Psalms Bible Commentary

Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Psalms

As we have seen, the early Hebrew arrangement of the Old Testament was in three parts—the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. Mentioning this arrangement, Jesus Christ referred to the last section as the Psalms (Luke 24:44). This was evidently a common designation for the Writings that arose from Psalms being the first book of this section and occupying a rather significant portion of it.

Table of Contents

The Psalms

13 minutes
Introduction to Psalms

Psalm 1

3 minutes
The righteous blessed, the ungodly shall perish

Psalm 2

3 minutes
The Messiah will rule the nations

Psalm 3

2 minutes
Plea for deliverance from enemies

Psalm 3 and Related

1 minute
Absalom's rebellion, David flees, God will help

Psalm 4

3 minutes
Confident prayer for relief in distress

Psalm 5

4 minutes
Prayer for God's direction

Psalm 6

2 minutes
Prayer for healing

Psalm 7

3 minutes
Plea for deliverance from enemies

Psalm 8

5 minutes
God's glory in creation and human dominion

Psalm 9

3 minutes
Praise to God for deliverance from enemy nations

Psalm 10

1 minute
Prayer for justice

Psalm 11

3 minutes
Trusting in God

Psalm 12

2 minutes
Plea for help against the proud

Psalm 13

1 minute
Patiently trusting in God's salvation

Psalm 14

2 minutes
The foolishness of godless and corrupt mankind

Psalm 15

3 minutes
Those who may dwell with God

Psalm 16

3 minutes
The hope of those who trust in God

Psalm 17

3 minutes
Confident prayer for vindication, help and deliverance

Psalm 18

3 minutes
Royal praise for great deliverance

Psalm 18 and Related

1 minute
David's psalm of praise for God's deliverance

Psalm 19

4 minutes
God's glory in His creation and perfect law

Psalm 20

2 minutes
Plea for God's defense and assurance of salvation

Psalm 21

2 minutes
Rejoicing in God's victory

Psalm 22

5 minutes
The Messiah cries out to God in suffering and the ultimate outcome

Psalm 23

6 minutes
The blessings of following the Lord, the Shepherd

Psalm 24

3 minutes
Those who may stand with God in His kingdom

Psalm 25

3 minutes
Prayer for deliverance and forgiveness

Psalm 26

2 minutes
Appeal for vindication, examination, redemption and mercy

Psalm 27

4 minutes
A confident prayer for God's ongoing mercy and care

Psalm 28

1 minute
Confident prayer for justice

Psalm 29

2 minutes
The majesty of God in nature

Psalm 30

3 minutes
Praise to God for deliverance

Psalm 30 and Related

1 minute
David established in Jerusalem, more sons, Philistines defeated, praising answered prayer

Psalm 31

3 minutes
A trusting prayer for deliverance from persecution and false accusation;

Psalm 32

3 minutes
Joy in forgiveness

Psalm 33

3 minutes
God's sovereignty in creation and human affairs

Psalm 34

3 minutes
Blessed is the man who trusts in God

Psalm 34 and Related

1 minute
David feigns madness, happiness from trusting in God

Psalm 35

2 minutes
Prayer for justice and vindication

Psalm 36

3 minutes
Man's wickedness and God's mercy and goodness

Psalm 37

5 minutes
The reward of the righteous and end of the wicked

Psalm 38

4 minutes
Prayer for relief from chastening illness and enemies

Psalm 39

4 minutes
Prayers for relief from chastening illness and enemies

Psalm 40

10 minutes
Prayer for relief from adversities and enemies

Psalm 41

4 minutes
Prayer for healing

Psalms 42-43

7 minutes
Yearning for God in the face of enemy oppression

Psalm 44

3 minutes
Collective prayer for deliverance from enemy oppression

Psalm 45

5 minutes
The divine King and His bride

Psalm 46

6 minutes
God the refuge of His people

Psalm 47

2 minutes
God triumphant over the nations

Psalm 48

5 minutes
Mount Zion, the city of the great King

Psalm 49

5 minutes
The foolishness of trusting in wealth

Psalm 50

6 minutes
God the Judge of His people

Psalm 51

6 minutes
Prayer of repentance

Psalm 51 and Related

1 minute
Nathan's parable and David's repentance; his child dies; Solomon born, Rabbah conquered

Psalm 52

2 minutes
The wicked who trust in wealth destroyed, the righteous who trust in God's mercy saved

