Psalms
Published on 1. January 2015
479 pages
978-1-78359-243-2 (ISBN)
Description
The book of Psalms is the heart of the Old Testament, the libretto of the most vibrant worship imaginable. It informs our intellect, stimulates our imagination, arouses our emotions and stirs us to holy thoughts and actions. It is also a pivotal witness to, and anticipation of, Jesus Christ. Tremper Longman's commentary interprets each psalm in its Old Testament setting, summarizes its message and reflects on its significance from a New Testament perspective, noting any citation and also providing a Christological reading.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Nottingham
United Kingdom
Product notice
Reflowable
ISBN-13
978-1-78359-243-2 (9781783592432)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Tremper Longman III is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, USA. He is the author or co-author of numerous books, including 'Introducing the Old Testament', 'A Biblical History of Israel',' How to Read Psalms', and commentaries on the Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Jeremiah & Lamentations, Daniel and Job
Content
- Intro
- Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries
- Psalms
- CONTENTS
- GENERAL PREFACE
- AUTHOR'S PREFACE
- CHIEF ABBREVIATIONS
- Bible versions
- SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Introduction
- 1. Title of the book
- 2. Titles to the individual psalms
- a. Authorship titles and historical titles
- b. Genre titles
- c. Musical and performance titles
- d. Liturgical titles
- Excursus: Selah and Higgayôn
- 3. Composition, collection, organization, use
- a. Composition and collection
- b. Organization
- c. Use
- 4. Genre and types of psalms
- a. Hymns
- b. Laments
- c. Thanksgiving songs
- d. Confidence
- e. Prophetic
- f. Wisdom
- g. Remembrance
- h. Royal
- 5. Poetic style
- a. Terseness
- b. Parallelism
- c. Imagery
- d. Secondary poetical devices
- Conclusion
- 6. The theology of the book of Psalms
- 7. The Psalms as a mirror of the soul
- Excursus: Imprecations
- 8. Worship
- 9. How to read this commentary
- COMMENTARY BOOK 1: PSALMS 1 - 41
- Psalm 1. The way of the righteous
- Context
- Comment
- 1:1-3. Blessing on the righteous
- 1:4-5. Punishment on the wicked
- 1:7-8. The two ways
- Meaning
- Psalm 2. The Lord and his anointed
- Context
- Comment
- 2:1-3. Human rebellion
- 2:4-6. Divine ridicule
- 2:7-9. You are my son
- 2:10-12. Kiss his son
- Meaning
- Psalm 3. How many are my foes!
- Context
- Comment
- 3:1-2. Many are my foes
- 3:3-6. The Lord sustains me
- 3:7. Arise, Lord!
- 3:8. Deliverance comes from the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 4. An evening prayer
- Context
- Comment
- 4:1. Have mercy on me
- 4:2-3. Glory into shame
- 4:4-5. Do not sin
- 4:6-7. Give us prosperity
- 4:8. I will sleep in peace
- Meaning
- Psalm 5. A morning prayer
- Context
- Comment
- 5:1-2. Consider my plea
- 5:3-7. Worship in the sanctuary
- 5:8-11. Punishment for the wicked and protection for God's people
- 5:12. Bless the righteous
- Meaning
- Psalm 6. Do not discipline me
- Context
- Comment
- 6:1-3. How long?
- 6:4-5. Save me!
- 6:6-7. My tears
- 6:8-10. The Lord has heard me
- Meaning
- Psalm 7. God battles against evil people
- Context
- Comment
- 7:1-2. Save me from the lions
- 7:3-5. I am innocent
- 7:6-9. Arise!
- 7:10-13. God the Warrior
- 7:14-16. Trouble that rebounds on the wicked
- 7:17. Worship
- Meaning
- Psalm 8. God's glory in the heavens
- Context
- Comment
- 8:1a. How majestic!
- 8:1b-4. What is humanity?
- 8:5-8. A little lower than God
- 8:9. How majestic!
- Meaning
- Psalm 9. Arise, O Lord (part 1)
- Context
- Comment
- 9:1-2. Thank you!
- 9:3-6. You have rebuked the nations
- 9:7-10. God reigns
- 9:11-12. God remembers
- 9:13-14. Have mercy on me
- 9:15-18. Trouble that rebounds on the wicked
- 9:19-20. Arise Lord!
- Meaning
- Psalm 10. Arise, O Lord (part 2)
- Context
- Comment
- 10:1. Where are you, God?
- 10:2-11. The wicked man
- 10:12-15. Arise!
- 10:16-18. God is King
- Meaning
- Psalm 11. In the Lord I take refuge
- Context
- Comment
- 11:1-3. When the foundations are being destroyed
- 11:4-7. The Lord is in his holy temple
- Meaning
- Psalm 12. God protects the needy
- Context
- Comment
- 12:1-4. They are all liars
- 12:5-8. You keep all the needy safe
- Meaning
- Psalm 13. How long, O Lord?
