Lectionary Calendar
Monday, December 23rd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Psalms

Gray's Concise Bible CommentaryGray's Concise Commentary

Chapter 1
The Blessed Man Meditates on God's Law.
Chapter 2
God's Anointed King Reigns Over Nations.
Chapter 3
David's Morning Prayer During Absalom's Rebellion.
Chapter 4
Evening Prayer for Deliverance and Peace.
Chapter 5
Morning Prayer for Guidance and Protection.
Chapter 6
Prayer for Mercy During Illness and Distress.
Chapter 7
Prayer for Deliverance From Persecution and False Accusations.
Chapter 8
God's Majesty in Creation and Human Dignity.
Chapter 9
Praise for God's Justice and Deliverance of the Oppressed.
Chapter 10
Prayer for God to Act Against the Wicked.
Chapter 11
Trust in God's Righteous Judgment.
Chapter 12
Prayer for Deliverance From Lies and Oppression.
Chapter 13
Cry for Help and Trust in God's Salvation.
Chapter 14
The Folly of Denying God; God's Concern for the Righteous.
Chapter 15
The Character of Those Who Dwell With God.
Chapter 16
A Song of Trust in God's Protection and Guidance.
Chapter 17
Prayer for Protection From Enemies and Vindication.
Chapter 18
David's Song of Thanksgiving for Deliverance.
Chapter 19
God's Glory in Creation and His Perfect Law.
Chapter 20
Prayer for the King's Victory in Battle.
Chapter 21
Thanksgiving for the King's Victories Granted by God.
Chapter 22
A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise.
Chapter 23
The Lord Is My Shepherd; A Psalm of Trust.
Chapter 24
The King of Glory and His Righteous People.
Chapter 25
Prayer for Guidance, Forgiveness, and Deliverance.
Chapter 26
Declaration of Integrity and Trust in God.
Chapter 27
Confidence in God Amid Adversity.
Chapter 28
Prayer for Help and Thanksgiving for Deliverance.
Chapter 29
The Voice of God in the Storm; A Psalm of Glory.
Chapter 30
Thanksgiving for Healing and Deliverance From Death.
Chapter 31
Prayer for Deliverance and Confidence in God.
Chapter 32
The Joy of Forgiveness and Protection From Trouble.
Chapter 33
Praise for God's Creative Power and Sovereign Rule.
Chapter 34
Praise and Exhortation to Trust in God's Deliverance.
Chapter 35
Prayer for Vindication and Protection From Enemies.
Chapter 36
The Wickedness of Man and the Lovingkindness of God.
Chapter 37
Exhortation to Trust in God and Do Good.
Chapter 38
Prayer of Repentance for Sin and Plea for Healing.
Chapter 39
Reflection on the Brevity of Life and Trust in God.
Chapter 40
Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Continued Help.
Chapter 41
Blessing on the Righteous and Prayer for Mercy in Sickness.
Chapter 42
Longing for God Amid Distress and Separation.
Chapter 43
Prayer for Deliverance and Hope in God.
Chapter 44
Communal Lament Over Defeat and Plea for God's Help.
Chapter 45
A Royal Wedding Song Celebrating the King.
Chapter 46
God Is Our Refuge and Strength, Even Amid Trouble.
Chapter 47
Praise to God, the King of All the Earth.
Chapter 48
Praise for the Beauty and Strength of Jerusalem.
Chapter 49
Wisdom Psalm: The Folly of Trusting in Wealth.
Chapter 50
God's Judgment on His People's Faithfulness.
Chapter 51
David's Prayer of Repentance After His Sin With Bathsheba.
Chapter 67
Prayer for God's Blessing and Rule Over All Nations.
Chapter 68
Praise for God's Power and Victories.
Chapter 69
A Cry for Deliverance and Reproach From Enemies.
Chapter 70
Prayer for Help and Speedy Deliverance.
Chapter 71
Prayer for God's Help Throughout Life's Trials.
Chapter 72
A Royal Psalm for the King's Justice and Righteousness.
Chapter 73
The Prosperity of the Wicked and God's Ultimate Justice.
Chapter 74
Lament Over the Destruction of the Temple and Plea for Help.
Chapter 75
Thanksgiving for God's Justice and Judgment.
Chapter 76
Praise for God's Power and Defense of Jerusalem.
Chapter 77
A Lament and Meditation on God's Faithfulness.
Chapter 78
A Recital of Israel's History and God's Faithfulness.
Chapter 79
Lament Over the Destruction of Jerusalem.
Chapter 80
Prayer for Restoration of God's People.
Chapter 81