Psalm 52 and Related

1 minute
David's psalm of praise for God's deliverance

Psalm 53

2 minutes
The foolishness of godless and corrupt mankind

Psalm 54

3 minutes
Prayer for help against enemies

Psalm 54 and Related

1 minute
David in the wilderness, God answers prayer for deliverance

Psalm 55

5 minutes
Trusting in God for help through betrayal and conspiracy

Psalm 56

2 minutes
Trusting God for relief from enemies

Psalm 56 and Related

1 minute
David and the showbread, flees to Gath, prays for relief

Psalm 57

2 minutes
Trusting God for refuge from enemies

Psalm 57 and Related

1 minute
Prayer for safety from enemies, David spares Saul

Psalm 58

3 minutes
God will judge justly

Psalm 59

3 minutes
Prayer for deliverance from surrounding enemies

Psalm 59 and Related

1 minute
Saul still tries to have David killed, judgment on the wicked

Psalm 60

6 minutes
Prayer for restored favor, trust in God to defeat Israel's enemies

Psalm 60 and Related

1 minute
Defeating enemy coalition, prayer for national restoration, plea for deliverance from coalition

Psalm 61

3 minutes
Prayer to remain secure in God's presence forever

Psalm 62

2 minutes
Waiting on God for defense and salvation

Psalm 63

4 minutes
Those who long for God will rejoice but their enemies will fall

Psalm 63 and Related

1 minute
David saves Keilah, into wilderness, joy in God's fellowship

Psalm 64

2 minutes
Prayer for God's protection against enemy plotting

Psalm 65

5 minutes
Praising God for His forgiveness and calling and His provision throughout the earth

Psalm 66

4 minutes
Praising God's awesome works on behalf of His people collectively and individually

Psalm 67

2 minutes
Praising God for the blessings His Kingdom will bring

Psalm 68

7 minutes
Praising God for His intervention for Israel and His provision

Psalm 69

10 minutes
Plea for deliverance from enemies

Psalm 70

1 minute
Plea for deliverance from enemies

Psalm 71

4 minutes
Trusting prayer for help against enemies in old age

Psalm 72

6 minutes
Prayer to bless the reign of the king's son with endurance, dominion, compassion and provision

Psalm 73

7 minutes
It is foolish to envy the wicked

Psalm 74

5 minutes
Prayer for relief from enemies who've ravaged God's sanctuary

Psalm 75

3 minutes
Thanks for God's righteous judgment

Psalm 76

3 minutes
God's judgment to deliver all the oppressed

Psalm 77

3 minutes
Prayer for God to intervene as in times past

Psalm 78

7 minutes
God's dealings with and continued help to rebellious Israel

Psalm 79

3 minutes
Lamenting prayer over enemy invasion and devastation

Psalm 80

6 minutes
Prayer for national restoration

Psalm 81

7 minutes
Israel admonished to heed God

Psalm 82

4 minutes
God will judge the rulers of the earth and bring true justice

Psalm 83

9 minutes
Prayer for help against an international enemy coalition

Psalm 83 and Related

1 minute
Defeating enemy coalition, prayer for national restoration, plea for deliverance from coalition

Psalm 84

6 minutes
Yearning to dwell in God's house

Psalm 85

3 minutes
Prayer for restoration after captivity

Psalm 86

3 minutes
Prayer for mercy and help against enemies

Psalm 87

4 minutes
God's special love for Zion

Psalm 88

5 minutes
Lamenting plea for deliverance from life-threatening affliction

Psalm 89

10 minutes
Prayer for God to uphold the Davidic covenant in the midst of defeat

Psalm 90

9 minutes
Prayer for God's compassion on His mortal servants

Psalm 91

6 minutes
Safety of dwelling in God's presence

Psalm 92

4 minutes
Thanks to God for His faithfulness, whereby the righteous will triumph and the wicked will perish

Psalm 93

5 minutes
The eternal and invincible reign of God

Psalm 94

4 minutes
Prayer for God to bring justice on the wicked, with confidence that He upholds the righteous

Psalm 95

6 minutes
Call to worship and to not repeat Israel's past rebellion

Psalm 96

4 minutes
Sing praise to God, who is coming to judge the world with righteousness and truth

Psalm 96 and Related

1 minute
David's psalm of thanks for God's faithfulness, praising God's righteous judgment and mercy

Psalm 97

3 minutes
Rejoicing in God's reign of righteousness and justice

Psalm 98

3 minutes
Sing praise to God for His victory, salvation and coming just rule

Psalm 99

4 minutes
Worship the high and holy King

Psalm 100

2 minutes
Thanksgiving to God who made us

Psalm 101

6 minutes
Commitment to righteous government

Psalm 102

4 minutes
Lamenting prayer in affliction with confidence in the future restoration of God's people

