Psalms

Mappingthe

By Tim Sullivan

OTHER BOOKS BY TIM SULLIVAN

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST (2010)

IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL (2010)

IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT (2009)THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE (2001)

WALKING ON THE KING’S HIGHWAY (1999)IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL

(1ST EDITION – 1998)BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I AM WHAT I AM (1996)

Translated into German by Beatrice MantockDIE WAFFEN UNSRES KAMPFES (2003)

AUF DER STRASSE DES KÖNIGS GEHEN (2000)

MAPPING THE PSALMS

© 2013 Workers Together With Him, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Tim Sullivan

Special thanks to Beatrice Mantock for her help in proofreading this manuscript. Any errors that remain are solely the responsibility of the author.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder except as provided by USA copyright law.

All Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.For information about the ministry of Workers Together With Him, please visit our website at www.wtwh.org.

Psalms

Mappingthe

Contents

Introduction to the Psalms...................................3

Mapping the Psalms ...............................................5

Book One: The Genesis Book ..............................12

Book Two: The Exodus Book ...............................27

Book Three: The Leviticus Book ........................39

Book Four: The Numbers Book ..........................49

Book Five: The Deuteronomy Book ...................61

The Five Hallelujah Psalms ................................77

5

Introduction to the Psalms

The Word of God is instructive and inspiring but most of all it is transforming. The Scriptures have the power to change us into better people. Through the Word of God we behold the glory of the Lord, and as we do, we become more and more a reflection of Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18: 18: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory

of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The transformative life that God desires for his people re-quires a steady diet of his Word.

Luke 4:4:4: And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man

shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.We are specifically directed towards the Psalms.

Ephesians 5:19:19: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual

songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;Colossians 3:16:

16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.James 5:13:

13: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

By definition, ‘psalms’ are lyrical poems sung to the accom-paniment of musical instruments. But when you and I think about psalms, our thoughts inevitably turn to THE Psalms, those 150 chapters conveniently located in the middle of the Bible. Biblical psalms have the distinction of being birthed by God and this puts them in their own unique category. Inspired people can write inspirational literature, but only God can give us the excellence of his Word.

6

The book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps most widely used book in the Bible. Jesus quoted from the Psalms more than any other book. And if ever we need assurance that our Creator understands his creation, the proof is in the Psalms. In them we see the full range of thoughts and emotions that are experienced by a follower of the Lord: hope and despair, cour-age and fear, faith and doubt, praise and complaint. We also gain insight into the mind of the infidel and Christ-rejecter. As we read and meditate upon the Psalms we realize the com-monality of life; human beings are far more alike than they are different.

All Bible readers have a favorite verse from the book of Psalms, and well they should; the Psalms are filled with beau-ty, wisdom, and eternal verity. But the Psalms are much more than a collection of individual truths. If each individual verse is like a pearl, then altogether the Psalms are a necklace of pearls with each gemstone strung perfectly in place by the Master’s hand. From beginning to end a story is told that will edify, exhort, and comfort the children of God.

This study will attempt to showcase the overall story told by the Psalms. This meager presentation cannot begin to give each individual verse the attention it so deserves. But if you will use this booklet as a guide to your reading in the same way an explorer uses a compass, I believe you will be rewarded for your efforts. Think of this as a coloring book with thick outlines in black ink. It is left to you to color in the pages.

7

CHAPTER 1

Mapping the Psalms

Some people look at the night sky and get lost in the sea of twinkling lights. Other people recognize the patterns of the constellations, and marvel in the beauty and ORDER of the stars. Of course, no mere mortal can see all there is to see. Reading the Psalms is like that. It is easy to get lost in the beauty of this book. But to see the order within the Bible is to get a glimpse of the genius of God.

There are patterns woven into the Bible that no mortal per-son could design, much less a group of people who wrote with-out collaboration from different places and in different ages. It is not as if each writer had an outline to work from. No one but God knew what the final product was going to look like! And yet the sum of the parts is so amazing that even if you set aside the magnificent message of the Psalms, you will still see overwhelming proof of God’s genius.

Even though the design of the Bible is an amazing study, we must enter into it with caution. God forbid we should examine the Bible through clinical eyes. The Word of God was given us to obey, not analyze. Appreciating the Bible is no substitute for believing the Bible. Recognizing the patterns in the Scriptures will neither make you more holy nor wise. However, so long as we see things in the right perspective, this knowledge will not only bring us joy, it will also help us grow in reverence and adoration to God.

Who Wrote the Psalms?The writing of the Book of Psalms spans 1,000 years, from

the time of Moses (Ps. 90) to the Babylonian captivity (Ps. 137). Although the Psalms are most associated with King David, there were in fact several writers. For sure there is David, “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Sam. 23:1). Seventy-three psalms are credited to him by inscription, two more are so designated in the New Testament (Psalm 2 in Acts 2:25; Psalm 95 in He-brews 4:7). Asaph wrote twelve psalms; the sons of Korah, ten; and Solomon, two. Moses, Heman the Ezrahite, and Ethan the Ezrahite each wrote one. The fifty anonymous psalms are tra-ditionally ascribed to Ezra.

8

The book of Psalms is one of five books of poetry in the Bible, the others being Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. These books contain some of the richest imagery in the Scriptures. But the Psalms are distinct from other works of biblical poetry because they were written to be sung. Musi-cal lyrics differ from poetic verse. Furthermore, in the case of the Psalms, both the lyrics and the melody were crafted by God! Imagine what it was like to hear the Psalms as they were meant to be heard. “A Mighty Fortress is our God” has a stir-ring lyric, but a spoken recital of Martin Luther’s words cannot compare to a performance of this piece when it is put in the hands of a skilled arranger conducting a choir of able singers and musicians. Sadly, this glorious aspect of the Psalms is now lost to us. I remain hopeful we will one day hear these songs in Paradise. But if not, it will only be because they have been replaced by something better!

Parallels in ImageryWhen you and I think of poetry, we generally think of rhym-

ing SOUNDS. In biblical poetry we see parallel concepts; rhym-ing IDEAS. This will become clearer to you with each psalm we examine. For now, here are some examples:

You and I gain understanding of a new thing when we com-pare it with something we already know. Placing two things side-by-side emphasizes their similarities and differences. Drawing PARALLELS is a teaching device often used in the Bible. Parallels teach us by making comparisons.

In a SYNONYMOUS parallel, the second line declares the same truth as the first line, but states it in a different way. Here is an example from the book of Proverbs 12:28:

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

These are not two separate truths; this is one truth stated in two ways. In the way of righteousness, there is no death. This is a valuable key to understanding the Word of God. The Bible does not contain 31,102 individual truths (the number of verses in the Old and New Testaments combined). Don’t get distracted by individual words. Look for parallel concepts!

The Word of God also uses OPPOSING parallels to make known a singular truth. Two contrasting ideas are placed to-gether in order to emphasize their differences.

Psalm 1:6:6: For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly shall perish. The poetic books of the Bible abound in word pictures or

9

EMBLEMATIC parallels. In an emblematic parallel, a figurative truth is used to illustrate a literal truth. These word pictures come in different forms:

A SIMILE establishes parallels using the words like or as. In Psalm 1, the picture of a thriving tree is used to illustrate a man who follows the way of righteousness.

Psalm 1:3:3: And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

A METAPHOR establishes a parallel by calling one thing another.

Psalm 84:11A:11: For the LORD God is a sun and shield....

A figure of speech called ANTHROPOMORPHISM uses the traits of common man to describe God. You and I do not have the capacity to see God as he truly is, and so he condescends to describe himself in terms we can understand.

Psalm 34:15:15: The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears

are open unto their cry.When the ways of God are illustrated using imagery of an

animal, this is the figure of speech ZOOMORPHISM.

Psalm 91:4:4: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings

shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Patterns in Structure

Structural patterns can be seen throughout the Bible. God set individual verses into a framework that magnifies both their meaning and their relationship to each other. An exam-ple of such a pattern is ALTERNATION or alternating ideas. In Psalm 100, there is a cycle of three calls to the people of God, alternating with three reasons for answering those calls.

Psalm 100:1-5:1, 2: [Three calls] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye

lands / Serve the LORD with gladness / come before his presence with singing.

3: [Three causes] Know ye that the LORD he is God / it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves / we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4: [Three calls] Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise / be thankful unto him / and bless his name.

10

5: [Three causes] For the LORD is good / his mercy is ever-lasting / and his truth endureth to all generations.

An even more elaborate form of structure is seen in an AL-PHABETIC ACROSTIC. Each verse begins with a sequential let-ter of the alphabet. Of course to those of us who cannot read Hebrew this feature is lost in translation. But we can get an ap-proximation of an alphabetic acrostic using these four verses in the English Bible, Psalms 142:6-7 and 143:8-9:

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

The best known acrostic in the Bible is found in Psalm 119. The 176 verses divide into twenty-two stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has eight verses, each verse begins with that letter. Verses 1 to 8 begin with the letter aleph; verses 9 to 16 begin with beth, and so on. The twenty-two verses describing the virtuous women in Proverbs 31:10-31 are also an acrostic, as are the first four chapters in Lamentations.

The Overall Structure of the Book of PsalmsIn The Believer’s Bible Commentary we read:

When first studying the Psalms, we are often frustrated in our ability to find an orderly flow of thought in certain Psalms. It seems that the conti-nuity is sometimes erratic, sometimes veiled, and sometimes completely missing.

Of course, just because we cannot see the flow does not mean it isn’t there! An old adage fits here: You can’t see the forest for the trees. Sometimes we must take a step back and consider the BIG picture. If you are familiar with “Magic-Eye 3-D images” you will understand what I mean when I say the more you strain at it, the less likely you are to see it!

The Bible itself gives us the best place to start. The book of Psalms clearly divides into five books, aptly named Books 1 through 5. These divisions are divinely inspired, not man-made. If these headings are missing in your Bible, the editors

11

overstepped their authority. It is important to recognize these divisions because each

of the five books has an overall theme that corresponds to one of the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Books of Moses, the Torah, and the Pentateuch.

Book One (Psalms 1 to 41) corresponds to the book of Gen-esis. The primary theme of this section is Man. The secondary themes are man and creation.

Book Two (Psalms 42 to 72) corresponds to the book of Exo-dus. The primary theme of this section is Israel as a Nation. The secondary themes are Deliverance and Redemption.

Book Three (Psalms 73 to 89) corresponds to the book of Leviticus. The primary theme of this section is the Sanctuary. The secondary themes are Worship and Sanctuary.

Book Four (Psalms 90 to 106) corresponds to the book of Numbers. The primary theme of this section is Israel and the Nations. The secondary themes are the Wilderness and Wan-dering.

Book Five (Psalms 107 to 145) corresponds to the book of Deuteronomy. The primary theme of this section is God and his Word. The secondary themes are Scripture and Praise.

A special form of praise called a “doxology” concludes each of the five books. Five “Hallelujah” psalms close out the entire collection, each one beginning and ending with the exhorta-tion, “Praise ye the Lord.”

