Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist gives four examples of people who cried out to God and were saved. He then explains that God punishes the haughty and helps the humble.

II. Photo
God saved a group of prisoners: “He brought them out of deepest darkness, broke their bonds asunder… He shattered gates of bronze, He broke their iron bars.” (vv. 14, 16)

III. Select Verses    
1-3: “’Praise the LORD, for He is good; His steadfast love is eternal!’ Thus let the redeemed of the LORD say, those He redeemed from adversity, whom He gathered in from the lands, from east and west, from the north and from the sea.
23-32: Others go down to the sea in ships, ply their trade in the mighty waters;  they have seen the works of the LORD and His wonders in the deep.  By His word He raised a storm wind that made the waves surge.  Mounting up to the heaven, plunging down to the depths, disgorging in their misery,  they reeled and staggered like a drunken man, all their skill to no avail.  In their adversity they cried to the LORD, and He saved them from their troubles.  He reduced the storm to a whisper; the waves were stilled.  They rejoiced when all was quiet, and He brought them to the port they desired.  Let them praise the LORD for His steadfast love, His wondrous deeds for mankind.  Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, acclaim Him in the assembly of the elders.
33-36:  He turns the rivers into a wilderness, springs of water into thirsty land,  fruitful land into a salt marsh, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. He turns the wilderness into pools, parched land into springs of water. There He settles the hungry; they build a place to settle in.
43: The wise man will take note of these things; he will consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

IV. Outline
1-3. Lesson
4-9. Rationale #1, Refrain
10-14. Rationale #2, Refrain
17-22. Rationale #3, Refrain
23-32. Rationale #4, Refrain
33-42. Sermon
43. Motivation

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://thelegacybuilder.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/prison-bars.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist relates the sins of Israel from their sojourn in Egypt until their settlement of the land. The people confess their guilt and ask God to gather them from the nations.

II. Photo
The people sinned horrifically: “They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; so the land was polluted with bloodguilt.” (v. 38)

III. Select Verses    
6: We have sinned like our forefathers; we have gone astray, done evil.
16-18: There was envy of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.  The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, closed over the party of Abiram.  A fire blazed among their party, a flame that consumed the wicked.
19-23: They made a calf at Horeb and bowed down to a molten image.  They exchanged their glory for the image of a bull that feeds on grass.  They forgot God who saved them, who performed great deeds in Egypt,  wondrous deeds in the land of Ham, awesome deeds at the Sea of Reeds.  He would have destroyed them had not Moses His chosen one confronted Him in the breach to avert His destructive wrath.
36-38: They worshiped their idols, which became a snare for them.  Their own sons and daughters they sacrificed to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; so the land was polluted with bloodguilt.
40-46: The LORD was angry with His people and He abhorred His inheritance.  He handed them over to the nations; their foes ruled them. Their enemies oppressed them and they were subject to their power. He saved them time and again, but they were deliberately rebellious, and so they were brought low by their iniquity.  When He saw that they were in distress, when He heard their cry, He was mindful of His covenant and in His great faithfulness relented.  He made all their captors kindly disposed toward them.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b. Summons to praise
2. Praise
3. Beatitude
4-5. Initial prayer
6-39. A history of the sins of Israel
40-46. Lesson
47. Petition
48a. Blessing
48b. Postscript

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from
http://hustlebear.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/hand-fire.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist tells the story of the Israelites from Abraham to the settlement of the land. The moral is that the people should keep God’s laws.

II. Photo
God punished the Egyptians: “Their land teemed with frogs, even the rooms of their king!” (v. 30)

III. Select Verses    
7-11: He is the LORD our God; His judgments are throughout the earth.  He is ever mindful of His covenant, the promise He gave for a thousand generations,  that He made with Abraham, swore to Isaac,  and confirmed in a decree for Jacob, for Israel, as an eternal covenant,  saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your allotted heritage.”
12-15: They were then few in number, a mere handful, sojourning there,   wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no one to oppress them; He reproved kings on their account, “Do not touch My anointed ones; do not harm My prophets.”
26-38: He sent His servant Moses, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.  They performed His signs among them, His wonders, against the land of Ham.  He sent darkness; it was very dark; did they not defy His word?  He turned their waters into blood and killed their fish.  Their land teemed with frogs, even the rooms of their king.  Swarms of insects came at His command, lice, throughout their country.  He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.  He struck their vines and fig trees, broke down the trees of their country.  Locusts came at His command, grasshoppers without number.  They devoured every green thing in the land; they consumed the produce of the soil. He struck down every first-born in the land, the first fruit of their vigor.  He led Israel out with silver and gold; none among their tribes faltered.  Egypt rejoiced when they left, for dread of Israel had fallen upon them.
44-45: He gave them the lands of nations; they inherited the wealth of peoples,  that they might keep His laws and observe His teachings. Hallelujah.

