Of the Old Testament

© John Stevenson, 2010

Book 1Chapt. 1-41

Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5Chapt. 42-72

Chapt. 73-89

Chapt. 90-106

Chapt. 107-150

Written mostly by David

Mostly by

Asaph

Mostly unknown

Many by David

• Ascription of authorship

• Musical directions

• Historical circumstances of composition

• Purpose or use of Psalm

• Liturgical notices

Psalm 1:1-2Psalm 1:1-2How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:3Psalm 1:3

The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives

away (Psalm 1:4).

Psalm 1:5-6Psalm 1:5-6Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

Blessed is the man who does not walk Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked (1)in the counsel of the wicked (1)

He does not He does not standstand in the path of in the path of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers (2)sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers (2)

He will be like a tree firmly planted by He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of living water (3)streams of living water (3)

The wicked are like chaff that the wind The wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away (4)drives away (4)

The wicked will not The wicked will not standstand in the in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous (5)of the righteous (5)

The way of the wicked shall perish (6)The way of the wicked shall perish (6)

ApplicationApplicationApplicationApplication

““Situation in Life”Situation in Life”

Situation Situation described in described in the Psalmthe Psalm

Situation for Situation for which the which the

Psalm was Psalm was writtenwritten

Psalm 24:1-2Psalm 24:1-2Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.

Psalm 24:3-4Psalm 24:3-4Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.

Psalm 24:5-6Psalm 24:5-6He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face-- even Jacob. Selah.

Psalm 24:7-8Psalm 24:7-8Lift up your heads, O gates,

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

That the King of glory may come in!

8 Who is the King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

The LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:9-10Psalm 24:9-10Lift up your heads, O gates,

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

That the King of glory may come in!

10 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts,

He is the King of glory. Selah.

Psalm 120-134Psalm 120-134

Psalm 120:1-2Psalm 120:1-2A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me. 2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue.

Psalm 121:1-4Psalm 121:1-4A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?From where shall my help come?

Psalm 121:5-8Psalm 121:5-8The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.6 The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. 8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.

Psalm 122:1Psalm 122:1A Song of Ascents, of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 122:2Psalm 122:2Our feet are standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem,

Psalm 122:3-4Psalm 122:3-4Jerusalem, that is built As a city that is compact together; 4 To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD– An ordinance for Israel– To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

Psalm 122:5Psalm 122:5For there thrones were set for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

Psalm 122:6-7Psalm 122:6-7Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.”

Psalm 122:8-9Psalm 122:8-9For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

Psalm 123:1Psalm 123:1A Song of Ascents. A Song of Ascents. To You I lift up my eyes, To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 123:2Psalm 123:2Behold, as the eyes of servants Behold, as the eyes of servants look look to to the hand of their master, the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, mistress, So our eyes So our eyes look look to the LORD our God, to the LORD our God, Until He is gracious to us.Until He is gracious to us.

Psalm 123:3-4Psalm 123:3-4Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious to us, to us, For we are greatly filled with contempt. For we are greatly filled with contempt. 44 Our soul is greatly filled Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at With the scoffing of those who are at ease, ease, And And with the contempt of the proud. with the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 125:1Psalm 125:1A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.

Psalm 125:2Psalm 125:2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

Psalm 125:3Psalm 125:3For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous, So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.

Psalm 125:4-5Psalm 125:4-5Do good, O LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts. 5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 126:1Psalm 126:1A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.

Psalm 126:3-4Psalm 126:3-4Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”3 The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.

Psalm 126:4-6Psalm 126:4-6Restore our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. 6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 127:1Psalm 127:1A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

Psalm 127:2Psalm 127:2It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Psalm 127:3-5Psalm 127:3-5Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 134:1-2Psalm 134:1-2A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD, Who serve by night in the house of the LORD! 2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD.

Psalm 134:3Psalm 134:3May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 2:1-3Psalm 2:1-3Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”

Psalm 2:4-6Psalm 2:4-6He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

Psalm 2:7-6Psalm 2:7-6I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.”

Psalm 2:10-11Psalm 2:10-1110 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:12Psalm 2:12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

rb;-rb;-WqV.WqV.

n:n:

Nashqu-barNashqu-bar

““Kiss the son”Kiss the son”

Psalm 2:12Psalm 2:12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 8:1Psalm 8:1For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

Psalm 8:2Psalm 8:2From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease

But when the chief priests and the scribes But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the and the children who were shouting in the

temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant became indignant 1616 and said to Him, “Do and said to Him, “Do You hear what these You hear what these children children are saying?” are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you

never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for nursing babies You have prepared praise for

Yourself?’” (Matthew 21:15-16)Yourself?’” (Matthew 21:15-16)

The better The better DavidDavidDavidDavid

Psalm 16Psalm 16

Psalm 16:1-2Psalm 16:1-2A Mikhtam of David. Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.”

