A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book “ David … the sweet psalmist of Israel” 2 Samuel 23:1

Psalm 1 Title: The Righteous and Wicked Contrasted Author and Date: Unknown. Key Verse: Psalm 1:6 Outline A. The way of the righteous: prospering (verses 1-3). B. The way of the wicked: perishing (verse 4). C. The destiny of both (verses 5-6). 2

Psalms 1: Two Ways Contrasted The RighteousThe Wicked v. 1-2 God’s lawMan’s counsel /way /seat v. 3-4 Stable like a treeUnstable like chaff v. 5-6 Rewarded / Prospering / Known Punished / Perishing Cast out 3

Psalms 1: Two Ways Contrasted 4 Decision determines direction Righteous Prosperity Perishing Wicked Direction Determines Destiny

Psalm 1: Applications for Today 1. True happiness (“blessed”) and delight in life is found in avoiding sin and following God’s law (verses 1-2, Mt. 5:3-12; Jn. 13:17; Rom. 4:8; Jas. 1:12; Rev. 14:13; 22:14). 2. It takes knowledge and discernment to avoid the sinner’s way (verse 1, Heb. 5:14). 3. The righteous are not to have fellowship with the words and ways of the wicked (verse 1, Prov. 1:10; 1 Cor. 5:13; Eph. 5:11; Jas. 4:4; 1 Pet. 4:3-4). 5

Psalm 1: Applications for Today 4. Sin is often progressive and takes the downward path to ruin (verse 1, Josh. 7:21; 2 Sam. 11:2-4; Jas. 1:14-15). 5. We must do more than just hear or read God’s law. We must “delight” in it and we must “meditate” (ponder, reflect) on it (verse 2, Josh. 1:8; Psa. 119:14- 16, 23-24, 27, 47-48, 77-78, 143, 148; Rom. 7:22; 1 Tim. 4:15; 1 Jn. 5:3). 6. The righteous will bear “fruit” and “prosper” according to God’s will (verse 3, Jn. 15:2-4; Gal. 5:22- 23; Eph. 5:9; Col. 1:6, 10; Psa. 35:27; 3 Jn. 2). 6

Psalm 1: Applications for Today 7. The wicked are separated from the righteous through God’s judgment (verses 4-5, Mt. 3:12; 13:43, 49; 25:32, 41, 46; 1 Pet. 3:12; Jude 15). 8. There are only two ways to travel in life: the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked (verse 6, Psa. 146:9; Prov. 15:9; Mt. 7:13-14). 9. The Lord knows those righteous who belong to him and will reward them (verse 6, Jn. 10:14, 27; 2 Tim. 2:19). But, the Lord will ultimately punish the wicked and they will perish (verse 6, 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15; 2 Thess. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:12; 3:6, 9). 7

Psalm 2 Title: The Reign of Jehovah’s Anointed Author and Date: David (see Acts 4:25) Key Verse: Psalm 2:2 Outline A. The actions of the nations: raging rebellion (verses 1-3). B. The actions of Jehovah: royal ruling (verses 4-6). C. The instructions to the anointed one: sovereign Sonship (verses 7-9). D. The instructions to the nations: submissive service (verses 10-12). B. C. D. 8

Psalms 2: A Royal Psalm The King (earthly)*The King (heavenly) David reigns in JerusalemJesus reigns in heaven Foreign nations rage and rebel against Israel Nations reject Jesus Kings are anointedJesus is the “Christ” A king is a son (2 Sam. 7:14) Jesus is Son of God Nations encouraged to serve and submit to David Nations encouraged to serve and submit to Jesus * Liberal scholars apply this “royal psalm” to David only, an earthly king; they do not believe it has any application to Jesus Christ. 9

