Psalm 38 – “Petition for Health and Safety”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist begs God to heal him from his wounds and to protect him from his enemies.

II. Photo
Beseeching God: “O Lord, do not punish me in wrath, do not chastise me in fury, for your arrows have struck me, your blows have fallen upon me!”

III. Select Verses
2-4: O LORD, do not punish me in wrath; do not chastise me in fury. For Your arrows have struck me; Your blows have fallen upon me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your rage, no wholeness in my bones because of my sin.
5: For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are like a heavy burden, more than I can bear.
13-15: Those who seek my life lay traps; those who wish me harm speak malice; they utter deceit all the time. But I am like a deaf man, unhearing, like a dumb man who cannot speak up; I am like one who does not hear, who has no retort on his lips.
19-21: I acknowledge my iniquity; I am fearful over my sin; for my mortal enemies are numerous; my treacherous foes are many. Those who repay evil for good harass me for pursuing good.
22-23: Do not abandon me, O LORD; my God, be not far from me; hasten to my aid, O Lord, my deliverance.

IV. Outline
1. Superscription
2. Initial petition
3-9. Complaint and confession
10-15. Invocation and complaint
16. Trust
17-21. Complaint and confession
22-23. Petition

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Craigie, Peter C. “Psalms 1-50” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 19 (Waco, Texas: Wordbooks, 1983).
Gerstenberger, Erhard S. “Psalms Part 1 with an Introduction to Cultic Poetry” Forms of Old Testament Literature (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1988).
Photo taken from http://www.badgerarrow.com/store/images/_1010271.JPG

Psalm 37 – “Acrostic Sermon: Shun Evil and Do Good”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God protects the righteous and kills the wicked.

II. Photo
A message: “Do not be vexed by evil men; do not be incensed by wrongdoers; for they soon wither like grass, like verdure fade away.” (vv. 1b-2)

III. Select Verses
1b-2: Do not be vexed by evil men; do not be incensed by wrongdoers; for they soon wither like grass, like verdure fade away.
14-15: The wicked draw their swords, bend their bows, to bring down the lowly and needy, to slaughter upright men. Their swords shall pierce their own hearts, and their bows shall be broken.
16: Better the little that the righteous man has than the great abundance of the wicked.
18-20: The LORD is concerned for the needs of the blameless; their portion lasts forever; they shall not come to grief in bad times; in famine, they shall eat their fill. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be consumed, like meadow grass consumed in smoke.
25: I have been young and am now old, but I have never seen a righteous man abandoned, or his children seeking bread.
27: Shun evil and do good, and you shall abide forever.
35-36: I saw a wicked man, powerful, well-rooted like a robust native tree. Suddenly he vanished and was gone; I sought him, but he was not to be found.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b-2. The wicked will fade away
3-8. Trust in God
9-10. The wicked will disappear
11. The lowly will be lifted
12-15. The wicked will be met with death
16-17. Better to be righteous than wicked
18-19. The righteous are looked out for
20. God will destroy the wicked
21-22. The righteous man as opposed to the wicked
23-26. The righteous always succeed
27-31. Exhortation and rationale for doing good
32-33. The wicked will not succeed
34. Exhortation to turn to God
35-36. Anecdote about a wicked man
37-38. Fates of the righteous and wicked
39-40. God protects the righteous

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 36 – “Condemnation of Evil”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist denounces the ways of the wicked.

II. Photo
The psalmist praises God: “With You is the fountain of life; by your light do we see light.” (v. 10)

III. Select Verses
2-5: I know what Transgression says to the wicked; he has no sense of the dread of God, because its speech is seductive to him till his iniquity be found out and he be hated. His words are evil and deceitful; he will not consider doing good. In bed he plots mischief; he is set on a path of no good, he does not reject evil.
6-7: O LORD, Your faithfulness reaches to heaven; Your steadfastness to the sky; Your beneficence is like the high mountains; Your justice like the great deep; man and beast You deliver, O LORD.
10-11: With You is the fountain of life; by Your light do we see light. Bestow Your faithful care on those devoted to You, and Your beneficence on upright men.

IV. Outline
1. Superscription
2-5. The ways of evil
6-10. Hymnic praise
11-12. Petition
13. Imprecation

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 35 – “Petition/Imprecation of Enemies”

Hebrew-English Texts
I. Summary
The psalmist asks God to protect him from his enemies.

