Biblical Reflections

Psalm 28 is a lament, perhaps by an individual or perhaps by a representative of the people, for help from a threat posed by evil doers.

1-2 – The singer cries earnestly for the LORD to hear him. This an urgent request for help in a time of emergency. The situation is desperate, to the point of death. This is a cry for mercy, not getting what you deserve.

3-5 – The singer contrasts himself to the wicked, those who actively oppose God, the wicked are more than sinners. The singer asks to be rescued on that difference.

6-9 – The LORD hears the prayer and rescues the individual or the people along with his anointed, the Davidic King. This is prayer of praise, thanksgiving, and continued confidence in covenant God, LORD.

In Psalm 27, faithful people call out for the LORD to keep them safe from evildoers, foes, enemies, and adversaries, who would destroy them by any means.

1-3 – Psalm 27 begins with an acknowledgment that the safety of the worshippers comes from the LORD.

4-6 – The singer presents a picture of safety in the LORD’s sanctuary as a means of demonstrating the LORD’s protection for his faithful covenant people.

7-12 – The singer cries out for continued favor of the LORD.  The deliverance asked for is for the purpose of continuing to seek God.  Verse 8a – “seek my face” is a command to many.  Verse 8b - “your face, LORD, do I seek,” is a personal response.

13-14 – The singer admonishes each of the worshippers to live in continued confidence and trust in the LORD.  To wait for the LORD is to look to him with dependence and trust; this is what enables one to be strong and courageous.

Psalm 16 is a hymn praise where those who sing entrust themselves to the Lord in confidence and contentment in his care.

1-2 – The Lord is my refuse, the only one on whom I can rely on for my well-being.

3-4 – My delight is being with the godly, those who also rely on the Lord for their well-being. The saints are the godly, in contrast to the ungodly who run after idols and false gods.

5-6 – The Psalmist expresses contentment with God by referencing his allotment of the land of Israel which provides for his sustenance. This is the family inheritance.

7-8 – The Psalmist expresses further contentment in God’s presence and moral instruction. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Compare this to Psalm 15, where the one who walks blameless and does what is right shall never be moved or shaken.

9-11 – The Psalmist expresses his final contentment thinking about the everlasting joy that he will have after death in heaven with God, At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 25 is a community lament in which individual members of the worshipping congregation ask God for help in various troubles.

1-3 – The Psalm begins with an expression of trust and confidence that the LORD hears their prayers and answers them

4-5 – The first person prays for the LORD’s guidance.

6-7 – The second person asks for forgiveness of sins, mercy, and love.

8-11 – The third person praises and thanks God for his goodness and mercy.

12-15 – The fourth person states that the one who fears God can be confident in the LORD’s friendship.

16-21 – The fifth person again requests forgiveness of sins and protection from affliction, troubles, and enemies.

22 – Finally, the prayer for the entire congregation concludes with a plea for rescue and protection.

Psalm 24 appears to be a liturgical occasion, perhaps when David brought the ark of the LORD into Jerusalem.  See 2 Samuel 6.   This explains the presence of the LORD in verses 3-6 and the address to the gates of the city in verses 7-10.  

1-2 – The LORD is the creator, founder, and owner of all things; therefore, he bestows the blessings of creation.

3-6 – The question is now asked who will receive the LORD’s blessings.   The answer comes back that only those with clean hands a pure heart will receive blessings and enjoy the LORD’s righteousness.  This includes not acting false to others, not swearing deceitfully, and seeking the LORD, to know him and to know what he commands.

7-10 – In verse 7 those carrying the ark ask the gate keepers to open the gates for the King of glory.  In verse 8a, the gate keepers ask who is the King of glory?  Verse 8b in reply says he is LORD, strong and mighty, mighty in battle.  In verses 9 and 10, the conversation is repeated.  They ask that the King of glory may come in.  The gate keepers ask who is the King of glory?  The reply again is that the LORD of hosts is the King of glory.  Jehovah Sabaoth. 

Psalm 23 celebrates God’s providential care for his people.  God personally cares for each of his faithful people.

1-4 – The LORD is a shepherd to his people.  He provides food, water, safety, and protection for his people.

5-6 – The LORD is a host who provides welcome, food, and safety.

The LORD literally pursues us with goodness and mercy all the days of our lives.  We can dwell safely in the house of the LORD forever.