Psalms 2: Jehovah’s Anointed Three Messianic Descriptions of Jesus 2:2 - Jehovah’s Anointed (Messiah, Christ): Mt. 1:1,18; Mk. 1:1; Jn. 1:17, 41; etc. 2:6 - Jehovah’s King: Mt. 2:1-2; 27:11, 37; Acts 17:7; Rev. 1:5; 11:15; 17:14 2:7 - Jehovah’s Son: Mk. 1:1; Lk. 1:35; 3:38; Jn. 1:49; etc. 10

Two Kinds of Messianic Prophecy Psalm Single fulfillment: the whole psalm (or a part) has reference to Jesus only (Psa. 2, 110) Double fulfillment: the psalm has a primary reference to the psalmist and his day, and a prophetic reference to Jesus (Psa. 22) 11

Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44) PsalmProphecyFulfillment 2:2,6-9Messiah/King/SonActs 4:25-26; Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5 6:8Iniquity rebukedMt. 7:23 8:2Praised by a childMt. 21:16 8:4-6Son of Man with dominion Heb. 2:6-8 (see also 1 Cor. 15:27) 16:8-11ResurrectedActs 2:25-31; 13:35 12

Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44) PsalmProphecyFulfillment 22:1ForsakenMt. 27:46 22:7-8Scorned/mockedLk. 23:35 22:16PiercedJn. 20:25, 27 22:18Garments partedJn. 19:24 34:20No broken bonesJn. 19:32-33, 36 35:11Falsely accusedMk. 14:57 35:19Hated without cause Jn. 15:25 40:7-8Do God’s willHeb. 10:7 13

Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44) PsalmProphecyFulfillment 41:9Betrayed - friendLk. 22:47 45:6Throne foreverHeb. 1:8 68:18Ascend to GodMk. 16:19 69:9Zeal for God’s house Jn. 2:17 69:21Wine and gallMt. 27:34 109:4Pray for enemiesLk. 23:34 109:8Office filledActs 1:20 110:1Enemies subjectMt. 22:44 14

Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44) PsalmProphecyFulfillment 110:4Priest like Melchizedek Heb. 5:6 118:22Chief corner- stone Mt. 21:42 118:26Come in the Lord’s name Mt. 21:9 15

Psalm 2: Applications for Today 1. The godly “meditate” on God’s law (Psa. 1:2), while the ungodly “meditate” on how they can rebel against God (verse 1). What do you meditate on (Phil. 4:8)? 2. When the world today rages and rebels against Jesus; don’t be discouraged, be bold and turn to the Lord in prayer like the early church did (verses 1-2; Acts 4:23-31). 3. Many people still rage and rebel against God and his Son; they don’t want to be under God’s authority or obey the gospel (verses 1-3; Acts 16:22; 17:5-6; 19:28ff; 2 Thess. 1:8-9). 16

Psalm 2: Applications for Today 4. The raging and rebelling of mankind against God is futile and brings one to ruin (verses 4-5; Psa. 37:12-13; 59:8ff). 5. Jesus is not just a man, he is the one and only supreme ultimate ruler. Jesus is Jehovah’s anointed, Jehovah’s king, and Jehovah’s son (verses 6-9; Mt. 1:1, 18; 2:2; Mk. 1:1). 6. Jesus’ kingship and his gospel extend over all the earth (verse 8, Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 17:14). 17

Psalm 2: Applications for Today 7. True freedom comes by serving the Lord and submitting to him, not be by raging and rebelling against him (verses 10-12; Gal. 5:1, 13; Heb. 12:28-29; 1 Pet. 2:16). 8. Psalm 2 ends the way Psalm 1 begins. All who obey the Lord are truly “blessed” or happy (verse 12, Rev. 22:14). 18

Psalm 3 Title: A Morning Prayer of Trust in God Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 3:5 Outline A. The plight of the psalmist: the adversary is against me (verse 1-2). B. The peace of the psalmist: the Lord is for me (verse 3-6). C. The petition of the psalmist (verse 7-8). 19

Music Notations PsalmNotationMeaning ** 3Selahpause 4Chief Musicianthe chorus leader 4Neginothon a stringed instrument 5Nehilothwith wind instruments 6Sheminiththe eighth 7Shiggaiona rhythmic poem 8Gittithinstrument, tune 20 ** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.

