Author: 杨 全荣

Background

This is the last psalm with a inscription the mention the name os Asaph (Ps 50, 73-83). Asaph was one of the lead musicians in David (1 Chro 16:5) and Solomon’s time (2 Chron 5:12). He prayed cymbal (1 Chro 16:5), gave thanks to God with psalm (1 Chro 16:8-36).  Asaph was mentioned in David’s time when David brought the ark into the tabernacle, and when Solomon brought the ark into the newly finished temple.

The theme of this psalm is to call on God to punished God’s enemies who have been oppressing God’s people, so that they may know and may seek God’s name.

Division

v1: call to God to not remain in silence

v2-8: the enemies of God oppressing God’s people

v9-15: asking God to punish God’s enemies

v16-18: so that these people would know and seek the name of God

Exposition

v1: When we experienced hardship, sometimes we wonder why God did not rescue us. Why was God in still?

v2: People who hates God like to exalt themselves above God.

v3: Because these people hate God, they hate people who believe in God as well. Today there are people who hate God, who do not believe in God, and they want to prosecute Christians. The Cultural Revolution in China between 1966 to 1976 is a prime example in recent history where Christians were oppressed, beaten and imprisoned by people who do not believe in God.

v4: Think about Holocaust in World War II. Six millions Jews were killed by the Nazi. They wanted to wipe out Israel as a nation.

v5: God’s enemies working together with one mind to destroy God’s people. We can apply that to the oppressions against the Jews or against Christians.

v6-8: The major enemies of Israel was named in these verses.

v9: God has rescue His people and punished His enemies before, the psalmist called to God to do that again.

v10-15: Psalmist used various images to portray God’s punishment to His enemies. 1)Dung for the ground, 2) whirling dust, 3) chaff before wind, 4) forest burned by fire, 5) mountains on fire, 6) terrified by storm, and 7) filled their faces with dishonor.

v16: The psalmist not only want the oppressions to Israel by these enemies to stop, and not only desire God to punish them. He also desires these people to know and see God’s name.

Background

This psalm was written by David. It talks about God led the Israelites out of Egypt, into the wilderness, into Canaan, and finally God entroned in Zion. The center idea of this Psalm is God has chosen Zion to be His dwelling place (v16). The historical background is probably at the time of the Ark was removed from the house of Obed-Edom into Zion (2 Sam 6). Although v29 mentions temple, the original word is also used for tabernacle. The occasion could not be after Israel’s captivity because four tribes were mentioned in v27, since Zebulun and Naphtali were missing after the exiles.

Paul quoted v18 in Ephesians 4:8. v18 is [You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; …] Paul tell us that the Psalmist was referring to Christ ascension. Thus we know that the Holy Spirit had Christ in mind when He inspire this Psalm. In fact, Christ is the central them of this Psalm. God has chosen to show His present among men at the body of His son, the Church, which is represented by Zion.

This Psalm has a lot of similarities with Judge 5. David may have used Judge 5 as reference when he penned this Psalm.

Chapter Division

v1-6: In introduction, celebration and praise to God who defeated the enemies; punished the wicked; provided for the needy.

v7-10: Follow by a glance of formal history, the journey of Israel through the wilderness under the guidance and care of God.

v11-14: The triumphant occupation of the land of Canaan, and the flight of the hostile kings.

v15-18: The choice of Zion as the dwelling place of God, and His solemn entry into it.

v19-23: The psalmist, contemplating the glorious results of God dwelling in Zoin, calls upon all Israel to praise, chiefly because He will punish all the enemies of His people.

v24-27: The procession of God into His sanctuary.

v28-31: All nations, represented by Egypt and Cush shall acknowledge and submit themselves to God who dwelled in Zion.

v32-35: The psalm closes with a summon to all the kingdoms of the earth to praise God

Exposition

v1: This is a quote from number 10:1 [Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O LORD! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.”] The enemies are the ones who hated God, and David proclaimed that these enemies will flee from God. David is seeing things from God’s eyes. He is concerned about matter of God. He is not pleading for God to scatter his enemies in this Psalm.

