Two-edged swords (149:6) were made of bronze or iron and were filed on each side, so that the blade could more readily and deeply penetrate enemy armor. In the NT, the word of God is said to be “sharper than… Read More »Two-edged swords
Who are the saints? The term “saints” is used in both the OT and NT to describe God’s people. In the OT it describes the faithful among God’s people Israel (37:28; 145:10). In the NT, the Greek word translated “saints”… Read More »Who are the saints?
In the OT, salvation generally refers to deliverance from both physical and spiritual danger. Because God had been a faithful Savior in the past, Israel trusted that they could look forward to his greater salvation in the future. The ultimate… Read More »Salvation
The Lord protects his people. Psalm 138 tells of God’s constant care for everyone who loves him. Singing this psalm helps believers be more aware of the ways in which God preserves and protects them.
Wonders can also be translated “marvels.” The word is often used to describe God’s works of rescuing his people and protecting and caring for them (9:1; 78:11; 98:1; Ex. 3:20; 34:10). In Ps. 136:4, it describes creation, showing that God’s… Read More »Wonders
What is “renown”? The word “renown” refers to being well-known or specially honored. In 135:13, it could also mean a “remembrance.” Psalm 135 echoes the words of Ex. 3:15: “This is my name forever, and thus I am to be… Read More »What is “renown”?
Anointing with oil. It was common during festivals for people to have their foreheads anointed with fragrant oils. This not only provided a pleasant aroma but gave the person a glistening look of good health. (See 133:2.)
What does it mean to “redeem” someone? The word “redeem” expresses the idea of rescue and protection. The Psalms speak of God redeeming Israel (44:26; 111:9). God’s acts of redemption in the OT anticipate redemption from sin through the death… Read More »What does it mean to “redeem” someone?
Watchmen (130:6) were stationed along the walls of ancient cities. They would sound an alarm if an enemy approached the city. Fields and vineyards also had watchmen to protect the grain and produce from thieves and animals.
What are fowlers? A “fowler” is someone who traps birds. In the Scriptures, it is used figuratively to describe active enemies of God’s people. The psalmist describes God as delivering his people from the fowler’s snare (91:3; 124:7).
Psalm 122 is one of the 15 Songs of Ascents, which were sung by worshipers who were on their way up to the temple. It reflects the joy of seeing God’s chosen city, Jerusalem, and being in the house of… Read More »Songs of Ascents
The wood of the broom tree makes excellent charcoal (120:4). Charcoal was an ideal source of fuel in Bible times because it was lightweight and created a hot fire that retained its heat for a long time.
Unique verses. Out of the 176 verses in Psalm 119, only seven lack an explicit mention of God’s Word: vv. 84, 90–91, 120, 122, 132, and 149.
Aside from being the longest psalm, Psalm 119 is also the longest and most carefully structured chapter in the Bible. The psalm is an acrostic poem of 22 stanzas, following the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each stanza,… Read More »The longest psalm
The cornerstone (118:22) is the large shaped stone at the corner of the building’s foundation. It is essential to a structure’s stability. Several NT writers compared Jesus Christ to a cornerstone (e.g., Matt. 21:42; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:4–8).
A psalm of thanksgiving. The words of Psalm 116 are excellent for expressing public thanks after surviving a crisis situation.
Idols (115:4) represent anything allowed to compete with God for ultimate loyalty, robbing him of the devotion and glory he alone deserves. Idolatry is evil and foolish. God deserves our wholehearted love because nothing else compares with him.
Flint is a very hard variety of quartz that was plentiful in the land of the Bible. It could be broken into sharp pieces and used to make tools and weapons. Knives, arrowheads, sickle blades, and saws were all made… Read More »Flint
Two acrostic poems. Because of their similar themes, Psalms 111 and 112 can be seen as companion psalms. Both are also acrostic poems. In the acrostics of the OT, each line or verse begins with successive letters of the Hebrew… Read More »Two acrostic poems
The right hand is often a symbol of authority and power. Kings wore their signet rings on their right hand (Jer. 22:24), and a father blessed his oldest son with his right hand (Gen. 48:14, 17). In Psalm 110, the… Read More »The right hand
What is God’s steadfast love to his people, for which Psalm 107 repeatedly says they should thank him? It is the enduring faithfulness, care, and kindness that he has promised to them. Even after their repeated disobedience, which brought his… Read More »Steadfast love
Despite all the faithfulness and steadfast love God showed to his people, as Psalm 105 recounts, they murmured (106:25), displaying a lack of contentment and trust in him. Such murmuring amounts to disobeying a gracious God who leads his people.
Psalms 105 and 106 celebrate God’s faithfulness to his people. They recall his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Those who sing the psalms should see themselves as the beneficiaries of all the amazing things God has done in the… Read More »Celebrate
Ashes were often used in the OT to express sorrow, humiliation, or feelings of worthlessness. In Ps. 102:9, they are a sign of mourning, as indicated by their mention along with tears. The prophet Jeremiah encouraged Israel to “roll in… Read More »Ashes
What is integrity? When the Bible describes someone as having “integrity” (101:2) it means that the person is characterized by good moral behavior. The Bible might also describe this person as “blameless” in the sight of God.
