Psalms to be Studied
These studies of the Psalms will cover sixteen selected Psalms. They consist of outlines and notes on the verses of each of these Psalms as well as specific word studies that will enhance the understanding of the Scriptures .
1: Introduction to the Psalms: (this posting).
Psalm 1: The Righteous Life
Psalm 2: God’s Son Reigns!
Psalm 15: Entering God’s Presence
Psalm 19: God’s Glory Revealed
Psalm 22: The Suffering Messiah
Psalm 23: The Sustaining Shepherd
Psalm 24: The Glorified king
Psalm 46: God Our Refuge
Psalm 67: God’s Blessed Purpose
Psalm 72: Messiah is King!
Psalm 86: Our Loving God
Psalm 96: Our Majestic Lord
Psalm 110: Our Priestly Lord
Psalm 121: Our Keeping God
Psalm 132: Our Covenant God
Psalm 145: Our Great Lord
TITLE: PSALMS
Hebrew (tehillim) praises: Psalm 66:2
Greek (psalmos) psalms, music, song: Luke 20:42
5 Books in the Psalms
Book 1: Psalms 1-41 (Doxology: 41:13)
Book 2: Psalms 42-72 (Doxology: 72:18-19)
Book 3: Psalms 73-89 (Doxology: 89:52)
Book 4: Psalms 90-106 (Doxology: 106:48)
Book 5: Psalms 107-150 (Doxology: 150)
Types of Psalms
Messianic – Relating to the Messiah to come. 1, 2, 3, 8, 16, 22, 23, 40, 45, 69, 72, 86, 87, 88, 90, 108, 110, 118, 132.
Royal – Relating to specific events in the life of a king. 18, 20, 21, 47, 89, 93, 96-99, 101, 132, 144.
Thanksgiving – Thanking God for His marvelous works. 8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 67,68, 81, 103
Lament – Prayers for help and deliverance, expressing disappointment and sorrow. (About 1/3 of all the Psalms)
Imprecatory – Prayers for God to bring judgment on enemies. 35, 58, 69, 83, 109, 137.
Songs of Ascent – Psalms that were sung during the ascent up to the temple during the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Psalms 120-134.
Acrostic – Each verse or group of verses (Ps. 119), begin with a sequential letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 9, 10, 25, 34, 111, 112, 119, 145.
Terms for God in the Psalms
LORD (YHWH) and Yah. eternal name for God “I am Who I am” (740x)
Elohim (’elôhîym) The majestic and mighty God. (448x)
Adonai (’ăḏônây) Sovereign, ruler, master. (67x)
Elyon (‘elyôn) Most High (22x)
Other Names:
Rock: 20; God of Jacob: 12; Lord of hosts: 7; Mighty One: 4 Holy One of Israel: 3 Redeemer: 2
Words in the Inscriptions of the Psalms
(selected only, not a complete listing)
Psalm (mizmôr): “praise songs” 57x
Prayer (ṯep̱ilâ): “prayer” Psalm 17, 86, 90, 102, 140
Song (šiyr): “song” (over 30x)
Maskil (maskil): “to be wise, to instruct” (13x)
Mitkam (miḵṯâm): inscription? Psalm 16; 56-60
Petition/Remember (zâḵar): Psalm 38; 70
Shiggaion (šg̱iâyôn): musical term? Psalm 7
Other Inscriptions:
For the Sabbath: Psalm 92
For giving thanks: Psalm 100
Historical Connections in the Psalms
Psalm 7 (1 Samuel 24:11-12) David hides from Saul
Psalm 18 (2 Samuel 22:1-51) David is delivered from his enemies
Palm 30 (2 Samuel 24:25) David builds an altar
Psalm 34 (1 Samuel 21) David is delivered from his enemies
Psalm 51 (2 Samuel 11:12) David sins with Bathsheba
Psalm 52 (1 Samuel 22:9) David is distressed over an informant
Psalm 54 (1 Samuel 23:19) David is distressed over an informant
Psalm 56 (1 Samuel 21:10-11) David is delivered from his enemies
Psalm 57 (1 Samuel 24:3-10) David hides from Saul
Psalm 59 (1 Samuel 19:11) Saul watches for David at his house
Psalm 60 (2 Samuel 8:13) David celebrates his victory
Psalm 63 (1 Samuel 23:14) David runs from Saul
Psalm 142 (1 Samuel 22:1; 24:3) David encounters Saul in a cave
God’s Attributes in the Psalms (Selected attributes only)
