Lord’s Day, Vol. 12. No. 28
Opening the Book of Psalms
The Book of Psalms consists of five smaller books – Psalms 1-42, 43-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150. A careful study reveals the unfolding history of Israel predominantly during the reign of King David, the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. 23:1) where worship is established in Israel.
Reference was made to Moses as the writer in Psalm 90 in Book 4 to depict Israel’s backslidings leading to God’s chastisement in the wilderness (Psalm 106:6-29) and in the dispersal from the Promised Land (Psalm 106:34-47).
Prophetic portions point to the greater David, Israel’s Messiah, the Christ, in His reign (Psalm 2, 97), Jesus Christ in His First Coming (Psalm 22:1 cf. Matt. 27:46, 22:7-8 cf. Luke 23:35, 22:16 cf. John 20:25; 27, 22:18 cf. Matt. 35-36 in His crucifixion and snippets of single verses scattered throughout that are fulfilled in the life of Christ (His betrayal (Psalm 41:9 cf. Luke 22:47), accusations (Psalm 35:11 cf. Mark 14:57) leading to His crucifixion (Psalm 22, 69:21 cf. Matt. 27:34), death (Psalm 34:20 cf. John 19:32-33,36 – His unbroken bones) and resurrection (Psalm 16:10 & 49:15 cf. Mark 16:6-7, Acts 13:35-37), ascension (Psalm 68:18 cf. Mark 16:19) and His return to judge the world (Psalms 96, 98).
Psalm 96:13 (KJV) Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Psalm 98:9 (KJV) Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
The Psalms written by David provide insight into the spiritual inner workings of a man of God with His LORD in the time as a fugitive (Psalm 18, 34, 52, 54, 56-57, 59, 63), to his reign as Israel’s king (Psalm 3, 7, 30) in Psalm 3-32; 34-41 [Book1], 51-65; 68-70; 72 [Book 2], 86 [Book 3], 101-103 [Book 4], 108-110; 131-133; 138-145 [Book 5] whom God covenanted to preserve an earthly kingdom which ultimately points to Christ’s reign in the Millennia Kingdom on earth (Psalm 86:9).
2 Samuel 7:16 (KJV) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
The transition of the five books begins in Book 1 (Psalm 1-41) in the days leading to the reign of David in Israel and Book 2 (Psalm 42-72) in the establishing worship in Israel concluding with the Psalm for Solomon by David in Psalm 72. In Book 3 (Psalm 73-89), worship in Israel further flourishes with the LORD affirming His covenant with David although the signs of backslidings of the nation are highlighted.
Psalm 89:34-37 (KJV) My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
Psalm 89:38-40 (KJV) But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed. 39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. 40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
At the close of Book 3, the kingdom of Israel seemed to have been divided and the heart of the nation was not one with God. Idolatry crept into Israel.
Psalm 89:49-51 (KJV) Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth? 50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people; 51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
This will be the focus in 1 & 2 Kings from the reign of Solomon (1 Kings 1-11) which went well till his intermarriage with foreign women that brought foreign idols into Israel leading to Israel’s fall! The kingdom was divided into the Southern Kingdom with two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) led by Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-24), the son of Solomon and the Northern Kingdom with the rest of the ten tribes led by Jeroboam, a defector during Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 12:25-33).
The sons of Korah were the authors of (only Psalm 42 [close of Book 1], 44-49, 84-85, 87 [Book 2]), Asaph was the author of (only Psalm 50 [Book2], 73-83 [Book 3], Ethan was the author of only one Psalm 89 [close of Book 3]. These authors were a part of David’s worship team. Book 4 begins with Psalm 90, the only one authored by Moses.
In Book 4 (Psalm 90-106), the focus was on establishing or re-establishing worship in Israel amidst her backslidings. Psalm 91 gives the blessing of abiding in the LORD. Psalm 92 is a Psalm or Song for the Sabbath Day. The call for Israel to establish worship! It is the LORD who reigns over the earth and Israel’s enemies. Israel can rely on the LORD to deliver (Psalm 93) and vindicate them (Psalm 94). Psalm 95-100 calls Israel to worship the LORD. It is the way to spiritual health and strength. Psalm 101 is the call to faithfulness for the remnant in Israel to follow the LORD in holy living. Psalm 102 bids the LORD’s light to shine again from Zion.