Psalm 103

6 minutes
Praising God's great love and mercy toward His people

Psalm 104

8 minutes
Praising God the Creator and Provider

Psalm 105

10 minutes
Praise and thanks for God's past care for and deliverance of His covenant people

Psalm 105:1-15 and Related

1 minute
David's psalm of thanks for God's faithfulness, praising God's righteous judgment and mercy

Psalm 105:16-45 and Related

1 minute
Tabernacles ministry left to continue

Psalm 106

10 minutes
Praise and thanks for God's past patience

Psalm 106:1, 47-48 and Related

1 minute
David's psalm of thanks for God's faithfulness; Praising God's righteous judgment and mercy

Psalm 107

4 minutes
Call for people to thank God for blessing them and delivering them from troubles

Psalm 108

2 minutes
Confident prayer to God for victory over enemies

Psalm 108 and Related

1 minute
Defeating enemy coalition, prayer for national restoration, plea for deliverance from coalition

Psalm 109

5 minutes
Lamenting prayer for help against enemies

Psalm 110

6 minutes
The coming reign of David's Lord, the Melchizedek Priest-King

Psalm 111

3 minutes
Praise to God for His righteousness and faithfulness

Psalm 112

2 minutes
Blessings on the righteous

Psalm 113

3 minutes
Praising God for His majesty and for caring for His creation

Psalm 114

3 minutes
God's powerful presence in delivering Israel

Psalm 115

4 minutes
The nations trust in useless idols, Israel should trust in the true Lord

Psalm 116

9 minutes
Vowing service to God in thanks for His deliverance

Psalm 117

1 minute
Let all peoples praise God for His merciful love and truth

Psalm 118

11 minutes
Praise to God for His everlasting merciful love and prayer for salvation

Psalm 119:1-40

19 minutes
Aleph–He: Meditating on and living by God’s testimonies

Psalm 119:41-88

9 minutes
Waw–Kaph: Trusting in God’s Word, praying for His mercy and salvation

Psalm 119:89-128

11 minutes
Lamed–Ayin: Loving God’s law and seeking His salvation

Psalm 119:129-176

13 minutes
Pe–Tau: Following God’s commandments and praying for help and deliverance

Psalm 120

4 minutes
Plea for deliverance from deceitful enemies

Psalm 121

5 minutes
God our helper and keeper

Psalm 122

4 minutes
Peace to Jerusalem for God's house within

Psalm 123

3 minutes
Plea for relief from contempt

Psalm 124

2 minutes
God on His people's side

Psalm 125

3 minutes
God protects and perpetuates those who trust in Him

Psalm 126

4 minutes
Prayer for complete national restoration

Psalm 126 and Related

1 minute
Temple completion and dedication, Passover observance, rejoicing for the returned captives

Psalm 127

3 minutes
Security and posterity from God

Psalm 128

4 minutes
Blessings of those who fear God

Psalm 129

3 minutes
Plea for Zion's enemies to be put to shame

Psalm 130

4 minutes
Waiting on God's redemption

Psalm 131

2 minutes
Childlike hope in God

Psalm 132

5 minutes
Zion, the dwelling of God and His Anointed

Psalm 133

3 minutes
Blessing of God's people in unity

Psalm 134

3 minutes
Praising God in His house at night

Psalm 135

5 minutes
Praise God for His great works in nature and for His people

Psalm 136

7 minutes
Thanks to God for His creation, deliverance and enduring loving mercy

Psalm 137

5 minutes
Remembering Zion in exile

Psalm 138

6 minutes
Praise to God for giving strength and revival

Psalm 139

9 minutes
Prayer for the all-knowing God to punish the wicked and to examine and lead His servant

Psalm 140

3 minutes
Prayer for deliverance from evil, violent enemies

Psalm 141

5 minutes
Cry to be kept from wickedness and wicked schemes

Psalm 142

3 minutes
Cry for deliverance from stronger persecutors

Psalm 142 and Related

1 minute
David escapes to the cave of Adullam, David's 400 men, prayer for relief from persecutors

Psalm 143

2 minutes
Plea for deliverance from enemies

Psalm 144

4 minutes
Prayer for rescue from deceitful foreigners

Psalm 145

5 minutes
Praise for God's greatness and grace

Psalm 146

5 minutes
Praise to God who helps those in need

Psalm 147

7 minutes
Praise to God for His providential care and Word

Psalm 148

6 minutes
Praise to God from all creation

Psalm 149

5 minutes
Praise to God from His people, who will receive salvation and share in executing judgment

Psalm 150

3 minutes
Let all that live join in the orchestra of praise to God