- Context
- Comment
- 13:1-2. How long, Lord?
- 13:3-4. Give light to my eyes
- 13:5-6. Confidence and praise
- Meaning
- Psalm 14. 'There is no God'
- Context
- Comment
- 14:1. There is no God
- 14:2-3. Do any understand?
- 14:4-6. Oppressing the poor
- 14:7. Desiring restoration
- Meaning
- Psalm 15. Who can enter the sanctuary?
- Context
- Comment
- 15:1. Who may dwell in your tent?
- 15:2-5b. Blameless and righteous
- 15:5c: Never shaken
- Meaning
- Psalm 16. You will not abandon me
- Context
- Comment
- 16:1. Keep me safe
- 16:2-4. God is Lord
- 16:5-8. A delightful inheritance
- 16:9-11. The path of life
- Meaning
- Psalm 17. Vindicate me
- Context
- Comment
- 17:1-2. Hear my prayer
- 17:3-5. Examine me
- 17:6-9. Protect me
- 17:10-12. Enemy predators
- 17:13-15. Rise up, Lord!
- Meaning
- Psalm 18. The Divine Warrior rescues the king
- Context
- Comment
- 18:1. I love you
- 18:2. My protection
- 18:3-5. I almost died
- 18:6-15. God rides into battle
- 18:16-19. The rescue
- 18:20-24. God's reward
- 18:25-29. The humble and the haughty
- 18:30-36. The Lord is the only God
- 18:37-49. Victory
- 18:50. God loves David
- Meaning
- Psalm 19. The heavens declare God's glory
- Context
- Comment
- 19:1-6. The heavens declare
- 19:7-11. The glorious law of God
- 19:12-13. Forgive me and guide me
- 19:14. The meditation of my heart
- Meaning
- Psalm 20. Prayer for the king
- Context
- Comment
- 20:1-5. May God answer you
- 20:6-8. Victory!
- 20:9. Answer us
- Meaning
- Psalm 21. Past and future victory
- Context
- Comment
- 21:1. The king rejoices
- 21:2-7. God has answered the king's prayer
- 21:8-12. God will destroy the king's enemies
- 21:13. Be exalted
- Meaning
- Psalm 22. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
- Context
- Comment
- 22:1-2. Why?
- 22:3-5. You rescued our ancestors
- 22:6-8. I am a worm
- 22:9-10. Since birth
- 22:11. Come close
- 22:12-18. The attack of the enemy
- 22:19-21. Come close
- 22:22-31. I will praise you
- Meaning
- Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd
- Context
- Comment
- 23:1-4. The Lord is my shepherd
- 23:5-6. The Lord is my host
- Meaning
- Psalm 24. Lift up your heads, you gates
- Context
- Comment
- 24:1-2. God the Creator
- 24:3-6. Who can enter the holy place?
- 24:7-10. Lift up your heads, you gates!
- Meaning
- Psalm 25. Trust in the midst of suffering
- Context
- Comment
- 25:1-3. I trust you
- 25:4-7. Teach me your ways
- 25:8-11. God is good
- 25:12-15. God blesses the righteous
- 25:16-21. Help me, Lord
- 25:22. Deliver Israel
- Meaning
- Psalm 26. I have led a blameless life
- Context
- Comment
- 26:1-3. Vindicate me
- 26:4-7. I am innocent
- 26:8-11. Preserve my life
- 26:12. Thank you, God
- Meaning
- Psalm 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation
- Context
- Comment
- 27:1. Whom shall I fear?
- 27:2-3. The enemy will not prevail
- 27:4-5. Safe in his dwelling
- 27:6. I will praise God who exalts me
- 27:7-10. Answer me, Lord
- 27:11-12. False accusations
- 27:13-14. Wait for the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 28. You are my Rock
- Context
- Comment
- 28:1-2. I call to my Rock
- 28:3-5. Don't treat me like the wicked
- 28:6-9. Thank God
- Meaning
- Psalm 29. Praise the God of the storm
- Context
- Comment
- 29:1-2. Ascribe to the Lord
- 29:3-9. God's voice
- 29:10-11. God the King
- Meaning
- Psalm 30. Thanks for healing
- Context
- Comment
- 30:1-3. Preliminary thanksgiving
- 30:4-5. Join in the praise
- 30:6-10. Redemptive abandonment
- 30:11-12. God's answer
- Meaning
- Psalm 31. Into your hands I commit my spirit
- Context
- Comment
- 31:1-5. Protect me
- 31:6-8. You have preserved me
- 31:9-13. I am in distress
- 31:14-18. I trust you
- 31:19-20. You hide your people
- 31:21-22. Praise God!