The Overall Structure and Major Themes Division Likeness Theme and

SubthemeDoxology

Book 11 to 41 Genesis Man (CB, NSB)

Man and Creation (NBMC) 41:13

Book 242 to 72 Exodus

Israel as a NationDeliverance and Redemption

72:18-19

Book 373 to 89 Leviticus The Sanctuary

Worship and Sanctuary 89:52

Book 490 to 106 Numbers

Israel and the NationsWilderness and Wandering

106:48

Book 5107 to 145 Deuteronomy God and His Word

Scripture and Praise 145:21

146 to 150 Five “Hallelujah” Psalms

12

My ResourcesIt is unusual to present one’s resource material at the be-

ginning of a book, but I want you to know that I did not receive all these insights in a vision. I was not the first person to see these patterns, and as is so often the case, I have greatly ben-efited by the labor of others more studious than me. My refer-ence books for this study included:

The Companion Bible (CB) Kregel Publications

The King James Study Bible (NSB)Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts (NBMC)Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Believer’s Bible CommentaryBy William MacDonald; Thomas Nelson Publishers

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole BibleIncluded with BibleWorks for Windows, Version 7.0.012

(The abbreviations CB, NSB, and NBMC that appear on the previous chart identify the source of the information.)

To a student of the Bible, commentaries and reference books are an invaluable resource. Still we must realize that every commentary has its own bias, a point it is trying to prove. For example, the author of the Companion Bible, E. W. Bullinger, writes from the vantage point of “ultra-dispensationalism.” In an article entitled, “Distinguishing things that Differ,” William MacDonald writes:

Like all good things, the study of dispensations can be abused. There are some Christians who carry dispensationalism to such an extreme that they accept only Paul’s Prison Epistles as appli-cable for the church today. As a result, they do not accept baptism or the Lord’s Supper, since these are not found in the Prison Epistles. They also teach that Peter’s gospel message was not the same as Paul’s….

These people are sometimes called ultra-dispensa-tionalists or ‘Bullingerites’ (after a teacher named E. W. Bullinger). Their extreme view of dispensa-tionalism should be rejected.

As students of the Bible, we must avoid the temptation to seek out corroboration for the things we already believe. All learning begins with discovering where you’ve been wrong! As I read the Scriptures, I am looking for those verses that contradict my current beliefs. If life has taught me anything, it

13

is that what we believe rarely has any relation to what is true! Don’t settle for being a disciple of a certain teacher. Strive to be a disciple of Christ.

In the end it is not what Bullinger or MacDonald wrote about the Bible that matters, and it is certainly not what Tim Sullivan writes. Reading about the Scriptures is no replace-ment for reading the Scriptures. If you are a follower of Je-sus Christ, you are obligated to base your beliefs on what the Scriptures say. As Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). It is by abiding in his Word that we abide in Christ and bear the fruit of the Spirit. It is my prayer that this study will assist you to that end.

14

CHAPTER 2

Book One: The Genesis Book(Psalms 1 to 41)

In the English Bible, the first five books are titled Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In the Torah, the names given these books come from the first words in the text. The book we call Genesis is called “In the Beginning.”

Book One of the Psalms – Psalms 1 to 41 – is the GENESIS book. These psalms do not necessarily retell the Genesis his-tory, but they do reflect the Genesis themes.

It is in Genesis that God declared the enmity that would shape all human existence.

Genesis 3:15:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and

between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Job 5:7 says, “Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” By our first birth, we have trouble with God.

Romans 8:7: 7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is

not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.By the second birth we have trouble in the world.

Revelation 12:17: 17: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to

make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

There are forty-one psalms in Book One, presented in three major divisions. Each division corresponds with one of the principle human participants of Genesis 3:15: man, “the man of the earth” (the Antichrist); and the man, Christ Jesus.

The Divisions in Book One of the PsalmsDivision Chapters ThemePart 1 Psalms 1 to 8 Man and the Sons of Man

Part 2 Psalms 9 to 15 The Man of the Earth

Part 3 Psalms 16 to 41 The Man, Christ Jesus

15

In each of the five books of Psalms, the FIRST psalm (Psalm 1, 42, 73, 90, and 107) serves as the keynote and epitome. It sets the tone for what will follow and is itself the best representa-tion of the theme. The SECOND psalm of each book (Psalm 2, 43, 74, 91, and 108) focuses on the enemy of righteousness.

BOOK ONE, PART 1: MAN AND THE SONS OF MAN (1-8)

Part One of the Genesis book of Psalms contains eight psalms, Psalm 1 to 8. It focuses on mankind, the children of Adam both righteous and heathen. This section incorporates an A-B-C-A-B pattern, centered on four prayers:

[A] The Way of the Righteous (1)[B] The Way of the Heathen (2)

[C] Four Prayers (3-6)[A] The Righteous, Patient in Tribulation (7)

[B] The Heathen, Vanquished (8)

Ps 1: The Way of the RighteousPsalm 1 has been called “the psalm of psalms” because it

encapsulates the entire collection. In this psalm, the sons of Adam are divided into two camps. But notice that this separa-tion is neither of Jew from Gentile, nor of believer from unbe-liever. This psalm separates the believ-ING from the unbeliev-ING to show us the fruit of our choices in life.

Its six verses are written in an A-B-A-B pattern:

[a] The blessed way of the righteous (1-3)[b] The doomed way of the ungodly (4-5)

[a] The righteous man blessed (6a)[b] The ungodly man doomed (6b)

Particularly in the Western world, people are taught that all human beings enter this world endowed with certain in-alienable rights. The Declaration of Independence of the Unit-ed States professes that it is self-evident that these rights are endowed by the Creator himself. But is this a biblical truth or a political philosophy? As far as I can tell, the Word of God grants man only one inalienable right: he can choose to obey God or disobey him. Man can choose his beliefs and therefore, to a certain extent, his lifestyle.

As a result of the new birth, a child of God inherits cer-tain eternal blessings. This is his birthright. But the temporal blessings of life are not rights; they are the fruit of a godly lifestyle. God is by no means obligated to bless all of man’s choices! In this life, a man reaps what he sows. Psalm 1 makes

16

this point clear.

Psalm 1:6: 6: For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the

way of the ungodly shall perish.

Ps 2: The Way of the HeathenPsalm 2 unfolds in an A-B-B-A pattern woven around the

Lord’s sovereignty:

[a] The heathen, rebellious and raging (1-3)[b] The Lord’s derision (4-5)[b] The Lord’s decree (6-9)

[a] The sons of man: admonished and warned (10-12)

As mentioned before, the second psalm of each book fo-cuses on our enemy. Here we read of the heathen’s blind rage toward God’s Son, the result of the enmity of Genesis 3:15. The heathen thinks he has the right to decide for himself what is good and what is evil. He refuses to willingly submit to the au-thority of the Lord. Furthermore, he is determined to abolish God’s anointed from the earth.

Such indignation doesn’t drive the Lord to second-guess himself. He is bemused by their tantrums! Why then are we so easily rattled? Their fury is our confirmation!

John 15:18: 18: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it

hated you.

Ps 3-6: Four Prayers in Light of Genesis 3:15Part One of Book One revolves around four prayers offered

in light of the enmity we face in this world. Psalms 3 and 5 are morning prayers; 4 and 6 are evening prayers.

Psalm 3:5: 5: I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sus-

tained me.Psalm 4:4:

4: Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.Psalm 5:3:

3: My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.Psalm 6:6:

6: I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

17

Ps 3: A Morning Prayer for HelpModern religion encourages Christians to pray for a “break-

through.” It is as though we think our incessant talking will force God to give in to our demands – a method somewhat akin to water torture! The notion that we can use God’s power to achieve our desired result is a product of “dominion theol-ogy,” a misguided interpretation of God’s promise to Adam. (God promised Adam that man would always be on top of the food chain, nothing more, nothing less.)

A true breakthrough prayer doesn’t change your circum-stance; it changes YOU! This truth is vividly displayed in Psalm 3. Consider the psalmist’s initial complaint:

Psalm 3:1-2:1: LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are

they that rise up against me.2: Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for

him in God.In verse 3 he has a spiritual awakening:

3: But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

This brings him renewed courage:6: I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have

set themselves against me round about. His circumstance did not change at all! The many who op-

posed him in the beginning of this psalm still opposed him at its end. The only thing that changed was the man himself! His perspective was now aligned with eternity. He was centered on truth. With God on his side, what did it matter how many opposed him?

Ps 4: An Evening Prayer for Mercy and ComfortHere again we see an initial complaint, a spiritual awaken-

ing, and a renewed conviction, this time resulting in a good night’s sleep.

Psalm 4:1, 3, 8:1: Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou

hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

His awakening:3: But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly

for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. His renewed conviction:

8: I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

18

Ps 5: A Morning Prayer for HelpPsalm 5 is an example of what scholars call an imprecatory

psalm, calling down the wrath of God upon one’s enemies.

Psalm 5:10:10: Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own

counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgres-sions; for they have rebelled against thee.

Some churchgoing folk would label such sentiment as “un-loving” or “unchristian.” But it was Christ who taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.” It is VERY Chris-tian to remember that the King of kings will rule the heathen with a rod of iron when he establishes justice on the earth. It is very UNCHRISTIAN to think that we are in any less need of God’s grace and mercies than they.

Our prayers will neither hasten or delay the Lord’s coming. But a righteous prayer is always offered in light of this immi-nent event, and serves to remind us that even now, the LORD blesses and protects his people.

Psalm 5:12:12: For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt

thou compass him as with a shield.

Ps 6: An Evening Prayer for Mercy and DeliveranceIn this psalm we read of a man sick in heart and soul,

plagued by the onslaughts of his enemies.

Psalm 6:2-3, 7:2: Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O

LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.3: My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?7: Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old be-

cause of all mine enemies.How human is this complaint! We know that our day of ven-

geance will come but still we can’t help but wonder, “How long, O Lord?” Once again, solace is found in the eternal perspec-tive. He is encouraged knowing that one day the tables will be turned, and it will be his enemy’s day to be “sore vexed.”

Psalm 6:10:10: Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them

return and be ashamed suddenly.

Ps 7: The Righteous, Patient in TribulationAfter the four prayers of Psalms 3 to 6, the righteous man’s

plea for justice continues. Psalm 7 unfolds in an A-B-C-B-C-B-A pattern.

19

[a] Proclamation of trust, Prayer for deliverance (1-2)[b] Plea for justice (3-5)

[c] Plea for action, “Arise, O Lord” (6-9)[b] Trust that justice will be done (10-11)

[c] Plea answered; the Lord arises (12-13)[b] Justice served; Enemies condemned (14-16)

[a] Praise for deliverance to come (17)

The psalmist is able to patiently endure the wrath of his enemies because he knows there will be justice when the Lord arises. The enemies of righteousness will not escape God’s wrath.

Psalm 7:6, 16:6: Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of

the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judg-ment that thou hast commanded.

16: His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his vio-lent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

As we await the day of the Lord’s vengeance, we too must be “patient in tribulation” (Rom. 12:12), remembering “it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you” (2 Thess. 1:6).

Ps 8: The Heathen, StilledIt is beyond comprehension that the God of glory concerns

himself with something so inglorious as mankind. The con-trast of God’s majesty and his humiliation is emphasized by the alternating patterns, A-B-A-B-A.

[a] God’s excellency in the earth and glory in the heavens (1)[b] His condescension to man (2)

[a] God’s glory in the heavens (3)[b] His condescension to man (4-8)

[a] God’s excellency in the earth (9)

Part One of the Genesis book concludes with a celebration of the day God “stills” or subdues our enemies.

Psalm 8:2: 2: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou

ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

How did God accomplish this victory? He visited earth in the person of his Son.

Psalm 8:4-6:4: What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of

man, that thou visitest him?

