What I Noticed Today (Psalms 119)

Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the book of Psalms, with 176 verses. It is written in an acrostic format. The first letter of each paragraph begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Additionally, each paragraph (also known as a strophe), is composed of eight verses. Each of these verses begins with the same Hebrew letter.

The psalm is a collection of prayers on the Word of God. The Word of God is referred to by ten synonyms: Law, Word, Saying, Commandment, Statutes, Judgment, Precepts, Testimony, Way, and Path.

Aleph

In verses 1-8, the psalmist declares that those who walk in the way of the Lord are blessed. He prays that he will be able to follow God’s law and promises to praise God as he learns more about God’s statutes.

Bet

In verses 9-16, the psalmist says that a man stays pure by wholeheartedly seeking God, storing up God’s Word in his heart, and meditating on it continually.

Gimel

In verses 17-24, the psalmist asks the Lord to open his eyes to see the blessings in the Law. He prays that the Lord would keep evil-doers away so that he can meditate on God’s Word.

Daleth

In verses 25-32, the psalmist prays that the Lord would learn and understand God’s statutes so that he can meditate on them. He promises to remain faithful to God’s Law.

He

In verses 33-40, the psalmist declares his loyalty to the Word of God, which he followed with a whole heart. He prayed that the Lord would keep him from covetousness and vanity.

Waw

In verses 41-48, the psalmist asks the Lord to save him based on the Lord’s promise and steadfast love. He then prayed that he would keep God’s Law continually.

Zayin

In verses 49-56, the psalmist says that his hope is in the Word comforts him in the midst of his afflictions. He is angry with those who forsake the Law. He is blessed because he has kept God’s precepts.

Heth

In verses 57-64, the psalmist says the Lord is his portion and promises to keep His Word even when surrounded by the wicked.

Teth

In verses 65-72, the psalmist says that the Lord has dealt with his servant according to His Word and asks the Lord to teach him good judgment and knowledge so he won’t go astray. He admits that being afflicted helped him learn the Lord’s statutes

Yodh

In verses 73-80, the psalmist declares that he was created by the Lord and asks that the Lord give him the understanding to learn His commandments. He prayed that the insolent be shamed while those who fear the Lord will turn to Him.

Kaph

In verses 81-88, the psalmist says his soul longs for the Lord and wonders how long he will have to wait before the Lord vindicates him. He claims to have remained true to the Lord’s precepts despite facing intense persecution.

Lamedh

In verses 89-96, the psalmist declares the Lord’s Word is fixed in heaven and established on earth. God’s law delights him and has given him life.

Mem

In verses 97-104, the psalmist declares his love for the Law of God, meditating on it all day. It has given him more understanding and keeps him from evil.

Nun

In verses 105-112, the psalmist sees God’s Word as a light to direct his path, and he vows to follow it. In his distress, he prays for the Lord to rescue him as he follows God’s Law faithfully.

Samekh

In verses 113-120, the psalmist hates the double-minded but loves the Law because it is his refuge. He prays that the Lord will keep him safe as He destroys the wicked.

Ayin

In verses 121-128, the psalmist prays for God to not abandon him to the wicked, to save him, and teach him God’s Law so he will know how to act

Pe

In verses 129-136, the psalmist says God’s Word gives light and understanding. He prays that God will be gracious to him, keep iniquity from him, and redeem him from oppression.

Tsadhe

In verses 137-144, the psalmist declares the righteousness of the Lord. He expresses zeal for the Word that comforts him even in the midst of trouble and anguish.

Qoph

In verses 145-152, the psalmist asks the Lord to rescue him as he cries for help. The evil men who persecute him are closing in around him, yet he relies on the true Word of the Lord.

Resh

In verses 153-160, the psalmist calls on the Lord to deliver him in the midst of his anguish according to His promise. The wicked are far from salvation, but the Lord’s mercy is great.

