And kYou give them their food in due season.
16You open Your hand
lAnd satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
18mThe LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him nin truth.
19He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
20oThe LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.
Psalm 146
The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the LORD
1Praise1 the LORD!
aPraise the LORD, O my soul!
2bWhile I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3cDo not put your trust in princes,
Nor in 2a son of man, in whom there is no 3help.
4dHis spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day ehis plans perish.
5fHappy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6gWho made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7hWho executes justice for the oppressed,
iWho gives food to the hungry.
jThe LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.
8kThe LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
lThe LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9mThe LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
nBut the way of the wicked He 4turns upside down.
10oThe LORD shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 147
Praise to God for His Word and Providence
1Praise1 the LORD!
For ait is good to sing praises to our God;
bFor it is pleasant, and cpraise is beautiful.
2The LORD dbuilds up Jerusalem;
eHe gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3fHe heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their 2wounds.
4gHe counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
5hGreat is our Lord, and imighty in power;
jHis understanding is infinite.
6kThe LORD lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8lWho covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
9mHe gives to the beast its food,
And nto the young ravens that cry.
10oHe does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children within you.
14pHe makes peace in your borders,
And qfills you with 3the finest wheat.
15rHe sends out His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly.
16sHe gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
17He casts out His hail like 4morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
18tHe sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19uHe declares His word to Jacob,
vHis statutes and His judgments to Israel.
20wHe has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His judgments, they have not known them.
5Praise the LORD!
Psalm 148
Praise to the LORD from Creation
1Praise1 the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4Praise Him, ayou heavens of heavens,
And byou waters above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For cHe commanded and they were created.
6dHe also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
7Praise the LORD from the earth,
eYou great sea creatures and all the depths;
8Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9fMountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
11Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
13Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His gname alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14And He hhas exalted the 2horn of His people,
The praise of iall His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
jA people near to Him.
3Praise the LORD!
Psalm 149
Praise to God for His Salvation and Judgment
1Praise1 the LORD!
aSing to the LORD a new song,
And His praise in the assembly of saints.
2Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their bKing.
3cLet them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
4For dthe LORD takes pleasure in His people;
eHe will beautify the 2humble with salvation.
5Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them fsing aloud on their beds.
6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And ga two-edged sword in their hand,
7To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
8To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9hTo execute on them the written judgment—
iThis honor have all His saints.
3Praise the LORD!
Psalm 150
Let All Things Praise the LORD
1Praisea1 the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty 2firmament!
2Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent bgreatness!
3Praise Him with the sound of the 3trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
4Praise the LORD!
Psalm Commentaries
Psalm 1
1:1–6 This wisdom psalm basically functions as an introduction to the entire book of Psalms. Its theme is as big as the whole Bible because it tells of people, paths, and ultimate destinations (for a significant parallel see Jer. 17:5–8). By two cycles of contrast, Ps. 1 separat
es all people into their respective spiritual categories:
I. By observation, all people are separated ethically (1:1-4)
A. A Picture of the Godly (1:1-3)
B. A Picture of the Ungodly (1:4)
II. By outcome, all people are separated judicially (1:5, 6)
A. The Failure of Ungodly People (1:5)
B. The Fruition of Lifestyles (1:6)
1. Recognition of the godly (1:6a)
2. Ruination of the ungodly (1:6b)
1:1 Blessed. From the perspective of the individual, this is a deep-seated joy and contentment in God; from the perspective of the believing community, it refers to redemptive favor (cf. the blessings and cursings of Deut. 27:11—28:6). walks not…nor stands…nor sits. The “beatitude” man (cf. Matt. 5:3–11) is first described as one who avoids such associations as these which exemplify sin’s sequential downward drag.
1:2 his delight…in the law. Switching to a positive description, the spiritually “happy” man is characterized by the consistent contemplation and internalization of God’s Word for ethical direction and obedience.
1:3 like a tree. Because of the mostly arid terrain of Israel, a lush tree served as a fitting symbol of blessing in the OT. planted. Lit. “transplanted.” Trees do not plant themselves; neither do sinful people transport themselves into God’s kingdom. Salvation is His marvelous work of grace (cf. Is. 61:3; Matt. 15:13). Yet, there is genuine responsibility in appropriating the abundant resources of God (cf. Jer. 17:8), which lead to eventual productivity.
