A Sling and a Stone

The law of the Lord is perfect, for reviving the soul. 

The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 

The precepts of the Lord are right… giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.    – Psalm 19:7-8

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LINK To First Post

PSALM 90  A Psalm of Moses.

God’s Majesty   .   Prayer and Praise  .   Learning God’s Ways  

Coping In Times of Pressure    .    His All-embracing Care   .    His Word at Work 

Time and Eternity

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To study the Psalms is a great way to learn Old Testament  history and events—there is a wealth of blessing that resonates in the soul for the one who meditates on God’s Word.    The Psalms provoke our heart to find the deepest and most abiding truths of God.The Psalms were set to accompany stringed instruments and served as a “temple hymnbook” and devotionals for the Jewish people.  They were gradually collected over time and unnamed. It is a collection of works from many generations over a thousand years. It became to be known as  Sepher Tehillim—Book of Praises.  Every psalm contains some note of praise to God.   .

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Half of the psalms are designated as Davidic, 2—9; 11—32; 34—41; 51—65; 68—70; 86; 95; 101; 103, 108—111; 122; 124; 131; 133; and 138—145.  David (the beloved of Yahweh) had experience as a shepherd boy, musician, warrior, and king as reflected in the psalms.

Twelve were written by Asaph (a Collector of Psalms), who was a priest and headed the temple worship of music (50; 73—83; Ezra 2 verse 41).   Ten were written by the son’s of Korah, a guild of singers and composers (42; -49; 84; 85; 87;  Numbers 26 verses 9-11).  Two were by Solomon (whose name means Peaceful) and Israel’s most powerful king (72 and 127);  Psalm 90 was attributed to Moses (meaning Son of the Water), who was a prince, herdsman, and deliverer.  Also one by Herman (meaning Faithful) and Ethan (meaning Enduring) who were wise men (Psalm 88, 89) (1 Kings 4 verse 31; 1 Chronicles 15 verse 19).  The remaining 50 psalms are anonymous, but have been traditionally attributed to Ezra.

The psalms cover the time span from Moses (c.1410 BC) to the post exilec community under Ezra and Nehemiah (430 BC).  They were written under many different conditions. They reflect a multitude of moods; topics such as jubilation, war, peace, worship, judgment, messianic prophesy, praise, and lament.  The  5 “Books” were compiled over several centuries.  Earlier psalms, as each were written, were used in temple worship. King David was known for gathering with his people for temple worship to pray to their mighty Deliverer and using his own “Songs” as praises to Yahweh.

It is not always easy to interpret the psalms with each historical event.  They should be interpreted in its historical light, but it is not always obvious.  Many psalms anticipate Israel’s Messiah and are fulfilled in Christ.  Some specific prophesies include:

Prophesy (Psalm)                                                         Fulfillment (Scripture)

