The Book of Psalms. The Book of Psalms, or Psalter, is a collection of religious songs, traditionally listed as 150…
The present collection is divided into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five Books of the Pentateuch…
In form and subject matter the psalms are most varied. Some were composed for liturgical use in the temple; others, for private reading. In some psalms the singer is an individual; in others, the community. One of the most common types is that of supplication to God for His help in various spiritual and temporal needs. But hymns of thanksgiving and of praise are also numerous. Less frequent are poems written primarily to discuss some problem or to teach some lesson…
About half the psalms are attributed in these “titles” to David…
BOLD are direct from The Bible, my family bible; other words are my thoughts, interpretations, and perspectives…
We all want peace and quiet, don’t we? To be in control of all situations and victim of no situation. To be with the Lord as closely as we can be in this life and inseparable in Eternal Life. Is that possible, is it reasonable to expect given the world we live in today?
Here are three psalms/prayers against oppressors, evil tongues, and persecutors… yet contentment in the presence of the Lord comes from the inside-out; how one lives one’s life and ultimately how one’s life is judged by God.
In Psalm 14–The Guest of God—King David asks some very important questions—who indeed will be with God and God with them? Who will be content and not disturbed?
He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue; who harms not his fellow man, not takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord; who, though it be to his loss, changes not his pledged word; who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be disturbed.
In Psalm 15–God the Supreme Good—we know there is no good separate from God.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you. Apart from you I have no good.
O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. For me the measuring lines have fallen on pleasant sites; fair to me indeed is my inheritance.
I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence…
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights of your right hand forever.
David prays… but I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
Apart from God I know there will be no good… and now I know how to never be disturbed by this world we live in…
Bible Notes:
The Book of Psalms. The Book of Psalms, or Psalter, is a collection of religious songs, traditionally listed as 150…
The present collection is divided into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five Books of the Pentateuch…
In form and subject matter the psalms are most varied. Some were composed for liturgical use in the temple; others, for private reading. In some psalms the singer is an individual; in others, the community. One of the most common types is that of supplication to God for His help in various spiritual and temporal needs. But hymns of thanksgiving and of praise are also numerous. Less frequent are poems written primarily to discuss some problem or to teach some lesson…
About half the psalms are attributed in these “titles” to David…
Psalm 9B: Prayer for Help against Oppressors
Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted, who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived. For the wicked man glories in his greed… The wicked man boasts, “He (God) will not avenge it;” “There is no God,” sums up his thoughts. His ways are secure at all times; your judgments are far from his mind… He says in his heart, “I shall not be disturbed; from age to age I shall be without misfortune”… he catches the afflicted and drags them off in his net… He says in his heart, “God had forgotten;; he hides his face, he never sees.”
You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow, taking them in your hands… Break the strength of the wicked and of the evildoer; punish their wickedness; let them not survive.
Psalm 10: Unshaken Confidence in God (For the leader, of David.)
In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee to the mountain like a bird!”
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. Hus eyes behold, his searching glance is on mankind. The Lord searches the just and the wicked; the lover of violence he hates. He rains upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone; a burning blast is their allotted cup. For the Lord is just and he loves just deeds; the upright shall see his face.
Psalm 11: Prayer against Evil Tongues (For the leader, “upon the eighth.” A Psalm of David.)
Help, O Lord! For no one is dutiful; faithfulness has vanished from among men. Everyone speaks falsehood to his neighbor; with smooth lips they speak, and double heart. May the Lord destroy all smooth lips, every boastful tongue…
“I will grant safety to him who longs for it…” The promises of the Lord are sure… You, O’Lord, will keep us and preserve us always from this generation.
Psalm 12: Prayer of One in Sorrow (For the leader. A Psalm of David.)
How long shall I harbor sorrow in my soul, grief in my heart day after day?
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death… Let my heart rejoice in your salvation; let me sing of the Lord, “He has been good to me.”
Psalm 13: A Lament over Widespread Corruption (For the leader. Of David.)
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be one who is wise and seeks God.
They have not called upon the Lord; then they shall be in great fear, for God is with the just generation.
Oh that out of Sion would come the salvation of Israel! When the Lord restores the well-being of his people, then shall Jacob exult and Israel be glad.
Psalm 14: The Guest of God (For the leader. Of David.)
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy mountain?
Sojourn—to stay for a time in a place; live temporarily—a temporary stay.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue; who harms not his fellow man, not takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord; who, though it be to his loss, changes not his pledged word; who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Reproach—to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure—to upbraid–to be a cause of blame or discredit to.
Reprobate—a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person—a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.
Usury—the lending or practice of lending money at an exorbitant interest.
He who does these things shall never be disturbed.
Psalm 15: God the Supreme Good (A Miktam of David.)
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you. Apart from you I have no good.
They multiple their sorrows who court other gods.
O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. For me the measuring lines have fallen on pleasant sites; fair to me indeed is my inheritance.
I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices my body, too, abides in confidence…
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights of your right hand forever.
Psalm 16: Prayer against Persecutors (A Prayer of David.)
From you let my judgment come; your eyes behold what is right. Though you test my heart, searching it in the night, though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me. My mouth has not transgressed after the manner of man; according to the words of your lips I have kept the ways of the law. My steps have been steadfast in your paths, my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O Lord; incline your ear to me; hear my word. Show your wondrous kindness, O Savior of those who flee from their foes to refuge at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who use violence against me.
Rise, O Lord, confront them and cast them down; rescue me by your sword from the wicked, by your hand, O Lord, from mortal men: From mortal men whose portion in life is in this world, where with your treasures you fill their bellies. Their sons are enriched and bequeath their abundance to their little ones. But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
Speak Your Mind