Psalm 57 David experienced betrayal at the hand of the self-serving foreigner; the evil Doeg in Psalm 52. Then, after freeing the people of Ziph from a Philistine invasion in Psalm 54 David is betrayed by his own countrymen; this added insult to injury because the people of Ziph should have protected David.  In Psalm [...]

Psalm 56 What can man do to me? — Quite a lot actually! In fact, I have a brief sampling from the news headlines since we met last Sunday: On Friday, a lone gunman opened fire in a Fedex facility in Indianapolis, killing himself, making a total of 8 people dead.Protests and riots in [...]

If one were to group Psalms 51-55 into a group and give them a basic thrust or message it would be that these Psalms are “Psalms of Betrayal” David betrayed Urijah, Bathsheba, the child and the people of Israel because He first betrayed God through neglecting the precious reality to which the sacrifices and [...]

The historical setting for Psalm 54 is connected to the same chain of events described in Psalm 52.   Are you like David?  Have you ever felt abandoned and betrayed by your family or friends?  Perhaps it was a husband or wife?  Maybe by your children or grandchildren?  Perhaps a close confidant said some hurtful [...]

This is one of the rare Psalms in which we have a direct historical setting mentioned, please notice the inscription in the heading: To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.” This Psalm records a very bitter moment in [...]

“Hyssop was a small plant frequently found growing in the crevices of stone walls, as Solomon observed (1 Kings 4:33). Because of its shape and structure, it was used as a small brush. In the ceremonies of the temple it was used to sprinkle blood. The first time it is mentioned in the Bible [...]

Psalm 51 You will also remember the historical setting of Psalm 51; king David had taken Bathsheba the wife of Uriah in an adulterous affair.  Then, he had Uriah killed and covered up the entire thing.   Please notice the heading given to us at the beginning of this great Psalm:  Read II Samuel 12:115. [...]

Psalm 50 As we come out of Psalm 49, we are reminded that riches cannot redeem the wealthy from Sheol.  And the connection between Psalm 49 and the slaying of the first born of Egypt is rather evident as the Jewish reader would have automatically associated the “redemption” language with the Passover in Exodus [...]

Psalm 49 Perhaps no other portion of the Bible more effectively illustrates Psalm 49 than the parable of Christ in Luke 12:13-21—Psalm 49 is essentially a commentary upon the Rich Fool Parable.  Psalm 49 explores the answer to the riddle posed in verses 5 and 6—Why should I fear in the days of trouble, [...]

Psalm 48 Psalms 45-48 celebrate God’s reign over the earth.  In Psalm 45 we learned God has anointed the King Who reigns in Jerusalem with His bride, which pictures Christ and the Church for us today.  Psalm 46 asserts that God Himself is our Mighty Fortress pictured in the city of Jerusalem with its [...]