v2-v3: The figures here employed occur also in Hosea 13:3 and Micah 1:4. David is doing a comparison between the wicked and the righteous. Like smoke and wax before fire, the wicked will perish. On the other hand, the righteous will live to praise God with gladness.

v4: David mentioned twice in this verse that God’s name is the theme of his worship song.

v5: [A father for the fatherless and a judge for the widows]: Fatherless and widows have became common place in America. How comforting are these words for the needed in our societies. Men pay attention to the rich and famous. God pays attention and care for the poor and needy. God is both loving and righteous. He is the loving Father, and the righteous Judge.

v6: Spiritually, without Christ, we are all lonely people who long for God who love us and care for us. We are also prisoners of sins and death. But in Christ, we are brought into into God’s house, and in Christ, we are no longer prisoners but our spirit is in prosperity. However the rebellious? A person who reject the gospel but be prosper financially, but spiritual they are in parched land.

v7: The ark is always the first when Israel travel in the wilderness. The ark represented the present of God. When we go through the wilderness of life, we are comforted because God is always leading our ways. [went out] and [marched through] are verbs used in battles. God is the head of His army.

v8: At mount Sinai, God ascended from heaven to earth and the earth quaked. The earth is tremble at the present of God, we should be tremble at the present of the righteous God. When we experience drought in our life, God have the ability and He will cause rains if we trust in Him.

v9: The rain could be: 1) literary rains in the wilderness, 2) various blessings of God in the wilderness, or 3) manna, since Psalm 78:24 mentioned [He rained down manna for the people to eat].

v11: Beginning of the entrance into Canaan.

v12: [Kings and armies flee in hast]: referring to the Canaanites

v13 Doves that have wings with silver and gold. It means peace.

v14: Zalmon is a dark mountain mentioned in Judge 9:48. Snow on Zalmon means the dark mountain has became white. It is a image of God who defeated the Canaanites and give Israelites hope and victory.

v15: Bashan is a must taller mountain than Zion with many peaks. However God, according to His will, chose Zion instead of Bashan as His dwelling place.

v16: That God has chosen God will not change His mind. He will dwell in there forever. God in His mercy has chosen the Church, the NT Zion, and God is dwelling in the Church forever.

v18: Quoted by Paul in Eph 4:8. Like God the father who come to lead Israel out of Egypt, into the wilderness, and finally into Canaan. The ark was moved to Mt. Zion, to be rested in God chosen dwelling place. Jesus left His throne in heaven, came down to die for us. One the third day, He resurrected and eventually ascended into heaven, seated on the right of the throne of God. Jesus took captives from many life from the enemies to be claimed as His rewards. Our redeemed people are the captives of Christ. Paul said Christ gave spiritual gifts to His follower, some apostels, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastor and teachers, to equipped the saints to build up the church. We should give back to Christ, by giving our body as living sacrifice.

v19: The ascended Christ bear our burden daily, He is the High Priest who pray for us on the right hand of God

v20: Christ is our deliverance. Christ die so that our sins can be forgiven. Christ resurrected so that we can escaped from death!

v21: The seed of the woman crushed the serpent’s head!

v22: [Bring them back from Bashan]: Referring to the enemies of God. Bashan is on the east, the Mediterranean sea is on the west. No matter where they are, God will bring them into justice.

v23: Who do not repent and believe in Christ will be the judgement they deserved when Christ return.

v24: The picture of the triumphal procession of the ark into the tabernacle. Christ ascession into His throne in heaven.

v25: Praise the Lord with our songs and music!

v26: [Fountain of Israel]: Christ is the fountain of life, whoever come to Him shall not thirst!

v27: Benjamin and Judah represent the southern kingdom. Zebulun and Naphtali represent the northern kingdom.

v28: God has commanded us to be strong. He desires us to obey Him and will give us the strength to do so.

v29: Submission of nations to God in Zion. One day the nations to acknowledge Christ as the King of Kings

v31: Egypt, who was once enemy of Israel would send enjoy to Israel. The Queen of Ethiopia would come to listen to the wisdom of Soloman. The Gospel of Jesus Christ will be spread to the nations. Nations of the world to come to know Jesus and worship Him (v32).

v33: [ancient times]: Heavens existed long time ago.

v34:-35: strength was mentioned four time in these two verses. God is the awesome God. He will give us strength to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.