A Call to Listen to God and Avoid Idolatry.
Chapter 82
God's Judgment of Unjust Rulers.
Chapter 83
Prayer for God to Judge Israel's Enemies.
Chapter 84
Longing for God's Presence in the Temple.
Chapter 85
Prayer for Revival and Restoration.
Chapter 86
David's Prayer for Mercy and Help.
Chapter 87
Praise for Jerusalem, the City of God.
Chapter 88
A Desperate Cry for God's Help Amid Suffering.
Chapter 89
God's Covenant With David and Lament Over Its Apparent Failure.
Chapter 90
Moses' Prayer for God's Mercy and Eternal Wisdom.
Chapter 91
Confidence in God's Protection and Care.
Chapter 92
A Song of Praise for God's Goodness and Righteousness.
Chapter 93
God Reigns in Majesty and Power.
Chapter 94
Prayer for God's Justice and Vengeance on the Wicked.
Chapter 95
A Call to Worship and Obedience to God.
Chapter 96
A New Song of Praise for God's Glory Among the Nations.
Chapter 97
The Lord's Reign and Righteous Judgment Over the Earth.
Chapter 98
A Song of Joy for God's Salvation and Justice.
Chapter 99
God's Reign in Holiness and Justice.
Chapter 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving and Praise.
Chapter 101
David's Commitment to Live Righteously as King.
Chapter 102
A Lament for God's Mercy and Restoration of Zion.
Chapter 103
Praise for God's Compassion and Forgiveness.
Chapter 104
Praise for God's Creation and Sustaining Power.
Chapter 105
Recital of God's Faithfulness to Israel.
Chapter 106
Confession of Israel's Sins and God's Mercy.
Chapter 107
Thanksgiving for God's Deliverance From Distress.
Chapter 108
A Psalm of Confidence in God's Help and Victory.
Chapter 109
Prayer for Vindication and Judgment on Enemies.
Chapter 110
The Lord's Promised Victory and Eternal Priesthood.
Chapter 111
Praise for God's Righteous Deeds and Faithfulness.
Chapter 112
Blessings of the Righteous Who Fear the Lord.
Chapter 113
Praise for God's Exaltation of the Lowly.
Chapter 114
God's Power Displayed in the Exodus.
Chapter 115
Glory to God Alone for His Help and Protection.
Chapter 116
Thanksgiving for Deliverance From Death.
Chapter 117
Praise the Lord, All Nations!
Chapter 118
Thanksgiving for God's Steadfast Love and Deliverance.
Chapter 119
A Meditation on God's Law and Its Blessings.
Chapter 120
Prayer for Deliverance From Lies and Deceit.
Chapter 121
Trust in God's Help and Protection.
Chapter 122
Joy in Going to the House of the Lord.
Chapter 123
Prayer for Mercy Amid Scorn and Contempt.
Chapter 124
Thanksgiving for God's Help Against Enemies.
Chapter 125
Trust in God's Protection and Peace for the Righteous.
Chapter 126
Joyful Remembrance of God's Restoration.
Chapter 127
Dependence on God for Life's Blessings.
Chapter 128
Blessings of the God-Fearing Family.
Chapter 129
Confidence in God's Justice Amid Persecution.
Chapter 130
A Cry for God's Mercy and Redemption.
Chapter 131
Humility and Trust in God's Care.
Chapter 132
A Prayer for God to Remember David's Devotion.
Chapter 133
The Blessing of Unity Among God's People.
Chapter 134
A Call to Praise God in His Sanctuary.
Chapter 135
Praise for God's Sovereignty and Deliverance.
Chapter 136
A Recital of God's Steadfast Love and Deeds.
Chapter 137
A Lament for Jerusalem's Destruction in Exile.
Chapter 138
Thanksgiving for God's Faithfulness and Protection.
Chapter 139
Praise for God's Omniscience and Omnipresence.
Chapter 140
Prayer for Protection From Evil Men.
Chapter 141
Prayer for God's Help and Guarding of Righteous Speech.
Chapter 142
A Cry for Help When Trapped in a Cave.
Chapter 143
Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance in Adversity.
Chapter 144
Prayer for Deliverance and Blessing on the Nation.
Chapter 145
Praise for God's Greatness, Mercy, and Kingdom.
Chapter 146
Trust in God, not Princes; His Care for the Needy.
Chapter 147
Praise for God's Restoration of Jerusalem and Care for Creation.
Chapter 148
Call for All Creation to Praise the Lord.
Chapter 149
Praise the Lord with Song and Dance, Celebrating His People.
Chapter 150
Final Call to Praise God with All Instruments and Voices.