IV. Outline
1-3. Call to praise
4-5. Exhortation
6-7. Rationale
8-44. A history of early Israel
45a. Lesson
45b. Postscript

V. Comment
Psalm 105, which is a history lesson about the beginnings of the Israelite people, contains a didactic message at its end (44-45): “[God] gave [Israel] the lands of nations; they inherited the wealth of peoples, that they might keep His laws and observe His teachings. Hallelujah.” It should be noted that verses 1-12 appear, with minor differences, in 1 Chronicles 16:8-19. This is one of the paradigmatic examples of how the psalms were viewed as being composed of “interchangeable parts,” i.e., parts of one psalm could be “copied and pasted” into another composition.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from
http://excellentpix.com/files/funzug/imgs/wildlife/multi_color_frogs_07.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist praises God for creating and maintaining the world.

II. Photo
The psalmist praises God: “He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set.” (v. 19)

III. Select Verses    
1b-4: O LORD, my God, You are very great; You are clothed in glory and majesty,  wrapped in a robe of light; You spread the heavens like a tent cloth.  He sets the rafters of His lofts in the waters, makes the clouds His chariot, moves on the wings of the wind. He makes the winds His messengers, fiery flames His servants.
19-23: He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set.  You bring on darkness and it is night, when all the beasts of the forests stir.  The lions roar for prey, seeking their food from God.  When the sun rises, they come home and couch in their dens.  Man then goes out to his work, to his labor until the evening.
24-30:  How many are the things You have made, O LORD; You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your creations.  There is the sea, vast and wide, with its creatures beyond number, living things, small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan that You formed to sport with. All of them look to You to give them their food when it is due.  Give it to them, they gather it up; open Your hand, they are well satisfied;  hide Your face, they are terrified; take away their breath, they perish and turn again into dust;  send back Your breath, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.
35a: May sinners disappear from the earth, and the wicked be no more.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription, Invocation
1b-23. Hymnic praise
24. Hymnic address
25-30. Hymnic praise
31. Wish/blessing
32. Hymnic praise
33-34. Vow to praise; Wish
35a. Imprecation
35b. Postscript

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://kgavenda.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/3002335.jpg?w=545

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist encourages himself to bless God and reminds his audience that God’s forgiveness is everlasting.

II. Photo
The psalmist teaches a lesson: “As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear Him.” (v. 13)

III. Select Verses    
2:  Bless the LORD, O my soul and do not forget all His bounties.
3: He forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases.
6: He forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases.
7: He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the children of Israel.
8-13: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. He will not contend forever, or nurse His anger for all time. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor has He requited us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him. As east is far from west, so far has He removed our sins from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear Him.
15:  Man, his days are like those of grass; he blooms like a flower of the field;

IV. Outline

1a. Superscription
1b-5. Meditative instruction
    1b-2. Summons to praise
    3-5. Rationale
6-18. Sermon
    6-8. Hymnic description
    9-14. God shows mercy
    15-16. Man’s days are limited
    17-18. God’s mercy is eternal
    19. Hymnic praise
    20-22. Summons to praise

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist complains about his short decrepit life and prays for the rebuilding of Zion.

II. Photo
The psalmist is in a decrepit state: “On account of my vehement groaning my bones show through my skin.”

III. Select Verses
1: A prayer of the lowly man when he is faint and pours forth his plea before the LORD.
4-6: For my days have vanished like smoke and my bones are charred like a hearth. My body is stricken and withered like grass; too wasted to eat my food; on account of my vehement groaning my bones show through my skin.
12-13: My days are like a lengthening shadow; I wither like grass. But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; Your fame endures throughout the ages.
14-17: You will surely arise and take pity on Zion, for it is time to be gracious to her; the appointed time has come.  Your servants take delight in its stones, and cherish its dust. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth, Your glory. For the LORD has built Zion; He has appeared in all His glory.
25: I say, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, You whose years go on for generations on end.

IV. Outline

1. Superscription
2-3. Invocation, initial plea
4-13. Complaint, accusation, rationale
13-23. Zion prayer
    13. Praise: God is eternal
    14. Trust: The rebuilding of Zion
    15-19. Rationale: God will be praised
    20-23. Rationale: God listens and he will be praised
24. Complaint
25. Petition for a full life
26-28. Rationale: God is eternal
29. Wish

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

Note: the superscription to this psalm (v. 1) is the only one that focuses on the speaker, not the author or a musical instrument.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4c3heWoI01qcpz19o1_400.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist vows to praise God, destroy the wicked, and align himself with the blameless.

