All Articles For Psalm

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near to the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:17-22 God speaks to us in our...

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 As we wend our way through this vale of tears, there are many times when we feel overwhelmed. The stress, the grief, the pain—it is all too much! There are moments when it seems as if our whole world is collapsing around us. At such times we are mindful of our weakness and our helplessness. And we may struggle against bitterness, rebellion, even total despair. Through all of this we seek something...

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11 Psalm 119 was written by a young man who was being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. We do not know the identity of the psalmist or when in Israel’s history he lived. It is apparent from the Psalm, however, that it was a time of departure for the nation of Israel. The result was that the psalmist was being persecuted for his godliness. This persecution came from the highest levels of the land. He was being opposed by the rulers. He was imprisoned, facing...

But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Psalm 130:4 For anyone who has wandered from God and come to see their sins, there are few words sweeter than these: “but there is forgiveness with God.” All we like sheep have gone astray; we all wander from God to one degree or another. But God, by His grace, draws us back to Himself, leading us to sincere sorrow and repentance. When we call upon Him out of the depths, what a joy to know that there is forgiveness with God! Not just forgiveness for others, but there...

If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Psalm 7:12, 13 These words picture the absolute certainty of God’s judgment upon the sinner. They also tell us how fierce and terrible that judgment is. God has a sword, a sword of justice, and with it He will punish man on account of his sin. The instruments wherewith God will inflict this judgment and which He has also prepared, according to the text, are...

“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:1, 14 This text is a beautiful confession of faith. It is a beautiful confession to make as we begin a new year. We do not know what will happen to us in 2018. Who will be born and who will die? What afflictions will enter into our lives? What will happen in our family? What will take place in...

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1 Long before Thanksgiving was observed as an annual event in North America, the Israelites of old gave thanks to God after bringing in the harvest. “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine” (Deut. 16:13). The feast of tabernacles pointed forward to the day when God will tabernacle with men in the new heavens and the new earth. Evidently, the picture of the harvest pointed the Old Testament saints to...

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, the Lord hath done great things for them. Psalm 126:2 The study of human behaviors is a large and fascinating enterprise, drawing research from every religious and secular worldview known to man. Laughter is perhaps one of the most commonly relatable human behaviors. Most babies laugh by four months of age, and a visit to any schoolyard during recess sometimes makes one think that children communicate through laughter alone. The entertainment industry reaps huge profits by churning out every sort of comedy...

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 Psalm 139 is a prayer of David in which he exalts the great majesty of God. God is all knowing and everywhere present. He is the absolutely sovereign Creator of all. He is perfectly just and righteous. To such a God and to no other, David submitted himself and was devoted entirely. That submission and devotion is set forth no more concisely and powerfully than in the...

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 What a familiar, beloved psalm is the twentythird, the “Shepherd Psalm”! It uses such beautiful imagery, such rich, accurate figures to bring peace and comfort to our souls. It is so obvious that David speaks out of the deep, personal experiences that God had given him as a shepherd caring for his father’s flock.