Psalms 20 is a prayer Psalms written by David, and it's a powerful one at that. David at some point during his reign writes a song that is also a heartfelt prayer for his nation. Psalms 20 is about developing the trust to seek God’s help during troubling times instead of relying only on human power, wisdom and devices. That is what a strong and great nation does!

Psalms 19 is the stuff of poetic legend. Its beauty transcends people of faith with phrases that are well known even in secular culture. But it is more than just a lovely work of art … it is also a powerful declaration. Like a Swiss army knife the Psalms is a shout of praise, a plea for truth and a prayer for protection, all rolled into one ancient song.

Psalms 17 is full of little treasures and familiar phrases. But at its core it is a plea for help from David, as he tries to walk the proper path in life… the righteous path of eternal life vs. the destructive path of a wasted life. David’s little song is a more than a prayer… it is a declaration! He intends to resist the distraction of temporary pursuits.

Psalms 16 is one of the more beautiful prayers recorded in the scriptures, which is really saying something. It is probably so poignant because we can all relate to David’s simple request for help. But what is unique about the prayer is how much of it is focused on praise. David spends twice as much effort praising God in this prayer song as he does asking for stuff ... a good reminder and model for us all.

Today we study a truly beautiful and powerful Psalms of instruction. These uniquely formatted Psalms hold a special place in our heart (Psalms 23 and Psalms 139 and others among our favorites are in the category). This particular Psalms asks, “How should a true worshiper, a seeker of God, act and think?” David is not suggesting that only perfect people can really worship, but he is telling us that true intimacy with God is vitally connected to the attitudes and actions we carry through life, and that intimacy with God should be a passionate pursuit of our life.

This beautiful song of David has a heartbreaking tone. If it were modern music, David is singing the blues. He is greatly troubled about the spiritual condition of his generation, and he holds nothing back in pleading to God for help and comfort and revival.

Psalms 11 is written by David. He knew about foundations. As king he laid the foundation for a nation, and as a worshipper he laid the “foundations” for a future temple for God. As David looked around at his world he saw how those foundations were in constant danger. He would see the same thing today, no doubt. Psalms 11 is meant to be a song of reassurance, much the way we might sing “How Firm a Foundation” in the old days, this is a song about the essential choice each person must make: to flee from the terrors of their day, or to find their purpose and stability in God.

Psalms 10 is a lament. A cry from the heart to God for help! Specifically, the Psalmsist is grieved about the inequities of life. Why do bad people prosper and good people suffer? The Psalmsist wonders why evil and lies and injustice are so prevalent. He wonders where God is in the midst of it all. But at the end of the lament the words are full of hope and faith as we are all reminded that God has not lost his grip on the ways of any generation, past, present or future!