Psalm 12
Written by David . Not exactly sure when it was written but it may have been when some men were spreading slanders and evil reports against David to Saul, who then became enraged. People were beginning to become alienated from David. 1 Help, Lord, for the godly are no more (no one is faithful anymore);...
Psalm 13
PSALM 13 David starts out in discouragement and despair, but finishes it in trust, joy, and encouragement. 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will...
Psalm 14
PSALM 14 Written by David, but no one is quite sure when. David has seen the depth of human depravity and the impiety and neglect of God. 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. 2 The LORD...
Psalm 15
PSALM 15 Presumed to be written by David. It may have been when the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). This was a time when David was very much concerned with the questions asked and answered in this Psalm. 1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may...
Psalm 1
Psalm 1 A wisdom psalm-designed to instruct. Sometimes called Intoductory or Preface psalm because it’s a summary of the whole book. 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of (step with) the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but...
Psalm 2
Psalm 2 A Messianic type Psalm of hope of the Messiah to come. David may have composed this after taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:7-9). The disciples quote this psalm in Acts 4:25-28 as a promise and prophecy of the coming kingdom. 1 Why do the nations conspire and people plot in vain?...
Psalm 3
David wrote this as he fled for his life from his son Absolam, who had turned on him and tried to take over as king. David only had a few friends who went with him. But Absolam had thousands. Nathan, the prophet once told David (after he had an affair with Bathsheba and had her...
Psalm 4
PSALM 4 Many connect Psalm 3 (morning prayer) and Psalm 4 (evening prayer) to a time of Absalom’s rebellion. This isn’t about physical safety but David’s reputation being maligned with slander and lies. Jesus also had, and still has, his reputation attacked. In both psalms, David is suffering injustice and oppression. 1 Answer me when I...
Psalm 5
Lament song from David as he prayed in the morning. He was hiding from Absolom who was raising an army against him but now he is back in Jerusalem. 1 Listen to my words, Lord,consider my lament. 2 Hear my cry for help,my King and my God,for to you I pray. 3 In the morning,...
Psalm 6
PSALM 6 Written by David. It’s a penitential psalm. Some believe this may have have been written during some serious disease with which David was afflicted after his transgression with Bath-sheba. 1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am...
Psalm 7
PSALM 7 Psalm of petition- written while David was being ruthlessly attacked by “Cush the Benjamite”, who was one of Saul’s radical kinsmen. "Cush" literally means "Ethiopia. The crime Saul and his followers charged David with was a crime so public that everybody knew about it. Therefore, he doesn’t mention it. They accused him of treason...
Psalm 8
PSALM 8 written by David, This is a psalm of pure praise; it differs from the previous psalms in that it makes no petitions. We should come to God in times of trouble with petitions, but also come to Him in times of blessing with praise. 1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your...
Psalm 9
PSALM 9- written by David. It may have been written after a battle in which David won victory over his enemies. Part of psalm relates to deliverance already given; the other to hopeful deliverance in the future. Psalms 9 and 10 may have originally been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with...
Psalm 10
PSALM 10 Whereas psalm 9 started out with praise, Psalm 10 begins in despair. This Lament psalm may have been written by David. Kidner calls this psalm “The Predator and the Prey.” Wickedness and violence are rampant and the righteous are oppressed. The psalmist is grieved and distressed at the rampant wickedness that was bringing so...
Psalm 11
PSALM 11 This Psalm records the well-intentioned but faithless advice of David's friends when he was a fugitive from King Saul. David lifts his eyes to the Lord to find faith in a time of testing. He knew the safest place to stand was in radical trust in God. 1In the Lord I take refuge....