David writes this Psalm after having to flee the palace covertly to escape Saul's plan to kill him. David calls out to God, and God delivers him from the hand of King Saul. 

When it comes to God, "listening" doesn't just simply mean hearing - "listening" demands obedience. 

The Hebrews author gives an exhortation from Psalm 95 to follow the example of obedience set by Christ and not fall into disobedience. 

In this short section of Scripture, the Hebrew writer demonstrates how Jesus is much greater than Moses. 

In this imprecatory Psalm, David calls for God to bring justice to his enemies. This Psalm challenges our postmodern sensibilities. The only answer to the cycle of human violence and reciprocity is God's final judgment. 

When David was facing a very terrifying situation in his life, he knew there was only one place to turn.

David writes a Royal Song meant to inspire the king to live in accordance with YHWH. Christians will notice its explicit references to Jesus.

The Hebrew writer tells us some extraordinary things about Jesus. Jesus was humbled for a short time and was exalted because he suffered. He is a king that cares for his people. He is also our champion that conquers death so we no longer have to fear death. 

This Psalm is based on a historic episode found in 1 Samuel 24. Saul is pursuing David in the wilderness of En Gedi, and David has a chance to kill Saul. David shows respect to a man that is trying to kill him. David does this because Saul is God's anointed king. In this Psalm, David cries out to the God that delivers. David celebrates the steadfast love of the LORD. 

The image painted in Psalm 45 is of a wedding between a King and his bride. But it doesn't take long before we realize that Psalm 45 is also a Messianic Psalm, painting the same picture of The Bridegroom and His Bride, the Church.