- 31:23-24. Love the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 32. Blessed is the one whose sins are covered
- Context
- Comment
- 32:1-2. Blessed are the forgiven
- 32:3-4. Your heavy hand
- 32:5. I confess and you forgive
- 32:8-11. I will teach you
- Meaning
- Psalm 33. No king is saved by the size of his army
- Context
- Comment
- 33:1-3. A new song
- 33:4-5. The word of God
- 33:6-9. God made the heavens by his word
- 33:10-11. God's plans prevail
- 33:12-15. God sees all
- 33:16-19. God saves
- 33:20-22. Waiting for the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 34. Taste and see that the Lord is good
- Context
- Comment
- 34:1-3. Glorify the Lord
- 34:4-7. God heard my prayer
- 34:8-14. Taste and see
- 34:15-16. God is for the righteous
- 34:17-20. God hears the prayers of the righteous
- 34:21-22. Consequences for the wicked and God's servants
- Meaning
- Psalm 35. Contend with them
- Context
- Comment
- 35:1-3. Contend, Lord
- 35:4-6. Shame them
- 35:7-10. Ruin them
- 35:11-16. False witnesses
- 35:17-21. How long?
- 35:22-25. Contend!
- 35:26-27. Shame them
- 35:28. I will praise God
- Meaning
- Psalm 36. See how the evildoers lie fallen!
- Context
- Comment
- 36:1-4. The wicked
- 36:5-9. God's gracious character
- 36:10-12. Continue your love towards us
- Meaning
- Psalm 37. Do not fret
- Context
- Comment
- 37:1-11. Do not fret
- 37:12-15. The wicked
- 37:16-17. Better righteousness than wealth
- 37:18-22. The righteous and the wicked
- 37:23-24. Security for the righteous
- 37:25-26. God blesses the righteous
- 37:27-29. Turn from evil
- 37:30-33. The righteous and the wicked
- 37:34. Hope
- 37:35-38. Like a luxuriant tree
- 37:39-40. God saves
- Meaning
- Psalm 38. Lord, do not forsake me
- Context
- Comment
- 38:1-8. I am in pain
- 38:9-12. Others avoid me
- 38:13-16. I am needy
- 38:17-20. Confession
- 38:21-22. Do not forsake me
- Meaning
- Psalm 39. Look away from me
- Context
- Comment
- 39:1-3. I had to speak
- 39:4-6. The fragility of life
- 39:7-11. Remove your scourge
- 39:12-13. Hear my prayer
- Meaning
- Psalm 40. I desire to do your will
- Context
- Comment
- 40:1-3. A new song
- 40:4-5. Trust God
- 40:6-8. You want obedience
- 40:9-10. I proclaim your greatness
- 40:11-13. Save me!
- 40:14-17. Shame my enemies
- Meaning
- Psalm 41. Blessed are those who have regard for the weak
- Context
- Comment
- 41:1-3. Blessed are the caregivers
- 41:4-9. Heal me
- 41:10-12. Have mercy
- 41:13. Doxology
- Meaning
- BOOK 2: PSALMS 42 - 72
- Psalms 42 - 43. Why, my soul, are you downcast
- Context
- Comment
- 42:1-4. As the deer pants
- 42:5. Put your hope in God
- 42:6-7. I will remember you
- 42:8. God is with me
- 42:9-10. Divine abandonment
- 42:11. Put your hope in God
- 43:1-4. Vindicate me
- 43:5. Put your hope in God
- Meaning
- Psalm 44. Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?
- Context
- Comment
- 44:1-3. You won victories for our ancestors
- 44:4-8. You won victories for us
- 44:9-16. You have abandoned us
- 44:17-19. We have remained faithful
- 44:20-22. We face death
- 44:23-26. Awake!
- Meaning
- Psalm 45. A noble theme
- Context
- Comment
- 45:1. My tongue is a pen
- 45:2-9. The glory of the groom
- 45:10-15. The glory of the bride
- 45:16-17. The king's legacy
- Meaning
- Psalm 46. An ever-present help
- Context
- Comment
- 46:1-3. We will not fear
- 46:4-7. God is with us
- 46:8-11. Be still
- Meaning
- Psalm 47. Proclaiming God as King
- Context
- Comment
- 47:1. Clap your hands
- 47:2-4. God the King
- 47:5-7. God ascends to his throne
- 47:8-9. God reigns over the nations
- Meaning
- Psalm 48. Zion, like Zaphon
- Context
- Comment
- 48:1. Worthy of praise
- 48:2-3. Beautiful Zion
- 48:4-7. The attacking nations
- 48:8. The city of our God
- 48:9-11. God's unfailing love
- 48:12-14. Consider Zion
- Meaning
- Psalm 49. God will redeem me from the realm of death
- Context
- Comment
- 49:1-4. Words of wisdom
- 49:5-12. All die
- 49:13-19. Death comes to the wealthy
- 49:20. Like beasts
- Meaning
- Psalm 50. He is a God of justice
- Context
- Comment
- 50:1-6. Gather to me
- 50:7-13. I don't need your sacrifices
- 50:14-21. You are evil
- 50:22-23. Honour me
- Meaning
- Psalm 51. Forgive me, Lord
- Context
- Comment
- 51:1-2. Have mercy on me
- 51:3-6. I am a sinner
- 51:7-9. Cleanse me
- 51:10-12. Restore me
- 51:13-17. A contrite heart
- 51:18-19. Prosper Zion
- Meaning
- Psalm 52. I am like an olive tree
- Context
- Comment
- 52:1-4. You mighty hero
- 52:5-7. The downfall of the wicked
- 52:8-9. Like an olive tree
- Meaning
- Psalm 53. 'There is no God'
- Context
- Comment
- Meaning
- Psalm 54. Arrogant foes are attacking me
- Context
- Comment
- 54:1-3. Save me from my foes
- 54:4-5. God is my help
- 54:6-7. I will praise you
- Meaning
- Psalm 55. Cast your cares on the Lord
- Context
- Comment 55:1-3. Listen, O God
- 55:1-3. Listen, O God
- 55:4-8. Fear and trembling
- 55:9-11. Violence in the city
- 55:12-15. Betrayed by a close friend
- 55:16-19. Enthroned from of old
- 55:20-23. I trust in you
- Meaning
- Psalm 56. What can mere mortals do to me?