Sin & Shin

In verses 161-168, the psalmist’s heart is in awe of the Words of the Lord despite the princes who persecute him. He hates falsehood, but loves the Law, and prays for salvation as he meditates on the Law because he loves it.

Taw

In verses 169-176, the psalmist asks God to hear his cry and to deliver him according to His word. He will praise the Lord and longs for salvation because he delights in God’s law.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Psalms 120-131

What I Noticed Today (Psalms 108-118)

Psalm 108

Psalm 108 is a psalm of David praising the Lord for His steadfast love and faithfulness.

In verses 1-6, David praises God for his steadfast love and faithfulness. The Lord should be exalted over all the earth so that His beloved will be delivered.

In verses 7-13, David prayed for God’s help in defeating Israel’s enemies.

Psalm 109

Psalm 109 is a psalm of David praying that the Lord would avenge Israel’s enemies.

In verses 1-5, David cried out to God, praising Him and asking Him to deliver Israel from the deceitful, hateful enemies.

In verses 6-20, David cursed his enemy, asking that he be found guilty and that he be cut-off because this man had taken advantage of the poor, the needy, and the brokenhearted.

In verses 21-31, David asked the Lord for His help in delivering him because he was poor and needy, weak, and an object of scorn. David said he would rejoice when the wicked were put to shame and disgraced and would give God credit for delivering him.

Psalm 110

Psalm 110 is a prophetic psalm of David after he received an oracle from the Lord.

In verses 1-2, David reports a conversation between the Lord (Yahweh) and David’s Lord (ʾăd̠ōnay), or God the Father and the Messiah, saying that David’s Lord is sitting at the right hand of the Father.

In verses 3-4, those who will join the Messiah in battle will be holy, and the Lord will be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

In verses 5-7, David foretells the glorious victory of the Lord, crushing kings, and judging nations as He is lifted up.

Psalm 111

Similar to Psalm 112, in Psalm 111, the psalmist praises the Lord for his wondrous work of redemption.

In verses 1-3, the psalmist praises the Lord for His great and wondrous works.

In verses 4-9, the psalmist reviews specifics of God’s wondrous works: He is gracious and compassionate, He remembers His covenant, He is faithful, and His name is Holy and awesome.

In verse 10, the psalmist concludes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Psalm 112

Psalm 112 describes some of the blessings received by someone who fears the Lord.

In verse 1, the psalmist says that he who fears the Lord and delights in His law is blessed.

In verses 2-9, the psalmist describes five blessings: physical and material prosperity because he is righteous, light is given even in darkness, goodness is received in return for being generous, his faith will be unshakable, and because he provides for the poor, he will be lifted up and honored by the Lord.

In verse 10, the psalmist describes the anxiety that will fill the wicked who are about to waste away.

Psalms 113-118

Psalms 113-118 are what is known as the Hallel, a collection of songs sung at major festivals and Holy days. For example, Psalms 113-114 are sung before the Passover meal, and Psalms 115-118 are sung afterward.

Psalm 113

Psalm 113 is a call to all believers to praise God.

In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls on servants of the Lord to praise His name.

In verses 4-9, the psalmist says servants of the Lord should praise Him because of His greatness and grace.

Psalm 114

Psalm 114 celebrates the Lord’s deliverance of the people in Exodus.

In verses 1-4, the psalmist relates the power of God when God brought them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and into Canaan.

In verses 7-8, the psalmist instructs the earth to tremble at the power of the Lord.

Psalm 115

Psalm 115 is a call for the Lord to demonstrate His sovereignty.

In verses 1-2, the psalmist speaks of the people’s unworthiness in contrast to the glory, love, and faithfulness of the Lord.

In verses 3-8, the psalmist declares the sovereignty of the Lord over idols.

In verses 9-11, the psalmist calls on the people of Israel to trust in the Lord, not in idols.

In verses 12-18, the psalmist calls on everyone to trust in the Lord because as the creator of the heaven and earth he will bless them.

