Psalm 36 A Torah Psalm (HBH) This psalm is an "oracle" (36:1, a word usually used of prophetic utterances) on the nature of human sin. The wicked continue to love evil even though they too depend on GOD, the Creator, for life (36:6). But their fate is sure (36:12).
Psalm 36:1-4 A concise description of a soul totally given over to sin.
Psalm 36:1 Iniquity: Paul cited this to show that the Jews, like the Gentiles were sinners, and that both needed a Savior (Rom. 3:18).
Psalm 36:4 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psalm 36:5-12 The righteous character of the LORD is shown in strong contrast with the iniquity of the wicked.
Psalm 36:7 Mercy (in Hebrew, chesed): Is also translated as "goodness", "constant love", "compassion" and its equivalent in the New Testament, "grace". See the note for 33:5.
Psalm 36:9 This light is fully revealed in Jesus (John 8:12).
Psalm 37 A Torah Psalm (HBH) The righteous should not be dismayed over the apparent prosperity of the wicked, for it is fleeting. This psalm, like many passages in Proverbs, reinforces this truth through descriptions of the kindness of the righteous (37:26,30-31), the fierceness of the wicked (37:14,21), and their respective fates (37:9-10,15,18-20,28-29). In addition, it uses personal observation (37:25,37) and exhortation (37:1-8).
Psalm 37:1-40 This is an acrostic psalm where each pair of lines begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It's written for human beings, not GOD, and compares the lifestyle of the wicked and ungodly with that of the just.
Psalm 37:3 You shall dwell in the land, or shall inherit the land is repeated eight times to show to the just Jews that their future is assured.
 LITERARY RICHES |
|---|
|
Psalm 37:4 heart, leb; Strong #3820: Heart intellect, conscience, mind, the innermost part of the person; his feelings, his deepest thoughts, the "I". As happens in the majority of western idioms, the Hebrew concept of "heart refers as much to the physical organ (II Kings 9:24) as to the person's yearnings (Psa. 37:4). Perhaps the most noble use of leb is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, where Israel is commanded to love Jehovah with all the heart (Jesus emphasized this postulate; see Mark 12:29,30). Jeremiah 17:9 asserts that the heart can be the most deceitful thing in the world, but verse 10 shows that our Protector can still scrutinize what is hidden in our hearts.
|
Psalm 37:5 See section 5 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psalm 37:7 The believer who hopes in the LORD has nothing to fear and no reason to envy.
Psalm 37:11 See how Jesus applies this to the kingdom of GOD, which will be handed over to the meek.
Psalm 37:14 GOD remembers the economic iniquities of the nations and the oppression of the poor, but the day of the settling of accounts will come.
Psalm 37:14 The central idea of this psalm is to hope in GOD for righteousness to triumph.
Psalm 38 An Individual Complaint (HBH) David confessed his sin (38:3-4,18), described his pain (38:5,10,14), and complained about his false friends and gloating enemies (38:11-12,19-20). The wounds and sickness he mentioned were literal and not symbolic. His isolation and silence were like that of Christ in the passion (38:13; compare Isa. 53:7 and Mark 14:61). In his pain he saw that his only help was GOD (Ps. 38:21-22). (See "Christ in the Psalms".)
Psalm 38:1-22 According to the title of this psalm, prayer makes GOD "remember" the man or woman. This doesn't mean that he has forgotten them, but that he is asked for a decisive action in favor of someone (I Sam. 1:19).
Psalm 38:3-8 Not all infirmities are a consequence of sin, but sometimes they are (I Cor. 11:30).
Psalm 38:16 Instead of restoring the penitent sinner (Gal. 6:1), those who surround him sometimes turn against him, forgetting that they themselves aren't immune to error.
Psalm 39 An Individual Complaint (HBH) The meditative silence of a righteous man pondering the brevity of life gives this psalm a quality of distress like that of Job 7. He had been afflicted by GOD and longed for restoration. He could never again be secure in his possessions and mortal life, for he now saw how transitory they were.
Psalm 39 This psalm was supposed to be given to Jeduthun, the principal musician who would incorporate it into the temple service.
Psalm 39:1-6 Thinking of the pain and injustices of life sometimes provokes indignation (v.3, my heart was aroused [KJV-my hear was hot within me]), and when it brings us to the brink of death we realize how ephemeral life is (v.5, vanity). See James 4:14.
Psalm 39:12 Being a stranger or a sojourner here depends totally on the hospitality and provision that is received from GOD ont he earth that belongs to Him.
Psalm 40 An Individual Complaint (HBH) This psalm, which begins like an individual song of thanksgiving, becomes a cry for help in 40:9-17. David believed that GOD would save him again as He had before (40:1-5). Hebrews 10:5-10 cites Psalm 40:6-8 and interprets it as Christ's fulfillment and abolition of the Old Testament sacrificial system. The Hebrew phrase "you have dug ears for me" in 40:6 is difficult. The verb "dug" is often translated "pierced" as in the ritual of Exodus 21:6. But that is unlikely since a different is used there and only one ear was pierced. It probably means you opened my ears in the sense you made me obedient (see Isa. 50:5; Jer. 6:10). The Septuagint, followed by Hebrews 10:5, has "a body you have prepared for me."
Psalm 40:4 Doesn't look (KJV-respecteth not): That is to say, "doesn't imitate", or approach them in search of aid or company.
Psalm 40:6-8 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psalm 40:6-8 The author of Hebrews applies these verses to Jesus to demonstrate that his sacrifice on the cross replaced the burnt offering, once for all, that was offered year after year in the temple (Heb. 10:5-9).
Psalm 40:17 Remember that the great king of Israel is the one who said, "Although I am afflicted and needy". This is the true humility that is required to approach the presence of GOD (see I Pet. 5:6,7).
To the principal musician. Psalm of David
| LITERARY RICHES |
|---|
|
Psalm 40:17 afflicted (KJV-poor), 'ani; Strong #6041: 'Ani could refer to the person whose external condition makes him poor; afflicted or deprived. Also to the modest, humble person who under no circumstances is exalted. GOD holds the cause of the afflicted (140:12). In Isaiah 61:1 GOD commissions the Messiah to preach the good news to the poor. Being poor is not a crime, neither is it an indication of lack of faith, as evidenced by the testimony of the heroes of the faith (see Heb. 11:36-40).
|
Psalm 41 An Individual Complaint (HBH) The malice and hypocritical love of his enemies continues to dominate David's psalms of complaint. As in Psalm 38, he spoke here of his own sin (41:4) and illness (41:8). And again David's isolation in suffering, typical of the righteous, was prophetic of the Messiah's affliction (41:9; see John 13:18). (See "Christ in the Psalms".)
Psalm 41:10 Pay (KJV-requite): Its sense is doing justice to the enemies. As king, David was obligated to do so.
Psalm 41:13 This verse is the doxology that closes the "First Book" of Psalms. Amen is taken from the Hebrew word whose root is found in the word "truth" or "faithful", and which is commonly translated "true" in the New Testament.
Music and Instruments of the Bible
Home
Site Index
Bible Index
Kingdom Dynamics
Truth in Action
Links 