- Context
- Comment 56:1-2. Be merciful
- 56:1-2. Be merciful
- 56:3-4. What can mere mortals do to me?
- 56:5-7. The complaint
- 56:8-9. Record my misery
- 56:10-11. What can man do to me?
- 56:12-13. Vows
- Meaning
- Psalm 57. Let your glory be over all the earth
- Context
- Comment 57:1. In the shadow of your wings
- 57:1. In the shadow of your wings
- 57:2-3. God saves me
- 57:4. Vicious enemies
- 57:5. Be exalted
- 57:6. Their downfall
- 57:7-10. Be steadfast
- 57:11. Be exalted
- Meaning
- Psalm 58. The injustice of rulers
- Context
- Comment
- 58:1-5. The poison of evil rulers
- 58:6-8. Destroy them
- 58:9-11. The wicked will disappear
- Meaning
- Psalm 59. Snarling like dogs
- Context
- Comment
- 59:1-2. Deliver me
- 59:3-5. Arise to help me
- 59:6-8. Snarling like dogs
- 59:9-13. Do not kill them
- 59:14-17. Snarling like dogs
- Meaning
- Psalm 60. With God we will gain the victory
- Context
- Comment
- 60:1-4. You have rejected us, now restore us
- 60:5-8. God's triumph
- 60:9-12. Give us aid, God!
- Meaning
- Psalm 61. The rock that is higher than I
- Context
- Comment
- 61:1-3. From the ends of the earth
- 61:4-5. In your tent forever
- 61:6-8. A prayer for the king
- Meaning
- Psalm 62. My soul finds rest in God
- Context
- Comment
- 62:1-2. My rock and my salvation
- 62:3-4. About to fall
- 62:5-8. My rock and my salvation
- 62:9-10. Humans are nothing
- 62:11-12. God has spoken
- Meaning
- Psalm 63. I thirst for you
- Context
- Comment
- 63:1. A thirst for God
- 63:2-5. Past satisfaction
- 63:6-8. In the shadow of your wings
- 63:9-12. My enemy will be vanquished
- Meaning
- Psalm 64. Conspiracy
- Context
- Comment
- 64:1-6. The conspiracy of the wicked
- 64:7-10. God's response
- Meaning
- Psalm 65. You care for the land
- Context
- Comment
- 65:1-4. You forgave our transgressions
- 65:5-8. Wonders of the whole earth
- 65:9-13. God's provision for the land
- Meaning
- Psalm 66. Come and see what God has done
- Context
- Comment
- 66:1-4. Praise God!
- 66:5-7. Come and see!
- 66:8-12. He has preserved our lives
- 66:13-15. I will come to your temple
- 66:16-20. Come and hear!
- Meaning
- Psalm 67. May the peoples praise you
- Context
- Comment
- 67:1-5. May the whole earth praise God
- 67:6-7. Thanks for the harvest.
