Psalm chapter 29
A thunderstorm is viewed in this psalm, not as a phenomenon of impersonal nature, but as an act of divine
intervention. David opens the psalm by a call for praise to the Lord (verses 1, 2). He next describes the Lord's
power in a storm: first over the sea (verses 3, 4), then over Lebanon (verses 5, 6), finally over the wilderness
(verses 7-9). The concluding verses of the psalm appropriately express the application of God's power to His
people (verses 10, 11).
Psalm chapter 30
The words house of David in the superscription are intended to record the occasion of the psalm's writing, but may
point to either the dedication of David's palace (2 Samuel 5:11) or the dedication of the threshing floor of Araunah
(or Ornan), the site of the future temple (2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-30). In later Judaism the psalm was
used in the celebration of Hanukkah and at the presentation of firstfruits. The main idea of the psalm, in any case, is
clearly expressed: Thou hast turned me for my mourning into dancing (verse 11). The joy and thanks voiced in the
final two verses, however, are only the aftermath of David's thanks (verses 1-5) for the Lord's chastening hand on a
boastful servant (verses 6-10).
Psalm chapter 31
This psalm is uniquely composed of two rounds of lament (verses 1-6, 9-18) and praise (verses 7,8, 19-24). The
description of David's plight is so vivid (see especially 9-13), that more than one biblical character relied on
subsequent times on its history of stress resolved. Jonah's prayer echoes verse 6 (Jonah 2:8); Jeremiah frequently
borrowed the phrase found in verse 13, fear was on every side (Jeremiah 6:25; 20:10; 46:5; 49:29); and Jesus drew
on the language of verse 5 for His final words on the Cross (Luke 23:46).
Psalm chapter 32
The psalm describes the blessedness of forgiveness as no other does. This is the theme of especially the first five
verses, which include the happiness of the foreign man (verses 1, 2), the physical and psychological effects of
unconfessed sin (verses 3, 4), and the simple remedy of confession to obtain God's forgiveness (verse 5). On this
basis David can experience prayer (verses 6, 7), divine instruction (verses 8,9), and personal witness (verses 10,
11).
Psalm chapter 33
The outline of this hymn of praise is unmistakable: the call to praise (verses 1-3), the cause for praise (verses
4-19), and the conclusion (verses 20-22). The call is directed toward the righteous for who praise to God is fitting.
The cause for praise is twofold: the Lord is dependable in both word (verses 4-9) and work (verses 10-12), and the
Lord is just and loyal in dealing with His children (verses 13-19). The conclusion is an expression of the joyful hope
of the godly in the Lord.
Psalm chapter 34
This historical background of this acrostic psalm is related in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. It bears all the marks of the
testimony of one who narrowly escaped death, just as the passage in Samuel describes. As such, it contains the
praise and testimony of the one who was redeemed (verses 1-10) and the seasoned instruction that can stem from
such deliverance (verses 11-22).
Psalm Chapter 35
This cry of distress is the petition of a man falsely accused. It may well date from the time when David was being
pursued by Saul. The Psalm naturally divides itself into three parts, each ending with a note of hope: petition for
deliverance (vv. 1-10), expression of lament (vv. 11-18), and renewed petition (vv. 19-28). David's motives are not
for revenge; he had opportunities to kill Saul but did not. Rather, it is a plea for God's righteous judgment. The
motive is that David might once again thank God freely (vv. 18-28).
Psalm chapter 36
The theme of this psalm is certainly the loving-kindness of God (verses 5, 7, 10). David first describes the rebellious
sinner (verses 1-4), then the blessedness of the righteous man (verses 5-9), and concludes with a prayer that the
righteous man may be protected from the wicked (verses 10-12).
Psalm chapter 37
Psalm 37 The psalm is written in the form of an acrostic, although our numbering is out of step with the Hebrew.
There is no logical outline to the psalm, so it is best studied according to its topics. The major point of the psalm
seems to be that the wicked's prosperity is short-lived. Though David was troubled by the prosperity of the
unrighteous, he knew by faith that their undeserved bounty would be cut off. His underlying belief is that God will
intervene in His time. Then the present, temporary reversal of fortunes will be set right righteous "shall inherit the
earth" (verses 9, 11, 22, 29, 34). The mention of inheriting the earth would be encouraging and uplifting to the
pious Israelite since all of God's blessing was connected with the Promised Land. In contrast to this blessed destiny
the wicked "shall be cut off," an expression used often in the Old Testament of a violent death. The psalm also
contains a simple formula for achieving peace of mind in the face of the wicked's prosperity: fret not...neither be
thou envious (verse 1), trust...do good (verse 3), delight thyself also in the Lord (verse 4), commit thy way...trust
(verse 5), rest...wait patiently...fret not (verse 7), cease from anger...forsake wrath...fret not (verse 8). All of these
exhortations urge the believer to confidently trust the Lord with all of life's problems. The psalm concludes
appropriately with an undying affirmation of faith and trust in the unchanging character of God.
Psalm chapter 38
Some debate as to whether the details of verses 1-8 should be taken literally, and thus as a reference to a physical
illness, or figuratively, making them a vivid picture of psychological and moral distress. The detail and length of the
description, as well as its personal nature seem to point to some serious disease from which David is suffering as he
writes. In addition to the physical malady, David has been deserted by his friends and threatened by his foes
(verses 12, 13). His only hope is to trust in the Lord (verses 14-16), to whom he presents his lament (verses 17-20)
and his petition (verses 21, 22).
