Psalm 61

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 … Read more

Psalm 60

Background The battle of the Valley of Salt was recorded in 1 Chronicles 18:12. Abishai and Joab the sons of Zeruiah led Israel and defeated 18,000 Edomites. The title of this Psalm mentions 12,000, which means this Psalm may have been written while the battle was still going on. Although Abishai was the leader of … Read more

Psalm 59

Background Saul gave orders to have David killed, he himself have tried two to kill David (1 Sam 19:10-11). Before these killing attempts, Saul may have sent out people to spy on David (v6, v14). So David wrote this Psalm to ask God for help. God the Deliverer (v1-9) v1: [set me securely on high … Read more

Psalm 58

This Psalm may have been written late in David’s exile, or early in his reign in Hebron. David referred to the wicked (v3) and unrighteous(v2) people as lion (v) , serpent and cobra (v4). He was probably referring to officials of Saul, e.g. Doeg the Edomite. (1 Sam 22:9). David knew that revenge is of … Read more

Psalm 57

Background Psalm 57 is probably written right after Psalm 56. The background is recorded in 1 Sam 22:1-2, where David fled Achish king of Gath and went to the cave of Adullam. People of distress and in debt started to come to David, and he became the captain over them, a total of approximately 400 … Read more

Psalm 56

Background The background of this Psalm is recorded in 1 Sam 21. In order to run away from the attack from Saul, David left Judah and fled to Gath, one of the five Philistine cities. Goliath, the giant defeated by young David was from this city (1 Sam 17:4). David life was in danger in Gath (6), … Read more

Psalm 55

Background: Probably written by David when the was King in Jerusalem (9-11). David wrote this Psalm after his son Absalom rebel against him. The companion and friend who betrayed him (13) was Ahithophel, who King David’s counselor (2 Sam 15:12). V3: The voice of the enemy and the pressure of the wicked are referred to … Read more

Psalm 54

Ziphites are from the tribe of Judah, they lived about 15 miles southeast of Hebron. Twice they betrayed King David (1 Sam 23:19, 26:1), and both times the Lord delivered him. In the first time, when Saul was chasing David in the wilderness of Maon, a messenger came to Saul, and told Saul to return … Read more

Psalm 53

This is Psalm 14 with some minor revisions. David wrote both of the Psalms. Mahalath could mean disease. This is indeed a song for the man’s disease: the mortal sin of rejecting God. David wrote Ps 14 at his early age, now advance in age, he found no difference in men. Men still reject God. … Read more

Psalm 52

David was in anguish when he wrote this psalm because of what Saul did to the priests of God (1 Sam 21:1-9, 22:6-23). When David heard from Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech about what had happened to the priesthood family, he said in 1 Sam 22 “I have brought about the death of every person … Read more