Psalms

Larry McKinney reminisces: During the harrowing years of the American Civil War, the College of William and Mary (VA), founded in 1693 as the third oldest college in North America, emptied its buildings to supply young soldiers to the cause. Between 1861 and 1865, no students sat in classrooms, no professors prepared lectures, no books [...]

Psalm 1, by way of introducing the Psalter, describes the person who enjoys the protective favour, the blessing of Yahweh, as one whose “delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (v2). As many have recognised the Hebrew word torah is inadequately rendered by “law,” Words [...]

These are my exegetical notes on Psalm 59: Psalm 59

Psalm 58 is a difficult psalm for many, concluding as it does with images of the righteous rejoicing at the sight of God exacting vengeance on the wicked and the righteous bathing their feet in the blood of the wicked. To appreciate the force of these images it is important to note the contrast between [...]

Today I popped in and spent some time with Rachel and my granddaughter, Ella. Before I left I read Psalm 3 to Rachel. There is David running for his life from Absalom. He is in a seemingly hopeless situation, highly vulnerable, faced by vastly superior numbers. Many have already written him off as a has-been, [...]

In 46:10 we meet familiar but oft misunderstood words: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” There are a number of ways of interpreting this. Usually the words be still are taken to be an encouraging exhortation: “Calm your hearts, [...]

A FREE download of exegetical notes on this psalm. Having experienced God’s love and faithfulness in a life-threatening situation David prays that God’s greatness might be made known to all. Psalm 57

This psalm addresses the need of God’s people for peace and a sense of security in a chaotic, threatening world. Psalm 46 sermon

In the face of life-threatening situations David learns to combat his fear by trusting in God. This involves trusting in God’s Word. Psalm 56

This psalm, possibly written in the context of Absalom\’s revolt, reflects the chaos into which Jerusalem has plunged and the depths of anguish experienced by David upon being betrayed by someone who had been very close to him.