- Psalms

by James Martin Gray

PSALMS INTRODUCTION

THEIR AUTHORS

The Book of Psalms has sometimes been classified according to authors. For example, the titles indicate that seventy-three were written by David; fifty are anonymous; twelve have the name of Asaph, and ten that of Korah, or the sons of Korah; two are associated with Solomon and one each with Moses, Heman and Ethan.

A comparison of Acts 4:25 and Hebrews 4:7 shows that Psalms 2, 95 respectively, were also written by David, though not ascribed to him in the book, and the question arises whether he may not have been the author of a still larger number of the anonymous psalms. As some with the name of the sons of Korah were evidently written for them, may he have been their author as well? The same query arises about Psalms 72:0 , one of the two to which Solomon’s name is attached. It might be added here that the titles of the Psalms are regarded by many as of equal authority with the text, and hence if we can ascertain what the title means, we may venture to build conclusions upon it.

THEIR SUBJECTS

The book again, has been classified according to subjects. Angus, in his Bible Handbook, has a convenient classification, giving the subject, and in each case the numbers of a few psalms illustrating it. For example, there are psalms of:

Instruction (Psalms 1, 19, 39) Praise (Psalms 8, 29, 93, 100) Thanksgiving (Psalms 30, 65, 103, 107, 116) Penitence (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 143) Trust (Psalms 3, 27, 31, 46, 56, 62, 86) Distress and Sorrow (Psalms 4, 13, 55, 64, 88) Aspiration (Psalms 42, 63, 80, 84, 137) History (Psalms 78, 105, 106) Prophecy (Messianic) (Psalms 2, 16, 22, 24, 40, 45, 68, 69, 72, 97, 110, 118)

THEIR BOOKS

It may seem strange to speak of the “books” of the Psalms, but that expresses another kind of classification. The whole book has been divided into five books, each ending with a similar doxology, as follows:

1. Book 1: Psalms 1-41 Psalms 1:2 . Book 2: Psalms 42-71 Psalms 42:3 . Book 3: Psalms 73-89

4. Book 4: Psalms 90-106

5. Book 5: Psalms 107-150

Notice the close of each of these books for the doxology.

There are those who question the value of this division on the grounds, first, that the title of the book itself in the Hebrew, Sepher Tehillim, is singular rather than plural. It is not the “books” but the book of Psalms. Second, the numbers of the psalms continue unbroken from the beginning to the end of the book. Third, there are other doxologies than those especially referred to, e.g., Psalms 117, 134.

THEIR UNITY

The view of others, therefore, is that the Psalms comprise but one book with an order and unity throughout, the key to which is found in its final application to the millennial age and establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth. According to these, this explains what are known as the imprecatory or cursing Psalms. These have puzzled many, but when we consider them as terminating on that period when the era of mercy for the Gentile nations closes, and the time of their judgment begins, it lightens their problem very much.

In the same connection we should remember that the author is speaking in the prophetic spirit, and that the enemies are enemies of God whose permanent rejection of him is implied. This view, moreover, explains those like Psalms 91:0 which promise exemption from such things as pestilence and war. This psalm was written doubtless on the occasion of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, but its language seems to indicate that it is a type of their greater and permanent deliverance in the time to come. This is strengthened if we conceive of the preceding psalm as a picture of Israel today.

The opinion which sees the key to the Psalms in their millennial application also furnishes an explanation of the frequent references to Christ found in the psalms.

Urquhart, who maintains the above view, regards the whole book as formed of a combination of twelve sections. Each of these contains a continuous recurring story of the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, in which psalms of complaint and pleading on Israel’s part are followed by those of jubilation for deliverance. In some of these jubilations the whole earth is seen to join. These twelve sections are indicated to him by the following jubilant psalms: Psalms 10:18 , 24, 30, 48, 68, 76, 85, 100, 118, 136, 150. In the first cycle of ten there is progress from the announcement of judgment (Psalms 1:0 ), and manifestation of Christ (Psalms 2:0 ), through His rejection (Psalms 3-7), suffering and ascension (Psalms 8:0 ), the waiting and persecution of His people (Psalms 9:0 ), to the consummation of all things (Psalms 10:0 ). This analysis will not commend itself to all, but it is interesting and may lead to further thought.

THE MESSIANIC PSALMS

These are psalms in which not only is the Messiah referred to, but in which He Himself in the Spirit is heard to speak. It is His feelings and experiences that are expressed rather than those of the human author. To know David it is necessary to study the psalms as well as the historical books that refer to him, but this is even more necessary in the case of Jesus. In the Gospels we read what He said and did, and what was said and done to Him; in other words, we obtain a view of the outside of His life, but in the psalms we see the inner side, and learn how He felt and how He lived in the presence of His God and Father.

QUESTIONS

1. How many psalms, according to their titles, were written by David?

2. Classify the psalms according to subjects.

3. Into how many books would some divide Psalms? Give the psalms in each division.

4. What, in the judgment of others, is the key that unifies Psalms?

5. What lightens the problem of the imprecatory psalms?

6. How would you define a Messianic psalm?

7. What is their value as applied to the Messiah Himself?

 
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