Psalms

The plowers plowed upon my back; They lengthened their furrows (Psalm 129:3, NASB1995). The image used in Psalm 129 to illustrate suffering is plowing. Many of us know little of farming techniques, but the agrarian society of Israel at the time of Psalm 129 would understand two things about plowing: it disturbed the soil so […]

O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent (Psalm 140:1, NLT). I call Psalm 140 the “what to do with difficult co-workers” psalm. It also helps with frustrating people at school and family reunions!   In Psalm 140, David (already secretly anointed as king) serves King Saul’s household as a musician,

I’ve read Psalm 23 a thousand times. It’s my “go to” chapter when conducting a memorial service, and a stalwart of my personal devotions when I’m stressed.   This Psalm, written by King David 3000 years ago, has been known as the most popular chapter in the ancient Scriptures read by the Jews, and since the

The plowers plowed upon my back, they lengthened their furrows (Psalm 129:3, NASB). One translator rendered the above verse, “When your enemies treat you like dirt and walk all over you.” We’ve all felt walked on and demeaned by others. When this abuse happens unjustly, Psalm 129 teaches us to Accept it, Benefit from it,

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! (Psalm 115:1, ESV) The Hebrew word for “glory” is “Kabowd” (don’t try to pronounce), and it means “weight.” Not in the sense of weighing objects but what we give emphasis to, what

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! (Psalm 96:1, ESV) Reading this psalm, I always sense an inherent meaning: even though my singing is more akin to fingernails on a chalkboard than Phil Wickham, when I find a new song in my heart to sing, that song saves me from

The author of this psalm has been left behind. Note that Psalm 120 has the title Song of Ascents, which were psalms sung by pilgrims traveling to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. But in verse 5 we read … Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! (ESV)  Let’s

Which psalm is quoted the most in the New Testament — Psalm 1, Psalm 23, Psalm 90, Psalm 110, or Psalm 119? It’s Psalm 110, quoted at least 30 times in the New Testament — quite an honor for only seven verses. Psalm 110 is the Let’s Talk About Jesus psalm! Verse 1 is quoted

Psalm 90 is written for those who have made a big mistake, perhaps the worst decision of their lives. How do they go forward? Is there a future? For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light