Events in the Life of David PsalmEventRef. in Samuel 3Fled / Absalom2 Sam Words of Cush1 Sam. 24:9 18Delivered / Saul2 Sam. 22:1ff 34Changed / Abimelech 1 Sam. 21:10ff 51Nathan’s rebuke2 Sam. 12:1ff 52Doeg the Edomite 1 Sam. 22:9 54Ziphites1 Sam. 23:19 21

Psalm 3: A Lament ElementExample 1. Lament (complaint, cry) over adversaries, trouble Verses Reaffirmation of complete trust in God Verses Memory of past goodness or deliverance Verse 7 4. Petition for divine help & intervention Verse 7 5. Doxology (statement of praise) Verse 8 22

Pray All the Time Psalm 3Psalm 4 Morning prayer of trust in God Evening prayer of trust in God “I laid me down and slept; I awakened; for Jehovah sustains me” (verse 5) “In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For thou, Jehovah, alone makes me dwell in safety” (verse 8) 23

Psalm 3: Applications for Today 1. God’s people will have adversaries (verse 1-2; 1 Cor. 16:9; Phil. 1:28; Heb. 10:27). 2. There were “many” adversaries against the psalmist, but he had God on his side. One with God is always a majority (verses 1-2; 1 Jn. 4:4). 3. A tactic of the adversary is to discourage us and cause us to lose faith in God (verse 2, Mt. 27:42-43). 24

Psalm 3: Applications for Today 4. In reality, it is man, not God, who does not help (verse 2, Psa. 146:3). 5. The righteous should have confidence that God will shield them, sustain them, and save them in time of trouble (verses 3-7; Rom. 8:31-39). 6. When our adversaries get us down, the Lord lifts us up and keeps us going (verse 3; Psa. 9:13). 25

Psalm 3: Applications for Today 7. Make it a habit to pray all the time; the Lord answers the prayer of the righteous (verse 4; Mt. 7:7; Jas. 5:13; 1 Pet. 3:12; 1 Jn. 5:14). 8. Don’t stay awake worrying, go to sleep; the Lord will take care of it because he never sleeps (verse 5, Psa. 121). 9. When adversaries “rise up” against us, the Lord will “arise” to help us (verse 7, Psa. 7:6). 26

Psalm 3: Applications for Today 10. Salvation (victory) belongs to the Lord (verse 8, Rev. 7:10; 19:1). 11. Pray for yourself and then pray for others. It is good to ask God to bless others (verses 7-8, Num. 6:23- 27). 27

Psalm 4 Title: A Evening Prayer of Trust in God Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 4:8 Outline A. The petitions of the psalmist: he asked (verse 1). B. The instructions of the psalmist: he believed (verses 2-5). C. The blessings of the psalmist: he received (verses 6-8). 28

Music Notations PsalmNotationMeaning ** 3Selahpause 4Chief Musicianthe chorus leader 4Neginothon a stringed instrument 5Nehilothwith wind instruments 6Sheminiththe eighth 7Shiggaiona rhythmic poem 8Gittithinstrument, tune 29 ** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.

Psalm 4: Applications for Today 1. Go to God in prayer in times of distress (verse 1, Phil. 4:4-6; 1 Pet. 5:7) 2. God hears the prayers of the godly (verse 1and 3, Mt. 7:7-12; Jn. 15:16; 1 John 5:14). 3. God is the “God of my righteous” because he is righteous himself and he has a plan to make mankind righteous through faith in Jesus Christ (verse 1, Rom. 3:21-26; 1 Cor. 1:30). 30

Psalm 4: Applications for Today 4. You seek after what you love, so, what do you love? (verse 2, Mt. 6:19-20). 5. The godly are “set apart” unto the Lord (verse 3; 2 Tim. 2:19; Tit. 2:14). 6. The “sons of men” should turn away from sin and turn to the Lord in trust (verse 4-5; 1 Thess. 1:9-10). 31

