let them bring me to Thy holy hill [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?]
and to Thy dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my
exceeding joy; and I will praise Thee with the lyre, O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God." (Psalm
43:1-5 RSV)