- Meaning
- Psalm 68. Extol him who rides on the clouds
- Context
- Comment
- 68:1-3. Scatter the enemy
- 68:4-6. The cloud rider
- 68:7-10. Through the wilderness
- 68:11-14. Celebration
- 68:15-18. From Sinai to Zion
- 68:19-23. Our God is a God who saves
- 68:24-27. The procession
- 68:28-31. Bringing tribute to God
- 68:32-35. Final call to praise
- Meaning
- Psalm 69. Persecuted because of righteousness
- Context
- Comment
- 69:1-4. Initial invocation, appeal for help and first complaint
- 69:5-6. Confession of sin
- 69:7-12. Second complaint
- 69:13-18. Further appeals for help
- 69:19-21. Third complaint
- 69:22-29. A curse on the enemies
- 69:29. Final complaint
- 69:30-36. Concluding praise
- Meaning
- Psalm 70. Hasten to save me
- Psalm 71. Protect me when I am old
- Context
- Comment
- 71:1-4. Be my protection
- 71:5-8. My hope since my youth
- 71:9-13. Now that I am old
- 71:14-18. Proclaiming your mighty acts
- 71:19-21. You will bring me up again
- 71:22-24. Praising God
- Meaning
- Psalm 72. A prayer for the king
- Context
- Comment
- 72:1-2. A just king
- 72:3-7. Prosperity flowing from righteousness
- 72:8-11. May all the kings submit to him
- 72:12-14. Help for the vulnerable
- 72:15-17. Long live the king
- 72:18-20. Final doxology
- Meaning
- BOOK 3: PSALMS 73 - 89
- Psalm 73. Struggling with the prosperity of the wicked
- Context
- Comment
- 73:1-2. God is good
- 73:3-12. Feeling envy for the prosperity of the wicked
- 73:13-14. My meaningless life
- 73:15-20. Their final destiny
- 73:21-22. A brute beast
- 73:23-26. Into glory
- 73:27-28. Those who are far and those who are near
- Meaning
- Psalm 74. Punish those who desecrated the sanctuary
- Context
- Comment
- 74:1-3. Why have you rejected us?
- 74:4-8. They burned the sanctuary
- 74:9-11. How long?
- 74:12-17. You crushed the heads of Leviathan
- 74:18-23. Rise up, O God
- Meaning
- Psalm 75. The divine Judge
- Context
- Comment
- 75:1. Praising God's name
- 75:2-5. Judging the proud
- 75:6-8. The cup of wrath
- 75:9-10. Praising God who judges the proud
- Meaning
- Psalm 76. God the Warrior dwells in Zion
- Context
- Comment
- 76:1-3. His tent is in Salem
- 76:4-6. God destroys the enemy
- 76:7-10. Who can stand before God?
- 76:11-12. Fulfil your vows
- Meaning
- Psalm 77. Looking to the past for help in the present
- Context
- Comment
- 77:1-2. Crying to God in the night
- 77:3-6. First remembrance
- 77:7-9. Questioning God
- 77:10-11. The mighty acts of God
- 77:13-15. God is great
- 77:16-20. The crossing of the sea
- Meaning
- Psalm 78. So the next generation will know
- Context
- Comment
- 78:1-8. Hear a parable
- 78:9-16. The men of Ephraim
- 78:17-31. They continued to sin
- 78:32-39. God was merciful
- 78:40-55. The plagues of Egypt
- 78:56-64. They angered God
- 78:65-72. He chose David and Zion
- Meaning
- Psalm 79. From the rubble of Jerusalem
- Context
- Comment
- 79:1-4. The nations have invaded Jerusalem
- 79:5-7. How long, Lord?
- 79:8-13. Help us
- Meaning
- Psalm 80. Make your face shine on us
- Context
- Comment
- 80:1-2. Shepherd of Israel
- 80:3. Make your face shine on us
- 80:4-6. How long?
- 80:7. Make your face shine on us
- 80:8-11. The transplanted vine
- 80:12-15. The ravaged vineyard
- 80:16-18. Revive us
- 80:19. Make your face shine on us
- Meaning
- Psalm 81. Honey from the rock
- Context
- Comment
- 81:1-5b. Praising God at the New Moon festival
- 81:5b-10. An unknown voice
- 81:11-12. Disobedient Israel
- 81:13-16. Turn and be rescued
- Meaning
- Psalm 82. Judging the gods
- Context
- Comment
- 82:1-4. God in the assembly of the gods
- 82:5. The failure of the gods
- 82:6-7. A warning
- 82:8. Rise up, O God
- Meaning
- Psalm 83. Make them like tumble-weed
- Context
- Comment
- 83:1-8. The plots of the enemy
- 83:9-16. Destroy our enemies, God
- 83:17-18. You alone are Most High
- Meaning
- Psalm 84. How lovely is your dwelling-place
- Context
- Comment
- 84:1-7. Blessed are those who are close to God
- 84:8-9. Care for the king
- 84:10-12. Better one day in the temple
- Meaning
- Psalm 85. Righteousness and peace kiss each other
- Context
- Comment
- 85:1-3. You restored our fortunes
- 85:4-7. Restore our fortunes again!
- 85:8-9. His salvation is near
- 85:10-13. Confident in his covenantal faithfulness
- Meaning
- Psalm 86. When I am in distress, I call to you
- Context
- Comment
- 86:1-7. I am poor and needy
- 86:8-10. All the nations will worship God
- 86:11-13. Teach me and I will praise you
- 86:14-17. Have mercy on me
- Meaning
- Psalm 87. Glorious things are said
- Context
- Comment
- 87:1-2. The city on the mountain
- 87:3-7. The register of the peoples
- Meaning
- Psalm 88. Darkness is my closest friend
- Context
- Comment
- 88:1-2. The God who saves me
- 88:3-5. Overwhelmed with troubles
- 88:6-12. You, God, have ruined my life
- 88:13-14. Why do you reject me?