Psalm 16:7-8Psalm 16:7-8I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:9-10Psalm 16:9-10Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

Psalm 16:11Psalm 16:11You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalm 22:1Psalm 22:1For the choir director; upon Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

Psalm 22:2-3Psalm 22:2-3O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest. 3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22:4-5Psalm 22:4-5In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them. 5 To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.

Psalm 22:6-8Psalm 22:6-8But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, 8 “Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”

Psalm 22:9-11Psalm 22:9-11Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts. 10 Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother’s womb. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help.

Psalm 22:14-15Psalm 22:14-15I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And my tongue cleaves to my jaws; And You lay me in the dust of death.

Psalm 22:16Psalm 22:16For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.

Psalm 22:17-18Psalm 22:17-18I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

Psalm 22:19-22Psalm 22:19-22But You, O LORD, be not far off; O You my help, hasten to my assistance. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth; From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me. 22 I will tell of Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to my brethren, in the midst of the

congregation I will sing Your praise.” (Hebrews 2:11-12).

Psalm 34:1Psalm 34:1A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:18-20Psalm 34:18-20The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.

The soldiers therefore came, and broke The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first man, and of the the legs of the first man, and of the

other man who was crucified with Him; other man who was crucified with Him; 3333 but coming to Jesus, when they saw but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not that He was already dead, they did not

break His legs (John 19:32-33)break His legs (John 19:32-33)

For these things came to pass, that the For these things came to pass, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.” (John 19:36). of Him shall be broken.” (John 19:36).

Psalm 41:9Psalm 41:9Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 68:17-18Psalm 68:17-18The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness.18 You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there.

Psalm 69:1Psalm 69:1For the choir director; according to Shoshannim. A Psalm of David. Save me, O God, For the waters have threatened my life.

Psalm 69:2-3Psalm 69:2-3I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Psalm 69:4Psalm 69:4Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; What I did not steal, I then have to restore.

““But But they have done this they have done this in order that the in order that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their word may be fulfilled that is written in their

Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” ((John 15:25John 15:25).).

Psalm 69:7-9Psalm 69:7-9Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Dishonor has covered my face. 8 I have become estranged from my brothers And an alien to my mother’s sons. 9 For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

Psalm 69:20-21Psalm 69:20-21Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, And for comforters, but I found none. 21 They also gave me gall for my food And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Psalm 69:24-25Psalm 69:24-25Pour out Your indignation on them, And may Your burning anger overtake them. 25 May their camp be desolate; May none dwell in their tents.

““For it is written in the book of Psalms, For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no man dwell in it’; and, “His And let no man dwell in it’; and, “His

office let another man take.’” (Acts 1:20).office let another man take.’” (Acts 1:20).

Psalm 110:1Psalm 110:1A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Psalm 110:2-3Psalm 110:2-3The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew.

Psalm 110:4Psalm 110:4The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Psalm 110:5-7Psalm 110:5-7The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. 7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head.

Psalm 118:22-23Psalm 118:22-23The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 45:1Psalm 45:1For the choir director; according to the Shoshannim. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 45:2-3Psalm 45:2-3You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3 Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One, In Your splendor and Your majesty!

Psalm 45:4-5Psalm 45:4-5And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. 5 Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies.

Psalm 45:6-7Psalm 45:6-7Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.

But of the Son But of the Son He saysHe says, “Your , “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, throne, O God, is forever and ever,

and the righteous scepter is the and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. scepter of His kingdom. 99 You have You have

loved righteousness and hated loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your lawlessness; therefore God, your

God, has anointed you with the oil of God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.” gladness above your companions.”

(Hebrews 1:8-9)(Hebrews 1:8-9)

Psalm 45:8-9Psalm 45:8-9All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are among Your noble ladies; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

Psalm 45:10-11Psalm 45:10-11Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house; 11 Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him.

“Meditation”

Lkf - To be Prudent

“Golden Prayer”

~tK - Gold

David’s flight from Saul

Maskils of David

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59

Mikhtams of David

Psalm 52:1Psalm 52:1For the choir director. A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

Psalm 52:2-3Psalm 52:2-3Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, Falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah.

Psalm 52:8-9Psalm 52:8-9But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. 9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.

Psalm 53:1Psalm 53:1For the choir director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good.

Psalm 53:2-3Psalm 53:2-3God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. 3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.

Psalm 53:6Psalm 53:6Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His captive people, Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 57:1Psalm 57:1For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.

Psalm 57:2-3Psalm 57:2-3I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

Psalm 57:4-5Psalm 57:4-5My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows And their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.