The Structure of Psalm 18

September 24, 2024Posted inPsalms Commentary
This psalm is a close copy of the song of David found in 2 Samuel 22. It's clear from both 2 Samuel and from the title of the psalm that David wrote it near the end of his life. He had defeated his enemies, consolidated his kingdom after the long and bitter struggle with Saul,…

The Unique Features of Psalm 145

September 21, 2024Posted inPsalm Translations, Psalms Commentary
A Praise of David1. I will exalt you, My God the king, And I will praise your name to forever and perpetuity.2. Every day I will bless you, And I will praise your name to forever and perpetuity,3. Great (is) Yahweh and much praised, And his greatness is not searchable.4. Generation to generation will laud…

Psalm 80: Restore us, O God!

May 21, 2024Posted inPsalms Commentary
Verse 2 of Psalm 80 shows us that this song of testimony belongs to the time following the end of the northern kingdom, and the Asaph mentioned here is not the Asaph whom David appointed to serve in the temple, but a later Asaph who may also have written Psalms 74 and 79. Those two…

Psalm 107: Celebration of the Return from Exile in Babylon

May 14, 2024Posted inPsalms Commentary
Psalm 107 celebrates the Lord’s lovingkindness and wonders towards the sons of man. It has six stanzas. Introduction, verses 1–3 The Lord’s Care in the Wilderness, verses 4–9 The Lord’s Breaking of Chains, verses 10–16 The Lord’s Deliverance from Destruction, verses 17–22 The Lord’s Calming of a Storm, verses 23–32 Conclusion, verses 33–43 One of…

Psalm 90: A Ladder of Prayer

May 1, 2024Posted inPsalms Commentary
Psalm 90 is the only song of Moses in the psalter, but other Scriptures give us two others that belong to him. The first is in Exodus 15, and it is a celebration of the defeat of Pharaoh at the Red Sea. The second is in Deuteronomy 32, and it is a song to testify…

Structure of Psalm 140

March 25, 2024Posted inPsalm Translations, Psalms Commentary
Psalm 140 is a prayer of David against a violent man who was attacking him especially with his tongue. The phrase "man of violence(s)" occurs three times, in verses 3, 4 and 11. The word "tongue" occurs in verses 3 and 11. While David was in great trouble, he was not greatly shaken by it.…

The Structure of Psalm 86

March 4, 2024Posted inChiasms, Psalm Translations, Psalms Commentary
When you hear someone begin to talk again about a chiasm in some Biblical passage, you may be inclined to groan and ask why commentators and Bible teachers are always looking for these things. What good are they, and why must I be constantly afflicted with them? There are two things that we should remember.…