- 88:15-18. Darkness is my closest friend
- Meaning
- Psalm 89. Where is your former great love?
- Context
- Comment
- 89:1-4. God's promise to David
- 89:5-8. The heavens praise God
- 89:9-13. God is sovereign over heaven and earth
- 89:14-18. God our King
- 89:19-29. David my servant
- 89:30-37. His line will continue forever
- 89:38-45. You have renounced the covenant
- 89:46-51. How long, Lord?
- 89:52. Doxology to Book 3
- Meaning
- BOOK 4: PSALMS 90 - 106
- Psalm 90. Establish the work of our hands
- Context
- Comment
- 90:1-2. Our dwelling-place
- 90:3-6. Fragility of life
- 90:7-12. A heart of wisdom
- 90:13-17. Relent, Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 91. Under his wings
- Context
- Comment
- 91:1-2. My protection
- 91:3-8. God will save you
- 91:9-13. No harm will overtake you
- 91:14-16. 'I will rescue him'
- Meaning
- Psalm 92. Like a palm tree
- Context
- Comment
- 92:1-3. Praise God
- 92:4-7. Great are your works
- 92:8-11. Defeated enemies
- 92:12-15. Planted in the house of the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 93. The Lord reigns
- Context
- Comment
- 93:1-2. The Lord reigns
- 93:3-5. Mightier than the seas
- 93:5. Your statutes stand firm
- Meaning
- Psalm 94. A God who avenges
- Context
- Comment
- 94:1-3. Judge of the earth
- 94:4-7. The wicked
- 94:8-11. You fools
- 94:12-15. Blessed are your people
- 94:16-19. God helps me
- 94:20-23. God is my fortress
- Meaning
- Psalm 95. Do not harden your hearts
- Context
- Comment
- 95:1-2. Our Protector
- 95:3-5. Our great God
- 95:6-7c. Our Shepherd
- 95:7d-11. Do not harden your hearts
- Meaning
- Psalm 96. A new song
- Context
- Comment
- 96:1-3. Sing a new song
- 96:4-6. Great is the Lord
- 96:7-10. The Lord reigns
- 96:11-13. Let the world rejoice
- Meaning
- Psalm 97. Let the earth be glad
- Context
- Comment
- 97:1-6. The Lord reigns
- 97:7. Worship him
- 97:8-12. You are exalted
- Meaning
- Psalm 98. God the Victor, King and Judge
- Context
- Comment
- 98:1-3. Israel, praise God your Victor in the past
- 98:4-6. All the earth, praise God your King in the present
- 98:7-9. All of creation, praise God your Judge in the future
- Meaning
- Psalm 99. Let the nations tremble
- Context
- Comment
- 99:1-3. The Lord reigns
- 99:4-5. Worship at his footstool
- 99:6-9. Exalt the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 100. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
- Context
- Comment
- 100:1-3. We are his
- 100:4-5. Give thanks
- Meaning
- Psalm 101. A blameless heart
- Context
- Comment
- 101:1-4. I will follow you, Lord
- 101:5. I will put to silence
- 101:6. I will associate with the righteous
- 101:7-8. I will put to silence
- Meaning
- Psalm 102. I am in distress
- Context
- Comment
- 102:1-2. Hear my prayer
- 102:3-11. I suffer
- 102:12-17. Rebuilding Zion
- 102:18-22. Declaring God's praise in Zion
- 102:23-28. You remain the same
- Meaning
- Psalm 103. Forget not all his benefits
- Context
- Comment
- 103:1-5. O my soul
- 103:6-12. God's character
- 103:13-18. As a Father
- 103:20-22. Praise the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 104. Creator and Sustainer
- Context
- Comment
- 104:1. O my soul
- 104:2-4. He rides the wind
- 104:5-9. He set the earth
- 104:10-18. He provides waters
- 104:19-23. The moon and the sun
- 104:24-26. In wisdom you made them
- 104:27-30. You provide food
- 104:31-32. The glory of God
- 104:33-35. O my soul
- Meaning
- Psalm 105. He remembered his holy promise
- Context
- Comment
- 105:1-4. Seek his face
- 105:5-7. His judgments
- 105:8-11. He remembers his covenant
- 105:12-15. The patriarchs
- 105:16-23. Joseph
- 105:24-38. Moses and the exodus
- 105:39-41. The wilderness
- 105:42-45. The conquest
- Meaning
- Psalm 106. We have sinned like our ancestors
- Context
- Comment
- 106:1-3. Praise the Lord
- 106:4-5. Remember me
- 106:6-12. Our ancestors sinned, but you saved them
- 106:13-15. They forgot
- 106:16-23. Judgment in the wilderness
- 106:24-27. Grumbling in the wilderness
- 106:28-33. Rebellion in the wilderness
- 106:34-39. Mingling with the nations
- 106:40-46. He remembered his covenant
- 106:47. Save us
- 106:48. Doxology to Book 4
- Meaning
- BOOK 5: PSALMS 107 - 150
- Psalm 107. Give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
- Context
- Comment
- 107:1-3. A story of redemption
- 107:4-9. Returning from the desert wasteland
- 107:10-16. Out of darkness
- 107:17-22. Some became fools