Psalm 116

Psalm 116 is a personal song of thanksgiving because the Lord delivered the psalmist from certain death.

In verses 1-2, the psalmist declares his love for the Lord because the Lord has heard him.

In verses 3-11, the psalmist describes how the Lord delivered him at the point of death. He describes three lessons from the experience: believers can rest because God can remove suffering, God delivers so they can live in obedience to Him, and God can be trusted in the midst of great affliction.

In verses 12-19, the psalmist says all he can do to repay the Lord is to lift Him up in praise so that others will also hear. The lives of the servants of the Lord are precious to Him.

Psalm 117

Psalm 117 is a short invitation to people everywhere to praise the Lord.

In verses 1-2, the psalmist calls on all nations to praise the Lord because the Lord loves and is faithful to His people.

Psalm 118

Psalm 118 is a praise song of the Lord’s faithful love for His people. It is prophetic in its description of the Messiah.

In verses 1-4, the psalmist calls on Israel and others who fear the Lord to acknowledge the steadfast love of the Lord.

In verses 5-21, the psalmist describes how the Lord rescued him from distress and was his refuge in the midst of his enemies. He praises the Lord for His strength, song, and salvation.  The psalmist declares thanks for God’s righteousness and sings praises for delivering him.

In verses 22-29, the psalmist declares that the Lord had taken the stone that the builders had rejected and made it the capstone of the nation. He prayed for the Lord to save the people as they acknowledged the Lord’s steadfast love of His people.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Psalm 119

What I Noticed Today (Psalms 106-107)

Psalm 106

Psalm 106 is a confessional psalm in which the psalmist recounts Israel’s rebellion against God and prays that God will still deliver the people.

In verses 1-5, the psalmist praises God for His love and power.

In verses 6-46, the psalmist began by confessing that Israel had sinned as their fathers had sinned. He then recounts the rebellion of the people at the Red Sea (vv. 7-12), the sins of the people as God led them to the Promised Land (vv. 13-33), and their sin in not destroying the inhabitants of the Promised Land as God had commanded them (vv. 34-46).

In verses 47-48, the psalmist prays the God will once again save the people by gathering them together from the nations so that they could once again give thanks and praise God.

Book 5

There are 44 psalms in Book 5; 15 written by David, one by Solomon, and 28 that are anonymous.

Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is a psalm calling on the redeemed of the Lord to praise him for delivering the people.

In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls on the people to thank God for his steadfast love, especially those the Lord had redeemed.

In verses 4-32, the psalmist gives four examples of how the Lord delivered the people:

• In verses 4-9, the Lord delivered some from their wandering in the wilderness.
• In verses 10-16, the Lord delivered some who were prisoners.
• In verses 17-22, the Lord delivered some who were sick and near death.
• In verses 23-32, the Lord delivered some who were sailors from the storms on the seas.

In verses 33-43, the psalmist calls on the people to praise the Lord for His sovereignty on governing the world. He concludes saying it is the wise man who considers what the Lord has done, praise Him for His steadfast love.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Psalms 108-118

What I Noticed Today (Psalms 101-105)

Psalm 101

Psalm 101 is a psalm of David in which he promises to walk with integrity.

In verses 1-2, David promises to sing of God’s steadfast love and justice and to lead a blameless life of integrity.

In verses 3-8, David elaborates saying he will not tolerate evil in the form of worthless men; those with a perverse, arrogant heart; or those who slander others. Rather, David says he will look for faithful men to serve him; men who are blameless, who do not practice deceit, and who do not lie. The wicked he will cut off in the land.

Psalm 102

Psalm 102 is a prayer of someone who is afflicted reaching out to God for help.

In verses 1-2, the psalmist prays that God will hear him, and because he is in great distress, he asks God to answer him quickly.

In verses 3-11, the psalmist describes his situation with his body deteriorating. His enemies are taunting him as though he was cursed. He believes his condition is a result of God’s wrath as he continues to wither away like grass.

