Psalm 11 A Song of Trust (HBH) The psalmist was aware of the power of evil men but rejected all counsel of despair (11:1-3). He awaited judgment from GOD (11:4-7). Seated on His throne, GOD is in control.
Psalm 11:1-3 Although David would like to escape all his difficulties, it's impossible because his enemies and adverse circumstances surround him.
Psalm 11:4,5 It is a proof of the patience and faith of the just, to contemplate on the evil committing injustices. The LORD waits to see who will stay faithful to the ways of righteousness.
Psalm 11:6 Sulphur: Associated at times with divine punishment (Gen. 19:24). The chalice (KJV-cup) represents bitter experiences that must be confronted. See Matthew 26:39 where Jesus had to drink from the chalice, aware that the moment of his sacrifice is near.
Psalm 11:7 Will look at: The reward of a good person is looking at GOD face to face.
Psalm 12 A community Complaint (HBH) Truth is trampled underfoot in a corrupt society, and words are only tools of self-interest (12:4). But the certain word of GOD, given in an oraclelike response in 12:5, contrasts with the empty words of people (12:6).
Psalm 12:1 Save (KJV-Help): It's a sad thing when men and women of GOD don't exercise influence over their community.
Psalm 12:2-4 Speaks a lie (KJV-vanity): Calamnous commentaries and scandalous rumors are not proper for the believer.
Psalm 12:5 Lack of respect for authority and self-sufficiency (v.4) aren't expressions of independence; they lead to excesses and an irresponsible conduct that bring the oppression of other people as a consequence.
Psalm 12:6,7 GOD will speak in favor of the poor; we have the guarantee of his words.
Psalm 12:6 See section 5 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psalm 12:8 The evil walk: Criminality increases in cities where civic leaders, elected officials and the media promote or glory in immorality.
Psalm 13 An Individual Complaint (HBH) David's trials were such that he wondered how long he could hold on. But trials produce endurance, and the outcome is joy and singing (13:5-6).
Psalm 13:3 Lighten: In other words, reestablish the shine in my eyes, as a sign of vitality. Sleep doesn't allude to the unconscious state after death, but is a description of death from the point of view of the ailing.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing: In spite of the affliction that he felt at the beginning of the psalm, David ends with a song of praise.
Psalm 14 An Oracle Psalm/Taunt Song (HBH) GOD sees the folly and vice of those who live as though He did not exist and declares His anger at those who abuse His people. To treat people as objects of plunder is to be a practical atheist and to invite judgment.
Psalm 14:1-7 This psalm is, essentially, the same that appears with #53, except that here Jehovah (The LORD) is used to designate GOD, along with Elohim (GOD). This parallelism between both psalms shows that the Jews had several collections of these psalms and songs, just as we have different hymnals in our churches, which sometimes contain the same songs.
Psalm 14:1-3 The fool isn't someone of diminished intelligence, or a court jester, but someone who consciously chooses moral perversion as a lifestyle. The Hebrew word for fool (nabal) is also the name of a man who opposed David and died in an absurd way (I Sam. 25). These verses were cited by the apostle Paul to show that the Jews are sinners and, like the Gentiles, also need a Savior (Rom. 3:10).
Psalm 14:4-6 Who devour my people: Vile people not only wander in the shadow of their moral perversion; they also attack those who walk in the light.
Psalm 14:4 Unbelievers as well as believers have sufficient discernment to know that a superior being who governs the universe exists (Rom. 1:20).
Psalm 14:7 Turns the captives again (KJV-bringeth back the captivity): Means to return prosperity to them (Job 42:10). Jacob serves as a symbol for all the people of Israel. Definitive liberation is a motive for praise and rejoicing.
Psalm 15 A Torah Song/Processional Hymn (HBH) Only those who are morally qualified may dwell with GOD. Anyone who would claim to be GOD's must be free of slander and greed.
Psalm 15:1 Who: This same question is formulated in 24:3, and the response offered there may be complementary to that which is offered here. The tabernacle and the holy mountain make up a reference to the place where the Ark of the Covenant rested, GOD's presence was found and the believers gathered to offer worship.
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Psalm 15:3 To be closer to GOD, love others, BROTHERLY LOVE.
In Psalm 15 David asks GOD about the qualities that are necessary to dwell in his tabernacle (v.1). The divine response reveals that "dwelling" in the divine presence and purposes requires the willingness to demonstrate a close relationship with others. To have a close relationship with GOD you must decide to conduct your life maintaining correct relations with others! GOD tells David 1) to speak mercifully to his neighbor; 2) to never murmur or say something that will destroy another's reputation; 3) to never hurt another person in any way; 4) Finally, GOD warns David to not "reproach" his neighbor. "Reproach" (from the Hebrew cherpah) means "to cast blame, discredit, disgrace or shame". If the Old Testament teaches that to satisfy our desire to get closer to GOD we must make our love toward others a priority, the New Testament commandment to "love our neighbor as ourselves" (Rom. 13:9) is certainly vital to our present relationship with the heavenly Father. (Lev. 19:34/Psa. 86:5) D.S.
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Psalm 15:4 Swearing: Refers to someone who keeps his word in a deal, even when the consequences may be adverse.
Psalm 15:5 Usury: Levitical law prohibited demanding interest from loans made to the poor (Lev. 25:36). The people who conducted themselves according to the norms of verses 2-5 will never slip.
Psalm 16: Hope of the Faithful and the Messiah's Victory
Mictam of David
Psalm 16 A Song of Trust (HBH) Security comes only by trust in the one true GOD rather than in the many false gods. "Libations of blood" (16:4) could refer to ceremonies involving human sacrifice or ceremonies in which some blood was poured out and the rest was drunk. Peter cited 16:8-11 and interpreted it as a prophecy of the resurrection in Acts 2:25-31.
Psalm 16:1-11 Mictam: This term designates six psalms (16; 56-60) like the one called Psalm of Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:9-20, but the meaning of mictam remains obscure. It seems to allude to the liberation from (or of) death.
Psalm 16:2 Jehovah is the first name adjudicated to the divinity by the Hebrews; LORD is the translation of the second one: Adonai. Thus the verse, You said to Jehovah; You are my LORD.
Psalm 16:5,6 Luck and ropes: Poetic reference to the division of the Promised Land by Joshua, which made GOD's promises a reality (Joshua 21:43-45). GOD is of as much importance to the psalmist as the portion of land.
Psalm 16:9 Be joyful my soul is a poetic expression.
Psalm 16:10,11 Sheol (KJV-hell): Dominion of the dead. David not only expresses his faith that death will not separate him from GOD (Rom. 8:38,39), but prophetically declared that His holy one (Jesus) would be raised from the dead, physically without corruption. This was Peter's extraordinary announcement on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-31).
Psalm 15:4 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
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Psa. 16:10 "Declared Son of GOD with power", THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH. The apostles clearly recognized that this verse predicted the resurrection of Jesus. Peter cited it in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:27) and Paul also used it in one of his first preachings in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:35).
The sufficiency of Christ's expiatory work is declared in the resurrection (Rom. 6; II Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:9-18; I Pet. 2:18); by means of it Jesus was "declared Son of GOD with power" (Rom. 1:4). Upon completing the work he came to accomplish, he ascended to the right hand of the Father. Now we look ahead hopefully because, having destroyed the power of death, the LORD has offered the promise of eternal life to all those who receive him as Messiah (John 6:40). (Is. 53:1-12/John 14:1-3) J. H. |