20

5: For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6: Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

God became a man to save you and me! This great truth is echoed in Philippians 2:

Philippians 2:8, 10: 8: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

10: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

It is rather amazing that both the cause and the solution to the enmity of Genesis 3:15 is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

BOOK ONE, PART 2: THE MAN OF THE EARTH (9-15)

Part Two of the Genesis book of Psalms consists of seven psalms, 9 through 15, with the structural design A-B-C-B-C-A.

[A] The Man of the earth (9, 10)[B] Prayer in light of our “times of trouble” (11)

[C] The Vanity of Man (12)[B] Prayer in light of our “times of trouble” (13)

[C] The Foolishness of Man (14)[A] The Perfect Man (15)

Again we see the three human components of Genesis 3:15: man, the Antichrist, and the Son of man. But here the empha-sis is on the wicked one (singular) not the wicked (plural). The wicked one is the Antichrist, identified in Psalm 10:18 as “the man of the earth.” There is but one Antichrist, but he has been foreshadowed throughout history.

1 John 2:18: 18: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that

antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Ps 9: The Man of the Earth, His Doom EnsuredIt is good to remember that in the eternal perspective, the

defeat of the wicked one has already occurred.

Psalm 9:5:5: Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the

21

wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. But while we live in “human time,” we have a refuge!

Verse 9:9: The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge

in times of trouble.The phrase “times of trouble” appears in Psalm 9:9 and

in 10:1, joining the two psalms together. Our times of trouble foreshadow that great TIME OF TROUBLE foretold by Jeremiah and Daniel: the Great Tribulation.

Jeremiah 30:7:7: Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even

the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.Daniel 12:1:

1: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Ps 10: The Man of the Earth: His Wicked WaysIt is just so human! When things go wrong we cry out,

“Lord, where are you when I need you?”

Psalm 10:1:1: Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou

thyself in times of trouble?The psalmist is pained not only by his enemy’s wickedness,

but even more by his unabashed arrogance in thinking he will escape punishment!

Verses 11-12, 15, 18b:11: He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth

his face; he will never see it.The righteous man makes an appeal to God:

12: Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

15: Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

18: ...that the man of the earth may no longer oppress.

Ps 11: Prayer in Light of Our “Times of Trouble”Here is something to remember in our times of trouble:

The difficulties we face in life are simply a test of our faith.

22

Psalm 11:5a: 5: The LORD trieth the righteous...

The test is not whether we will overcome every hardship by faith. The test is whether our faith will be overcome by our hardships.

Again we see what will prove to be a theme throughout the book of Psalms. What is true now will not be true forever!

Psalm 11:2, 6:2: [NOW] For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make

ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

6: [THEN] Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the por-tion of their cup.

Our prayers should not only reflect our immediate predica-ment but also the eternal reality.

Ps 12: The Vanity of ManThis psalm opens with two oh-so-sad truths: the faithful

fail and the vilest of men are exalted.

Psalm 12:1, 8:1: Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail

from among the children of men. 8: The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are

exalted.But here is our consolation. The words of the ungodly will

not last forever; they will be cut off. Only the Word of the Lord will endure forever:

Verses 3, 7:3: The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue

that speaketh proud things:7: Thou shalt keep them [the LORD’s pure words], O

LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Ps 13: Prayer in Light of Our “Times of Trouble”Echoing back to Psalm 6, this psalm again voices the impa-

tient cry of the righteous: “HOW LONG?”

Psalm 13:1-2, 5:1: How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how

long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2: How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in

my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

23

5: But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

It is a fact of life that our level of trust in God is exposed only when things are not going well for us!

Ps 14: The Foolishness of ManThe exposure of man’s vanity in Psalm 12 is seconded with

this exposure of his foolishness.

Psalm 14:1: 1: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are

corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

If in Jesus we see man at his best, then in the Antichrist we see man at his most depraved, for there is none more foolish and vain than he. How true is the saying, “Those who are cor-rupt in creed are corrupt also in conduct.”

Ps 15: The Perfect Man: His Pure WaysPsalm 15 opens with the question, “Who shall abide in thy

tabernacle?” (15:1). The answer is found in the perfect man, Jesus Christ (15:2-5).

Earlier I explained a figure of speech called the “opposing parallel.” Here is a wonderful example. As seen in the chart be-low, Psalm 10 aligns with Psalm 15 to show the vivid contrasts between the Christ and the Antichrist.

Comparing Psalm 10 to Psalm 15The MAN OF THE EARTH (Psalm 10)

The PERFECT MAN (Psalm 15)

sitteth in the lurking places (8) walketh uprightly (2)

his ways are always grievous (5) worketh righteousness (2)

mouth is full of cursing, deceit, fraud (7)

speaketh the truth in his heart (2)

under his tongue is mischief and vanity (7)

backbiteth not (3)

he murders the innocent (8) nor doeth evil to his neighbour (3)

the wicked contemn God (13) contemns a vile person (4)

blesseth the covetous (3) honors those that fear the Lord (4)

in his pride doth persecute the poor (2)

putteth not out his money to usury (5)

Psalm 15 concludes Part Two of the Genesis book of Psalms.

24

BOOK ONE, PART 3: THE MAN, CHRIST JESUS (16-41)

Fifty-five of the 150 psalms begin with the historical title, “A Psalm of David.” There are 33 such psalms in Book 1; in Book 2 there are 11; there are none in Book 3; Book 4 has 2; and Book 5 has 9.

Of the thirty-three in Book 1, five are in Part 1, six are in Part 2, and TWENTY-TWO are in Part 3. This is deeply signifi-cant since Part 3 of the Genesis book of Psalms shows us “the Man, Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).

As the son of David, Jesus holds legitimate claim to the throne of Israel. King David was in fact just a picture of the greater one to come, the King of kings. The “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22), was a forerunner of the better David to come. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s heart. He is the perfect man, the obedient Son who suffered on the cross to take away our sins.

Hebrews 5:8-9:8: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the

things which he suffered;9: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal

salvation unto all them that obey him; In his book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes, “He could

surrender His will, and suffer and die, because He was a man; and He could do it perfectly because He was God.”

In this section of the Psalms we see the man, Christ Jesus, through the prism of David, the man after God’s own heart. We see the man Isaiah calls “a man of sorrows” (Isa. 53:3).

The Structure of Book One, Part ThreeIt is natural to assume that the best way to read the Psalms

is in numerical order. But this section of the Psalms calls for a different approach: In Psalms 16-24 we see the man, Christ Jesus. Psalms 25-41 are the congregation’s prayers and praises in response.

Remember that the Psalms are songs, and now imagine a soloist accompanied by a vast choir. The soloist sings the melody and the choir sings the counter-melody behind him. When two people talk at the same time, neither voice can be understood. But in music there can be harmony even when the choir sings a different lyrics than the soloist.

Hopefully, the chart on pages 24 and 25 is a visual aid to seeing this truth. It shows the “melody” and its associated “counter-melody.” I have included a few verses for clarification.

25

I will not comment on each of the psalms in this section, but I will draw your attention to these highlights:

Psalm 22 shows “The Good Shepherd” in death.

John 10:11:11: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.Psalm 23 shows “The Great Shepherd” in resurrection.

Hebrews 13:20:20: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead

our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Psalm 24 shows “The Chief Shepherd” in glory.

1 Peter 5:4:4: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive

a crown of glory that fadeth not away.Part Three of the Genesis book contains many prophecies

about the suffering of Christ that are later cited in the Gos-pels. Here are just a few examples:

Psalm 22:1a: (Cited in Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)1: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Psalm 22:8: (Cited in Matthew 27:43)8: He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let

him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.Psalm 22:16: (Cited in John 19:37)

16: For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.Psalm 22:18: (Cited in Matthew 27:35)

18: They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.Psalm 31:5: (Cited in Luke 23:46)

5: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.Psalm 34:20: (Cited in John 19:36)

20: He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.Psalm 35:19: (Cited in John 15:25)

19: Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.Psalm 41:9: (Cited in John 13:18)

9: Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

26

Psalms 16 to 24: The True David16 The Messiah’s Trust and xpectation16:11: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is ful-ness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.17 The Messiah’s Prayer in Light of Ps 1617:3: ...Thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing...17:5: Hold up my goings in thy paths; that my footsteps slip not.18 The Triumph of the Messiah18:50: Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.19 God’s Glory in Creation and the Scriptures19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.20 The People See in the Messiah’s Triumph Their Own Salvation20:5: We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.21 Exaltation of the King21:13: Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.22 The “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11) in Death 22:14: I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

23 The “Great Shepherd” (Hebrews 13:20) in Resurrection23:3: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righ-teousness for his name’s sake.24 The “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4) in Glory24:7: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye listed up, ye ever-lasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

27

Psalms 25-41: The People’s Response 25 Our Prayer in Light of Psalm 16

25:4: Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

26 Our Prayer in Light of Psalm 1726:1: Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide.27-28 Our Prayer and Praise in Light of Psalm 18

28:8: The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

29 Praise in Light of Psalm 1929:2: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 30-33 Praise and Prayer in Light of Psalm 20

30:11: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

34 Praise in Light of the King’s Exaltation in Ps 2134:3: O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.35-36 The Messiah’s Prayer and Praise in Light of Psalm 22

35:10: All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

37 Instruction to the Saints in Light of Psalm 2337:34: Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 38-41 Prayer and Praise in Light of Psalm 24

41:11: By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

Reading these psalms makes it very evident that God’s blessings to mankind were only made possible by the atoning sacrifice of his Son.

28

Doxology to the Genesis BookAs previously stated, each of the five books of Psalms clos-

es with a doxology. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, “Doxologies generally contain two elements, an ascription of praise to God (usually referred to in third person) and an ex-pression of His infinite nature.” These elements are both evi-dent in the closing verse of Book One.

Psalm 41:13:13: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to

everlasting. Amen and Amen.

29

CHAPTER 3

Book Two: The Exodus Book(Psalms 42 to 72)

In the Torah, the book otherwise known as “Exodus” is ti-tled ve’elleh shemot, “These are the names.”

Exodus 1:1:1: Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which

came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

Exodus is the book of redemption, and our redemption is accomplished individually and by name. Redeemed individu-als together comprise a redeemed nation. Exodus is the story of the redemption of the nation of Israel by the blood of the Passover Lamb.

There are 31 psalms in Book Two. It divides into three parts:

The Divisions in Book TwoDivision Chapters ThemePart 1 Psalms 42 to 49 Israel’s Need for Redemption

Part 2 Psalms 50 to 60 Israel’s Redeemer

Part 3 Psalms 61 to 72 Israel’s Redemption

BOOK TWO, PART 1: ISRAEL’S NEED FOR REDEMPTION (42-49)

This section has an A-B-C-B-C-A structure:

[A] The Ruin and Oppression Realized (42, 43)[B] A Cry for Help to the Deliverer and Redeemer (44)

[C] The Deliverer Praised (45)[B] The Help of the Deliverer (46)

[C] The Deliverer Praised (47, 48)[A] The Ruin and Need of Redemption Realized (49)

Ps 42-43: The Ruin and Oppression RealizedOnce again, the first psalm of each book is the keynote and

the epitome of the set. In the opening of this Exodus book we see that without God, man is lost and without hope.

30

Psalms 42 and 43 share a refrain that is repeated with only slight variation:

Psalm 42:5, 11:5: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou

disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the health of his countenance.

11: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.Psalm 43:5:

5: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Here we see a man wrestling within himself, trying to rec-oncile the way he feels with what he knows to be true.