II. Photo
The psalmist is on a mission: “Each morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to rid the city of the Lord of all evildoers.” (v. 8)

III. Select Verses
3-4: I will not set before my eyes anything base; I hate crooked dealing; I will have none of it. Perverse thoughts will be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
5: He who slanders his friend in secret I will destroy; I cannot endure the haughty and proud man.
7: He who deals deceitfully shall not live in my house; he who speaks untruth shall not stand before my eyes.
8: Each morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to rid the city of the LORD of all evildoers.

IV. Outline

1b-8. Vows
    1b. Praise
    2. The way of the blameless
    3. Shunning bad things
    4. Shunning evil
    5. Destroying the wicked man
    6. Aligning with the blameless
    7. Shunning the deceitful
    8. Destroying the evil ones

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://www.trud-ost.ru/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/d0bdd0bed0b6-d0bad180d0bed0b2d18c1.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist calls upon the people to worship and praise God.

II. Photo
The psalmist praises God: “He made us and we are His, His people, the flock He tends.” (v. 3b)

III. Select Verses    
(the entire psalm)
1-2:  A psalm for praise. Raise a shout for the LORD, all the earth; worship the LORD in gladness; come into His presence with shouts of joy.
3: Acknowledge that the LORD is God; He made us and we are His, His people, the flock He tends.
4: Enter His gates with praise, His courts with acclamation. Praise Him! Bless His name!
5: For the LORD is good; His steadfast love is eternal; His faithfulness is for all generations.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b-2. Call to praise
3. Rationale/address: God is the creator
4. Call to worship and praise
5. Rationale: God is good

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/etienjones/etienjones0905/etienjones090500012/4842651-flock-of-sheep-grazing-on-a-grassy-pasture.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist praises God’s kingship and calls upon the people to praise him.

II. Photo
God spoke to the prophets: “He spoke to them in a pillar of cloud; they obeyed His decrees, the law He gave them.” (v. 7)

III. Select Verses    
1-2: The LORD, enthroned on cherubim, is king, peoples tremble, the earth quakes. The LORD is great in Zion, and exalted above all peoples.
4: Mighty king who loves justice, it was You who established equity, You who worked righteous judgment in Jacob.
6-8: Moses and Aaron among His priests, Samuel, among those who call on His name — when they called to the LORD, He answered them. He spoke to them in a pillar of cloud; they obeyed His decrees, the law He gave them. O LORD our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God for them, but You exacted retribution for their misdeeds.
9: Exalt the LORD our God, and bow toward His holy hill, for the LORD our God is holy.

IV. Outline
1-2. Praise: God is king in Zion above all nations
3. Wish for nations to praise him
4. Praise: God is just
5. Call to praise
6-8. Historical address: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel
9. Call to praise

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2283/2217672301_d1561a49b7_z.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The psalmist praises God’s victories and calls upon the people to sing to him.

II. Photo
A call to praise: “Sing praise to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song!” (v. 5)

III. Select Verses    
2: The LORD has manifested His victory, has displayed His triumph in the sight of the nations.
4-9: Raise a shout to the LORD, all the earth, break into joyous songs of praise!  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. Let the sea and all within it thunder, the world and its inhabitants;  let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains sing joyously together at the presence of the LORD, for He is coming to rule the earth; He will rule the world justly, and its peoples with equity.

IV. Outline
1a. Superscription
1b. Call to worship and rationale
1c-3. Hymnic praise of God’s public victories
4-6. Hymnic call to praise
7-9a. Anticipated praise: nature
9b. Rationale: God has come to judge righteously

V. Comment
Psalm 98, which scholars label a “YHWH Kingship Psalm” (see v. 6), is a hymnic call to worship. As Gerstenberger notes, the psalm is very similar to Psalm 96:
1. The people are encouraged to sing a “new song”:

• Psa. 98:1 A psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has worked wonders; His right hand, His holy arm, has won Him victory.
• Psa. 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song, sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2. God is praised amongst the nations:

• Psa. 98:2 The LORD has manifested His victory, has displayed His triumph in the sight of the nations.
• Psa. 96:3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wondrous deeds, among all peoples.

3. Nature rejoices:

• Psa. 98:7-8: Let the sea and all within it thunder, the world and its inhabitants; let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains sing joyously together
• Psa. 96:11-12: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult; let the sea and all within it thunder,  the fields and everything in them exult; then shall all the trees of the forest shout for joy

4. God comes as a righteous judge:

• Psa. 98:9 at the presence of the LORD, for He is coming to rule the earth; He will rule the world justly, and its peoples with equity.
• Psa. 96:13 at the presence of the LORD, for He is coming, for He is coming to rule the earth; He will rule the world justly, and its peoples in faithfulness.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Gerstenberger, Erhard. Psalms Part 2 and Lamentations (Forms of Old Testament Literature; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Photo copied from http://coyc.cochorus.com/images/COYC.jpg