Psalms

The practical atheism of Doeg, as depicted in Psalm 52, is now generalised. It is especially expressed in the persecution of God\’s people. Such evildoers will experience humiliating divine judgment.

In considering the revelation of God\’s glory as Creator in the day and night skies or heavens, David focuses on the glory of the sun and then presents a total eclipse.

Graham Cole makes an excellent point in his little gem, Engaging with the Holy Spirit (his Oak Hill lectures). There is a basic deficiency with the common acronym for prayer used in evangelical circles – ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.  When we take seriously the many laments in Scripture it becomes “painfully” obvious that the [...]

David has enemies who are like predatory beasts \”going for the jugular.\” David himself, seeking God\’s saving intervention, also \”goes for the jugular\”, as he places his confidence in God\’s name, might and faithfulness.

 While Psalms 1 and 150 bear no evident correspondence, there is a remarkable degree of correspondence between Psalms 2 and 149 and these are close enough to the beginning and end of the Psalter as to justify being denoted as bookends. Inter-relationships between Psalm 2 and Psalm 149 Psalm 2, along with Psalm 1, constitutes [...]

A FREE download of exegetical notes on this psalm. Doeg\’s treacherous and malicious tongue is a lethal weapon. The attempts of this vile man to ingratiate himself with Saul will come to a tragic end. By contrast, the currently persecuted David is confident of God\’s enduring protection and of his ultimate restoration.

A FREE download of exegetical notes on this famous penitential psalm. David repents of the terrible sins he has committed, depending on God\’s mercy and pleading that he will not be treated as his predecessor Saul was treated.

A FREE download of exegetical notes on this psalm. God is poised to judge his people for covenant breach, not because of any deficiency in their sacrifices, as essential as these are to the covenant, but because of their violation of the Ten Commandments. God seeks expressions of thankfulness and dependence on him for deliverance.

A FREE download of exegetical notes on this wisdom psalm. Wisdom is gained by taking death seriously. At that time it will become clear that those who have trusted in their wealth and social standing as expressions of God\’s blessing are tragically in error.

A FREE download of exegetical notes on this psalm. God has amply demonstrated his ability to defend his city against military threat. Jerusalem is a great and impregnable city because she constitutes the centre from which God rules the world.