Psalm 42:1, 3: 1: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my

soul after thee, O God. 3: My tears have been my meat day and night, while they

continually say unto me, Where is thy God?The enemy is always lurking about, ready to reinforce our

every doubt.

Psalm 42:10:10: As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me;

while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Our only hope of escaping such torment is in God.

Psalm 43:1: 1: Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly

nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.The oppression of life can make us feel like we are swim-

ming against an undertow. Note the similarity and difference of 42:9 and 43:2:

Psalms 42:9: 9: I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten

me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Psalms 43:2:

2: For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalm 43 takes us on a pilgrimage back to the Lord. Notice

31

the steps of his journey: from the hill to the tabernacle, to the altar, and finally, to God.

Verse 3, 4:3: O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let

them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.4: Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my ex-

ceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Ps 44: A Cry for Help to the Deliverer and RedeemerIn the Bible we read many accounts of deliverance.

Psalm 44:1:1: We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told

us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old [here referring to the Exodus].

But there are times when you and I wonder why WE aren’t the ones seeing his mighty hand!

Verse 9:9: But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not

forth with our armies.We face trouble even when we are NOT disobedient, simply

because we are his people.

Verses 44:17, 22:17: All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee,

neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.22: Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are

counted as sheep for the slaughter.Verse 22 is quoted in Romans 8:36. In this life we often feel

more like “sheep for the slaughter” than “more than conquer-ors.” And so we wait upon God to redeem us IN FULL.

Verse 26:26: Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies sake.

Ps 45: The Deliverer PraisedThe beautiful Psalm 45, subtitled “A Song of Loves”, would

fit nicely in the Song of Solomon. The Nelson Study Bible calls it, “A psalm for the king’s marriage.” Here the groom promises his bride a new and better life.

Psalm 45:10-11, 17:10: Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;

forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;11: So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy

Lord; and worship thou him.

32

17: I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Verses 6 and 7 are quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9. This is an in-disputable acknowledgment of the deity of the Son of God. Note that he is addressed as “O God,” and his heavenly Father as, “God, thy God.”

Verses 6-7:6: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy

kingdom is a right sceptre.7: Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore

God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

This truth was revealed to Thomas when he met the risen Lord. Notice the Lord’s response:

John 20:28-29:28: And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and

my God. 29: Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me,

thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Ps 46: The Help of the DelivererPsalm 46 corresponds with “the cry for help” of Psalm 44.

The phrase “God is our refuge” appears three times.

Psalm 46:1, 7, 11:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in

trouble. 7, 11: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our

refuge. Selah.Only the heart that finds refuge in God can truly be still.

Verse 10:10: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among

the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Ps 47-48: The Deliverer PraisedSometimes the most difficult part of writing this booklet

was deciding which verses to omit. Please take the time to en-joy these two psalms in their entirety!

Psalms 47:1-2:1: O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the

voice of triumph. 2: For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over

all the earth.

33

Psalm 48:1: 1: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of

our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 2: Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount

Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Ps 49: The Ruin and Need of Redemption RealizedThe Psalms never allow us to lose sight of the fact that

mankind is utterly lost without the Lord. No one has the power to redeem himself or anyone else. Part One of the Exodus book ends on this very sober note.

Psalm 49:6-7, 14, 20:6: They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the

multitude of their riches; 7: None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor

give to God a ransom for him:14: Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on

them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

20: Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

BOOK TWO, PART 2: ISRAEL’S REDEEMER (50-60)

Book Two, Part Two is set forth in an A-B-B-A structure:

[A] God Speaks to his People (50)[B] The Repentant, Confessed and Forgiven (51)[B] The Unrepentant, Unconfessed and Cut Off (52-55)

[A] The Help of the Deliverer (56-60)

Ps 50: God Speaks to His PeoplePart Two of the Exodus book begins with an exhortation

to the obedient and a warning to the rebellious. The Lord re-minds his people that they will be judged.

Psalm 50:4-6:4: He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth,

that he may judge his people.5: Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a

covenant with me by sacrifice. 6: And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is

judge himself. Selah.

34

God also has a word for the rebellious:

Verses 16-17:16: But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to

declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my cov-enant in thy mouth?

17: Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words be-hind thee.

One should never mistake God’s patience for indifference.

Verse 21:21: These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou

thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

When I read this psalm I can’t help but think of the pop song with the lyric, “What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us?” As this psalm makes clear, God is not “such an one as thyself.”

Verse 22:22: Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in

pieces, and there be none to deliver.The first principle of the doctrine of Christ is “repentance

from dead works” (Heb. 6:1). Though God desires “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), he can only help those who seek his help.

Ps 51: The Repentant: Confessed and ForgivenThe Bible can be surprisingly explicit. The title of Psalm 51

tells us this is David’s psalm of repentance “after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” God used Nathan to show David that he could not hide his sin. But God could not forgive David until he ac-knowledged his wrongdoing and repented of his sin.

Psalm 51:3: 3: For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever

before me. There is salvation and there is the joy of salvation. David

longed for the joy he once knew.

Verse 12:12: Restore unto me the JOY of thy salvation; and uphold me

with thy free spirit.This psalm teaches us that our outward sacrifices are

meaningless if our heart is not right with God.

Verse 16-17:16: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou

delightest not in burnt offering.

35

17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

But when our heart is right with God, he will receive our offerings.

Verse 19:19: Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteous-

ness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Ps 52-55: The Unrepentant: Unconfessed and Cut OffSadly, not all men are like David. Those with a hard and

impenitent heart will eventually reap what they sowed.

Psalm 52:1, 5:1: Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the

goodness of God endureth continually.5: God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee

away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

In Psalm 2 we saw that God will laugh at these last-minute pleas for mercy. Now in Psalm 52 we learn that God’s people will join in the revelry.

Verses 6-7:6: The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at

him: 7: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but

trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

The unrepentant man is a fool. From beginning to end, Psalm 53 is very similar to Psalm 14:

Comparing Psalms 14 and 53Psalm 14:1-7 Psalm 53:1-614:1: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

53:1: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

14:2: The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

53:2: God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

14:3: They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

53:3: Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

36

14:4: Have all the workers of iniq-uity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

53:4: Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

14:5: There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

53:5: There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

14:7: Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

53:6: Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

No one should doubt the terrible doom that awaits the un-repentant and unredeemed!

Psalm 54:5:5: He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in

thy truth. Psalm 55:23:

23: But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Ps 56-60: God’s People Speak to HimThis section contains marvellous confessions of faith in

God. These are the confessions of the redeemed!

Psalm 56:3-4, 11, 13: 3: What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4: In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust;

I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.11: In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man

can do unto me.13: For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou

deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?Psalm 57:5, 11:

5, 11: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.Psalm 58:6, 8:

6: Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

37

8: As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Psalm 59:17:

17: Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my de-fence, and the God of my mercy.Psalm 60:11:

11: Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

BOOK TWO, PART 3: ISRAEL’S REDEMPTION (61-72)

Part Three is set forth in an A-B-C-A-B-C structure:

[A] Israel awaits her Redemption (61-64)[B] Praise Promised (65-67)

[C] Redemption Realized, God arises (68)[A] The King awaits his deliverance (69-70)

[B] Praise Promised (71)[C] Redemption Realized, the King reigns (72)

By matching A to A, and C to C, the remarkable parallels stand out. Israel awaits her deliverance/the Redeemer awaits his deliverance; God arises/the King arises. Between these sec-tions we anticipate the praises that will fill the air when our redemption is fully realized.

Ps 61-64: Israel Awaits Her RedemptionHere we are reminded of the better life that awaits us.

Psalm 61:2:2: 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 62:1:

1: Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.Psalm 63:1:

1: O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;Psalm 64:10

10: [For then] The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

38

Ps 65-67: Praise PromisedPeople praise God now, but there will be a much more joy-

ful sound when our redemption is complete.

Psalm 65:1: 1: Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee

shall the vow be performed. Psalm 66:4:

4: All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.Psalm 67:3, 5:

3, 5: Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

And what is the reason for such praise? The King of kings will rule and reign on earth.

Verse 4:4: O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt

judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Ps 68: Redemption Realized: God ArisesThis psalm anticipates the Second Coming of Christ.

Psalm 68:1-2, 4:1: Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also

that hate him flee before him.2: As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth

before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.4: Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that

rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Verses 8 and 17 contain the only references to “Sinai” in the Psalms, appropriately found in this Exodus book.

Verses 7-8:7: O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when

thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: 8: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the pres-

ence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.Verses 16-17:

16: Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God de-sireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

17: The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

39

Ps 69-70: The King Awaits His deliverance The Exodus was accomplished by the redemptive sacri-

fice of the Passover lamb, a type of Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:36). It is fitting that here again we are reminded of the sufferings of Christ. As noted, many of these verses are referenced in the New Testament. The writers of these psalms looked ahead to his sacrifice while you and I look back.

Psalm 69:4, 21:4: They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs

of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. [Referenced in John 15:25]

21: They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. [Referenced in Matthew 27:34]

Even the Lord Jesus was anxious to see his deliverance come as quickly as possible.

Psalm 70:1, 5:1: Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me,

O LORD. 5: But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God:

thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Ps 71: Praise PromisedThis psalm again anticipates the praise that will be voiced

when our redemption is fully realized.

Psalm 71:23:23: My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my

soul, which thou hast redeemed.

Ps 72: The Answer; the King ReignsPsalms 72 and 127 are the only psalms attributed to King

Solomon, written in anticipation of the greater King to come.

Psalm 72:11:11: Yea, all kings shall fall down before him [as King of kings]:

all nations shall serve him [as Lord of lords].

Doxology to the Exodus BookBook Two of the Psalms closes with this doxology:

Psalm 72:18-20: 18: Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only

doeth wondrous things.

40

19: And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

20: The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.The Companion Bible adds this note after verse 20, which it

calls the “epilogue” to the Exodus book of Psalms:

“are ended = are accomplished. When this Psalm is realized, all prophecy concerning Israel will be fulfilled.”

Thirty-one psalms comprise the Exodus book. The theme of this book is the redemption of the nation of Israel, the ful-fillment of that which was typified in the exodus from Egypt. The three sections expound upon three truths that resound for every believer: 1) Without Jesus mankind is lost. 2) Christ is the only Redeemer. 3) We should praise God not only for what he has done, but also for what he will do.

41

CHAPTER 4

Book Three: The Leviticus Book(Psalms 73 to 89)

In the Torah, the book we know as “Leviticus” is wayyigra, meaning, “And he called.”

Leviticus 1:1:1: And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him

out of the tabernacle of the congregation...Just like the third book of Moses, the third book of Psalms

focuses on the Sanctuary, that holy place where God’s people come to worship him. It is a fundamental truth that entrance into the sanctuary is permissible only to those who are chosen by God.

Psalm 65:4: 4: Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to ap-

proach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Those who are called are sanctified. Those who are sancti-fied are able to enter the sanctuary.

Jude 1:1: 1: Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to

them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Within the sanctuary, eternal truth takes precedent over temporal circumstance; there is life and peace. Outside the sanctuary we are hounded by trials and tribulations, by our enemies, and by our own inner monologue of doubt and fear. These truths all come to light in this section of the Psalms.