II. Photo
The psalmist curses his enemies: “Let their path be dark and slippery, with the Lord’s angel in pursuit!” (v. 6)

III. Select Verses
4-7: Let those who seek my life be frustrated and put to shame; let those who plan to harm me fall back in disgrace. Let them be as chaff in the wind, the LORD’s angel driving them on. Let their path be dark and slippery, with the LORD’s angel in pursuit. For without cause they hid a net to trap me; without cause they dug a pit for me.
13-16: Yet, when they were ill, my dress was sackcloth, I kept a fast — may what I prayed for happen to me! I walked about as though it were my friend or my brother; I was bowed with gloom, like one mourning for his mother. But when I stumble, they gleefully gather; wretches gather against me, I know not why; they tear at me without end. With impious, mocking grimace they gnash their teeth at me.
17-18: O Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their attacks, my precious life, from the lions, that I may praise You in a great congregation, acclaim You in a mighty throng.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b. Invocation
1c-3. Petition: defense from enemies
4-8. Imprecation of enemies and rationale
9-10. Anticipated praise
11-16. Complaint about enemies
17-25. Petitions, rationale
26. Imprecation of enemies
27-28. Anticipated praise

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 34 – “Acrostic Lesson”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist exhorts his community to fear God, shun evil, and do good.

II. Photo
The psalmist teaches his message: “Come, my sons, listen to me, I will teach you what it is to fear the Lord.” (v. 12)

III. Select Verses
1: Of David, when he feigned madness in the presence of Abimelech, who turned him out, and he left.
4: Exalt the LORD with me; let us extol His name together.
6: Men look to Him and are radiant; let their faces not be downcast.
8: The angel of the LORD camps around those who fear Him and rescues them.
13-15: Who is the man who is eager for life, who desires years of good fortune? Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from deceitful speech. Shun evil and do good, seek amity and pursue it.
20-22: Though the misfortunes of the righteous be many, the LORD will save him from them all, Keeping all his bones intact, not one of them being broken. One misfortune is the deathblow of the wicked; the foes of the righteous shall be ruined.

IV. Outline
1. Historical superscription
2-4. Personal call to praise
5. Account of trouble, prayer, and salvation
6-11. Exhortation to fear God
12. Invitation to learn
13-15. Lesson: Shun evil and do good
16-23. Rationale: God blesses his followers and punishes evildoers

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 33 – “Pedagogic Hymn”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The people praise God’s power over mankind.

II. Photo
The people praise God: “The Lord looks down from heaven, he sees all mankind.” (v. 13)

III. Select Verses
1-3: Sing forth, O you righteous, to the LORD; it is fit that the upright acclaim Him. Praise the LORD with the lyre; with the ten-stringed harp sing to Him; sing Him a new song; play sweetly with shouts of joy.
10: The LORD frustrates the plans of nations, brings to naught the designs of peoples.
12: Happy the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen to be His own.
13-15: The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all mankind. From His dwelling-place He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth — He who fashions the hearts of them all, who discerns all their doings.
16-19: Kings are not delivered by a large force; warriors are not saved by great strength; horses are a false hope for deliverance; for all their great power they provide no escape. Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, who wait for His faithful care to save them from death, to sustain them in famine.

IV. Outline
1-3. Joyous call to praise
4-5. Rationale: God is just
6-7. Rationale: God created the heavens and controls the sea
8. Exhortation to praise
9. Rationale: God’s word endures
10. Lesson: God ruins the plans of the nations
11. Lesson: God’s word endures
12. Beatitude: God’s nation
13-15. God rules all mankind
16-17. Man cannot be saved on their own
18-19. God saves those who trust him
20-22. Affirmation of confidence

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 32 – “Pedagogic Confession and Gratitude”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist confesses his sins, gives thanks to God, and urges others to do the same.

II. Photo
The psalmist encourages the people: “Be not like a senseless horse or mule whose movement must be curbed by bit and bridle; far be it from you!” (v. 9)

III. Select Verses
1b-2: Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered over. Happy the man whom the LORD does not hold guilty, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
5-6: Then I acknowledged my sin to You; I did not cover up my guilt; I resolved, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore let every faithful man pray to You upon discovering [his sin], that the rushing mighty waters not overtake him.
8-10: Let me enlighten you and show you which way to go; let me offer counsel; my eye is on you. Be not like a senseless horse or mule whose movement must be curbed by bit and bridle; far be it from you! Many are the torments of the wicked, but he who trusts in the LORD shall be surrounded with favor.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b-2. Pedagogic beatitudes
3-5. Account of trouble, confession, and salvation
6. Exhortation
7. Trust
8-10. Pedagogic instruction
11. Call to worship

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 31 – “Petition for Well-Being”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist trusts in God, asks to be healed from his sickness, and urges his community to trust in God.

II. Photo
The psalmist is ostracized: “I am a horror to my friends – those who see me on the street avoid me.” (v. 12b)

III. Select Verses
2-4: I seek refuge in You, O LORD; may I never be disappointed; as You are righteous, rescue me. Incline Your ear to me; be quick to save me; be a rock, a stronghold for me, a citadel, for my deliverance. For You are my rock and my fortress; You lead me and guide me as befits Your name.
10-14: Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes are wasted by vexation, my substance and body too. My life is spent in sorrow, my years in groaning; my strength fails because of my iniquity, my limbs waste away. Because of all my foes I am the particular butt of my neighbors, a horror to my friends; those who see me on the street avoid me. I am put out of mind like the dead; I am like an object given up for lost. I hear the whisperings of many, intrigue on every side, as they scheme together against me, plotting to take my life.
20-21: How abundant is the good that You have in store for those who fear You, that You do in the full view of men for those who take refuge in You. You grant them the protection of Your presence against scheming men; You shelter them in Your pavilion from contentious tongues.
24-25: So love the LORD, all you faithful; the LORD guards the loyal, and more than requites him who acts arrogantly. Be strong and of good courage, all you who wait for the LORD.