Joy to the world! Psalm 98:4–9 inspired Isaac Watts to write his famous Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World,” in 1719. The song celebrates not only the birth of Christ but how creation itself rejoices at the return of her… Read More »Joy to the world!
Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 95 is one of several psalms that focus on God’s rule over all of creation. God is the ultimate king because he created everything that exists. The Psalms frequently remind God’s people that we… Read More »Maker of heaven and earth
The word vengeance is used in Ps. 94:1 to describe one way in which the Lord brings about justice in the world. Individual Israelites were forbidden to seek personal vengeance (Lev. 19:18). However, it was the duty of the civil… Read More »Vengeance
Satan knows the Scriptures. Psalm 91:11–12 was quoted by Satan when he tempted Jesus in the desert (Matt. 4:6). Of course, he misapplied it for his own evil purposes. In no way do these verses mean that believers should put… Read More »Satan knows the Scriptures
How old? Psalm 90:10 suggests that Israelites were living to be 70 or 80 years old in the days of Moses. While life expectancy has varied somewhat over the centuries, it is about the same today.
Finding your way in the ancient world was often an inexact science. Without a compass or map, topographical features such as oases and mountains were heavily relied upon. The few maps available were often unreliable because they may have been… Read More »Finding your way
Abaddon (88:11) means “place of destruction.” In Rev. 9:11 Abaddon is king of “the bottomless pit.”
Keeping a record of the population (87:6) was a very important task in the ancient world. In fact, sometimes entire cities were employed for this purpose. People who performed such royal duties were sometimes rewarded by being exempt from imprisonment… Read More »Keeping a record of the population
The words of Ps. 86:9 are incorporated into the song of the Lamb in Rev. 15:4. All nations, from all around the globe, will someday worship the Lord.
En-dor (83:10) is perhaps most famous for being home to a spiritual medium whom Saul consulted on the eve of his final battle (1 Sam. 28:7–25).
The word blessed (84:4, 5, 12, etc.) refers to someone who has received—or who will receive—something good from the Lord. It is not just a temporary feeling of happiness but a state of well-being in relationship to God.
How long? This question (79:5) occurs nearly twenty times in the Psalms, more than any other question. It is almost always associated with a psalm of lament, such as Psalm 79.
Zoan (78:12) is the ancient Egyptian city of Tanis, one of many cities in the area where the Israelites lived around the time of Moses. The city’s ruins were surveyed by Napoleon Bonaparte in the late 1700s.
The horn could be a symbol of power and military strength, and thus to lift up or exalt it was to publicly assert power. God warns the ungodly not to lift up their horns (75:4), and promises that he will… Read More »Horn
What does it mean to be “pure in heart”? Those who are pure in heart (73:1) love God wholeheartedly (Deut. 6:5). Their pursuit of purity and uprightness affects every area of life (Matt. 5:8).
Hope means putting one’s full confidence in God, who always keeps his promises. Believers can have hope for the future because of what God has done in the past. Created things will always ultimately disappoint. God alone is the source… Read More »Hope
The term fortress (71:3) could describe the city walls of ancient times. These walls, usually stone, included towers at strategic points so that the soldiers could see if anyone was trying to climb the wall. God is the believer’s true… Read More »Fortress
The deep. In Ps. 69:15, “the deep” is a striking picture of the problems of life that can seem so frightening and overpowering. But the Lord, who created the world out of “the deep” (Gen. 1:2), can rescue his people… Read More »The deep
Ancient worship leaders. Psalm 68:24–27 mentions singers and musicians leading worship. Other passages, such as 1 Chron. 15:16–22, give details about some of the musical instruments that were used in Israelite worship.
Wanting God’s blessing. Psalm 67 echoes the priestly blessing in Num. 6:24–26. Israel desires God’s blessing so that all nations may know of his saving power. God called Abram in order to bless him and his descendants and to make… Read More »Wanting God’s blessing
The psalmist David’s desire to dwell in God’s courts (65:4), that is, in the sanctuary, recalls his closing words in Psalm 23: “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Banners served as battle flags in ancient wars. Attached to poles, they were used to signal troop movements or to serve as rallying points. Banners could be actual flags or they could be carved figures, often depicting a bird or… Read More »Banners
Pride (59:12) is the opposite of humility. It means putting excessive confidence in one’s own abilities, wealth, or position. Pride causes a person to crave the glory and honor that belong only to God.
Memorizing the Psalms. The poetic style of the Psalms make them easy to memorize. Throughout the centuries, many believers have memorized all 150 Psalms.
