The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By next August, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Introduction – The Psalms primarily function as a call to praise the Lord. The Psalms are personal and focus on the relationship with the Lord as one of immense sorrow and abundant joy. Living under God’s sovereign rule involves lifting up His name regardless of the season one may be walking through. Some argue that the 5 books of the Psalms are meant to mirror the 5 books of the Pentateuch. Regardless, the cannon of the Psalms is intentional and meant to be read as a revelation of God to us. In summary, Books 1&2 focus on King David’s life, Book 3 is the sorrow after David’s rule, Book 4 is a reflection and reminder that God will fulfill His promises with a new exodus, and Book 5 praises the salvation that is to come with the new king.
Book 1 (1-41) – The Psalms represent the word of God to us. They emphasize that the wise find their joy in the word of God. It discusses that meditation on the instruction of the word will grow you in wisdom. It also speaks that the wicked will perish and meditate on what is not of the Lord. Avoiding fellowship with the wicked leads to blessing just as refuge in God leads to blessing. One can also understand that what is written about the king will ultimately be fulfilled by the one who is fully and entirely delighted in the word of God that we now know to be Jesus. Ultimately, “those who submit to Yahweh’s lordship keep the Torah, and they also place themselves under the reign of the Lord’s anointed king.” Chapters 3-7 are David asking God for deliverance from opposition and calling upon Him to judge his enemies. Chapters 11-18 emphasize that God will vindicate and save the righteous. Chapter 15 introduces the idea of “who will be able to live in God’s presence and in his tabernacle?” It becomes clear that those who trust in the Lord will be vindicated. 19 celebrates God’s glory in both His law and His creation, and 20 & 21 speak about seeking refuge in God.
A shift occurs in 22 that alternates from focus on God forsaking David to a declaration of trust and confidence in Him. It becomes clear that this is a metaphor for the day that God will forsake Christ through the crucifixion but deliver Him through the resurrection so that universal blessing will be found in Him. 23 highlights that we can be confident in God in the midst of darkness. 24 recognizes the Lord as King of glory but makes it clear that only those with holy hands may enter in His hill, or holy place. Jesus is the only one that will enter with truly clean hands. 25 is a plea for forgiveness of David and Israel’s sins whereas 26 is a call for redemption and deliverance as a result of David and Israel’s obedience. 27 highlights the joy of being in the presence of God. 28 is a reminder that God will deliver the godly who are patient and judge the wicked. 29 is a prayer for strength and peace for Israel through a creation psalm about a storm. Most of Book 1’s Psalms focus on the call for God to deliver David and save Israel.
Ch. 30 discusses the dedication of the temple as a place to praise the Lord’s dwelling with Israel. 31 is a plea for David to commit his spirit to Yahweh as Jesus does at His death. 32 is a shout for joy while 33 focused on God’s sovereign reign and creation of the world. 34 is a reflection of the suffering David faced when running from Saul. 35 is an imprecatory psalm, or a psalm asking God to curse David’s enemies. From there, 36 & 37 contrast the righteous against the wicked while 38 helps to identify the people who will righteously inherit the holy land. Psalm 39 is a focus on the short amount of time we have on earth and hope for forgiveness for David’s time on earth. 40 and 41 again focus on a call for forgiveness with an emphasis on his own righteousness.
Book 2 (42-72) – Book 2 opens with psalms (42&43) about one who is separated from the temple and longing to be in the presence of God again. There is a hope communicated that God will in fact save His people. There is light in that Book 2 ends (72) with Solomon praying that the hope will be fulfilled by the royal son of David. 44 is a recollection of when God was their king and was victorious over their enemies. They call God to wake and save Israel. 45 is an answer that Israel will be delivered by a king of truth and meekness. 46 focuses on the city of God that will be everlasting. 47 emphasizes God as a victorious ruler of all the earth while 48 is a reminder that God is a “fortress.” To conclude the psalms from the son of Korah (42-49), we are reminded that the proud and wealthy are only temporary and the people of God will be restored.