1:4 The ungodly are not so. This is an abrupt contrast, lit. “Not so the wicked!” chaff. A frequent OT word picture from harvest time for what is unsubstantial, without value, and worthy only to be discarded.
1:5 Therefore…not stand. “Therefore” introduces the strong conclusion that the ungodly will not be approved by God’s judgment.
1:6 the LORD knows. This is far more than recognition; the LORD “knows” everything. In this context, the reference is to personal intimacy and involvement with His righteous ones (contra. Matt. 7:23; cf. 2 Tim. 2:19). the way of. The repetition of this phrase picks up on the “path” imagery so characteristic of this psalm. It refers to one’s total course of life, i.e., lifestyle. Here these two courses arrive at the ways of life and death, as in Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8; cf. Matt. 7:13, 14. shall perish. One day the wicked person’s way will end in ruin; a new order is coming and it will be a righteous order. So Ps. 1 begins with the “blessed” and ends with those who “perish” (cf. Pss. 9:5, 6; 112:10).
Ps. 1:6
Types of Psalms
Type: Individual and Communal Lament
Psalms: 3-7; 12; 13; 22; 25-28; 35; 38-40; 42-44; 51; 54-57; 59-61; 63; 64; 69-71; 74; 79; 80; 83; 85; 86; 88; 90; 102; 109; 120; 123; 130; 140-143
Act of Worship: Express need for God’s deliverance
Type: Thanksgiving
Psalms: 8; 18; 19; 29; 30; 32-34; 36; 40; 41; 66; 103-106; 111; 113; 116; 117; 124; 129; 135; 136; 138; 139; 146-148; 150
Act of Worship: Make aware of God’s blessings, Express thanks
Type: Enthronement
Psalms: 47; 93; 96-99
Act of Worship: Describe God’s sovereign rule
Type: Pilgrimage
Psalms: 43; 46; 48; 76; 84; 87; 120-134
Act of Worship: Establish a mood of worship
Type: Royal
Psalms: 2; 18; 20; 21; 45; 72; 89; 101; 110; 132; 144
Act of Worship: Portray Christ the sovereign ruler
Type: Wisdom
Psalms: 1; 37; 119
Act of Worship: Instruct as to God’s will
Type: Imprecatory
Psalms: 7; 35; 40; 55; 58; 59; 69; 79; 109; 137; 139; 144
Act of Worship: Invoke God’s wrath and judgment against His enemies
Psalm 2
2:1–12 Sometimes Ps. 2 is said to share with Ps. 1 in the role of introducing the Psalter (cf. “Blessed” in 1:1 and 2:12). Also, it seems that, while the function of Ps. 1 is to disclose the two different “ways” for individuals, Ps. 2 follows up with its application to nations. This psalm is normally termed “royal” and has had a long history of messianic interpretation. Although it has no title, it seems to bear the imprint of David’s hand. As such, it fluidly moves from the lesser David through the Davidic dynasty to the Greater David—Jesus Christ. Psalm 2 progressively shines its poetic spotlight on 4 vivid scenes relating to the mutiny of mankind against God:
I. Scene One: Human Rebellion (2:1-3)
II. Scene Two: Divine Reaction (2:4-6)
III. Scene Three: Divine Rule (2:7-9)
IV. Scene Four: Human Responsibility (2:10-12)
2:1 plot a vain thing. This is the irony of man’s depravity—devising, conspiring, and scheming emptiness (cf. Ps. 38:12; Prov. 24:2; Is. 59:3, 13).
2:2 against…against. The nations and peoples, led by their kings and rulers (v. 1), direct their hostility toward the LORD and His anointed one. The consecrated and commissioned mediatorial representative referred to David in a near sense and Messiah, i.e., Christ, in the ultimate sense (cf. Acts 4:25, 26).
2:3 Their bonds…Their cords. Mutinous mankind, instead of understanding that these are God’s love-bonds (Hos. 11:4), view them as yoke-bonds (Jer. 5:5).
2:5 Then. After mocking them with the laughter of divine contempt, God speaks and acts from His perfectly balanced anger.
2:6 I have set. Their puny challenge (v. 3) is answered by this powerful pronouncement. It’s as good as done: His king will be enthroned on Jerusalem’s most prominent hill.