The third book of Psalms, the Leviticus Book, divides into two distinct parts:

The Divisions in Book ThreeDivision Chapters ThemePart 1 Psalms 73 to 83 The Temporal Sanctuary in Israel

Part 2 Psalms 84 to 89 The Eternal Sanctuary in Glory

42

It unfolds in an A-B-C-D; A-B-C-D structure:

[A] The effect of being outside the sanctuary (73)[B] The enemy in the sanctuary (74)

[C] God’s anointed in the sanctuary (75)[D] Destruction of the enemies of the sanctuary (76)

[A] The effect of being outside the sanctuary (77-78)[B] The enemy in the sanctuary (79)

[C] God’s anointed in the sanctuary (80-82)[D] Destruction of the enemies of the sanctuary (83)

BOOK THREE, PART 1: THE TEMPORAL SANCTUARY IN ISRAEL (73-83)

Ps 73: The Effect of Being Outside the SanctuaryOnce again it is manifest that the first psalm in each sec-

tion both introduces and sums up the entire book. It is not our circumstances that determine our joy; it is our state of mind.

Romans 8:6:6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually

minded is life and peace.For the child of God wandering outside the sanctuary,

the promises of God are only a painful reminder of his own wretched situation.

Psalm 73:1-2:1: Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean

heart. 2: But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well

nigh slipped.Outside the sanctuary we wallow in the mire of envy and

self-pity.

Verse 3:3: For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity

of the wicked.(I marvel in the honesty of the Psalms! It was not the sinful-

ness of the wicked that upset him. It was their prosperity!)

Thankfully, there is a way out of the wretchedness.

Verse 17:17: Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I

their end.To live in the sanctuary is to have your eye on the spiritual,

eternal perspective.

43

Verses 27-28: 27: For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast

destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28: But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my

trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Ps 74: The Enemy in the SanctuaryThe second psalm in each of the five books concerns the

enemies of God’s people. This psalm tells of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Emperor Nebuchadnezzar. It also unveils the consuming hatred that the enemies of righteousness have toward the people of God.

Psalm 74:3, 7-8:3: Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all

that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.7: They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by

casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.8: They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they

have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. These verses serve as a mournful refrain:

Verses 10, 18, 22-23:10: O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the

enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?18: Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O

LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

22: Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

23: Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

So long as we dwell in these mortal bodies, we will be sub-ject to attack, spiritually if not physically. But even in times of great distress we know that what is now will not always be.

Ps 75: God’s Anointed in the SanctuaryVerse One is a choral introduction to this song.

Psalm 75:1:1: Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we

give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

God’s name has been made near to us through the work of his Son. And from verse Two onward, the speaker in this psalm is the Anointed One, Jesus the Christ. Notice how the pronoun changes from we to I.

44

Psalm 75:2:2: When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.

Only the Lord Jesus has the authority to make this state-ment. The Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).

Verse 10:10: All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the

horns of the righteous shall be exalted. Ps 76: Destruction of the Enemies of the Sanctuary

This psalm anticipates the day when the Lord overthrows his enemies once and for all.

Psalm 76:2-3:2: In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. 3: There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the

sword, and the battle. Selah.Ps 77: The Effect of Being Outside the Sanctuary

Starting in Psalm 77, the A-B-C-D pattern of Book Three re-peats itself. Here again is man outside of the sanctuary, vainly looking within himself for answers.

Psalm 77:6-9:6: I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune

with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. In verses 7-9 there are six rhetorical questions:

7: Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

8: Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?

9: Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

How soon we faint! It is foolish to expect all seasons in life to be high seasons. In the end, the peace and security we so desire can only be found in the sanctuary of God.

Verse 13:13: Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God

as our God?Ps 78: The Effect of Being Outside the Sanctuary

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm spanning the Exodus to the anointing of King David. Passages like this are wonderful ways to learn Old Testament history.

Reading Psalm 78 with the help of the chart on the next page should make the patterns within it much more evident.

45

[a] The Giving of the Law (1-7)[b] Provocation, turning back, and forgetfulness (8-11)

[c] Wonders“inthelandofEgypt,inthefieldofZoan” (12)[d] Led by God (13-16)

[e] Provocation in the Wilderness (17-20)[f] Wrath in the Wilderness (21-39)

[b] Provocation, turning back and forgetfulness (40-42)[c] Wonders“inEgypt...andinthefieldofZoan”

(43-51)[d] Led by God (52-55)

[e] Provocation in the Land (56-58)[f] Wrath in the Land (59-64)

[a] The Giving of the Temple and Monarchy (65-72)

Easton’s Bible Dictionary tells us that “the Field of Zoan” (vs. 12, 43) was also called “the town of Rameses, because the oppressor rebuilt and embellished it, probably by the forced labor of the Hebrews, and made it his northern capital.”

The intent of this psalm is found in verses 6 to 8:

Psalm 78:6-8:6: That the generation to come might know them, even the

children which should be born; who should arise and de-clare them to their children:

7: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

8: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebel-lious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

I suppose every generation thinks it will outperform the generations before them. We should all be glad that God’s faithfulness to his people is not conditioned by our faithful-ness to him.

Verses 36-38, 69:36: Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and

they lied unto him with their tongues. 37: For their heart was not right with him, neither were they

stedfast in his covenant. 38: But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and

destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

69: And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.

46

Ps 79: The Enemy in the SanctuaryThis psalm begins with a very bloody and horrific scenario:

Psalm 79:1-3:1: O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy

holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2: The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

3: Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusa-lem; and there was none to bury them.

Once again we see that our salvation will come “for thy name’s sake.”

Verse 9:9: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy

name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

Ps 80-82: God in the SanctuaryPsalm 80 is man crying out to the God of the Sanctuary:

Psalm 80:1:1: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph

like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

3: Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved; [Also in verses 7 and 19]

Psalms 81 and 82 are God answering man from within the Sanctuary:

Psalm 81:7:7: Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered

thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

In Psalm 82, God speaks to those men who stand on earth as his representatives, here called “the gods.”

Psalm 82:1-2, 6:1: God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he jud-

geth among the gods. 2: How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of

the wicked? Selah.6: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the

most High. When the Jews wanted to stone Jesus “because that thou,

being a man, makest thyself God,” he quoted this passage.

47

John 10:34-36:34: Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said,

Ye are gods? 35: If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came,

and the scripture cannot be broken; 36: Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent

into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Here is the great “mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:16) that has confounded rational man for centuries. Jesus did not make himself God. God made himself a man.

Ps 83: Destruction of the Enemies of the SanctuaryPart One of the Leviticus book concludes with the destruc-

tion of our enemies.

Psalm 83:4, 17-18:4: They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a

nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remem-brance.

17: Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18: That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JE-HOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

BOOK THREE, PART 2: THE ETERNAL SANCTUARY IN GLORY (84-89)

Part Two of the Leviticus book of Psalms focuses on the eternal Zion of which the temporal city was only a type. This Zion is “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22). And, praise God, it will never be under attack!

The glory of eternal Zion is contrasted with our troubled sojourn on earth. It unfolds in an A-B-A-B-A-B structure.

[A] The blessedness of Zion (84)[B] Prayers in time of distress (85, 86)

[A] The glories of Zion (87)[B] Prayer in time of distress (88)

[A] The eternal glory of Zion (89a) [B] The Messiah’s prayer (89b)

Ps 84: The Blessedness of ZionThis is a song of pilgrimage sung on the highways to Je-

rusalem as men traveled to the annual feasts. Even as they

48

journeyed to the temporal sanctuary, those with “eyes to see” looked to that “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).

Psalm 84:2, 7:2: My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the

LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

7: They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

Ps 85-86: Prayers in Time of DistressThe book of Hebrews honors those believers whose faith

never diminished despite the apparent lack of evidence for it.

Hebrews 11:13:13: These all died in faith, not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hopefully, you and I will be counted among those who did not always need to see to believe. The Zion of promise is still far off, but these prayerful psalms will strengthen us for our journey.

Psalm 85 is a NATIONAL prayer for the citizens of Zion.

Psalm 85:4:4: Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger

toward us to cease.Psalm 86 is a PERSONAL prayer for the believer.

Psalm 86:16-17:16: O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy

strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine hand-maid.

17: Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

How thankful we should be to have been granted such “a token for good”! We have the Holy Spirit, an ever-present re-minder of God’s goodness to us, the “earnest of our inheri-tance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Eph. 1:14). Let us never take for granted the thing for which our forefathers so yearned.

Ps 87: The Glories of ZionZion will outshine all the fabled cities of old, her citizenry

more blessed than any that ever lived.

49

Psalm 87:2-3, 6:2: The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwell-

ings of Jacob.3: Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God6: The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people,

that this man was born there. Selah.

Ps 88: Prayer in Time of DistressThe Nelson Bible calls Psalm 88 “the gloomiest psalm in

the entire collection.” Unlike any other psalm, it is void of any expression of hope. This is our forsaken Messiah in his darkest hour.

Psalm 88:3:3: For my soul is full of troubles; and my life draweth nigh

unto the grave.

Ps 89a: The Eternal Glory of ZionPsalm 89 can easily be divided into two parts. Verses 1 to

37 are triumphant and joyful. They extol the true David, Jesus the Christ.

Psalm 89:20-23, 26-27:20: I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I

anointed him: 21: With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also

shall strengthen him. 22: The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wick-

edness afflict him. 23: And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague

them that hate him. 26: He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and

the rock of my salvation. 27: Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings

of the earth.Here is the triumph of the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15).

Psalm 89:4, 16 , 29, 36:4: Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne

to all generations. Selah.16: In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righ-

teousness shall they be exalted.29: His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne

as the days of heaven.36: His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun

before me.

50

Psa 89b: The Messiah’s PrayerThe word “but” in verse 38 marks such a dramatic change

in tone that it is useful to think of it as a new section.

Psalm 89:38:38: But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth

with thine anointed.Here again is our forsaken Messiah.

Verse 51:51: Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD;

wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

It is somehow easier to accept that Jesus “died for our sins” (1 Cor. 15:3) than it is to accept that God made Christ to be sin for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.We should never forget the terrible price Jesus paid for our

salvation. Hear his cry!

Psalm 89:47, 50:47: Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou

made all men in vain?50: Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do

bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

Doxology to the Leviticus Book:The third book of Psalms ends with this simple doxology.

Psalm 89:52:52: Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

51

CHAPTER 5

Book Four: The Numbers Book(Psalms 90 to 106)

In the Hebrew canon, the fourth book of Moses is bemidbar, “In the Wilderness.”

Numbers 1:1: 1: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Si-

nai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying...

Numbers is the book of the wilderness. It tells the story of the Children of Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land from about fourteen months after their departure from Egypt through the forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

There are seventeen psalms in this book. They divide into five parts:

The Divisions in Book 4 of the PsalmsDivision Chapters ThemePart 1 90 Prologue: Rest for the Earth, Lost and Needed

Part 2 91-94 Rest for the Earth, Desired

Part 3 95-100 Rest for the Earth, Anticipated

Part 4 101-105 Rest for the Earth, Celebrated

Part 5 106 Epilogue: Rest for the Earth, Lost and Needed

BOOK FOUR, PART 1: THE PROLOGUE

THE REST, LOST AND NEEDED (90)

Ps 90: A Prayer of Moses, the Man of GodThe Numbers book of the Psalms begins with the oldest

psalm and the only one written by Moses. The title says it all: “A prayer of Moses, the man of God.” Oh to have such a legacy!

These seventeen verses put our sojourn on earth in per-spective by contrasting the eternity of God with the brevity and frailty of man.

52

Verses 1 to 4 exalt the everlasting God.

Psalm 90:2, 4:2: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou

hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlast-ing to everlasting, thou art God.

