Psalm 86: Answer Me Because

Posted inPsalms Commentary
Psalm 86 is a song of personal petition to God for help in a time of trouble. Verse 14 identifies the trouble: "the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life, and have not set you before them." David had experienced much persecution especially at the hands of…

Christ in the Psalms: Psalm 15

Posted inChrist in the Psalms
A Psalm of David1. Yahweh, who may sojourn in your tabernacle?Who may reside in the hill of your holiness?2. He who walks perfectly,And works righteousness,And speaks truth in his heart.3. He does not slander with his tongue.He does not do harm to his neighbor,And he does not take up a reproach against one near to…

Total Depravity and the Image of God in Man

Posted inImage of God, Total Depravity
Some say that the image of God in man means that man is like God in being a rational and moral creature. Others say that it means that man is like God in having dominion over the earth. These things are both related to the image. Man's rationality and morality mean that he alone among…

Christ in the Psalms: Psalms 14 and 53

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Psalm 14To the Chief Musician. Of David1. A fool says in his heart,"There is no God."They are perverse.They do abominable works.There is none who does good.2. Yahweh from heaven looks down upon the sons of manto see if there is any who is prudent, who seeks God.3. They all have turned aside.Together they are corrupted.There…

Christ in the Psalms: Psalm 13

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To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David1. How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me to perpetuity?How long will you hide your face from me?2. How long will I take counsels in my soul,having sorrow in my heart daily?How long will my enemy be exalted over me?3. Look and answer me, Yahweh my God.Give light…

Christ in the Psalms: Psalm 12

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To the Chief Musician.On an eight-stringed harp.A Psalm of David.1. Save, Yahweh, for the godly one ceases,For the faithful ones vanish from among the sons of man.2. Vanity they speak, everyone with his neighbor.With a lip of flatteries, with heart and heart they speak.3. May Yahweh cut off all the lips of flatteries,the tongue that…

Christ in the Psalms: Psalm 68

Posted inChrist in the Psalms
Psalm 68 seems to be related to three events in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament. The three in the Old Testament are Israel's journey in the wilderness on the way to Canaan, the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, and the transfer of the ark from the tent…

Speaking to One Another in Psalms

Posted inPsalms Commentary
We think of our singing in worship as singing to the Lord, offering him our praise and thanks and bringing to him our petitions. He is, indeed, the main object of our sung speech, and that rightly. We come together to worship, and whatever we say in worship is before him. He is our primary…

Christ in the Psalms: Psalm 10

Posted inChrist in the Psalms
Psalm 10 is the cry of a righteous man against a wicked man attacking him. The names "wicked" and "poor" and their synonyms are singular in number, with the exception of verses 2b (them), 10b (helpless, NKJV), 12b (humble) and 17 (humble, their heart), and in these verses the psalmist is applying to himself principles…