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).
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Psalms 1: Two Ways Contrasted
The Righteous
v. 1-2 God’s law
v. 3-4 Stable like a tree
v. 5-6 Rewarded /
Prospering / Known
3
The Wicked
Man’s counsel /way /seat
Unstable like chaff
Punished / Perishing
Cast out
Psalms 1: Two Ways Contrasted
Prosperity
Decision determines direction
Direction
Determines
Destiny
Perishing
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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).
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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. 119:1416, 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. 5:2223; Eph. 5:9; Col. 1:6, 10; Psa. 35:27; 3 Jn. 2).
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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).
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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).
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Psalms 2: A Royal Psalm
The King (earthly)*
David reigns in Jerusalem
Foreign nations rage and
rebel against Israel
Kings are anointed
A king is a son (2 Sam. 7:14)
Nations encouraged to
serve and submit to David
The King (heavenly)
Jesus reigns in heaven
Nations reject Jesus
Jesus is the “Christ”
Jesus is Son of God
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.
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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.
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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)
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Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44)
Psalm
2:2,6-9
6:8
8:2
8:4-6
16:8-11
12
Prophecy
Fulfillment
Messiah/King/Son Acts 4:25-26;
Acts 13:33;
Heb. 1:5; 5:5
Iniquity rebuked Mt. 7:23
Praised by a child Mt. 21:16
Son of Man with Heb. 2:6-8 (see
dominion
also 1 Cor. 15:27)
Resurrected
Acts 2:25-31;
13:35
Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44)
Psalm
22:1
22:7-8
22:16
22:18
34:20
35:11
35:19
40:7-8
13
Prophecy
Forsaken
Scorned/mocked
Pierced
Garments parted
No broken bones
Falsely accused
Hated without
cause
Do God’s will
Fulfillment
Mt. 27:46
Lk. 23:35
Jn. 20:25, 27
Jn. 19:24
Jn. 19:32-33, 36
Mk. 14:57
Jn. 15:25
Heb. 10:7
Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44)
Psalm
41:9
45:6
68:18
69:9
69:21
109:4
109:8
110:1
14
Prophecy
Betrayed - friend
Throne forever
Ascend to God
Zeal for God’s
house
Wine and gall
Pray for enemies
Office filled
Enemies subject
Fulfillment
Lk. 22:47
Heb. 1:8
Mk. 16:19
Jn. 2:17
Mt. 27:34
Lk. 23:34
Acts 1:20
Mt. 22:44
Jesus in the Psalms (Luke 24:44)
Psalm
110:4
118:22
118:26
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Prophecy
Priest like
Melchizedek
Chief cornerstone
Come in the
Lord’s name
Fulfillment
Heb. 5:6
Mt. 21:42
Mt. 21:9
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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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Music Notations
Psalm
3
4
4
Notation
Selah
Chief Musician
Neginoth
5
Nehiloth
6
7
8
Sheminith
Shiggaion
Gittith
Meaning **
pause
the chorus leader
on a stringed
instrument
with wind
instruments
the eighth
a rhythmic poem
instrument, tune
** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.
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Events in the Life of David
Psalm
3
7
18
34
51
52
54
21
Event
Fled / Absalom
Words of Cush
Delivered / Saul
Changed /
Abimelech
Nathan’s rebuke
Doeg the
Edomite
Ziphites
Ref. in Samuel
2 Sam. 15-18
1 Sam. 24:9
2 Sam. 22:1ff
1 Sam. 21:10ff
2 Sam. 12:1ff
1 Sam. 22:9
1 Sam. 23:19
Psalm 3: A Lament
Element
1. Lament (complaint, cry)
over adversaries, trouble
2. Reaffirmation of
complete trust in God
3. Memory of past
goodness or deliverance
4. Petition for divine help &
intervention
5. Doxology (statement of
praise)
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Example
Verses 1-2
Verses 3-6
Verse 7
Verse 7
Verse 8
Pray All the Time
Psalm 3
Psalm 4
Morning prayer of trust in
God
“I laid me down and slept;
I awakened; for Jehovah
sustains me” (verse 5)
Evening prayer of trust in
God
“In peace will I both lay me
down and sleep; For thou,
Jehovah, alone makes me
dwell in safety” (verse 8)
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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. 6:2327).
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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).
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Music Notations
Psalm
3
4
4
Notation
Selah
Chief Musician
Neginoth
5
Nehiloth
6
7
8
Sheminith
Shiggaion
Gittith
Meaning **
pause
the chorus leader
on a stringed
instrument
with wind
instruments
the eighth
a rhythmic poem
instrument, tune
** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.
29
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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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Music Notations
Psalm
3
4
4
Notation
Selah
Chief Musician
Neginoth
5
Nehiloth
6
7
8
Sheminith
Shiggaion
Gittith
Meaning **
pause
the chorus leader
on a stringed
instrument
with wind
instruments
the eighth
a rhythmic poem
instrument, tune
** The exact meaning of many of these notations is uncertain.
35
Psalm 5: A Lament
Element
1. Lament (complaint, cry)
over adversaries, trouble
2. Reaffirmation of
complete trust in God
3. Memory of past
goodness or deliverance
4. Petition for divine help &
intervention
5. Doxology (statement of
praise)
36
Example
Verses 1-3
Verses 7-8
Verses 4-6
Verses 9-10
Verses 11-12
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.
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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.
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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. 6:1619; 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).
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Psalm 1-5: Summary
Psalm
1: Righteous and
wicked contrasted
2:The reign of
Jehovah’s anointed
3: Morning prayer
of trust in God
4: Evening prayer
of trust in God
5: Judgment upon
the wicked
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Key Verse(s)
1:6
Classification
Didactic
2:2
Messianic
3:5
Lament / Trust
4:8
Lament / Trust
5:10
Lament /
Imprecatory