4: For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night

Verses 5 to 11 concern the brevity of man’s mortal existence.

Verses 9-10:9: For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend

our years as a tale that is told. 10: The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if

by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

The wise man’s supplication to God is made in this light.

Verse 12:12: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our

hearts unto wisdom.Deuteronomy 34:7 tells us that Moses died at the age of

120, and that “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abat-ed.” You and I should not expect to last so long. Let us put what time we have to good use.

Ecclesiastes 9:10:10: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;

for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wis-dom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

BOOK FOUR, PART 2: REST FOR THE EARTH, DESIRED (91-94)

The next four psalms are presented in an A-B-A-B structure.

[A] Man’s rest found only in the Lord (91) [B] A Prayer for the Sabbath, the Day of Rest (92)[A] Man’s rest found only in the Lord (93) [B] A Prayer for Rest (94)

Ps 91: Man’s Rest Found Only in the LordThe Israelites’ journey in the wilderness is a fascinating

lesson about our sojourn on earth. We will either enter into rest though faith or we will wander in unbelief and fear.

Hebrews 3:19:19: So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

53

Psalm 91 reaffirms that man’s rest can only be found in the Lord because he is our refuge.

Psalm 91:2:2: I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in him will I trust.In the wilderness, the Israelites had no fortress to hide be-

hind. They were completely exposed. Think of the sounds they heard every night– human and otherwise – as they huddled in their tents. What they could imagine was surely more terrify-ing than what was actually there. Now think what a comfort these words were to those who believed them.

Verses 5-6:5: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the

arrow that flieth by day;6: Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the

destruction that wasteth at midday.What physical barricade could be superior to the invisible

God? For the second time we read that the Lord is our refuge.

Verses 9-10: 9: Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even

the most high, thy habitation.10: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague

come nigh thy dwelling.It is noteworthy that in this Wilderness psalm we find ref-

erence to Christ’s temptation in the wilderness.

Verses 11-12: 11: For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee

in all thy ways. 12: They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy

foot against a stone.Compare the actual quote with Satan’s misrepresentation.

Matthew 4:6:6: And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thy-

self down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

The serpent omitted “to keep thee in all thy ways” and add-ed “at any time.” How he would like us to believe that obeying God is not a necessity in life! This is like omitting “Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left” from the promise “that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest” in Joshua 1:7! One way or another the devil is always trying to convince us, “Thou shalt not surely die.”

54

Ps 92: A Prayer for the Sabbath, the Day of RestThis psalm reveals the secret of entering into his rest!

Psalm 92:4:4: For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I

will triumph in the works of thy hands.This verse harmonizes perfectly with Hebrews 4:10:

Hebrews 4:10:10: For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased

from his own works, as God did from his.

Ps 93: Man’s Rest Found Only in the LordIn Psalm 91, we learned that man’s rest is in the Lord be-

cause he is our refuge. In Psalm 93, it is because the Lord God is almighty.

Psalm 93:3-4:3: The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted

up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.Inserting the word “but” between these two verses will

help you see the opposing parallel.4: [But] The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of

many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

Ps 94: A Prayer for RestHere is the second prayer for entering into rest. Rest comes

to those whom the Lord teaches and corrects.

Psalm 94:12-13:12: Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth, O Lord, and

teacheth him out of thy law;13: That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity,

until the pit be digged for the wicked.The reason we can enter into rest even in the midst of ad-

versity is declared in verse 22:

Verse 22:22: But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of

my refuge.

BOOK FOUR, PART 3: REST FOR THE CREATION, ANTICIPATED

(95-100)

There are 6 psalms in this section, including two glorious “new songs.” Here is the structure:

55

[A] Worship, in view of anticipated Rest (95)[B] A Summons to sing the “new song” (96)

[C] “The New Song” (97)[B] A Summons to sing the “new song” (98)

[C] “The New Song” (99)[A] Worship, in view of our anticipated Rest (100)

Ps 95: Worship, in View of Anticipated RestThis psalm is a call to worship.

Psalm 95:6-7a:6: O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before

the LORD our maker.The first part of verse 7 completes the thought of verse 6.

7a: For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

The second part of verse 7 begins the thought that is com-pleted in verse 8.

Verses 7b-8:7b: To day if ye will hear his voice, 8: Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the

day of temptation in the wilderness: This passage appears three times in the book of Hebrews,

in 3:8, 3:15, and 4:7. This was the reason the Israelites wan-dered forty years in the wilderness.

The unusual arrangement of verses 6, 7, and 8 reminds us that we are reading poetic verse. Verse 7 divides the psalm into two parts. In verses 1 to 7a, we see that rest is found through faith in God. But in verse 7b to 11, we see that same rest in lost in unbelief.

Ps 96: A Summons to Sing the “New Song”This joyful psalm is a call to all creation to sing a “new”

song in anticipation of the Lord’s reign on earth.

Psalm 96:1, 9:1: O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD,

all the earth.9: O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear be-

fore him, all the earth.The creation itself will rejoice to enter God’s rest.

Verses 11-12: 11: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the

sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 12: Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all

the trees of the wood rejoice

56

This brings to mind a passage from Paul’s letter to the Ro-mans:

Romans 8:22-23:22: For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travai-

leth in pain together until now. 23: And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-

fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The first four words of verse 11 form the acrostic Y, H, W, H for YAHWEH, or Jehovah. In Hebrew, “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad” is yismehu hashashamayim wethagel ha’arez.

Psalm 96:11:11: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the

sea roar, and the fulness thereof. In Psalm 96:12-13 (and later in 98:8-9) there is another

unique transition between the verses, most likely due to the structure of the song.

Verses 12-13:12: Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all

the trees of the wood rejoice 13: Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge

the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Ps 97: The New SongPsalm 97 is the “new song” heralded by Psalm 96.

Psalm 97:1:1: The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude

of isles be glad thereof. Ps 98: A Summons to Sing the “New Song”

Just as in Psalm 96, this psalm is a call to the earth to sing a new song to the Lord.

Psalm 98:1:1: O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done

marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Here is the other unusual transition, between verses 8 and 9:8: Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful to-

gether 9: Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with

righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

57

Ps 99: The New SongIt is interesting to compare the two “new songs” of Psalm

99:1 and 97:1. Psalm 97:1 says, “Let the earth rejoice.” But in Psalm 99 we read, “Let the people tremble.”

Psalm 99:1:1: The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth

between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.In Psalm 97, the Lord is “high above all the earth,” and “ex-

alted far above all gods” (v. 9). In Psalm 99, the Lord is “high above all the people” (v. 2)

Ps 100: Worship, in View of Anticipated RestWe examined the structure of Psalm 100 in the first chap-

ter of this book. Now we consider the content itself. This is a call to all lands to worship and serve the Lord.

Psalm 100:1-2: 1: Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2: Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence

with singing.

BOOK FOUR, PART 4: REST FOR THE EARTH, CELEBRATED (101-105)

Part Four of the Numbers book anticipates the future reign of Christ on earth. At the same time it reminds us of the price that he paid to make this possible. It unfolds in an A-B-A-B-A structure.

[A] The Coming Kingdom: its principles (101)[B] The King in his humiliation and coming glory as the

eternal Creator (102)[A] The Coming Kingdom: its mercies and judgments (103)

[B] The King in his coming glory as the eternal Creator (104)

[A]TheComingKingdom:theCovenantfulfilled(105)

Ps 101: The Coming Kingdom: Its PrinciplesThis “Psalm of David” anticipates the perfect King in his

perfect reign on earth. The context proves that this is Jesus speaking; he alone is able and qualified to do these things.

Psalm 101:2, 6, 8: 2: I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt

thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

58

6: Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

8: I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Ps 102: The King in His Humiliation and His Coming GloryThis psalm describes the Lord in his suffering (vs. 1-11)

and in his day of glory (vs. 12-28). The first chapter of John tells us that before “the Word was

made flesh, and dwelt among us” (v. 14), it was “in the begin-ning with God” (v. 2). The Bible makes it clear that the pre-incarnate Christ played an integral part in the creation. I may not be able to fully explain it, but I certainly can read it!

Colossians 1:16:16: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,

and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:Revelation 4:11:

11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy plea-sure they are and were created.

Psalm 102:25-27 is cited in Hebrews 1:10-12, making it very evident that this psalm is prophetic of the Messiah.

Psalm 102:25-27:25: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the

heavens are the work of thy hands. 26: They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them

shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

27: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Ps 103: The Coming Kingdom: Its Mercies and JudgmentsThe splendid benefits we received from God are linked to

his endless mercies.

Psalm 103:10-11:10: He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us

according to our iniquities. 11: For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy

toward them that fear him.For this cause we gladly say “Bless the Lord!” Look at verses

1 and 2, and 20 to 22:1: Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me,

59

bless his holy name. 2: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his ben-

efits:20: Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that

do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21: Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22: Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his domin-ion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Ps 104: The King in His Coming Glory as the Eternal Creator

Like Psalm 102, this psalm shows the Lord’s glory as the Creator. Keep in mind that this is poetic verse and not a his-torical lecture, and notice how the structure flows along with the six days of Creation.

[a] Bless the Lord, O my soul (1)[b] The week of Creation, day 1 (2-5)[b] The week of Creation, day 2 (6-9)[b] The week of Creation, days 3 and 4 (10-23)[b] The week of Creation, days 5 and 6 (24-30)

[a] Bless the Lord, O my soul (31-35)

Psalm 104 closes with the first “Praise ye the Lord” or Hal-lelujah recorded in the Old Testament. This shout of celebra-tion is for the overthrow of the wicked.

Verse 35: 35: Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the

wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

This is the SAME reason for the first Hallelujah in the New Testament!

Revelation 19:1-2:1: And after these things I heard a great voice of much people

in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and hon-our, and power, unto the Lord our God:

2: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Ps 105: The Coming Kingdom: the Covenant FulfilledThis is the second historical psalm. Within it are two cycles:

Abraham to Joseph and Egypt to Canaan. Each cycle contains a

60

journey, a showing of God’s favor, the people’s affliction, and deliverance.

[a] Call to Praise (1-7)[b] Cause for Praise: God’s Covenant promised (8-12)

[c] History of the Patriarchs, Abraham to Joseph (13-22)1. Journey “from one nation to another...” (13)2. Favor: “He suffered no man to do them

wrong” (14-15) 3. Affliction:“Hecalledforafamineuponthe

land” (16)4. Deliverance: “He sent a man before them,

even Joseph” (17-22)[c] History of the Nation of Israel, Egypt to Canaan

(23-41)1. Journey “into Egypt” (23)2. Favor: “[He] made them stronger than their

enemies” (24)3. Affliction:“Heturnedtheirhearttohatehis

people” (25)4. Deliverance: “He sent Moses his servant;

and Aaron” (26-41)[b]CauseforPraise:God’sCovenantFulfilled(42-45a)

[a] Call to Praise (45b)

God’s goodness to man in times past should remind us that he will be good to us now and forever.

Psalm 105:5:5: Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his

wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; Thankfully, even when we forget, God remembers!

Verse 8:8: He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which

he commanded to a thousand generations.

BOOK FOUR, PART 5: EPILOGUE

THE REST, LOST AND NEEDED (106)

The final psalm of Book Four corresponds with the first, the epilogue to the prologue.