“Upon Edom I cast my shoe” (108:9). In ancient times, people would sometimes lay claim to a parcel of land by walking its boundaries and then offering the shoes they had worn as their title of ownership. Here, the Lord… Read More »“Upon Edom I cast my shoe”
A helpful guide. The writers of the Psalms understood the importance of constant communication with God. They knew that God would hear their prayers, and they trusted him to act on their behalf. Believers today can benefit greatly by patterning… Read More »A helpful guide
There is none who does good. In Rom. 3:10–12, the apostle Paul cites Ps. 53:1–3 to explain the universal human condition of sin. No person on his own seeks for God or does any good that merits salvation. Everyone needs… Read More »There is none who does good
Hyssop is a member of the mint family. Its fuzzy leaves and branches produce bunches of small white or yellow flowers. During Passover, the people of Israel used hyssop branches to place blood above their doors and on their doorposts… Read More »Hyssop
Fragrant robes. The anointing of a person did not always involve the use of oil. Plant extracts such as aloe, cassia (similar to cinnamon), and myrrh were used during celebrations such as weddings and coronations. The extracts would either be… Read More »Fragrant robes
Forgetting the name of God (44:20). Many of the pagan religions of OT times taught that a god’s power was tied directly to its name. The false prophets of Jeremiah’s time believed that, if they could erase God’s name from… Read More »Forgetting the name of God
There were at least three known species of deer in ancient Palestine. The red deer was the largest. The male could weigh up to 500 pounds (225 kg) while the female weighed up to 350 pounds (160 kg).
How long is a handbreadth? A handbreadth (39:5) was considered to be the width of the four fingers on one hand, or roughly 4 inches (10 cm).
Snares (38:12) were traps used to catch birds and animals. Some snares used ropes or nets that would be triggered as soon as the bait was touched. Pits disguised with sticks and leaves were also used as snares. In the… Read More »Snares
The laurel tree (37:35) may be the sweet-bay tree, which is found all over the Mediterranean and can grow up to 60 feet (18 m) in height. Parts of the tree can be used for medicinal purposes while its leaves… Read More »Laurel tree
The phrase shadow of your wings (36:7) is also found in two other psalms (17:8; 57:1). It symbolizes the protection and safety of the Lord.
Strong offense and defense. The shield and buckler (35:2) and the spear and javelin (35:3) represented extremes in weaponry. While the shield was lighter and could be carried without the use of a helper, the larger buckler gave the warrior… Read More »Strong offense and defense
A harp or a lyre? Both harps and lyres were hand-held stringed instruments with wooden frames.
Summers in Israel can be very hot, depending on where one is (see 32:4). In places like Masada, near the Dead Sea, temperatures can soar past 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43° C) without a drop of rain. However, Jerusalem, with its… Read More »Summers in Israel
The term house of the Lord (27:4) always refers to the temple, where God in OT times lived among his people.
What does Selah mean? Although the word Selah is found 39 times in the book of Psalms, its exact meaning is uncertain. Most scholars believe it is a musical term or a term to be used by a worship leader,… Read More »Selah
How often does the NT quote from the Psalms? Of all the OT books, the Psalms and Isaiah are by far the two most widely quoted in the NT.
What are royal psalms? Royal psalms (e.g., 18)emphasize God’s promise to David that he would have an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). David and his descendants are called to bless Israel and the nations of the world.… Read More »What are royal psalms?
Are the Psalms poetry? The Psalms often reflect the feelings or emotions of the person who wrote the psalm. The book of Psalms includes poetry that covers all kinds of emotional feelings and experiences, from anguish and sorrow to great… Read More »Are the Psalms poetry?
What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel? The “enemies” mentioned in the Psalms (e.g., 18:17) were people hostile to the faith of God’s people. Sometimes they expressed their hatred by physically attacking the people of Israel,… Read More »What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?
What is parallelism? Parallelism is one of the main features of Hebrew poetry. All 150 Psalms include parallelism. Typically, the main lines in a psalm are followed by secondary lines that either repeat or expand upon an idea in the… Read More »What is parallelism?
How many of the Psalms were written by David? David is the author of about half of the Psalms. Other authors include Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and the sons of Korah.
What is a psalm of lament? The main purpose of a psalm of lament is to tell the Lord about a difficult situation, to ask him for his help, and to praise him for helping. Some laments are community, congregational… Read More »What is a psalm of lament?
What is “Sheol”? In the OT, the Hebrew word “Sheol” (9:17) refers to the place where people go when they die. It is similar to the Greek word “Hades.” Both words are usually translated “death” or “the grave.”
What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God? The Psalms were the songbook of the people of God when they gathered for worship.
How are the Psalms divided? The Psalms are divided into five books: 1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 107–150. Each book ends with a “doxology,” a hymn of praise to God.
A shield for his people. Without the proper shield, an ancient warrior had little chance in battle. Psalms uses the term “shield” (3:3) to describe God’s protection of his people.
Where is Zion? Zion (2:6) is the mountain where Jerusalem and the temple were built. The term “Zion” sometimes refers to ancient Jerusalem and sometimes stands for the permanent home where God’s people will live forever with him (see Isa.… Read More »Where is Zion?