The Blog

This psalm is listed in two literary genres—thanksgiving and imprecatory requests. It is also written in two parts. The first, David's presentation of the situation, and the second, God's response to it. Verses 1-3 If not read thoughtfully, verses 1-3 seem like David...

The notes in my Holman Christian Study Bible for Women explain chapters 9 and 10 of Psalms are united in the Septuagint and some Hebrew manuscripts. This seems logical as the opening verse continues the prayers found above instead of a new theme. The study notes also...

Psalm 8 is the first of the Thanksgiving psalms. A welcome breath of joy and praise after the previous songs of lament and penitence. Verse 1 David begins by calling upon the Lord using His name, Yahweh, the Hebrew name YHWH, meaning the Lord, the eternal,...

Psalm 7 is another song of lament, this time expressing frustration following the verbal attack of Cush the Benjamite. For many of David's psalms, we can cross reference the passage with other Bible passages to get background on the situation. However, the only time...

Psalm 6 is the first of seven psalms considered "penitential" and the third psalm in a row to begin with an imperative verb.* In this case, David is afraid for his life and pleads for mercy and healing. Verses 1-5 In the opening verses, David details his physical...

This is again a Davidic lament opening with a plea to God. As a musician, I love the direction given in the headings of these songs. Psalm 4 is to be sung with stringed instruments and Psalm 5 with flutes. These instructions remind us that the psalms were written in a...

This chapter is another psalm of lament written by David. The circumstances surrounding this writing are unclear from the passage itself, but it is clear that his character is being maligned—a situation we likely can all attest to experiencing. Verse 1 This psalm...

This is the first psalm with a known author. The heading tells us that David wrote this while fleeing from his son, Absalom. Imagine holding a newborn in your arms, raising him to be a man, and have him turn against you so violently that he seeks to kill you. I can't...

As the introduction to the book of Psalms continues, we see the scope of the writer widen. While Psalm 1 focused on the personal level, Psalm 2 takes a global approach. Verses 1-3 The psalmist begins with a question, Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in...

Psalm 1 and 2 can be considered a unit that introduce the five books of the psalter.* Psalm 1 is considered a wisdom psalm and contrasts the wise and wicked and how God views each of them. Verses 1-3 The psalmist begins this well known passage with an exclamation that...

Journaling? That current craze of drawing, stamping, coloring, and otherwise decorating the edges of your Bible? Not exactly.  In July I prayed about where God would have me spend my next several months in my devotions. God brought to mind the Psalms and the idea of...