Ps 106: Man’s Rebellious Response to God’s Wondrous WorksPsalm 106 is classified “a psalm of national lament.” This

61

could also be considered the third historical psalm. Psalm 105 emphasized God’s goodness, 106 emphasizes Israel’s way-wardness. Here is the structure of this psalm:

[a] A Call to Praise (1-5)[b] Israel’s forgetfulness and consequent sin (6-7)

[c] Deliverance “for his name’s sake” (8-12)[b] Israel’s forgetfulness and consequent sin (13-16)

[d] Punishment (17-18)[b] Israel’s forgetfulness and consequent sin (19-23a)

[c] Deliverance by an act of Moses (23b)[b] Israel’s unbelief and consequent sin (24-25)

[d] Punishment (26-27)[b] Israel’s unbelief and consequent sin (28-29a)

[d] Punishment (29b)[c] Deliverance by the act of Phinehas (30-31)

[b] Israel’s unbelief and consequent sin (32-39)[d] Punishment (40-42)

[c] Deliverance for his covenant’s sake (43-46)[a] A Call to Praise (47-48)

This much is certain: whenever Israel forgot God’s good-ness, she strayed from his commandments.

Psalm 106:7, 13, 21:7: Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they re-

membered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

13: They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 21: They forgat God their saviour, which had done great

things in Egypt; Throughout history, the same cycle has been repeated over

and over.

Verses 43-45:43: Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him

with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44: Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard

their cry: 45: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented

according to the multitude of his mercies. Israel’s awareness of her own wretchedness gives voice to

her lament in the wilderness. This is the cry of all God’s chil-dren after we come out of our stupor and realize how far we have strayed.

Verse 47:47: Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among

62

the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

In this book of the wilderness, we are reminded that we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth.

Hebrews 11:13: 13: These all died in faith, not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Praise God, we are not strangers and foreigners in the king-dom of God.

Ephesians 2:19:19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,

but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

All of Creation will enter into rest when the King of kings takes his rightful place on the throne. But even now, “there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). As Isaiah 1:19 says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”

The best thing is yet to come. Until then we must not allow the hardness of this world to harden our hearts in unbelief.

The Doxology to the Numbers Book of Psalms

Psalm 106:48:48: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to

everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

63

CHAPTER 6

Book Five: The Deuteronomy Book(Psalms 107 to 145)

In the Torah, the fifth book of Moses is elleh haddebarim, “These are the words.”

Deuteronomy 1:1:1: These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on

this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab

The Deuteronomy book of Psalms is devoted to praise for God and his Word. Deuteronomy sits between Numbers (Israel in the Wilderness), and Joshua (Israel in the Promised Land). It is only by keeping the commandments of God that a man leaves the “waste howling wilderness” (Deut. 21:10), and enters the land of milk and honey (Deut. 6:3).

Deuteronomy 8:2-3:2: And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD

thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

3: And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that pro-ceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

It is noteworthy that when Jesus was tempted in the wil-derness, the devil tried to trick him with a misquotation from Numbers, the Wilderness book. Jesus answered him with a quotation from Deuteronomy, the book of the Word of Life.

Deuteronomy 6:16:16: Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted

him in Massah.In fact, every answer Jesus gave that day was a quotation

from the book of Deuteronomy!

Matthew 4:4, 10:4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live

64

by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Cited from Deut. 8:3)

10: Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Cited from Deut. 6:13)

There are 39 psalms in the Deuteronomy book of Psalms, including the shortest and longest chapters in the Bible. It di-vides into two parts:

The Divisions in Book 5 of the PsalmsDivision Chapters ThemePart 1 Psalms 107-118 The Word that Delivers

Part 2 Psalms 119-145 The Word of Life

Book Five unfolds in a repeating A-B-C-B-C structure.

[A] The Word that Delivers (107)[B] Psalms of Deliverance (108-110)

[C] Psalms of Praise (111-113)[B] Psalms of Deliverance (114-116)

[C] Psalms of Praise (117-118)[A] The Word of Life (119)

[B] Psalms of Deliverance (120-134)[C] Psalms of Praise (135-136)

[B] Psalms of Deliverance (137-139)[C] Psalms of Praise (140-144)

BOOK FIVE, PART ONE (107-118)

Ps 107: The Word that DeliversThe introduction in verses 1-3 establishes the theme.

Psalm 107:1-3: 1: O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his

mercy endureth for ever. 2: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath

redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3: And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and

from the west, from the north, and from the south.This psalm then testifies of deliverance from four kinds of

trouble. As indicated in the next chart we see their distress, their cry to God for help, their deliverance, and subsequent praise.

65

[a] Distress: Wandered in the Wilderness (4-5)[b] Cry: (6)

[c] Deliverance: (7)[d] Praise: (8-9)

[a]Distress:Boundinafflictionandiron(10-12)[b] Cry: (13)

[c] Deliverance: (14) [d] Praise: (15-16)

[a]Distress:Foolsintheirafflictions(17-18)[b] Cry: (19)

[c] Deliverance: (20)[d] Praise: (21-22)

[a] Distress: In the great waters (23-27)[b] Cry: (28)

[c] Deliverance: (29-30)[d] Praise: (31-32)

Each cycle concludes with the joyful refrain, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonder-ful works to the children of men!” (See verses 8, 15, 21, and 31).

This psalm concludes with a stark but nevertheless poetic contrast of the condemnation and blessings of God.

[a] Condemnation (33-34) 33: He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the

watersprings into dry ground;[b] Blessing (35-38)

35: He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

[a] Condemnation (39-40) 40: He poureth contempt upon princes, and

causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

[b] Blessing (41-43) 41:Yetsettethhethepooronhighfromafflic-

tion, and maketh himfamilieslikeaflock.

Three Psalms of Deliverance (108-110)

The next three psalms celebrate Christ’s VICTORY over his enemies; his CONDEMNATION of his enemies; and his DOMIN-ION over his enemies.

Ps 108: Christ’s Victory over His EnemiesOnce again the second psalm of each book speaks of our

enemies. This psalm celebrates their annihilation.

66

Psalm 108:13:13: Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall

tread down our enemies.If you feel like you’ve read these verses before, it is because

verses 1-5 are also found in Psalm 57:7-11, and verses 6-13 are found in Psalm 60:5-12.

Ps 109: Christ’s Condemnation of His EnemiesThis psalm of David alludes to Israel’s rejection of their

Messiah, the true David, Jesus Christ:

Psalm 109:3, 5, 25:3: They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and

fought against me without a cause.5: And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for

my love.25: I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked

upon me they shaked their heads.Verse 25 is fulfilled in the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 27:39-40: 39: And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,40: And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest

it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Psalm 109 alludes to the condemnation of Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Christ.

Verses 6-8:6: Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his

right hand. 7: When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let

his prayer become sin.8: Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

Verse 8 was referenced by Peter after the Ascension.

Acts 1:20:20: For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation

be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishop-rick let another take.

The first part of Acts 1:20 is a quotation from Psalm 69:25:

Psalm 69:25:25: Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their

tents.

67

Ps 110: Christ’s Dominion over His EnemiesThis psalm gives three reasons for Christ’s supremacy: he

is the King of Kings (1-3); he is the Eternal Priest (4); and he is the Avenging Judge (5-7).

Psalm 110:2, 4, 6:2: The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion:

rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.4: The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a

priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.6: He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places

with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Verse 4 is quoted three times in the book of Hebrews (5:6, 7:17, and 7:21). It is one of the two “immutable things” of He-brews 6:18.

Three Psalms of Praise (111-113)

Small wonder that the last section is followed by three “Hallelujah” psalms, each one for a specific reason.

Ps 111: Hallelujah for His Works!

Psalm 111:3, 7:3: His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness

endureth for ever. 7: The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his

commandments are sure.

Ps 112: Hallelujah for His Ways!

Psalm 112:9:9: He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righ-

teousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Ps 113: Hallelujah for Who He Is!

Psalm 113:5-6: 5: Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on

high, 6: Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in

heaven, and in the earth!

Three Psalms of Deliverance (114-116)

The three Hallelujah psalms are followed by three more psalms of deliverance.

68

Ps 114: Deliverance from THE LAND OF BONDAGE

Psalm 114:1, 3-4:1: When Israel went out of Egypt... 3: The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4: The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like

lambs.

Ps 115: Deliverance from FALSE RELIGION

Psalm 115:4:4: Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

How much better to trust in the Lord than idols?

Verses 9-11:9: O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and

their shield. 10: O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and

their shield. 11: Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their

help and their shield.

Ps 116: Deliverance from DEATH

Psalm 116:3-4, 8:3: The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell

gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4: Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I

beseech thee, deliver my soul.8: For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes

from tears, and my feet from falling.

Two Psalms of Praise (117-118)

Ps 117: Praise from All the NationsThis is shortest chapter in the Bible yet it contains all the

elements of a psalm of praise. There is a CALL to praise: Psalm 117:1:

1a: O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people (v. 1)...

There is a CAUSE for praise: Verse 2a:

2a: For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever...

And there is a CONCLUSION: Verse 2b:

2b: ... Praise ye the Lord.

69

Paul quoted Psalm 117 in his letter to the Romans. This is the ONLY psalm that in its entirety speaks to the Gentiles.

Romans 15:11:11: And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him,

all ye people.Ps 118: Praise to the King of Kings

Regarding Psalm 118, The Believer’s Bible Commentary says:

“The occasion of this magnificent chorus of praise is the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The scene is Jerusalem where the crowds have gathered to celebrate the Advent of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah.”

Verses 25 and 26 are quoted in Matthew 21:9, testifying of the Lord’s first triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Verses 25-26:25: Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech

thee, send now prosperity. 26: Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we

have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.Matthew 21:9:

9: And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. [Hosanna means “Save us”]

The last time Jesus stood before his people in Jerusalem, he was rejected.

John 19:14-16:14: And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the

sixth hour: and he [Pilate] saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

15: But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16: Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

Psalm 118 anticipates the next time Jesus stands before his people. On that glorious occasion all Israel will worship him as their King, High Priest, and Messiah.

Psalm 118 is a musical dialogue between the King and his people. Drawing heavily on the structure suggested by The Believer’s Bible Commentary, I have set to the left the verses voiced by the soloist, the Lord Jesus. I have indented and itali-cized the verses voiced by the choir, his Bride.

70

Psalm 118:1-29:1: O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good:

... because his mercy endureth for ever. 2: Let Israel now say,

... that his mercy endureth for ever. 3: Let the house of Aaron now say,

... that his mercy endureth for ever. 4: Let them now that fear the LORD say,

... that his mercy endureth for ever. 5: I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered

me, and set me in a large place. 6: The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do

unto me? 7: The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore

shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8: It is better to trust in the LORD than to put

confidence in man. 9: It is better to trust in the LORD than to put

confidence in princes. 10: All nations compassed me about:

... but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11: They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: ... but in the name of the LORD I will destroy

them. 12: They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the

fire of thorns: ... for in the name of the LORD I will destroy

them. 13: Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall:

... but the LORD helped me. 14: The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salva-

tion. 15: The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the

righteous: ... the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

16: The right hand of the LORD is exalted: ... the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

17: I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 18: The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given

me over unto death.

71

19: Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:

20: This gate of the LORD, into which the righ-teous shall enter.

21: I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22: The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23: This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24: This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25: Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26: Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: ... we have blessed you out of the house of the

LORD. 27: God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light:

bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

28: Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

29: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Of course it is impossible to know exactly how these verses will be divided. But this structure is sufficient to give us a hint of the joyful sound we will hear that day.

A verse set in its proper context will always outshine one that has been isolated. A good example is Psalm 118:24. For a truth, there is reason to rejoice every day.