Background

Author was not mentioned. This psalm shows that God’s message is not only for Israel, but for all nations, all peoples. Except for v1 and 6, each verse mentions “all nations” or “all peoples”. This was part of God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:1-3).

Exposition

v1: [Be gracious to us and bless us]: Give us blessings we do not deserve. [And cause His face to shine upon us]. The psalmist didn’t just ask for blessing, he desires the fellowship with God and to see God’s glory. When God’s face shine upon us, what do we see? God’s glory. This is adapted from the High Priestly prayer in Numbers 6:24-26

v2: [Your way….Your salvation]: What is the glory of God? That is His way and His salvation. Jesus Christ is God’s way and God’s salvation plan for mankind. Jesus said He is The way, The truth and The life, no one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Jesus is our salvation. That is the meaning of His name (Matt 1:21). [among all nations]: The author desires to see God’s way and God’s salvation be known among all nations, not just the nation of Israel. Do you have the desire like the author to let Jesus known among friends, family and people that God have brought into your life?

v3: [Let all peoples praise You]: God gave His son to die for us, God is worthy of our praises!

v4: God is a righteous God, He is The Judge of our life, and the life of all peoples, believers or not. God is in control of all the events of all nations. Let’s sing for joy to praise Him!

v5: a repeat of v3, showing us the heart of the psalmist to praise God when he wrote about the characters of God.

v6: The author acknowledge that results of good harvest is the blessing from God. We can sow and plan, but only God can grow the crops.

v7: The psalmist desires to see nations would come to know and fear God through the blessings God has given to them. Do you have the same desire to want others to know Jesus buy sharing the testimony of God’s blessing in our life?

Background

Second in a series of four Psalm of praise (Ps 65-68). Author was not identified in the title. Spurgeon thought it could be written by David. Some thought it was written on the laying of the foundation of the second temple (Ezra 3:13).

Exposition

v1: In Ps 65, Citizen of Zion started with worship to God in silence. In this Psalm, the worship started with shout of joy! Sometimes we just need to shout with the top of our lung to worship God! It is a called to the nations to worship the one true God. We may speak different languages, but we can all offer our worship in songs in our own languages to the one true God.

v:2 Worship to God is never to be boring, dull, without live. Let’s make worshiping God the glorious thing to do in our daily life. I am not referring to music with all kind of instruments, although that is a fine way to praise Him. I am referring to our heart. How do we feel when we come into His presence? Do we feel repetitive and boring to praise God, or do we feel glory in His presence?

v3: [Your enemies will give feigned obedience]: Power bring a man to his knees, but only love could win his heart. Pharaoh let the Israelites go, but it was a fake obedience.

v4: [All the earth will worship You]: today there are fake obedience on people who claims to be Christians. But one day, all the earth will truly worship God. We do not just worship an unknown God, we worship the God who reveals Himself to us by His names!

v5-7: No one could remain prideful before the almighty God who divided the red sea.

v10: [You have refined us as silver has refined]: It is God purpose to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ.

v11-12: God purposely let me face hardship in life to refined us. But He will ultimately bring us in to a land of abundance. He grace is sufficient for us (2 Cor 12:9).

v16-17: Do you have first hand experience with God? All Christians should have first hand experience with God, and willing to share with others.

v18-20: One of the reasons why God does not listen to our prayers is because of the wickedness in our heart. It is a wonderful experience when God hears our prayers, because we know we are right in the eyes of God. When our prayers are answered, we need to give thanks to Him!