IV. Outline
1. Superscription
2. Trust and hope
3. Initial plea
4-7. Affirmation of trust
8-9. Thanks for salvation
10a. Initial petition
10b-14. Complaint
15-16a. Trust
16b-18a. Petition
18b-19. Imprecation: evil people/talk
20-21. Trust in being righteous (pedagogic)
22-23. Blessing/recollection of trouble and salvation
24-25. Pedagogic exhortation

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 30 – “Thanks for Salvation”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist is thankful for being saved from dire straits.

II. Photo
The psalmist is optimistic: “One may lie down weeping at nightfall, but at dawn there are shouts of joy!” (v. 6b)

III. Select Verses
3-4: O LORD, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O LORD, You brought me up from Sheol, preserved me from going down into the Pit.
5-6: O you faithful of the LORD, sing to Him, and praise His holy name. For He is angry but a moment, and when He is pleased there is life. One may lie down weeping at nightfall; but at dawn there are shouts of joy.
10-11: “What is to be gained from my death, from my descent into the Pit? Can dust praise You? Can it declare Your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; O LORD, be my help!”
12-13: You turned my lament into dancing, you undid my sackcloth and girded me with joy, that my whole being might sing hymns to You endlessly; O LORD my God, I will praise You forever.

IV. Outline

1. Superscription
2-4. Account of trouble and salvation
    2. Enemies
    3-4. Sickness
5-6. Call to worship and rationale
7-13a. Account of trouble, prayer, trust, and salvation
13b. Vow to give thanks

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Psalm 29 – “Hymn of God’s Power”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The people praise God’s power.

II. Photo
The people describe God’s might: “The voice of the Lord is majesty; the voice of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon!” (v. 5)

III. Select Verses
1b-2: Ascribe to the LORD, O divine beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; bow down to the LORD, majestic in holiness.
4-7: The voice of the LORD is power; the voice of the LORD is majesty; the voice of the LORD breaks cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion, like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD kindles flames of fire
10: The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood; the LORD sits enthroned, king forever.
11: May the LORD grant strength to His people; may the LORD bestow on His people wellbeing.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1-2. Call to angels for worship
3-10. Hymnic praise of God’s power over nature
11. Wish: power for the people

V. Comment
Psalm 29, which is a hymn structured around the repetition of the Hebrew word kol “voice,” begins with a call to worship: “Ascribe to the Lord, O divine beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; bow down to the Lord, majestic in holiness.” (1b-2). While this call to worship is somewhat unique in that it is directed toward the heavenly beings and not the people, it is otherwise a standard way to begin a hymn. Gerstenberger quotes Mowinckel: “The hymn opens with the exhortation to sing unto the Lord, to praise, thank, exalt and bless him, to fall down and worship him, to proclaim him, to ‘clap your hands and shout unto God’ etc. – usually in the imperative plural.” (130) As Gerstenberger notes, “The hymnic overture reflects very clearly the thronging of a large, festive crowd and the ritual activities involved in a worship of praise.” (130)

Many of the calls to worship share similar features:
Singing:

Sing Him a new song; play sweetly with shouts of joy. (33:3)
Sing to the LORD a new song, sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name, proclaim His victory day after day. (96:1-2)
A psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has worked wonders; His right hand, His holy arm, has won Him victory. (98:1)
Sing praises to Him; speak of all His wondrous acts. (105:2)
Hallelujah. Sing to the LORD a new song, His praises in the congregation of the faithful. (149:1)

Instruments:

Praise the LORD with the lyre; with the ten-stringed harp sing to Him (33:2)
Take up the song, sound the timbrel, the melodious lyre and harp. Blow the horn on the new moon, on the full moon for our feast day. (81:3-4)
With a ten-stringed harp, with voice and lyre together. (92:4)
Sing praise to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. With trumpets and the blast of the horn raise a shout before the LORD, the king. (98:5-6)
Sing to the LORD a song of praise, chant a hymn with a lyre to our God, (147:7)
Praise Him with blasts of the horn; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with lute and pipe. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud-clashing cymbals. (150:3-5)

Gestures of submission:

All you peoples, clap your hands, raise a joyous shout for God. (47:2)
Come, let us bow down and kneel, bend the knee before the LORD our maker (95:6)
Exalt the LORD our God and bow down to His footstool; He is holy! (99:5)
Lift your hands toward the sanctuary and bless the LORD. (134:2)