PSALM 62

In 1777, Dr. William Dodd, a London clergyman, was condemned to be hanged for forgery. When his last sermon, delivered in prison, was published, a friend commented to Samuel Johnson that the effort was far better than he had thought the man capable of. Dr. Johnson replied, “Depend upon it, when a man knows he

PSALM 61

Psalm 61 was written by David at a time when he was far from home and safety. It begins with his desperate cry to God. He is despairing, lost, and struggling. “My heart is overwhelmed!” he tells the Lord. If we are honest, many of us can relate to the feelings of David. We know

PSALM 60

David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies. (1-5) He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories. (6-12) Commentary on Psalm 60:1-5 David owns God’s displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favor, it is good to

PSALM 59

David was a servant of King Saul. Many people liked David. Saul did not like this so he sent men to kill David. But David’s wife Michal gave him help to get out through a window. David then ran away, and the men did not find him. In the psalm, David says that these men

PSALM 58

When wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for merciful restraints; we should be more earnest in seeking renewing grace, more watchful

PSALM 57

We’re told in the New Testament that we are supposed to “count it all joy” when we fall into various trials. We’re commanded to not think it a strange thing when we encounter trials in our life. Indeed, even our Lord Jesus Christ was tried and tested and tempted during his time on this earth.

PSALM 56

David seeks mercy from God, amidst the malice of his enemies. (1-7) He rests his faith on God’s promises, and declares his obligation to praise him for mercies. (8-13) Saul was trying to kill David. David was a servant of Saul. David ran away to Gath. Gath was the town where Goliath had lived. Gath

PSALM 55

David had a friend. They did a lot of good things together. But one day the friend *betrayed David. David thought that his friend liked him, but he was wrong. His friend worked for David’s enemies. This is *like Jesus’ friend Judas. Judas told Jesus’ enemies where to catch Jesus. Judas *betrayed Jesus as David’s

PSALM 54

Perhaps you’ve heard the old saw, “Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh” (or something like that). If making plans of our own (presumably in the face of God’s plans for us) is laughable, how about issuing commands to God, telling God the Divine’s own business in no uncertain terms? Who would dare to

PSALM 53

This psalm opens with a declaration that “the fool” denies God’s existence. The Hebrew word translated as “fool” in this verse is nā’bāl. This doesn’t imply someone who is stupid or incapable. It means someone senseless, irrational, or lacking in wisdom. Even intelligent people can act like fools, and there is nothing more foolish than denying