Background

Psalm 64 marks the end of Psalm of pleading. This Psalm is the first in a series of four (Psalm 65-68) Psalm of praise. David is the author. Perhaps it was to commemorate a remarkably plentiful harvest.

Division

1. v1 – 4: God’s people approach God
2. v5 – 8: God’s answer
3. v9 – 13: Harvest song of praise

Exposition

v1: [Praise awaits you]: God’s people is waiting in silence to prepare for a praise and worship session to God. NASB translation is [There will be silence before You]. Music is not a prerequisite to praise God. Just like rest in music, it is a necessary. Silence before God is a necessary in worshiping God. Just come before the Creator and meditate on His greatness. Zion is where God’s present was. It is an image of the church. Just imagine, the church, thousands of believers, gathering together, without any sound, to praise our Savior!

All believers are in covenant with God. It is the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. The covenant is initiated by Christ to us. But how about our vows to Him? Zion pledge to fulfill their vows to God. We may have made special vows with Christ, may be is a promise to read His words daily, or a promise to dedicate our life to Him.

v2: [You] is mentioned many times throughput this Psalm. David believes in a personal God, not just a abstract idea. He is God who cares and hear prayers for those who prayed from their heart. All men can come to Him. No matter what your past failure, or sins were. As long as you are in Christ, God the father accepts you.

v3: [Iniquities prevail us]. Sins overpower us. Because of our sinful nature, we have no hope but to sin (Roman 7). Praise God, our Redeemer prevails sins. No matter what your transgressions were, when we come to Him, all our transgressions would be wipe as white as snow.

v4: So much is contained in this verse. [How blessed is the one who you choose]: Believers are chosen by God. Because by our own sinful nature, we have no ability to choose God. We would choose sins, and iniquities prevail us. Is it totally by grace we were chosen, how blessed we are! [bring near to You to dwell in Your courts]: The blessing continues. Those who were chosen, God brings us near to Him. We would have a relationship with God of the universe. Not only that, God wants us to dwell in His courts! He desires us to stay near Him. [Your house, Your Holy templa]: God desires us to stay in His house. What kind of person stay in the house of the Father? The children! Our sins were not only forgiven, God wanted us to be His children, to enjoy the goodness of His house.  Where is God’s house today? It is where God’s present it. It is His church (2 Tim). We are called to have enjoy the goodness in His Church.

v5: We prayed and God answered. God does not just answer, He always answer with awesome deeds! Our prayers could be unspiritual, and selfish, and earthly. But God, in His righteousness, would answer us. No matter we are on land, or on sea. God is always trustworthy.

v6: Mountains were formed and kept on its based by God

v7: God keeps the sea from flooding the land, He keep nations from turmoil.

v8: God’s wonders and His power in the natures can be observed by all nations. No matter where a man live, he could experience the power of God in the nature, e.g. earthquake, flooding, hurricane, tornado, tsunami. Those who do not know the God who is the Creator of nature in fear. But for us who know the Lord, we praise His wonders days and nights.

v9: Like a gardener surveys the garden and water the plants, God survey the earth and pour down rains to water the land. The rivers of God provides the water required to grow grain. Oh God, pour out your blessed rains into the church, for we are dry and lifeless without it.

v10: Israel may had an abundant harvest and David give all credits to God, who only by His provision, the crops could have the right condition to grow. Are we giving God all the credits for the blessing we receive in our life?

v11: God bless overflow with abundance. God’s love encircle the whole year. Each month has it gem, each day has its pearl.

v12: God not only blessed the men with great harvest. God blessing is also on the wilderness, to the animals in the jungle, to the grass and trees in the wild, even the hills rejoice in His blessing.

v13: Beautiful picture of a land blessed by God. This psalm started with citizens of Zion worshiping God in silence, and ended with songs of joy from the meadows and valleys, who join David and God’s people in praising God.

Background

Some suggested that David was serving in Saul’s court when he wrote this Psalm. (1 Sam 18-20).