Philippians 4:4:4: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice

But when the Bible says, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it,” we are not read-ing about just any day. This is the day of the Lord’s coronation at the temple in Israel after the restoration of the Children of Israel and the defeat of the Antichrist. This is a day that has been anticipated since time began. I dare say it is an under-statement to say, “We will rejoice and be glad in it”!

This “royal” psalm concludes the first part of the Deuter-onomy book of Psalms.

72

THE DEUTERONOMY BOOK, PART TWO (119-145)

Although it was previously stated, I think it is good to once again show the structure of this section.

[A] The Word of Life (119)[B] Psalms of Deliverance (120-134)

[C] Psalms of Praise (135-136)[B] Psalms of Deliverance (137-139)

[C] Psalms of Praise (140-144)

Ps 119: The Word of LifeThe second part of Book Five begins with the longest chap-

ter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is probably the best known acrostic in the Bible. There are 22 stanzas from the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, each stanza containing 8 verses for a total of 176 verses.

Psalm 119: The Twenty-two AcrosticsStanza Acrostic Verses Stanza Acrostic Verses

1 Aleph 1-8 12 Lamed 89-96

2 Beth 9-16 13 Mem 97-104

3 Gimel 17-24 14 Nun 105-112

4 Daleth 25-32 15 Samech 113-120

5 He 33-40 16 Ain 121-128

6 Vau 41-48 17 Pe 129-136

7 Zain 49-56 18 Tzaddi 137-144

8 Cheth 57-63 19 Koph 145-152

9 Teth 65-72 20 Resh 153-160

10 Jod* 73-80 21 Schin 161-168

11 Caph 81-88 22 Tau 169-176

This superb collection ends with a great confession to help us remember our constant need to depend on the Lord.

Psalm 119:176:176: I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I

do not forget thy commandments.

73

Fifteen Psalms of Deliverance (120-135) (The Songs of Degrees)

Each of the next fifteen psalms has the special designa-tion of being called “a song of degrees.” Degrees are ascents, the act of moving upward. Some scholars say these are songs of ascending to Jerusalem from Babylon after the captivity, others say songs of pilgrimage for the thrice-yearly journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts. A third theory suggests that these were songs sung by the priests as they ascended the fifteen steps to the Temple in Jerusalem. It is possible that all of these assertions are true. At any rate, they are songs of deliverance along the way.

The fifteen Songs of Degrees are set forth in five sets, each set comprised of three psalms. Each sets contains a song of distress, a song of trust in God, and a song of blessings and peace in Zion.

Psalms 120-122Distress 120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and

from a deceitful tongue.

Trust 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Peace in Zion 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Psalms 123-125Distress 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning

of those that are at ease, and with the con-tempt of the proud.

Trust 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Peace in Zion 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Psalms 126-128Distress 126:4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the

streams in the south.

Trust 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Peace in Zion 128:5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

74

Psalms 129-131Distress 129:1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my

youth, may Israel now say:

Trust 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Peace in Zion 131:3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Psalms 132-135Distress 132:1 LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:

Trust 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Peace in Zion 134:4 The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Two Similar Psalms of Praise (135-136)

Psalm 136 is an extended version of Psalm 135. Both con-tain a call to praise, a cause for praise, and a conclusion. Psalm 136 adds the refrain “for his mercy endureth for ever” to every line. In Psalm 136, all the key points of 135 are enlarged.

Three Psalms of Deliverance (137-139)

Psalms 137 to 139 celebrate three forms of deliverance. Two from troubles without and one from troubles within.

Ps 137: Deliverance from Babylonian CaptivityThis is probably the most recently written of the 150

psalms, penned during the Babylonian captivity. Verses 8 and 9 are rather shocking to our modern sensibilities.

Psalm 137:1, 8-9: 1: By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept,

when we remembered Zion. 8: O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy

shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.9: Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones

of Babylon against the stones.

Ps 138: Deliverance from Trouble This psalm contains a marvelous ode to God’s Word.

Psalm 138:2:2: I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy

name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

75

Where else but in the Word of God can we learn such won-drous things? Here is rich assurance to the spiritual pilgrim.

Verse 7:7: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive

me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

Ps 139: Deliverance from Self-LoathingThe Nelson Bible calls this “one of the grandest psalms in

all [the collection of psalms].” It is one of the richest theologi-cally. It combines an exposition of the greatness of God’s char-acter with the reality of the human experience. As seen in the chart below, here are four great truths to finding peace with God:

Psalm 139: Finding Peace with GodYou KNOW me (1-6)

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

You are WITH me (7-12)

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

You CREATED me (13-18)

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Your CAUSE is my cause (19-24)

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

Six Psalms of Prayer and Praise (140-145)

The second part of the Deuteronomy book of Psalms con-cludes with six prayerful psalms of David.

Ps 140: Prayer for Deliverance from the Evil ManWe should never underestimate the animosity of the wick-

ed towards Jesus and his followers. Consider the earnestness of this prayer: deliver me, preserve me, keep me.

Psalm 140:1, 4:1: Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me

from the violent man;4: Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

Ps 141: Prayer for One’s Own SteadfastnessThe writer of this psalm attained a level of spirituality that

few people have even aspired to. One reason he was so success-

76

ful is that he did not underestimate his greatest enemy – his own sinfulness. He feared disappointing God much more than he feared the sting of chastisement.

Psalm 141:3-5:3: Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of

my lips.4: Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked

works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties [delicacies].

5: Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

Ps 142: Prayer for Deliverance from PersecutionIf you can take only one lesson from the Psalms, I believe

it should be this: When you talk to God, don’t just tell him the things you think he wants to hear. A superficial prayer can only yield a superficial answer. “Real” Christianity can only be achieved by real people. Quit posturing before God! He sees right through you, so pour out your complaint.

Psalm 142:2, 6-7:2: I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before

him my trouble.Verses 6-7:

6: Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

7: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Ps 143: Prayer for GuidanceThis is how we escape the wilderness and enter the Land

of Promise.

Psalm 143:10: 10: Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is

good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Ps 144: Prayer and ThanksgivingAs can be seen in the chart on the next page, the themes of

Psalm 144 are very similar to Psalm 18.

77

Comparing Psalms 144 and 18Psalm 144 Psalm 18 (and Psalm 8*)

1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salva-tion, and my high tower.

3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

Psalm 8:4* What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

8-9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.

50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Ps 145: David’s Psalm of PraiseThe Deuteronomy book closes with “David’s Psalm of

Praise,” which is the one so named. This is another acrostic psalm, but there are only 21 verses. The Hebrew letter “nun” (which would follow verse 13) is missing. For what it is worth, both the Companion Bible and Believer’s Bible Commentary say that the “primitive text” inserts, “The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his works.” The Hebrew word “Ne’eman” is faithful.

In this psalm, praise is offered by the speaker himself (vs 1-3), by the generations of believers (vs. 4-9), and by his works and his saints (vs. 10-21). There are also given three reasons for praising God.

78

God is to be praised for his magnificent person:

Psalm 145:3:3: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his

greatness is unsearchable.God is to be praised for his marvelous works.

Verse 9: 9: The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over

all his works.God is to be praised for his everlasting kingdom.

Verse 13:13: Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy domin-

ion endureth throughout all generations.

Doxology to Deuteronomy Book of Psalms

Psalm 145:21: 21: My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all

flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

79

EPILOGUE

The Five Hallelujah Psalms(Psalms 146 to 150)

The magnificent book of Psalms closes with five Hallelujah psalms. From Psalm 146 to 150, each one begins and ends with “Praise the Lord.”

Many Bible commentaries attach these psalms to the end of the Deuteronomy book. I find it more appropriate to separate them to themselves. Why? Each of these five psalms recalls a book of Moses and the corresponding book of Psalms.

You may decide I am commandeering these psalms to reach my desired end. But I would ask that you remember the adage of not seeing the forest for the trees. What I now present is not printed in black and white, but it is implied. So, for what it is worth...

Psalm 146 corresponds with Book 1, the GENESIS book.

Psalm 146:4-5:5: Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose

hope is in the LORD his God:6: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that

therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:God’s pledge to Jacob is found in Genesis 28.

Genesis 28:15: 15: And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all

places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Psalm 147 corresponds with Book 2, the EXODUS book.

Psalm 147:20:20: He hath not dealt so much with any nation: and as for his

judgments, they have not known them.As Psalm 103:7 says, “God made known his ways unto Mo-

ses, his acts unto the children of Israel.”

Exodus 20:22: 22: And the Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto

the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

80

Psalm 148 corresponds with Book 3, the LEVITICUS book.

Psalm 148:14:14: He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all

his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

The Leviticus book is the book of the sanctuary. It is in the sanctuary that God draws his people near to him.

Leviticus 10:3: 3: Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD

spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Psalm 149 corresponds with Book 4, the NUMBERS book.

Psalm 149:6-8:6: Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a

twoedged sword in their hand; 7: To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments

upon the people; 8: To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fet-

ters of iron;The book of Numbers concerns Israel in relation to the oth-

er nations that inhabited the Promised Land.

Numbers 24:8: 8: God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were

the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.Numbers 24:19:

19: Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Psalm 150 corresponds with Book 5, the DEUTERONOMY book.

Psalm 150:2 2: Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his

excellent greatness.And Deuteronomy records the great things God did for

man to bring him out of the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 3:24: 24: O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy

greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

81

The first five books of Moses take us on a glorious journey from the creation to the Promised Land. In Genesis we see the enmity that is both caused and resolved by God’s Son. In Exo-dus we see a people redeemed through the blood of the Lamb of God. In Leviticus we see our entrance into his sanctuary. In the Numbers book we see our choice to wander the wilderness or enter into his rest by faith. In Deuteronomy we see that it is only through his Word that we truly live.

The five books of Psalms echo those truths in poetic verse. Yes, it is a shame that the melodies associated with these songs have been long lost. But that is not to say they have been forgotten in heaven, and by God’s grace you and I just might have the chance to sing them again.

I hope you have enjoyed this trek through the Psalms, and that it has enhanced your appreciation of this great book. What more fitting way to end than with the last verse in the Psalms?

Psalm 150:6:6: Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise

ye the LORD.

82

The Temporal Sanctuary in Israel(73-83)

The Eternal Sanctuary in Glory(84-89)

Doxology: 89:52

BOOK 3: LEVITICUS (73-89) • THE SANCTUARY

Israel’s Need for Redemption (42-49)

Israel’s Redeemer(50-60)

Israel’s Redemption(61-72)

Doxology: 72:18-19

BOOK 2: EXODUS (42-72) • ISRAEL AS A NATION

Man and the Son of Man (1-8)

The Man of the Earth (9-15)

The Man, Christ Jesus (16-41)

BOOK 1: GENESIS (1-41) • MAN

Doxology: 41:13

Rest for the Earth, Desired(91-94)

Rest for the Earth,Anticipated

(95-100)

Rest for the Earth,Celebrated(101-105)

Doxology: 106:48

BOOK 4: NUMBERS (90-106) • ISRAEL & THE NATIONS

Prologue: Rest for the Earth, Lost and Needed (90)

Epilogue: Rest for the Earth, Lost and Needed (106)

Doxology: 145:32

The Word that Delivers107-118

The Word of Life119-145

BOOK 5: DEUTERONOMY (107-145) • GOD AND HIS WORD

FIVE HALLELUJAH PSALMS (146-150)

Mapping the Psalms