Psalm 4: Applications for Today 7. Offer sacrifices to the Lord with trust (verse 5; Heb. 12:28; 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 4:19). 8. Some people are constant complainers and pessimists, saying: “Who will show us any good”? (verse 6, Phil. 2:14). 9. The godly will experience blessings from the Lord even in times of distress: gladness, peace, and safety (verses 7-8; Rom. 8:35-39; Phil. 4:4-7; 1 Pet. 1:8). 32

Psalm 4: Applications for Today 10. Pray before going to bed (verse 8, 1 Thess. 5:17-18). 11. How you lie down tonight will depend upon how you live today (verse 8; Prov. 3:21-24). 33

Psalm 5 Title: Prayer for Judgment Upon the Wicked Author and Date: David Key Verse: Psalm 5:10 Outline A. Hear me: the prayer of the psalmist (verses 1-3). B. Separate me: the righteous God of the psalmist (verse 4-7). C. Lead me: the worship of the psalmist (verse 8). D. Vindicate me: the indignation of the psalmist (verses 9-10). E. Defend me: the joy of the psalmist (verses 11-12). 34

Music Notations PsalmNotationMeaning ** 3Selahpause 4Chief Musicianthe chorus leader 4Neginothon a stringed instrument 5Nehilothwith wind instruments 6Sheminiththe eighth 7Shiggaiona rhythmic poem 8Gittithinstrument, tune 35 ** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.

Psalm 5: A Lament ElementExample 1. Lament (complaint, cry) over adversaries, trouble Verses Reaffirmation of complete trust in God Verses Memory of past goodness or deliverance Verses Petition for divine help & intervention Verses Doxology (statement of praise) Verses

The Imprecatory Psalms What Are Imprecatory Psalms? Some statements by the psalmist appear to be unreasonably harsh and mean-spirited. Why? Imprecatory (“to call down a curse”) psalms are cries for divine judgment/justice upon enemies; that God vindicate his own righteousness and punish evil-doers; that God take vengeance upon evil (Rom. 12:17-19) Imprecatory psalms are not expressions of personal vendetta, selfish retaliation, spitefulness, malice, etc. Examples: Psa. 5:10; 7:6;10:15; 17:13; 21:8-12; 28:3-5; etc. 37

Psalm 5: Applications for Today 1. Go to God in prayer in times of distress (verse 1, Phil. 4:4-6; 1 Pet. 3:12; 5:7). 2. Don’t start your day with sin, pride, selfishness, or scheming. Start the day off right by going to God in prayer in the morning before you do anything else (verse 3, Mk. 1:35). Watch and pray (verse 3, Mt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2). Morning prayer is to the day what the rudder is to the ship. 38

Psalm 5: Applications for Today 3. The Lord abhors the wicked and does not tolerate evil and we must do the same (verses 4-6; Prov. 6:16- 19; Mt. 7:23; 25:41; Rom. 12:9). Lies and deceit are sins of the tongue. When people lie about you, continue to trust in God (verse 6 and 9, Eph. 4:25; 1 Pet. 2:1-2). 4. We must come in fear (respect) when we come to worship the Lord (verse 7, Heb. 12:28). 39

Psalm 5: Applications for Today 5. When we are surrounded by wickedness, keep praying and keep coming to worship (verses 1-3, 7, Heb. 10:24-25). Wicked people are deceitful and God will hold them accountable (verses 9-10, Rom. 3:9-20). 6. Rejoice in the Lord always because the Lord is your protector (verses 11-12, Phil. 4:4-6). 40

Psalm 1-5: Summary PsalmKey Verse(s)Classification 1: Righteous and wicked contrasted 1:6Didactic 2: The reign of Jehovah’s anointed 2:2Messianic 3: Morning prayer of trust in God 3:5Lament / Trust 4: Evening prayer of trust in God 4:8Lament / Trust 5: Judgment upon the wicked 5:10Lament / Imprecatory 41