Every Psalm Meditated

In our second alphabet psalm, we see Israel in need of forgiveness and salvation, and then needing a teacher and a guide to show them the way.

The king of Israel must always remember that YHWH is the true king of all the earth.

David imagines himself a sheep under the care of YHWH as shepherd.

What can we cling to when God is distant? Do things always work out for God's people?

The king rejoices that God has granted him the blessings of Psalm 20. He takes none of the credit for himself.

A blessing or benediction: for salvation, for a right relationship with God, for your hearts desire

God speaks to us through His glory seen in nature, and his perfect law revealed to His people.

David loves the Lord. He calls, and God rescues him in a volcanic thunderstorm. David is blameless and victorious, because God is his source and his rock.

David comes to the Judge again, claiming innocence and begging deliverance. He's baffled by God blessing the wicked with children. Like Job, David doesn't receive a direct answer to why the wicked prosper. But when he awakens, he will behold the Lord.

David's true inheritance was not the promised land, but the Lord. The Lord, for David, brought deliverance, wisdom, joy, and eternal life.

David describes the type of person that can dwell on God's Holy Hill.

Fools deny God in their heart and in their actions, oppressing the poor. But God's people trust Him as their refuge and future restorer. The Bible Project "YHWH": https://bibleproject.com/videos/yhwh-lord/ The Bible Project "Elohim": https://bibleproject.com/videos/elohim/

David asks God how long. How long will you hide? How long will my heart drown in sorrow? How long will the enemy have victory?

David finds himself living in a deceitful, flattering generation. But God's promise of deliverance is completely truthful and pure.

My refuge is the Lord. How can you tell me to run away or give up?

David asks,"Why God?" He struggles with doubts about God's existence or if God sees the state of the world or will do anything about it.

David recounts how God's judgment delivered him -- not just in his personal case, but in delivering all the poor who are afflicted by the wicked. This is the first alphabet psalm example. interlinear Bible: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/psalms/9.htm Why were Psalms 9 and 10 separated? https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/104097/why-were-psalms-9-and-10-separated

Sandwiched between 2 judgment Psalms, Psalm 8 praises the name of the Lord Most High. It reflects on God's ownership of the earth and creation of the heavens. Then it muses on man's position in God's creation.

David, in a wild and passionate song, presents to God his case against Cush the Benjaminite, who has falsely accused David of betrayal and greed. Shiggaion definition: https://crosswinds.church/2022/08/22/shiggaion/ Identity of Cush: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/2020/10/12/who-on-earth-is-cush/#:~:text=This%20week's%20psalm%20comes%20complete,22:6%2D10). Music: "Hidden...

David, on the lyre, sings of the plight of a man tormented by guilt, illness, death, and enemies. When the Lord hears and accepts his prayer, all his enemies are turned back in a moment. Music: “Hidden in My Heart” by Jay Stocker. Used with license. https://scripture-lullabies.com/hidden-in-my-heart-vol-i

Chesed is the Hebrew word for love - steadfast love, lovingkindness, mercy, loyalty. The abundance of chesed provides David with access to the House of the Lord. But the abundance of transgressions keeps the arrogant far from God.

David's evening psalm contrasts 2 ways of lying down for bed: those whose follow empty things should quietly meditate on how to be right with God. The one blessed by the Lord has nothing to do but sleep: he is secure in the Lord's peace.

The first Psalm of David - a morning prayer- was written while he fled from the rebellion of his son Absalom. A prayer of trust for deliverance, the recurring imagery is of arising.

Psalm 2 is a "long live the king" poem- honoring Israel's king and proclaiming victory over the world. It seems to flirt with the idea of the king being deity. In fact, it gets real Jesus-y real fast. I struggle to give it meaning for the original Hebrew, nonChristian audience.

Psalm 1 opens the compilation as a beatitude and the broadest view of God’s order for the world. It introduces recurring scroll 1 concepts like God as judge, two opposing sides, and day and night. Acacia tree in Psalm 1, according to Marty Solomon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bema-podcast/id1148115183?i=1000384341762