50 reminds us that God as king will judge those who have forgotten Him. This idea is spelled out in 51 that discusses David’s fall into sin. 52 compares the wicked to Doeg who “practiced evil without regret.” 53 says those who act like God does not exist will be judged like those who are trying to destroy David (54). However, God will protect David’s well-being. 55 is David’s mourning over betrayal by his friends, and 56 discusses the Philistines attack against him. 57 is a reflection on his time eluding Saul, and 58 is a reflection of the evildoer’s sin. David responds in 59 by asking that God will deplete David’s enemies so that they will ultimately fall. 60 involves David asking Israel to be granted victory so that his rule as king may be preserved (61). David still believes that God alone is a safe refuge (62) and his only hope for deliverance (63). We are reminded that Israel’s God will destroy their enemies and uphold his kingly reign through David (64). 65-67 are more of a reflection of praise to God for hearing his prayer and asking that the universal blessing would be fulfilled by Israel. 68 is a procession to the temple where the ark that is a representation of God’s rule is installed. 69-71 are Psalms where David is in great distress and urgently begging for God to rescue him. As previously discussed, 72 is a messianic psalm that forecasts God’s promises fulfilled through the Davidic king.
Book 3 (73-89) – Books 1 & 2 have focused on deliverance of David and Israel whereas Book 3 seems to be lamentations as a result of Israel’s exile. Authors include Asaph (73-83), Korah (84-85; 87-88), David (86), and Ethan the Ezrahite (89). Chapter 73 begins to ignorantly envy the wicked’s prosperity. However, within the psalm he recognizes in the temple that ultimate glory is found only in relationship with God. 74 is a description of the tragic state of Israel and a call for the Lord to remain faithful to the covenant. 75 is a praise song that reminds them God will judge the wicked and redeem his people for he has a dwelling place in Zion (76). 77, however, goes back to a state of lament over the devastation of Israel. 78 is a review of Israel’s history of disobedience and God’s history of faithfulness. 79-80 reminds us that Israel is the flock and God is the shepherd and king over Israel. 82 spotlights the sin that is rampant in Israel. Finally, in 83 Asaph pleads for God to speak out against their enemies during the time of exile. 84 is a longing to be in God’s sanctuary at the temple during their exile. 85 is a remembrance that God has forgiven and restored in the past and an ask for Him to do it again. David’s Psalm (86) emphasizes the need for the Lord to have grace and favor over the anointed king with a plea for grace and salvation from distress. 87 focuses on God’s glory over the nations, but a hard-left turn happens in verse 88 where Israel is described as grieving and far from the Lord. 89 closes Book 3 with a reminder of the Lord’s covenant and questions whether or not the covenant has become nullified. Book 3 ends with a cry for God to act in accordance with the covenant.
Book 4 (90-106) – Book 4 focuses on God’s sovereign rule and promises to bless Israel with a new exodus. It opens with the only Psalm of Moses (90) that discusses the frailty of human life in contrast with the everlasting love and life of God. Chapter 91 reminds us that those who trust in the Lord will be protected as they have made God their dwelling place. 92 is a Sabbath song that celebrates that Israel will eventually return to their land, worship in the temple, and relish in the grace of God. Psalms 93-100 are known as the Royal psalms that focus on God’s kingship and sovereignty over all. 93 introduces the Lord’s reign with 94 reminding us that God is one of vengeance and justice for all. 95 calls His people to enter into His presence for He is worthy to be praised as creator, Lord, shepherd, and king. 96 praises God for being the one true Lord above all other gods. 97 summons Israel to worship God and a reminder that the new exodus is not limited to Israel alone (98). 99 reminds us that Yahweh is sovereign and should be worshiped as such. 100 is a song for the people to sing as they enter into the temple. These royal psalms are a response to the psalms of the exile.
David is reconsidering his calling in 101 and points forward to the perfect king that is to come. 102 is fear of annihilation by the psalmist’s enemies whereas 103 reminds us that the Lord’s kingdom is bigger than Israel alone. 104 is a nature psalms that worships Lord as creator and sustainer. Here the wisdom and creations themes merge together in the name of God. Book 4 closes with another history of Israel with 105 calling Israel to praise Yahweh for His faithfulness and 106 reminding Israel of their consistent disobedience to emphasize God’s perfect mercy. Once again, the book ends with a call for deliverance and saving from their enemies.