2:7  God will declare Him to be his Son…………… Matthew 3:17

8:6        All things will be put under his feet……… Hebrews 2:8

16:10    He will be resurrected from the dead….… Mark 16:6,7

22:1      Forsaken in his hour of need………………..  Matthew 27:46

22:7-8   He will be scorned and mocked……………  Luke 23:35

22:16    His hands and feet will be pierced…………  John 20:25, 27

22:18    Others will gamble for his clothes………….. Matthew 27:35,36

34:20    Not one of his bones will be broken……….  John 19:32,33, 36

 35:11    He will be accused by false witness……….. Mark 14:57

35:19    He will be hated without cause……………… John 15:25

40:7,8   He will come to do God’s will………………… Hebrews 10:7

41:19    He will be betrayed by a friend………………. Luke 22:47

45:6      His will be forever…………………………………. Hebrews 1:8

68:18    He will ascend to God’s right hand………….. Mark 16:19

69:9     Zeal for God’s house will consume him……. John 2:17

69:21    Given vinegar and gall to drink……………… Matthew 27:34

109:4    He will pray for his enemies………………….. Hebrews 5:6

109:8    His betrayer’s office fulfilled by another… Matthew 21:42

110:1    His enemies made subject to him…………… Matthew 22:44

110:4    He will be a priest like Melchizedek……….. Hebrews 5:6

118:22  He will be the chief cornerstone……………. Matthew 21:42

118:26  He will come in the name of the Lord….…. Matthew 21:9

The Messianic Psalms

The Messianic Psalms, though written hundreds of years before Christ, contain many prophetic references to Him.  Some references that point to David also relate to the coming King in David’s family line—Jesus Christ the Messiah.   Psalm 2  relates to Messiah’s kingship and kingdom;  Psalm  8, The sovereignty of the Son of Man; Psalm 16,  The resurrection from the dead; Psalm 17,  Christ the Intercessor;  Psalm 19,  Christ in Creation and Revelation;  Psalm 20,  Christ and His salvation;  Psalm 21,  Christ’s kingly glory anticipated;  Psalm 22 Christ’s suffering and coming glory;  Psalm 45,  The Royal Bride and Eternal Throne;  Psalm 69,  Christ’s Suffering;  Psalm 72, Glory and Eternity of Christ’s reign;  Psalm 89,  Messiah’s throne being endless; Psalm 110, Eternal King and Priest;  Psalm 118, Rejection of Messiah’s by His nation and leaders;  Psalm 132, The Eternal inheritance of David’s throne.

Psalm 150 is the crescendo of universal praise. It is a choral symphony of praise of every creature having life and breath, the whole creation joining in praise to the Creator.  For God alone is worthy—let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!

Psalms by Book

Book One  1 — 41

1. Two Ways of Life Contrasted
2. The Lord’s Anointed—Messiah’s Kingship and Kingdom
3. Victory in the Face of Defeat
4. Evening Prayer for Deliverance
5. Morning Prayer for Guidance
6. Prayer for God’s Mercy
7. Wickedness Justly Rewarded
8. God’s Glory in the Sovereignty of Human Dominion
9. Praise for Victory Over Enemies
10. Petition for God’s Judgment
11. God Tests the Sons of Men
12. The Pure Words of the Lord
13. The prayer for God’s Answer—Now
14. The Characteristics of the Godless
15. The Characteristics of the Godly
16. Eternal Life for One Who Trusts
17. “Hide Me Under the Shadow of Your Wings”
18. Thanksgiving for Deliverance by God
19. Christ in Creation and Revelation—Works and Words God
20. Trust Not in Chariots and Horses but in God
21. Triumph of the King—Christ’s Kingly Glory
22. Psalm of the Cross—Christ’s Suffering
23. Psalm of the Divine Shepherd
24. Psalm of the King of Glory
25. (Acrostic) Prayer for Instruction
26. “Examine Me, O Lord, and Prove Me”
27. Trust in the Lord and Be Not Afraid
28. Rejoice Because of Answered Prayer
29. The Powerful Voice of God
30. Praise for Dramatic Deliverance
31. “Be of Good Courage”
32. The Blessedness of Forgiveness
33. God Considers All Human Works
34. Seek the Lord
35. Petition for God’s Intervention
36. The excellent Loving-kindness of God
37. “Rest in the Lord”
38. The Heavy Burden of Sin
39. Know the Measure of Human Days
40. Delight to Do God’s Will
41. The Blessedness of Helping the Poor