2:7 I will declare the decree. The installed mediator now recites the LORD’s previously issued enthronement ordinance. You are My Son. This recalls 2 Sam. 7:8–16 as the basis for the Davidic king. It is also the only OT reference to the Father/Son relationship in the Trinity, a relationship decreed in eternity past and demonstrated in the incarnation, thus a major part of the NT. Today I have begotten You. This expresses the privileges of relationship, with its prophetic application to the Son—Messiah. This verse is quoted in the NT with reference to the birth of Jesus (Heb. 1:5, 6) and also to His resurrection (Acts 13:33, 34) as the earthly affirmations.
2:9 You shall…You shall. The supreme sovereignty of “the king of kings” is pictured in its subjugating might. The shepherd’s “rod” and the king’s “scepter” are the same word in the original. Shepherding and kingly imagery often merged in ancient Near Eastern thought (cf. Mic. 7:14).
2:10–12 The tone of these verses is surprising. Instead of immediate judgment, the LORD and His Anointed mercifully provide an opportunity for repentance. Five commands place responsibility on mutinous mankind.
2:12 Kiss the Son. This symbolic act would indicate allegiance and submission (cf. 1 Sam. 10:1; 1 Kin. 19:18). The word for “Son” here is not the Heb. word for “son” that was used in v. 7, but rather its Aram. counterpart (cf. Dan. 7:13), which is a term that would especially be suitable for these commands being addressed to “nations” (v. 1). perish in the way. These words pick up the major burden of Ps. 1.
Psalm 3
3:1–8 This psalm intermingles both lament and confidence. In its sweeping scope, it becomes a pattern for praise, peace, and prayer amidst pressure. As it unfolds through 3 interrelated historical phenomena, David shares his theological “secret” of having assurance in the face of adversity.
I. The Psalmist’s Predicament (3:1, 2)
II. The Psalmist’s Peace (3:3-6)
III. The Psalmist’s Prayer (3:7, 8)
3:Title The first of 73 psalms attributed to David by superscription. Further information connects its occasion with the Absalom episode (2 Sam. 15–18), although many of its features are more descriptive of persecution in general.
3:1, 2 increased…Many…Many. The psalmist begins on a low note with his multiplied miseries.
3:2, 3 no help for him…But You…a shield for me. There is a strong contrast between the allegation and the psalmist’s assurance. David
’s attitude and outlook embraces the theology that Paul summarized in Rom. 8:31. Psalm 3 also introduces Divine Warrior language (cf. Ex. 15 as a background).
3:5 I lay down and slept. Since God is known for His sustaining protection, David could relax in the most trying of circumstances.
Ps. 3:5
Historical Background to Psalms by David
Psalm: Ps. 3
Historical Background: when David fled from Absalom his son
OT Text: 2 Sam. 15:13-17
Psalm: Ps. 7
Historical Background: concerning the words of Cush a Benjamite
OT Text: 2 Sam. 16:5; 19:16
Psalm: Ps. 18
Historical Background: the day the LORD delivered David from his enemies/Saul
OT Text: 2 Sam. 22:1-51
Psalm: Ps. 30
Historical Background: at the dedication of the house of David
OT Text: 2 Sam. 5:11, 12; 6:17
Psalm: Ps. 34
Historical Background: when David pretended madness before Abimelech
OT Text: 1 Sam. 21:10-15
Psalm: Ps. 51
Historical Background: when Nathan confronted David over sin with Bathsheba
OT Text: 2 Sam. 12:1-14
Psalm: Ps. 52
Historical Background: when Doeg the Edomite warned Saul about David
OT Text: 1 Sam. 22:9, 10
Psalm: Ps. 54
Historical Background: when the Ziphites warned Saul about David
OT Text: 1 Sam. 23:19
Psalm: Ps. 56
Historical Background: when the Philistines captured David in Gath
OT Text: 1 Sam. 21:10, 11
Psalm: Ps. 57
Historical Background: when David fled from Saul into the cave
OT Text: 1 Sam. 22:1; 24:3
Psalm: Ps. 59
Historical Background: when Saul sent men to watch the house in order to kill David
OT Text: 1 Sam. 19:11
Psalm: Ps. 60
Historical Background: when David fought against Mesopotamia and Syria
OT Text: 2 Sam. 8:3, 13
Psalm: Ps. 63
Historical Background: when David was in the wilderness of Judea
OT Text: 1 Sam. 23:14; or 2 Sam. 15:23-28
Psalm: Ps. 142
Historical Background: when David was in a cave
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 271