1:1 to 4:8
Introduction to Psalms - Ch. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 - 32 - 33 - 34 - 35 - 36 - 37 - 38 - 39 - 40 - 41 - 42 - 43 - 44 - 45 - 46
Truth in Action throughout Book 1 of Psalms - Truth in Action throughout Book 2 of Psalms - Truth in Action throughout Book 3 of Psalms - Truth in Action throughout Book 4 of Psalms - Truth in Action throughout Book 5 of Psalms
Psalm 1 A Torah Psalm (HBH) To avoid walking, standing, and sitting with the wicked (1:1) is simply to avoid participation in their way of life. "Streams" in 1:3 is best translated as "irrigation canals". The streams of Palestine regularly dried up, but the irrigation canals that came off the great rivers never did.
Psalm 1:1 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psa. 1:1 Blessed Not only begins this psalm, but in it is the essence of the promise given to those who read these poems and meditate on them. In Hebrew as in English, the term "blessed" is equivalent to the Greek word that means "blessed" or "happy" (Matt. 5:3). The friends whom we choose significantly influence the future and success of our lives: in its fuller sense, divine counsel is a prerequisite to prosperity (v.3).
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Psalm 1:1-3 Responsibility is required in GOD's plan for prosperity, GOD'S PROSPERITY. "And all that he does will prosper". This includes everything: family, progeny, marriage, negotiations, employment and health. It signifies that GOD desires to fulfill what he says: everything will prosper.
But no promise of GOD is exempt from some responsible action on our part. No one will prosper without doing what GOD says. Many people want the promised results without the responsible obligation that accompanies it. But none of us will gain something worthwhile instantaneously. Don't expect divine answers to adjust to your itinerary. Remember that his answers come when you put his Word into action. Just as a period of intense study precedes a university degree, through the patient pursuit of his promise we can expect GOD's Word to ripen in our lives. (John 10:10/Luke 12:15) F.P. |
Psa. 1:2 See section 4 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
 LITERARY RICHES |
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Psa. 1:2 meditate, hagah; Strong #1897: Reflect; groan, murmur, ponder; making a soft sound like a sigh; meditate or contemplate something while the words are repeated. Hagah represents something distinct from the word "meditation", which can only be a mental exercise. In the Hebrew thought, meditation about the Scriptures implies silently repeating them with a soft unheard sound, when any external distraction is completely left behind. From this tradition a specialized type of Jewish prayer comes to us in which one recites texts, intensely prays or loses awareness in communication with GOD while a reverence is made or rocking back and forth. Evidently, this dynamic form of prayer/meditation goes back to the times of David. |
Psa. 1:2 Law: (in Hebrew tora) connotes something more than a written code; it is the group of standards that guides GOD's people.
Psalm 1:4 Chaff: The capsule that envelops the grain, which doesn't weigh enough when it's empty to resist the wind of adversity that sweeps it away.
Psalm 2 "A Royal Psalm/Taunt Psalm" (HBH) The covenant of David underlies this psalm. The Davidic king is the LORD's anointed (Messiah) and receives the whole world as His domain. All the peoples of the earth are warned to submit to Him. The royal house of Judah obviously never ruled the whole world; the fulfillment is in the greater Son of David, Christ. He is GOD's Messiah, who was crucified by the rulers of this age (2:2; Acts 4:25-26), the Son of GOD (Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17), and the King with an iron scepter (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27). The phrase "Kiss the Son" (Ps. 2:12) is unusual in that it is in Aramaic, not Hebrew. The Septuagint reads, "Lay hold of instruction." (See "Christ in the Psalms.")
Psalm 2:1-12 This is a messianic psalm, in which the people and the kings of the earth who serve GOD because the final judgment is in his hands are warned. It is applied to Christ at least five times in the New Testament.
Psalm 2:1 Vain things: Alludes to a rebellion that hasn't any chance to triumph.
Psalm 2:2 The English word "Messiah" is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew that is translated "anointed" here. In this case, the anointed is probably a king of Israel, who prophetically anticipates Christ, the "Holy Son" of GOD, who is anointed (Acts 4:27).
Psalm 2:6-9 GOD speaks in verse 6 and then the king publishes his decree in verses 7-9.
Psalm 2:7 Jesus was always aware that he was the Son of GOD (John 5:18-20), and it was this declamation that brought the Jewish leaders to crucify him (Matt. 26:63-66).