Book Two  42 — 72

42. Seek After the Lord
43. “Hope in God”
44. Prayer for Deliverance by God
45. The Psalm of the Great King
46. “God is Our Refuge and Strength”
47. The Lord Shall Subdue All Nations
48. The Praise of Mount Zion
49. Riches Cannot Redeem
50. The Lord Shall Judge All People
51. Confession and Forgiveness of Sin
52. The Lord Shall Judge the Deceitful
53. A Portrait of the Godless
54. The Lord is Our Helper
55. “Cast Your Burden on the Lord”
56. Fears in the Midst of Trials
57. Prayers in the Midst of Perils
58. Wicked Judges Will be Judged
59. Petition for Deliverance from Enemies
60. Prayer for Deliverance of the Nation
61. A prayer When Overwhelmed
62. Wait for God
63. Thirst for God
64. A Prayer for God’s Protection
65. God’s Provision Through Nature
66. Remember What God Has done
67. God Shall Govern the Earth
68. God is the Father of the Fatherless
69. Petition for God to Draw Near
70. Prayer for the Poor and Needy
71. Prayer for the Aged
72. The Reign of the Messiah

Book Three   73 — 89

73. The Perspective of Eternity
74. Request for God to Remember His Covenant
75. “God is the Judge”
76. The Glorious Might of God
77. When Overwhelmed, Remember God’s Greatness
78. God’s Continued Guidance in Spite of Unbelief
79. Avenge the Defilement of Jerusalem
80. Israel’s Plea for God’s Mercy
81. God’s Plea for Israel’s Obedience
82. Rebuke of Israel’s Unjust Judges
83. Plan for God to Destroy Israel’s Enemies
84. The Joy of Dwelling With God
85. Prayer for Revival
86. “Teach Me Your Way, O Lord”
87. Glorious Zion, City of God
88. Crying from Deepest Affliction
89. Claiming God’s Promises in Affliction

Books Four and Five  90  –  150

90. “Teach Us to Number Our Days”
91. Abiding in “The Shadow of the Almighty”
92. It is Good to Praise the Lord
93. The Majesty of God
94. Vengeance Belongs Only to God
95. Call to worship the Lord
96. Declare the Glory of God
97. Rejoice! The Lord Reigns!
98. Sing a New Song to the Lord
99. “Exalt the Lord Our God”
100. “Serve the Lord with Gladness”
101. Commitments of a Holy Life
102.  Prayer of an Overwhelmed Saint
103. “Bless the Lord”
104.  Psalm Rehearsing Creation
105.  Remember, God Keeps His Promises
106. “We Have Sinned”          
107. God Satisfies the Longing Soul
108. Awake Early and Praise the Lord
109. Song of the Slandered
110. The Coming of the Priest-King-Judge
111. Praise for God’s Tender Care
112. The Blessings of Those Who Fear God
113. The Condescending Grace of God
114. In Praise for the Exodus
115. To God Alone Be the Glory
116. Love the Lord for What He Has Done
117. The Praise of All Peoples
118. Better to Trust God than Men
119.  (Acrostic) in Praise of the Scriptures
120. A Cry in Distress
121. God is Our Keeper
122. “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem”
123. Plea for the Mercy of God
124. God On Our Side
125. Trust in the Lord and Abide Forever
126. Sow in Tears…Reap in Joy”
127. Children Are God’s Heritage
128. Blessing on the House of the God-Fearing
129.  Plea of the Persecuted
130. “My Soul Waits for the Lord”
131. A Childlike Faith
132. The Eternal inheritance of David’s Throne
133.  Beauty of the Unity of the Brethren
134. Praise the Lord in the Evening
135. God Has Done Great Things!
136. God’s Mercy Endures Forever
137. Tears in Exile
138. God Answered My Prayer
139. “Search Me, O God”
140. Preserve Me from Violence
141. Set a Guard, O Lord, Over My Mouth”
142. “No One Cares for My Soul”
143. “Teach Me to Do Your Will”
144. “What is Man?”
145. Testify to God’s Great Acts
146. “Do Not Put Your Trust in Princes”
147. God Heals the Brokenhearted
148. All Creation Praises the Lord
149. The Lord Takes Pleasure in His People”
150. “Praise the Lord!”

References: THE OPEN BIBLE, NKJV “Build Your Life On It”

Link to First Post:  Psalm 90