1 Eternal. Psalm 90:2; 102:12; 145:13.
2 Omnipotent: all powerful. Psalm 115:3; 33:6-9; 104:1-30.
3 Omniscient: All knowing. Psalm 147:5.
4 Omnipresent: everywhere present. Psalm 139:7-10; 90:1-2.
5 Self-Existent. Psalm 90:2
6 Immanent: with us, close by. Psalm 145:18
7 Immutable: does not change. Psalm 33:11; 102:12, 25-28; 119:89,
8 Transcendent: totally other (not comparable to anyone) Psalm 113:5-6
9 Sovereign: King, Ruler. Psalm 115:3; 145:1
10 Glorious. Psalm 19:1; 145:11.
11 Holy. Psalm 99:2-3.
12 Righteous. Psalm 145:7
13 Loving: steadfast love, merciful kindness (hesed) 127 times in the Psalms beginning with 5:7
14 Just. Psalm 99:4
15 Gracious. Psalm 145:8
16 Good. Psalm 25:8; 27:13; 31:19-20; 33:5; 34:8; 100:4-5; 107;8-9; 119:68; 143:10; 145:9.
Psalms Quoted in the New Testament
2:1, 2 Acts 4:25, 26
2:7 Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5
2:8, 9 Revelation 2:26, 27; 12:5; 19:15
4:4 Ephesians 4:26
5:9 Romans 3:13
6:3a John 12:27
6:8 Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:27
8:2 Matthew 21:16
8:4-6 Hebrews 2:6-8
8:6 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22
10:7 Romans 3:14
14:1c, 2b, 3 Romans 3:10-12
16:8-11 Acts 2:25-28
16:10b Acts 13:35
18:2b Hebrews 2:13
18:49 Romans 15:9
19:4 Romans 10:18
22:1 Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34
22:7 Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29; Luke 23:35
22:8 Matthew 27:43
22:18 John 19:24; cf. Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34
22:22 Hebrews 2:12
24:1 1 Corinthians 10:26 [28]
31:5a Luke 23:46
32:1, 2 Romans 4:7, 8
34:8 1 Peter 2:3
34:12-16 1 Peter 3:10-12
34:20 John 19:36
35:19b John 15:25
36:1b Romans 3:18
37:11a Matthew 5:5
38:11 Luke 23:49
40:6-8 Hebrews 10:5-7
41:9 John 13:18
41:13 Luke 1:68
42:5 Matthew 26:38; Mark 14:34
44:22 Romans 8:36
45:6, 7 Hebrews 1:8, 9
48:2 Matthew 5:35
51:4 Romans 3:4
53:1-3 Romans 3:10-12
55:22 1 Peter 5:7
62:12 Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6
68:18 Ephesians 4:8
69:4 John 15:25
69:9a John 2:17
69:9b Romans 15:3
69:21 Matt. 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36 John 19:28, 29
69:22, 23 Romans 11:9, 10
69:25 Acts 1:20
72:18 Luke 1:68
78:2 Matthew 13:35
78:24 John 6:31
82:6 John 10:34
86:9 Revelation 15:4
88:8 Luke 23:49
89:10 Luke 1:51
89:20 Acts 13:22
90:4 2 Peter 3:8
91:11, 12 Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10, 11
91:13 Luke 10:19
94:11 1 Corinthians 3:20
94:14 Romans 11:1, 2
95:7-11 Hebrews 3:7-11, 15, 18; 4:1, 3, 5, 7
97:7 Hebrews 1:6
98:3 Luke 1:54
102:25-27 Hebrews 1:10-12
103:17 Luke 1:50
104:4 Hebrews 1:7
105:8, 9 Luke 1:72, 73
106:10 Luke 1:71
106:45 Luke 1:72
106:48 Luke 1:68
107:9 Luke 1:53
109:8 Acts 1:20
109:25 Matthew 27:39
110:1 Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42, 43; Acts 2:34, 35; Hebrews 1:13.
110:4 Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21
111:9a Luke 1:68
111:9c Luke 1:49
112:9 2 Corinthians 9:9
116:10 2 Corinthians 4:13
117:1 Romans 15:11
118:6 Hebrews 13:6
118:22, 23 Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10, 11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:4, 7
118:25, 26 Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; 19:38; John 12:13
132:5 Acts 7:46
132:11 Acts 2:30
132:17 Luke 1:69
135:14a Hebrews 10:30
140:3b Romans 3:13
143:2b Romans 3:20
146:6 Acts 4:24; 14:15
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