Exposition

v1: David came to God and ask for God’s protection every time he faced attacks from his enemies, how about us?

v2: Spurgeon’s comment: “From their hidden snares hide me. Circumvent their counsel; let their secrets be met by thy secret providence, their counsels of malice by thy counsels of love.”

v3: Tongues and words are like swords and arrows. James 3:1-12 talks about the danger of our tongues if we do not control it.

v4: How should we react when someone suddenly attacks us with their words?

v5: The wicked like to come together to discuss their evil plans. We need to pay attention on who do we spend our time with? Do we unknowingly when time with others gossiping and think that [Who will see them]?

v6: The wicked thought they have a perfect plan. There can never be perfect plan of evil under the watch of the righteous God. There are always holes in those plans of evil.

v7-8: God punished the wicked with their own method. v3 mentioned that they wicked used their tongues and words and swords and arrow, to attack their target suddenly. That is exactly how God would punish them.

v9: The wicked planed the plan in secret, but their punishment from God will be display in public. Men will see that works of God and ponder on what He has done.

v10: This psalm starts with cry of one man to God, and ends with praise with great rejoice   of righteous men because we have a righteous God!

Background

The superscription informs us David wrote this Psalm when he was in the Desert of Judah. Verse 11 hints that David was already King at that time. Thus the setting of this Psalm was probably during Absalom’s rebellion time, where David left Jerusalem to flee from Absalom.

Exposition

v1: David was in the wilderness of Judah, where food and water was scare. But David meant more then physical thirst and hunger; he was spiritually thirsty and hungry for God. When we are spiritually thirsty and hungry, we need to  earnestly seek Jesus because Jesus told the Samaritan woman [“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”] (John 4:13-14). And then two chapters later,  Jesus said [“I am the bread of life, He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”](John 6:35).

V2: Although David was not from the priesthood line, he was able to observe the power and glory of God in the tabernacle, the sanctuary of God (The template was not built yet).

V3: Christ’s love for us give us new life. So it is better then our own old life.

V4: David was in the wilderness when he wrote this Psalm. But being away from the sanctuary didn’t stop David from praising God! Are we praising God outside of church’s meetings?

V5: Praising God was David’s spiritual food. He was satisfied with being in the present of God. Do we have the desire to seek God as David did?

V6: When David couldn’t sleep, he praised God on his bed. What do we need when we couldn’t sleep?

V7: [in the shadow of Your wings]: it means the protection of God.

V9-10: [They who seek my life will be destroyed]: We know David didn’t revenge against Absalom. Instead he cried when Absalom die. David was probably referring to Ahithophel his counselor (2 Sam 15:12).

V11: Although David was still in the wilderness, being exiled from Jerusalem. He already rejoiced in God because he trust God will punish the wicker and restore his kingship.

Background

Jeduthun is a musician (1 Ch 16:42). Psalms that mentioned Jeduthun in the title are 39,62, 77, and 89. This Psalm is parellel with Psalm 39 in many ways. The Psalm is known as the “only” Psalm because the hebrew word “ak” (H389) is used 6 times in this Psalm. It is normally translated as “only, alone”.

Division

Follows the “Selah”.

1. 1-4: God Alone Saves Us
2. 5:8: God Alone Encourages Us
3. 9-12: God Alone Rewards Us

Exposition

v1: Only in Christ alone we can find true rest. As Christians we constant face prosecution and pressure from the world. Although we can find rest in many ways, but the true rest is only in Christ. He saved our spirit, and He saves our soul too, [The salvation comes from Him].

v2: [rock]: David many times hide himself under rock when he was running away from Saul. But only God [He alone] is the Rock that can save him. [fortress], like soldiers protect themselves by hiding in a fortress, we as Christians get the true protected only when we are abide in Christ. [Never shaken]: Our faith will be shaken if we are not abiding in Christ. When we abide in Him alone, our faith will never be shaken.