In verses 12-22, the psalmist switches from describing his own condition to praising the Lord, who is enthroned forever. He speaks with confidence about the Lord rescuing the people of Jerusalem, and that in His glory, other nations would fear and praise Him.

In verses 23-28, the psalmist ends with another appeal for the Lord to notice his condition and to not shorten his days. Because God is unchanging and will never perish, He will be faithful to all future generations.

Psalm 103

Psalm 103 is a psalm of David in which David calls on all creation to bless the Lord.

In verses 1-5, David told himself to praise the Lord, who forgives, heals, and redeems because of His love and mercy.

In verses 6-18, David refers to God’s righteousness and justice while recounting Israel’s history. God made His covenant with Moses. God forgives sins because He loves the people. God has compassion for the people because God knows how weak and frail man is. Despite man’s weakness, the Lord’s love is with those who obey him.

In verses 19-22, David concludes blessing the Lord, who has dominion over all the earth.

Psalm 104

Psalm 104 begins with the same words as Psalm 103 in praise of the Lord.

In verse 1, the psalmist blesses the Lord, who is very great.

In verses 2-23, the psalmist describes the majesty and greatness of the Lord in the lights, clouds, wind, and fire. He describes the majesty of the earth, the water, the food for animals and man, and how the earth is amazingly designed for all forms of life.

In verses 24-30, the psalmist recognizes God’s wisdom displayed in His great creation.

In verses 33-35, the psalmist promises to sing to the Lord all his days in hopes that his meditation will be pleasing to God, and hopes that the sinners and wicked will be no more.

Psalm 105

Psalm 105 is a song recounting the wondrous works of the Lord.

In verses 1-6, the psalmist calls on the people of Israel to praise, rejoice, and remember the wondrous works of the Lord.

In verses 7-41, the psalmist recalls the Lord’s covenant with Abraham and recounts the history of Israel as God fulfilled His promise to make Israel into a great nation.

In verses 42-25, the psalmist speaks of how the Lord remembered His people and rescued them from Egypt and led them to the Promised Land.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Psalms 106-107

What I Noticed Today (Psalms 92-100)

Psalm 92

Similar to Psalm 90 and Psalm 91, Psalm 92 is a song about the security we have in God.

In verses 1-7, the psalmist declares that it is good to praise the Lord Most High. He speaks of the great works and thoughts of the Lord that are impossible for the fool to understand.

In verses 8-15, the psalmist creates a contrast between the wicked who flourish briefly (v. 7) with the Lord who reigns forever. The psalmist praises the Lord for building him up, allowing him to see the downfall of his enemies, and enabling the righteous to flourish when they are planted in the house of the Lord.

Psalm 93

Psalm 93 is an enthronement psalm (sometimes referred to as a theocratic psalm) celebrating the Lord’s reign on the earth. Other enthronement psalms include 47, 93, and 96-99.

In verses 1-2, the psalmist refers to the Lord establishing the world and reigning from of old to everlasting.

In verses 3-5, the psalmist praises the strength and might of the Lord and the holy trustworthiness of the Lord’s decrees.

Psalm 94

Psalm 94 recognizes vengeance belongs to the Lord.

In verses 1-7, the psalmist prays for the wicked who oppose God to be judged. He laments the oppression inflicted on the righteous by the wicked because they think the Lord does not see their actions.

In verses 8-15, the psalmist tells the wicked fools that surely the God that created them can hear and see them and knows their wickedness. He warns them that the Lord will not forsake his people and will bring justice to the righteous.

In verses 16-23, the psalmist describes relying on the Lord for help and encouragement. The Lord was his stronghold and refuge.

Psalm 95

Psalm 95 is an enthronement psalm, singing praises to the Lord. Other enthronement psalms include 47, 93, and 96-99.

In verses 1-7, the psalmist calls on the congregation to sing praises to the Lord. The Lord is the rock of our salvation; the great King who should be worshiped because He is their God.