Psalm 102:13; 27-28 (KJV) 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Psalm 103 jolts Israel to bless the LORD and not forget his benefits towards them. Psalm 104 expands the thought for all creation to bless the LORD who is their merciful Creator and Sustainer. Psalm 105 is a psalm of thanksgiving to the faithfulness of God from Abraham to Moses. And Psalm 106 that closes Book 4 gives the backslidings of Israel highlighted in the introduction (Psalm 106:34-47) leading to their exile in Babylon for the Southern Kingdom and the destruction of the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians.
Book 5 opens in Psalm 107 with the gathering of the dispersed of Israel – Psalm 107:1-3 (KJV) O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
The reason for their dispersal was given in Psalm 107:11-12 (KJV) Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
In their distress, they cried to the LORD, by their contrition of heart, they were restored –
Psalm 107:13-15 (KJV) Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
There is a reversal when God’s people come back to Him – Psalm 107:33-37 (KJV) He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. 36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; 37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
The teaching point – Psalm 107:43 (KJV) Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Psalms 108-110 are David’s Psalms bringing comfort and solace to the tried and slandered to trust in Him for vindication.
There is a common theme of single-hearted devotion of the psalmist in praising the LORD in this last Book. The LORD is the helper of all who call upon Him – Praise ye the LORD!
Psalm 108:1 (KJV) A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Psalm 111:1 (KJV) Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
Psalm 112:1 (KJV) Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalm 113:7-9 (KJV) He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. 9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
The LORD leading His people through the Exodus (Psalm 114) – Psalm 114:7-8 (KJV) Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
A renewal of faith in the LORD, triumphant against false gods – Psalm 115:9 (KJV) O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. … Psalm 115:17-18 (KJV) The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Thanksgiving for answered prayer – Psalm 116:1-2 (KJV) I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. … Psalm 116:17-19 (KJV) I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the LORD’S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm and Psalm 119 is the longest psalm. Psalm 117 is the grateful acknowledgement that the invisible LORD is their God for His merciful kindness and enduring truth. Psalm 118 of triumphant faith in Christ – Psalm 118:22-25 (KJV) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Psalm 119 expands on Psalm 1:2-3 and Psalm 19:7-9 that the Word of God is the believer’s indispensable sanctifying agent for renewal and rejuvenation. It is the longest acrostic psalm. The other acrostic psalms are 25; 34; 37; 111; 112 and 145. It is written to aid memory with each verse beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. For Psalm119, there are 22 sections of 8 verses beginning with the same letter, closing with the psalmist acknowledging the need for the LORD’s guidance through His indispensable Word – Psalm 119:176 (KJV) I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
This is followed by 15 psalms entitled “A Song of Degrees” from Psalms 120-134, depicting the preparations of the Israelites ascending to the House of God in Jerusalem for worship in the annual feast of the Jews. Protection from a deceitful tongue (Psalm 120), Unfailing protection from the LORD – the traveller’s psalm (Psalm 121), pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122), Waiting upon the LORD for His mercy (Psalm 123), God is on our side (Psalm 124), Strength in trusting the LORD (Psalm 125) – Psalm 125:1 (KJV) A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Sow in tears and reap in joy (Psalm 126), Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it (Psalm 127), blessings of the God-fearer (Psalm 128), plea of the persecuted (Psalm 129), let Israel hope in the LORD (Psalm 130), quiet before the LORD (Psalm 131), trust in David’s God (Psalm 132), beauty of unity of the brethren (Psalm 133), standing in the LORD’s sanctuary by night (Psalm 134).
The LORD has done great things! (Psalm 135). His mercy endures (Psalm 136). Tears in Babylonian exile (Psalm 137). Answered prayer (Psalm 138), Search me, O God (Psalm 139) – Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
In Psalm 140-150, half were written by David – Psalm 141- 145, with David’s cry for help in a cave (Psalm 142), prayer to do the LORD’s will (Psalm 143), happy is the people whose God is the LORD (Psalm 144), David’s psalm of praise (Psalm 145). Put not your trust in princes (Psalm 146), God heals the broken-hearted (Psalm 147) – Psalm 147:1-3 (KJV) Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
With the culmination that all creation praises the LORD (Psalm 148), the LORD takes pleasure in His people (Psalm 149) and Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 150). Amen
Closing Hymn