EXODUS SECTION, Psalms 42-72
Ruin and Redemption (Israel in View)
(David wrote 19 of these psalms.)
Psalm 42-48: Israel's Ruin
This series of 7 psalms by the sons of Korah are prophetic
pictures of Israel in the last days.
Heart cry of the remnant and applicable to the redeemed of all ages. It concludes with the heart cry of hope for deliverance (v. 11). This is not redemption by blood which took place in Egypt at the death of the firstborn; it is redemption by power which took place at the Red Sea.
A call to God to act in behalf of the remnant.
During the Great Tribulation Israel calls upon God to deliver them as He did in Egypt in the past. It closes with a cry to redeem.
Reign of the Messiah King. Shoshannim (or lily) psalm, a love song.
God is our refuge. This psalm and the next 2 present a picture of the benefits of the setting up of His kingdom.
Praise and worship in the Millenium.
Messiah's victory which brings in the kingdom.
Psalm 49-60: Israel's Redeemer
Contrast of rich and poor. "Death shall feed on them" (v. 14) should be "death shall be their shepherd." God delivers the redeemed from death.
Judgement. God judges His people (vv. 7-15). God judges the wicked (vv. 16-23).
David's penitential psalm when Nathan pointed the accusing finger with the words, "Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7).
Mighty man of mischief -- Antichrist.
Antichrist denies the existence of God.
A cry of faith in the times of the Antichrist.
The darkest days under Antichrist. Notice the deception of Antichrist (v. 21).
Deep trouble. Souls of the saints are laid bare during the Great Tribulation.
Cry for mercy (see title of psalm).
Rebuke of unrighteousness (lawlessness).
God's peole surrounded by enemies.
Confession and victory for God's people (see title).
Psalm 61-72: Israel's redemption
Cry and confidence of the godly. (Psalms 62-68 carry out the theme of Psalm 61.)
The "only" psalm (see author's booklet by the same name). Note the word "only" and the possessive pronoun "my." It expresses great confidence.
Thirst for the Water of Life (God). Chrysostom says that the early church sang this psalm every morning. It is a psalm of David, as also are 64 and 65.
The wicked win, then God judges them.
Song of the Milennium.
Song (v. 1) and prayer (vv. 18, 19).
Blessing and praise for the Milennium.
Song of deliverance that ushers in the kingdom. A messianic psalm (cp. v. 18 with Ephesians 4:8).
The silent years in the life of Christ. Next to Psalm 22, the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. (Psalm 22: the death of Christ; Psalm 69: the life of Christ.)
Urgent cry for deliverance (duplication of the last 5 verses of Psalm 40).
The suffering Savior. Jesus aged on the cross (v. 9).
David speaks to Solomon. The King and the kingdom are coming (vv. 11, 17, 19).
LEVITICUS SECTION, Psalms 73-89
Darkness and Dawn (Sanctuary in View)
Tabernacle, temple, house, assembly and congregation appear in almost every psalm.
Psalm 73-83: "Asaph psalms"
(2 Chronicles 29:30)
Perplexity about prosperity. Why does God permit the wicked to prosper (vv. 3-9)? The answer is found in the sanctuary (v. 17). The state of the wicked is temporary; they are brought down suddenly (vv. 18, 19).
A cry for deliverance when the temple is defiled by the enemy (vv. 7,19).
God answers the plea of Psalm 74. Help comes from God (vv. 6,7).
Prophetic of the Messiah upon the throne, and the temple open for worship.
Perplexity about the mercy and goodness of God (v. 9). The answer again is in the sanctuary (v. 13). History reveals that God does not forget (vv. 11-20).
The history of Israel from Moses to David.
Future of Israel in the Great Tribulation. The temple is defiled (v. 1).
Plea to the Shepherd of Israel to lead them again. The Shepherd is at God's right hand (v. 17).
God's answer to the plea of Psalm 80. The trumpet of praise is blown (v. 3).
God is in the midst of His people (the Shekinah glory in the tabernacle). He judges the judges of the people.
Prayer for God to deliver His people from their enemies. Imprecatory prayer (vv. 9-12) is a cry for justice.
Deep desire for God's house that they might look upon the face of "thine anointed" (v. 9).
Future restoration of Israel. Kingdom blessing (v. 10).
David prays for the future kingdom (vv. 8,9).
Glorious future of Jerusalem. The nations will come to Jerusalem to worship ( see Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 2:10,11 ).
Dirge of gloom, a lamentation. This is the darkest wail of woe in the Book of Psalms. The one ray of hope is "Lord God of my salvation" (v. 1).
Song of the faithfulness of God in keeping the Davidic Covenant (cp. v. 34-37 with 2 Samuel 7:8-17).
NUMBERS SECTION, Psalms 90-106
Peril and Protection of Pilgrims (Earth in View)
We do not become pilgrims until we become strangers.
Dirge of death and darkness by Moses. Moses witnesses the deaths of 1-1/2 million Israelites who came with him out of Egypt but perish in the wilderness. The wilderness becomes a vast cemetary. "Secret sin on earth is open scandal in heaven" (v. 8).
Messianic Psalm (cp. vv. 11, 12 with Matthew 4:6). Song of life and light. Saints of all ages turn here for help and hope.
Song of praise for the sabbath day. Verse 1 is the theme. "Most High" is a kingdom phrase.
Song of sheer praise becasue the King is reigning (milennial kingdom).
A call upon God to intervene in righteousness against the wicked. A cry from the remnant in time of trouble preceding the kingdom.
Song of sheer joy because the king is reigning.
A hymn to Him. He fullfills prophecy, ends idolatry, banishes Satan -- creation rejoices.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come. This is not a hymn of His 1st coming but of His 2nd coming. ("Gods" in v. 7 should be "angels" -- cp. Hebrews 1:6).
Second stanza of the new song of worship.
Song to the king whose throne is a throne of grace and mercy (v. 1).
Chorus of the hymn to Him. Note the second rendering: "It is he that hath made us, and ... we are his" (v. 3).
Song to the King who rules in righteousness and judgement. Note rendering: "Morning after morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land" (v. 8).
Prayer of trouble and sorrow. This is the King in Gethsemane -- His humiliation before His exaltation (Hebrews 5:7). He can sympathize with His people.
Great psalm of praise for the tender mercies of God. "I beseech you ... bretheren, by the mercies of God ..." (Romans 12:1).
Hymn of God in nature because He is Creator. Psalm of creation.
Hymn to God in history from Abraham to Moses. Psalm of providence (v. 5; cp. 1 Chronicles 16:8).
Hymn to God in history, confessing Israel's failure and God's faithfulness. This psalm is the first to begin and end with "Hallelujah." It is the psalm of pilgrims in the wilderness of this world.