Psalm chapter 39
Jeduthun (superscription) was probably Ethan, the well-known director of the temple choir (see the note on 1
Chronicles 6:31-48). The psalm is composed of three key parts. First, the psalmist suppresses his complaint to God
until he can contain it no longer (verses 1-3). Second, when he can contain himself no more, he utters his cry of
distress, centering in the innate frailty of man which he feels at present so acutely (verses 4-11). Finally, he present
his petition to God, who will certainly regard his tears and spare him (verses 12, 13).
Psalm chapter 40
The poles of thanksgiving and lament are so distinct in this psalm that some divide it into two separate psalms. This
is not necessary, since the man of God can present his lament and petition to God, while at the same time offering
his thanksgiving. The thanksgiving is offered in verses 1-8. The psalmist so fully expresses his commitment to the
Lord that the words become prophetic of the same commitment of the Messiah (Hebrew 10:5-10). This private
commitment of the psalmist was also revealed publicly (verses 9, 10). This idea of innocence leads naturally into the
lament and petition section of the psalm (verses 11-17). His petition is a plea for deliverance from his enemies, but it
is wider than that. He is concerned about the triumph of all righteous people (verse 16).
Psalm chapter 41
At the heart of this psalm is the sad reality of being forsaken by one's friend (verse 9). The experience of David
could have occurred on several occasions, though the desertion of Ahithophel to Absalom's side comes to mind
immediately (2 Samuel 15:12, 31). In any case, this experience became prophetic of the experience of another, the
Lord Jesus, who was Himself forsaken by a close associate (John 13:18). The three key sections of the psalm
naturally relate well to the believer who has been deceived by a friend: the principle that the Lord delivers the needy
(verses 1-3), a statement of David's own hurtful experience (verses 4-9), and an expression of his certain
confidence in God's vindication of him (verses 10-12). The final verse of the psalm is the characteristic doxology
that ends each of the five books of the Psalms.
Psalm chapters 42 and 43
These two psalms should probably be taken as one for several reasons: 42:5, 11, and 43:5 provide a threefold
refrain for the poem; the theme is the same; 43 is the only psalm in the second book that lacks a superscription;
and the two psalms are in fact joined together in some Hebrew manuscripts. Using the refrain Hope thou in God as a
marker, the poem yields three stanzas. First, the psalmist expresses his deep longing for God (42:1-5); second, his
sad lament and dejection before God (42:6-11); finally, his sure confidence in God (43:1-5). The three stanzas
reveal the changing moods of the psalmist: from longing and regret to perplexity, then to trust and assurance. If only
every downcast soul could end up in that third stanza!
Psalm chapter 44
A psalm of national lament, this psalm expresses the sorrows of a godly people who are undergoing suffering. It is
naturally divided into four parts. First, God's care for Israel in the past is described (verses 1-8). The acquisition of
the land of Canaan is especially emphasized because God's mighty acts on behalf of His people were never more
evident than at that time. Second, their present condition contrasts gravely with their glorious past (verses 9-16). It
appears that God has cast them away and repudiated them, leaving them humiliated in the face of the enemy.
Third, they sense no just desserts for the current defeats (verses 17-22). Why God has apparently forsaken them is
a mystery to them. Finally they offer their earnest petition that God would intervene (verses 23-26). Their interest is
more than in saving their own skins; they plead that God would do it for the sake of His mercy.
Psalm chapter 45
This royal psalm was written on the occasion of a royal wedding, though the identity of the king is not known. A song
of loves in the superscription could also be translated "A Wedding Song." The psalm contains an introduction in
which the author expresses his desire to write a fitting poem (verse 1); a song addressed to the king, especially
emphasizing his royal majesty (verses 2-9); a song addressed to the bride, exhorting her to become the king's wife
(verses 10-15); and a conclusion expressing the wish that the king be blessed with a permanent dynasty (verses
16, 17).
Psalm chapter 46
This psalm expresses thanks for the deliverance of Jerusalem, the city of God (verse 4). It contains three key ideas.
First, God is a place of security when all else is insecure (verses 1-3). Second, God protects His city, giving its
people assurance comfort (verses 4-7). Third, all men are called upon to consider God's works and submit to His
authority (verse 8-11). The unshakable confidence with which the psalm leaves the believer prompted Martin Luther
to pen one of the great hymns of all time, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
Psalm chapter 47
One of the six psalms of the divine kingdom, the psalm celebrates the Lord's kingship over all the earth (verse 9). It
begins with a universal call to praise Israel's God (verse 1). This is reinforced with reasons: He is an awe-inspiring
God (verse 2), He redeemed Israel and settled them in their land (verses 3, 4), and He presently is ruling in Israel. A
second call renews the need for praise (verse 6). It is likewise reinforced with a reason: the revelation that His
kingship is destined to be universal (verses 7-9). These last verses speak prophetically of the time when the Lord
Jesus will reign on the earth.
Psalm chapter 48
A good example of the Songs of Zion, the psalm describes the glory of the city of Jerusalem which has been
delivered by God from her enemies. The city of God is praised (verses 1-3), and her attackers are defeated (verse
4-8). Therefore, her people praise the Lord for His lovingkindness (verses 9, 14).