A.           22:1-11 – Fervent Prayer of one who is forsaken – Lament and Confidence

                                Cycle One – 22:1-5 – Lament – Pain and Trust

Pain is described, followed by affirmation of faith by previous generations

                                Cycle Two – 22:6-11 - Lament – Pain and Confidence

Pain is described, followed by an affirmation of David’s faith from childhood.

B.           22:12-18 – Lament of the Suffering King - 

                                Cycle One – 22:12-15 - describes his enemies and his suffering

                                Bulls of Bashan encircle him

                                Lions open their mouths to devour him

                                Cycle Two – 22:16-18 – again describes his enemies and his suffering

                                Dogs – waiting till he was dead so they could tear his limbs and eat him

                                                 pierced my hands and feet, figuratively the tearing of flesh by dogs

He is good as dead, and so they divide up his garments

C.           22:19-21 – Petition for deliverance from death 

Save me from the mouth of the lion!  You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

David may have received the word of God that he would be saved, because in the rest of the Psalm – he praises God for his deliverance

D.           22:22-31 - Praise and encouragement for prayer

22:21 - David addressed the congregation of people with his vow to praise God.  

22:23-26 – David called on the congregation to praise the LORD

22:27-31 – David called to the world at large, anticipating that the world would turn to the worship of the LORD

In praise for what God did for the righteous sufferer (Jesus Christ) 

Psalms 20 and 21 form a pair of royal Psalms.  Psalm 20 is a prayer of supplication that LORD will give the king success in battle.  Psalm 21 is a prayer of thanksgiving for honoring the request in Psalm 20.

Psalm 20

1-5 – The congregation or nation speaking to the king asks the LORD to give the king success in battle. 

6-8 – The congregation speaks about the king; they proclaim their faith in the LORD alone to give the king victory. 

9 – Here is a final plea to the LORD to save the king in battle

Psalm 21

1-7 – We begin with a prayer of thanksgiving that the LORD has given the king success in battle.  Verse 7 is the stated assumption that the LORD’s blessing on the king is because the king trusts in the LORD.

8-12 – The congregation appears to be talking to the king and they declare their confidence in the king’s future success.

13 – The LORD is praised for his strength and power to give the king success in battle.

Psalm 19 celebrates the Torah, the Law of Moses, which sets out the requirements of the Covenant people in relationship with God.  In particular, the Law is celebrated as the supreme revelation of God, until of course the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

1-6 – The heavens declare the glory of God:  including, his power, wisdom, worthiness of honor and worship.   This is the general revelation of God about himself, but without words.

7-11 – The Law of the LORD, the Torah, is the LORD’s specific revelation of himself through words.  The Law of the LORD is perfect for reviving the soul.  This includes God’s testimony about himself, his laws, his precepts, his commandments, and his rules.  Again, all of which are true and perfect.  They enlighten and reward the one who keeps them.

12-14 – This Psalm leads the singer to a humble response, to look at one’s own sins and failures.  The Psalmist asks to be kept from presumptuous sins that have dominion or power over us.  Finally, the Psalmist comes to verse 14, which uses words of sacrifice and worship, that his words and his meditations would be acceptable as a sacrifice in God’s sight.

Psalm 18 is a royal song.  It celebrates the way God has shown love for his people by giving the Davidic monarchy and by preserving David through many dangers.  The text of this Psalm is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22.  2 Samuel 22 is David’s personal expression of gratitude to the Lord.  Psalm 18 is an adaptation of the song for the whole nation to sing because their wellbeing is now tied to the Davidic Kings.  The nation is praying that the Davidic Kings would be great leaders, so that the nation may carry out their God given purpose of bringing light to the gentiles. 

1-3 – The Lord is my strength.  Here is the main theme of the Psalm.  The LORD is my:

Strength, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.  The LORD is my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  (v:18 – my support)

The Lord keeps David safe against his enemies.

4-6 – In my distress, I prayed to God for help.  God heard my voice and rescued me.  

7-19 – Here is an imaginative scene of a heavenly rescue.  

20-30 – David claims his own righteousness, and God rewarded David in this deliverance.

-          30 – following the LORD’s perfect (blameless) way, enables a man to become blameless

31 – 45 – The LORD has given David mercy.  God’s gift of mercy was military prowess over the enemy.

46 – 50 – The LORD is faithful to his anointed king.  David’s prominence has come from the LORD and not David’s own power or greed or lust.

49 – Paul uses this verse in Romans 15:9 as part of his proof that it was always God’s plan that the gentiles receive the light and the knowledge of God through a Davidic King, in this case Jesus.