Psalms

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

Have you ever cried out, “Lord, help!” If you have, Psalm 107 has the answer — and, please — remember this psalm as we will all at some point plead, “Lord, help!” There are five “help-needed” situations described in Psalm 107: Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died (vv.

Psalm 87 is the Zion Psalm … On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob (vv. 1-2, ESV). This psalm has a three-layered meaning: Zion as a literal city during the time the psalm was written; Zion as an eternal city illustrative of

O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins (Psalm 79:1, ESV). The Psalms encompass the gamut of human emotions: joy, victory, frustration, anger, sorrow, vengeance, love, forgiveness, defeat, praise, and complaint. There is a psalm for any experience. In Psalm 79, with the defeat and destruction