- 107:23-32. Calming the storm waters
- 107:33-38. Desert into pools
- 107:39-42. Lifting the needy
- 107:43. Be wise
- Meaning
- Psalm 108. Let your glory be over all the earth
- Psalm 109. At the right hand of the needy
- Context
- Comment
- 109:1-5. A man of prayer
- 109:6-15. Find him guilty
- 109:16-20. Curse him
- 109:21-29. Help me, Lord
- 109:30-31. He helps the needy
- Meaning
- Psalm 110. A priest forever
- Context
- Comment
- 110:1. Sit at my right hand
- 110:2-3. Extending the king's rule
- 110:4. In the order of Melchizedek
- 110:5-7. At God's right hand
- Meaning
- Psalm 111. I will extol the Lord with all my heart
- Context
- Comment
- 111:1. Praise the Lord
- 111:2-5. Great are his works
- 111:6-9. Conquest and covenant
- 111:10. Fear of the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 112. Blessed are those who fear the Lord
- Context
- Comment
- 112:1. Praise the Lord
- 112:2-5. Prosperity for the wise
- 112:6-9. Their hearts are secure
- 112:10. The wicked gnash their teeth
- Meaning
- Psalm 113. He raises the poor from the dust
- Context
- Comment
- 113:1-3. Praise the Lord
- 113:4-6. Who is like the Lord?
- 113:7-9. He helps the vulnerable
- Meaning
- Psalm 114. When Israel came out of Egypt
- Context
- Comment
- 114:1-2. God's sanctuary
- 114:3-6. Sea and mountains
- 114:7-8. God's fearsome presence
- Meaning
- Psalm 115. Trust in the Lord
- Context
- Comment
- 115:1. Glory to God
- 115:2-8. God against the idols
- 115:9-11. Trust the Lord
- 115:12-13. He will bless us
- 115:14-15. May God bless you
- 115:16-17. Praise God
- Meaning
- Psalm 116. He heard my voice
- Context
- Comment
- 116:1-2. He heard me
- 116:3-4. Save me from death
- 116:5-6. God protects the unwary
- 116:7-9. God saved me from death
- 116:10-11. Trust in God
- 116:12-14. Cup of salvation
- 116:15-16. Costly is the death of God's servants
- 116:17-19. Vows and thank-offerings
- Meaning
- Psalm 117. Great is his love towards us
- Psalm 118. The stone the builders rejected
- Context
- Comment
- 118:1-4. His love endures for ever
- 118:5-7. The Lord is with me
- 118:8-14. Take refuge in God
- 118:15-21. The Lord's right hand
- 118:22-24. The cornerstone
- 118:25. Save us!
- 118:26-27. He who comes in the name of the Lord
- 118:28-29. His love endures for ever
- Meaning
- Psalm 119. I love your law
- Context
- Comment
- Meaning
- Excursus: Psalms of ascent
- Psalm 120. I am for peace
- Context
- Comment
- 120:1-2. Deliver me
- 120:3-4. God's punishment
- 120:5-6. Among hostile strangers
- Meaning
- Psalm 121. God watches over you
- Context
- Comment
- 121:1-2. Help comes from the Lord
- 121:3-4. God does not sleep
- 121:5-6. The Lord provides shade
- 121:7-8. The Lord watches over you
- Meaning
- Psalm 122. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
- Context
- Comment
- 122:1-2. Let's go to the house of the Lord
- 122:3-5. Magnificent Jerusalem
- 122:6-9. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
- Meaning
- Psalm 123. I lift my eyes
- Context
- Comment
- 123:1-2. Submission
- 123:3-4. Enduring contempt
- Meaning
- Psalm 124. The Lord is on our side
- Context
- Comment
- 124:1-5. The Lord is on our side
- 124:6-8. Escape
- Meaning
- Psalm 125. Trust God
- Context
- Comment
- 125:1-2. Trust in God
- 125:3. The fall of the wicked
- 125:4-5. Peace
- Meaning
- Psalm 126. The restoration of Zion
- Context
- Comment
- 126:1-3. Joy in restoration
- 126:4-6. Restore us
- Meaning
- Psalm 127. Unless the Lord builds the house
- Context
- Comment
- 127:1-2. Unless the Lord builds
- 127:3-5. Children are a heritage
- Meaning
- Psalm 128. The fear of the Lord
- Context
- Comment
- 128:1-4. Family blessings
- 128:5-6. May the Lord bless you
- Meaning
- Psalm 129. Oppressed from my youth
- Context
- Comment
- 129:1-4. Oppressed from youth
- 129:5-8. Those who hate Zion
- Meaning
- Psalm 130. Out of the depths
- Context
- Comment
- 130:1-2. Out of the depths
- 130:3-4. Forgiveness
- 130:5-6. Waiting for the Lord
- 130:7-8. Hope in the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 131. Like a mother
- Context
- Comment
- 131:1-2. Confidence in the midst of turmoil
- 131:3. Hope in the Lord
- Meaning
- Psalm 132. Remember David
- Context
- Comment
- 132:1. Remember David
- 132:2-5. David's promise
- 132:6-9. Arise, Lord
- 132:10-12. David's descendants
- 132:13-16. Zion
- 132:17-18. David's strength
- Meaning
- Psalm 133. Living in unity
- Context
- Comment
- 133:1. Living in unity
- 133:2-3. How precious!
