With the passing of King David, it is only fitting that we examine one of his great legacies from God, and for God. That would be the book of Psalms, which is a vast treasure trove of songs to God to teach us how to worship Him, which brings us closer to our Creator.
In the Hebrew, the book is titled Tehillim, meaning ‘praises’. These were psalms written by King David, and a handful of other authors under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These authors wrote them over a period of 1000 years.
The book of Psalms was also collated into five ‘books’, each of which sequentially carry thematic underpinnings similar to the five books of the Torah.
There are psalms calling for judgment against one’s enemies, laments for deliverance in times of affliction, and those for praise / thanksgiving.
Book one: (Ps. 1 – 41)
Ps. 1 & 2 introduces the book of Psalms:
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Ps. 1:1 – 6. NLT
As you can see, Ps. 1 speaks to being obedient to God and to the rewards for doing so. And then it contrasts that, to display the ultimate condemnation of God upon those who choose rebellion.
Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], and why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] and cast away their cords [of control] from us.”
He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; The [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger and terrify them with His displeasure, saying, “Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
“I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession.
‘You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware.’”
Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth. Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.
Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him! Ps. 2:1 – 12. AMP
Thus, the second psalm is where God begins to center the focus of His people upon the promise that He made guaranteeing them a Messiah, and how they should be obedient to Him (Jesus) as well. Indeed, Jehovah has a conversation with Jesus within this psalm.
So now we’ve been introduced to the psalms and their overriding purpose. Thus, I’m now going to take the liberty to cherry pick them, (as there is no way to present all 150 of them in this venue).
I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be upon Your people. Ps. 3:6 – 8. AMP
Again, stressing the ability of God’s deliverance even in what seems are impossible odds. If we are delivered, what then?
In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust. Ps. 4:8 AMP
Yes, being right with God brings His protection to His loved ones:
…let all who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice, let them ever sing for joy;
because You cover and shelter them, let those who love Your name be joyful and exult in You. For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; You surround him with favor as with a shield. Ps. 5:11, 12. AMP
The psalms also remind us of the magnificence of God and His magnanimous dealings with His favorite creations:
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority — the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Ps. 8:3 – 9. NLT
And they speak of God’s faithfulness:
…the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Ps. 9:7 – 10. NLT
There are so many blessings from God for those who obey Him:
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold…a great reward for those who obey them. Ps. 19: 7 – 11. NLT
King David also wrote psalms that contain messianic prophecy. This one focuses on Christ’s crucifixion, where we get a description of it by Jesus Himself:
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? Ps. 22:1 AMP
But You are holy, O You who are enthroned in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered]. In You our fathers trusted [leaned on, relied on, and were confident]; they trusted and You rescued them. Ps. 22:3, 4. AMP
But I am [treated as] a worm [insignificant and powerless] and not a man; I am the scorn of men and despised by the people. All who see me laugh at me and mock me; They [insultingly] open their lips, they shake their head, saying,
“He trusted and committed himself to the Lord, let Him save him.
Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”
Yet You are He who pulled me out of the womb; You made me trust when on my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.
Do not be far from me, for trouble is near; and there is no one to help. Ps. 22: 6 – 11. AMP
Many [enemies like] bulls have surrounded me…They open wide their mouths against me, like a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; It is melted [by anguish] within me. My strength is dried up like a fragment of clay pottery; and my [dry] tongue clings to my jaws;
and You have laid me in the dust of death.
For [a pack of] dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has encircled me,
They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; they look, they stare at me. They divide my clothing among them and cast lots for my garment. Ps. 22:12 – 18. AMP
Jehovah loves every human being. It is up to us to connect with Him, to receive His great bounty of a wonderful life. This psalm is very well known, and a personal favorite of mine:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Ps. 23 NLT
How can we be assured of this promise? Through diligent obedience to our Creator:
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the streams and the rivers.
Who may ascend onto the mountain of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, nor has sworn [oaths] deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Ps. 24:1 – 5. AMP
God wants to share eternity with you; so, He shows you the way:
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness
to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Ps. 25:8 – 10. AMP
King David beckons us to come worship our Father, especially when we mess up:
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Ps. 30:4, 5. NLT
Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. Ps. 33:3 – 5. NLT
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience] and He rescues [each of] them.
O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; how blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him. Ps. 34:7, 8. AMP
The Lord is near to the heartbroken and He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin) …The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. Ps. 34:18 & 22. AMP
How much does God love you? So much that it is immeasurable in human terms; and He gives that love continually to those who do their best to walk in His ways:
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; and You allow them to drink from the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life [the fountain of life-giving water];
In Your light we see light. Ps. 36:7 – 9. AMP
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Ps. 37:3, 4. NLT
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Ps. 37:23, 24. NLT
Thus, ends book one of the book of Psalms. Stay tuned! Goodnight and God bless.