v3: Notice David first went to heaven and rest in God first. Only then he mention his enemies in earth. [this leaning wall, this tottering fence]: could be referring to the enemies. Although they are attacking David, but they themselves are like a leaning wall that eventually will fall to the ground. However some says David is referring to himself.

v4: [topple him from his lofty place]: Satan objectives is to pull us down from heavenly relationship with our Lord. Satan would send wicked men who lie. These wicked men seem like spiritual men who would way good things to in front of us but behind our back, in their hearts, they would curse us. Let us as follower of Christ not fall into the same level as these wicked men. We would rather be silence and not say a word if we hated someone inside our heart than to act will a full month of fake blessings.

v5-6: A repeat of v1-2.

v8: Trust in God at [all times], not just sometimes. [O people]: David is calling others to trust in the Lord. David’s own experience was helping him to help others to trust in the Lord. [pour out your hearts]: God expects nothing else. He wants our heart, our whole person.

v9: To God, the only things matter is whether we can in Christ, or we out not of Christ. Our social status, wealth means nothing in front of God.

v10: [though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them]. It is okay to gain wealth as long as we do it honestly, without compromising our faith in Christ. However, if God blessed us with wealth, we are warned not to set our heart on it. Our heart should always be set on Christ.

v11: When God said, it is considered done, because God is strong, it is almighty. [two things have I heard]: he who has ears, let him hear. All of men have ears to hear. However, on the the ones who set our heart on Christ are listening with their spiritual ears.

v12: [O LORD, are loving]: If God is strong but have no love, we are in big trouble. However, God is strong, and loving. Praise the Lord! Because of His love, He choose to use His power to reward us according to what we have done. We have saved by faith in Christ through grace only, however our rewards in heaven is based on our obedience to God’s words and His callings in our life.

 

Background

Written after David became King (v6). Probably while in exile from his son Absalom because David felt like he was at the end of the earth (v2).

Exposition

v1: Religious men are satisfied by reading some prayers or doing some rituals. True child of God concerns about the hearer. He concerns that God would hear and response to him.

v2: David felt like he was at the end of the world, because he is no longer in Jerusalem, there the presence and the center of worship of God was. His spiritual condition was low, he cannot lift himself up from the condition, so he cried out to God to lead him to [the rock]. Today we no longer need to worship in a particular place. We can worship the Lord as long as we worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Jesus is the living stone (1 Peter 2:4), He is The Precious Corner Stone, whoever believer in Him will not be disappointed (1 Peter 2:6).

v3: [For You have been]: David’s past experience with God as his refuge and tower as a refugee from Saul has strengthen his faith. God has protected him before and will do that again this time.

v4:[dwell in Your tent forever]: Tent can be translated as tabernacle, which David had no access because he was in exile. But David’s heart long to live in the presence of God, not only presently, but through eternity. [take refuge in the shelter of Your wings]: as chicken are safe under the protection of the wings of hens, we can take refuge under the wings of God.

v5: [heard my vows]: Vows can be integrated into our prayers, as long as the vows are well considered, and truly for God’s glory. It is a grace of God of the heavens and earth is willing to honor our vows. [You have given me the inheritance]: all believers are co-heirs of God’s inheritance. [The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.] (Rom 8:16-17).

v6: God did bless David with long life (1 Kings 1:1). David is a fore shadow of Jesus, who came from the line of David, who is the King of Kings that reign the universe forever and ever.

v7: [He will abide]: He was a reference to the King David himself. King David is also a foreshadow of all believers, who will be Kings in God’s kingdom, to reign God’s creation together with the King of Kings. However, it is not by our own goodness, but is by the loving kindness and truth from our Lord that we can reign with Him.

v8:[sing praise]: David responses to God loving kindness and truth with song of praise. Praising God is what we will do in heaven forever, we need to practice and be good at it now. God is faithful in His covenant with us. We need to do our parts and pay our vows day by day to God. What is our vows? It is to offer up ourselves as living and holy sacrifice for the pleasure of our King. (Rom 12:1-2).