Sermons on Psalms
“A Cry for Justice” – Psalm 35:1-10
Main thoughts:The text does not give us any direct clues as to what is going on at the time this psalm is written. All we know for certain is that it is written by David at a time when he is being attacked and slandered. Most commentators place this psalm during the time when Saul turned the army against David and sought to kill him. If you have ever felt betrayed, unfairly treated, or unjustly attacked this psalm offers tremendous…
“How to Fear God” – Psalm 34:11-14
Main thoughts:After telling how blessed it is to fear God, David now tells us how to fear God. Discipleship’s Goal (11)David now invites the men who have joined him in the cave of Adullum, and everyone for that matter, to follow him in order to learn the fear of God. Discipleship is seen not in the sitting in a classroom but in the learning through following a life lived. The word order in the Hebrew indicates that the emphasis is…
“The Care of God for His People” – Psalm 33:12-22
Main thoughts:The psalmist has already told us how to praise God. He has already given us two reasons to praise God, and he concludes the psalm by giving us two more reasons to praise God.God’s love for the righteous 12-19Blessed happiness (12) – This is a verse that we are all familiar with, yet we are familiar with it out of its context. This verse is not speaking of countries or governments that acknowledge God in their founding documents, on their…
“The Power of God on Display” – Psalm 33:6-11
Main thoughts:As we continue looking at Psalm 33 we now see the power of God on display in creation and in human history. The psalm employs Hebrew parallelisms which are found in much of Hebrew poetry. The same idea is presented in two different ways. This helps us to get a well-formed understanding of the author’s mind and intent. We see God’s power on display: In Creation (6-9)The psalmist gives us four statements of the power of God in creation and…
“How and Why We Worship” – Psalm 33:1-5
Main thoughts:We do not know anything about the background of Psalm 33. It could be written by any one from any place at any time. That is the beauty of this Psalm. It is a Psalm teaching us how and why to praise God and applies to any one in any place at any time. The first phrase connects it back to the last verse of Psalm 32. If forgiven people are to shout for joy, how are we supposed…
“The Blessing of Forgiveness” – Psalm 32:1-5
Main thoughts: Psalm 32 is a teaching psalm that teaches us about the forgiveness of sins. It is written by David and was probably sung at the Day of Atonement. Three words for sin As David tells us how blessed it is to have your sins forgiven, he uses three words for sin: Transgression – a deliberate crossing of the line, rebellion Sin – a missing of the mark, anything short of perfection Iniquity – a straying from the path,…
“Whose Approval Are You Seeking?” – Psalm 31:17-24
This week we finish the psalm by looking at David’s conclusion. Silence my enemies (17-18) David cries out to God for victory over his enemies. He asks that God would cause them to be defeated and that He would silence them. He literally wants them put on mute until the day they die. We must continue to trust God when we are slandered and attacked. Instead of trying to stop the rumors we must trust that God will silence those…
“Enemies Within and Without” – Psalm 31:9-16
Main thoughts: Last time we looked at David entrusting himself to God in the midst of his trials. This week we will be looking at verses 9-18 as David describes his current conditions. Every child of God can relate to some aspect of what David is going through. Grief (9-10) David cries out to God in the midst of his struggles. He is in trouble and distressed. Although he does not provide details a large part of David’s current trials…
“Living for God’s Glory” – Psalm 30:1-12
There are two prevailing theories behind the background of Psalm 30. One is that it is a song when David dedicated his palace. The other is that this was written when David purchased the threshing floor of Auruna for the site for the temple. This is based on the Hebrew word for house also being the word for temple. Either way, the content should be read as David’s reflection on how God has brought him through turmoil to a place…
“Singing in the Dark” – Psalm 28:1-9
We do not know anything about the background to Psalm 28, and there are no clues given within the text. It would appear that it is a song written during a trial in David’s life, most likely a trial brought about by evil men. As always, David writes a song during this dark time of his life. A cry for deliverance (v. 1-2) David begins this song with a cry for God to hear his prayer and deliver him. There…
“Faith Means Waiting” – Psalm 27:7-14
Main thoughts: David has expressed his unwavering faith in the Lord. He now prays for God to come through for him in his trials. He demonstrates with each petition what true faith looks like. Acceptance by Grace David comes before the Lord on one basis, God’s merciful and gracious character. True faith acknowledges that “No one comes to the Father but by Me.” Our only standing before God is Jesus Christ by God’s grace. True faith acknowledges this. Seeking the…