Book 5 (107-150) – Book 5 focuses on giving praise to the Lord and emphasizes the return from exile and gathering from every nation. 107 calls Israel to praise God for their redemption. 108 is a song of worship for God’s constant covenant love and answering of prayers. 109 recounts the enemies of David, asks for mercy on himself, and punishment for his oppressors. 110 reminds us that the offspring of David will rule over David and answer the petition from Chapter 109. 111 praises God for his redeeming work, particularly through the exodus, and reminds us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” 112 reminds Israel that those who keep God’s commands will be saved.
113-118 are the Hallel psalms and are intended to be sung the night of Passover. 113 blesses God’s name whereas 114 reminds us that God who delivered the people before (old exodus) will do so again. 115 reminds Israel that they worship the one true God who is worthy of ALL praise. 116 speaks of individual praise for God rescuing him from near death. Jesus likely found promise in the psalm when He sang it Passover eve with the disciples. 117 is a call for all nations to worship the Lord, and 118 is a praise for God’s continual love even with enemies trying to destroy him. 119 is a meditation on the joy of following God’s commands and asks that the psalmist would continue to be empowered to do so.
120-134 are all Psalms of the Ascents and focus on the pilgrimage to the temple to enter into the presence of the Lord. It emphasizes the reason for returning exiles is to hear the Torah and worship the Lord in His presence. They anticipate the end of redemptive history where the Lord only dwells with His people in a heavenly city. 120 is a lamentation of life apart from God and the temple. 121 reminds us that God is a protector for His people from evil. 122 is a reflection on the joy found in traveling to Jerusalem and the Lord’s house. 123 emphasizes that there is still hostility to be endured by the Israelites. 124 reminds Israel that God did show mercy over His people for if he hadn’t, then they would have been destroyed. 125 states that though Israel was exiled, the Lord is immovable and those who trust in Him will not be defeated. 126 reminds Israel that they longed for the day when they would be restored to Israel. 127 highlights that Israel cannot restore their own salvation, but by the Lord alone. 128 focuses on the joy and peace that are on those who are blessed by God. 129 reminds Israel that they have often been the subject of enemy attack, but God will ultimately defeat their enemies. 130 is a prayer for God to forgive Israel of their sins and mercifully restore the people. This hope is metaphorically described in 131 as the relationship a weaned child has with its mother. Along the same lines, 132 discusses that the hope comes from the covenant David made with the Lord for eternal dynasty. 133 is a celebration of the unity that comes from God’s people, and 134 is a climax of God’s work that calls to “bless the Lord’s name.”
135-136 are continues calls to celebrate and praise the name of God for His love, mercy, and good work. 137 is a reflection on the sorrow when they were separated from God. 138 is a song of David that praises the Lord for protecting and rescuing David from his enemies. 139 is written from the voice of a psalmist that appears to be astonished at God’s power and reign. 140-143 are each David’s prayers to God asking for deliverance and mercy.144, another messianic psalm, highlights that humans are sinful and weak, and David’s power is of the Lord and is followed by a great praise. 145 reminds us that Yahweh is to be praised for his goodness, power, and mighty works. Books 1-4 each end with praise, likewise, Psalms ends Book 5 with 5 chapters of praise. In 146, God is praised for helping the weak and never-ending rule. 147 praises God for building up the city of Jerusalem. 148 praises God for all His works of creation. 149 reminds Israel to praise God joyfully, and 150 ends with a call for ALL of creation to praise God’s name.
Conclusion – Books 1 & 2 focus on David’s reign, Book 3 tackles Israel’s time in exile and questioning God’s promises, and Book 4 & 5 answer that questions with reminders that God will fulfill His covenant and is worthy to be praised. God’s kingdom will come to bless the world. God reigns over all, and all will have the opportunity to experience His presence as king.
Themes: God is a promise keeper. Those who delight in the law will be made wise. We are to praise God in the middle of immense sorrow and unimaginable joy. There is no greater joy than being in the presence of God. Israel is God’s flock. Praise is the joyful response to God’s saving love.