- Meaning
- Psalm 134. The Lord bless you
- Context
- Comment
- 134:1-2. Lift up your hands
- 134:3. The Lord bless you
- Meaning
- Psalm 135. The Lord is God and the Lord is great
- Context
- Comment
- 135:1-2. Praise the Lord!
- 135:3-4. God has chosen Israel
- 135:5-7. God is great
- 135:8-12. God the Warrior
- 135:13-14. God's reputation
- 135:15-18. Vain idols
- 135:19-21. Praise the Lord!
- Meaning
- Psalm 136. His love endures forever
- Context
- Comment
- 136:1-3. Give thanks
- 136:4-9. He creates
- 136:10-15. He redeems
- 136:16. He guides
- 136:17-22. He conquers
- 136:23-26. He provides
- Meaning
- Psalm 137. By the rivers of Babylon
- Context
- Comment
- 137:1-3. By the rivers of Babylon
- 137:4-6. If I forget Jerusalem
- 137:7-9. Destroy the Edomites
- Meaning
- Psalm 138. With all my heart
- Context
- Comment
- 138:1-3. I will praise you
- 138:4-5. Let kings praise you
- 138:6-8. God helps the vulnerable
- Meaning
- Psalm 139. Search me, Lord
- Context
- Comment
- 139:1-6. You hem me in
- 139:7-12. Where can I go?
- 139:13-18. You know me
- 139:19-24. Vindicate me
- Meaning
- Psalm 140. Justice for the poor
- Context
- Comment
- 140:1-3. Rescue me!
- 140:4-5. Protect me
- 140:6-8. You are my God
- 140:9-11. Destroy the enemy
- 140:12-13. God protects the vulnerable
- Meaning
- Psalm 141. My prayer like incense
- Context
- Comment
- 141:1-2. Like incense
- 141:3-4. Guard my mouth and heart
- 141:5. The discipline of the righteous
- 141:6-7. The punishment of the wicked
- 141:8-10. Keep me safe
- Meaning
- Psalm 142. No refuge but you
- Context
- Comment
- 142:1-2. I cry to the Lord
- 142:3-4. No-one cares
- 142:5. You are my portion
- 142:6-7. Set me free
- Meaning
- Psalm 143. No-one is righteous before you
- Context
- Comment
- 143:1-4. The enemy pursues me
- 143:5-7. I remember
- 143:8-10. Rescue me
- 143:11-12. Preserve my life
- Meaning
- Psalm 144. He trains my hand for war
- Context
- Comment
- 144:1-2. My Protector
- 144:3-4. What are human beings?
- 144:5-8. Come down, Lord
- 144:9-11. A new song
- 144:12-15. Then we will be blessed
- Meaning
- Psalm 145. Your kingdom is everlasting
- Context
- Comment
- 145:1-2. God the King
- 145:3-7. Worthy of praise
- 145:8. Gracious and compassionate
- 145:9-13a. An everlasting kingdom
- 145:13b-20. The Lord watches the vulnerable
- 145:21. Praise God
- Meaning
- Psalm 146. The Lord reigns forever
- Context
- Comment
- 146:1. Halelû yah
- 146:2-9. God defends the vulnerable
- 146:10. The Lord reigns
- Meaning
- Psalm 147: How fitting to praise God
- Context
- Comment
- 147:1. Halelû yah
- 147:2-6. God builds up Jerusalem
- 147:7. Sing to the Lord
- 147:8-9. God provides
- 147:10-11. God loves those who fear him
- 147:12. Extol the Lord
- 147:13-20. God provides
- Meaning
- Psalm 148. The whole cosmos praises God
- Context
- Comment
- 148:1-6. O heavens, halelû yah!
- 148:7-12. O earth, halelû yah!
- 148:13-14. O Israel, halelû yah!
- Meaning
- Psalm 149. A sword in their hands
- Context
- Comment
- 149:1. Halelû yah
- 149:2-5. Let Israel praise God
- 149:6-9. Praise God in battle
- Meaning
- Psalm 150. Final doxology
- Context
- Comment
- 150:1. The place of praise
- 150:2. The reasons for praise
- 150:3-5. The means of praise
- 150:6. An invitation to praise
- Meaning