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Psa. 2:8 GOD's promise to his Messiah, WORLD EVANGELIZATION. This great messianic psalm reveals GOD's heart toward his own Son. "Ask me, and I will give you the nations for an inheritance". This conversation contains a surprising declaration: that all the nations of the world will be under the government of the Son. However, it's necessary to ask him for it ("ask me"). In John 17, through his priestly prayer, Jesus does precisely this (John 17:1-28). But, his petition includes our response. We must unite (John 17:21) and receive, in GOD's name, the "manifest" authority that Jesus as the Messiah intercessor of Psalm 2, has conferred to us, his Church. We pray in his name and for this glory we triumph by receiving the inheritance of the nations, as GOD promised. (*/Prov. 24:11,12) G.C.
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Psalm 2:12 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psalm 2:12 Honor: A sign of submission (I Ki. 19:8); it means "give homage".
Psalm 4 An Individual Complaint/Prayer for Victory (HBH) David's prayer for victory over his enemies is more than a plea for himself. It is also a prayer for his people (3:8), over whom GOD made him king.
Psalm 2:8 According to Matthew, Jesus admitted having this power at his disposal by commissioning his followers to go and make disciples of all the nations.
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Psa. 3: Psalm (title word), mizmor; Strong #4210: An instrumental song; a song with lyrics, accompanied by musical instruments. Mizmore comes to us from the verb zamar, which means "play or make music while it is being sung, singing psalms or singing praises". What distinguishes a mizmor is that it requires musical instruments to be interpreted. It is possible to sing songs (shirim) without instruments or to pronounce praises (tehilim) without musical accompaniment, but it isn't possible to comply with the varied biblical commandments (such as Psa. 98:5; Is. 12:5) that use the verb zamar, unless musical instruments are utilized. The use of musical instruments as part of the worship, which adds beauty to the service, was fully developed by King David.
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Psalm 3:1,2 The repetition of many reveals the traumatic feeling that David experienced when his people turned against him. The Hebrew word translated as multiplied comes from the root that is used in II Samuel 15:12 to describe a growing rebellion.
Psalm 3:2 Selah (word of unknown origin): May be a musical note similar to "forte", or perhaps denotes a musical interlude (pause in the singing). It basically appears in the Psalms of David (on 71 occasions).
Psalm 3:3 Shield: Was a symbol that was commonly used to represent divine protection, offered for the first time to Abraham (Gen. 15:1). Lift up...head: David's head was inclined as a sign of humiliation when he hurriedly left Jerusalem (II Sam. 15:30).
Psalm 3:4 Your holy mountain: Alludes to the place where the ark was situated which signalled GOD's presence (II Sam. 15:25). Responded: That is, heard the cry and offered help.
Psalm 3:5 slept: The prayer overcomes the lack of sleep caused by the anxiety that life's pressures occasion (Phil. 4:6).
Psalm 3:6 Thousands: Many Israelites joined Absalom's revolt (II Sam. 15:12,13), but the victory didn't depend on the number of rebels (I Sam. 14:6).
Psalm 3:7 Breaking the teeth signifies reducing to impotency.
Psalm 3:8 This phrase about salvation constitutes David's response to those who laughed at him in verse 2, where the same Hebrew word for salvation is used as in this verse.
Psalm 4: An Individual Complaint (HBH) The psalmist called for GOD to hear him but then turned to address those who doubted or rejected GOD. He warned them to abandon idols (4:2), to be warned that GOD watches over His own (4:3), to meditate in silence and without anger (4:0), and to worship and trust the LORD (4:5). He then proclaimed his confidence in GOD (4:6-8).
Psalm 4:2 GOD speaks in this verse. Vanity and lies are words that are used repeatedly in the Old Testament in relation with idols (Is. 41:29). See Romans 1:23.
Psalm 4:4 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 1 of Psalms.
Psalm 4:4 Fear (KJV-be in awe): (the Hebrew word is "be angry"), that is, don't sin against GOD by expressing feelings of anguish (Eph. 4:26). Be quiet (KJV-be still): Maintain confidence and GOD will give you peace (v.8).
Psalm 4:6 Lift up...your face means "look on us favorable".
Psalm 4:7 The satisfaction that comes from material success can never be compared with the joy of knowing GOD. See Luke 12:15.
Psalm 4:8 I will sleep: This verse closes the psalm like the final notes of a lullaby. Only the LORD can give us spiritual peace.
Music and Instruments of the Bible
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