Verses 8-11 are didactic (teaching). The psalmist warns the congregation not to make the mistakes of prior generations when they hardened their hearts and were disobedient to the Lord.

Psalm 96

Psalm 96 is a call to people to praise the Lord, who reigns in righteousness and truth.

In verses 1-6, the psalmist invites the people of all the earth to sing a new song of praise to the Lord because He is greater than the people’s gods and idols.

In verses 7-10, the psalmist calls for families everywhere to ascribe glory and strength to the Lord and worship Him because His reign is righteous.

In verses 11-13, the psalmist calls on all creation and nature to rejoice for the righteous reign of the Lord over all the earth.

Psalm 97

Psalm 97 is a didactic (teaching) psalm describing the coming of the Lord to judge the earth.

In verse 1, the psalmist proclaims the earth’s rejoicing because the Lord reigns.

In verses 2-9, the psalmist describes the appearance of the Lord; the clouds, darkness, fire, lightning, and mountains melting that will proclaim the coming of the Lord. The heavens will declare his glory, and idol worshippers will be put to shame.

In verses 10-12, the psalmist tells believers to praise the Lord, and despise evil, and in so doing, they will be delivered from the wicked.

Psalm 98

Psalm 98 is a call for all the earth to sing praises to the Lord.

In verses 1-3, the psalmist asks the congregation to sing the Lord a new song because He has provided salvation through His love and faithfulness.

In verses 4-9, the psalmist calls the people of the earth to rejoice in the Lord because He comes to judge the world in righteousness.

Psalm 99

Psalm 99 is another call for the people to praise the Lord.

In verses 1-5, calls on the congregation to praise the Lord who reigns in Zion (Jerusalem).

In verses 6-9, the psalmist reminds the people of the Lord’s mercy to their ancestors despite their sins and rebellion; that even after punishing them, the Lord still answered their prayers.

Psalm 100

Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving celebrating the Lord’s rule.

In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls for the people to sing praises to the sovereign Lord with joyful songs.

In verses 4-5, the psalmist calls on the people to enter into Jerusalem and then into the temple to offer their thanksgiving offerings in recognition of the Lord’s blessings and faithfulness to the people.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Psalms 101-105

What I Noticed Today (Psalms 88-91)

Psalm 88

Psalm 88 written by Heman the Ezrahite (1 Chronicles 15:19) is a lament describing an affliction that brought him near death.

In verses 1-7, Heman prays day and night for God to deliver him from death.

In verses 8-12, Heman describes his friends shunning him and his eyes weakening as he asks God if dead people praise you (suggesting he could continue to praise God if God would save him).

In verses 13-18, Heman cries out the third time to for God to deliver him but now wonders if God has rejected him. Even so, he knows God is his only hope for deliverance so he will continue to pray

Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is a royal psalm written by Ethan the Ezrahite (1 Chronicles 15:17-18). The multiple references to the Davidic covenant (vv. 3-4, 27-29, 35-37, 49) affirm Messiah will come from the line of David.

In verses 1-4, Ethan proclaims vows to praise the Lord because of His love and faithfulness, and the covenant promises God made to David.

In verses 5-18, Ethan praises the wonders of the Lord (vv. 5-8) and His power (vv. 9-14). Because of God’s wonders and power, the people are blessed and protected.

In verses 19-37, Ethan reminds God that he chose David and anointed him as His servant, promised to strengthen and protect him like a father does a son, and the promises of the covenant were unconditional (they could not be broken).

In verses 38-52, Ethan laments David’s affliction and defeat. God seemingly cast David aside. Ethan wonders, given the shortness of life, how long God will wait before restoring David.

The doxology of verse 52 ends Book 3.

Book 4

Only three of the seventeen psalms in Book 4 have known authors (Psalm 90 by Moses, and Psalms 101 and 103 by David). The remaining fourteen psalms are anonymous.

Psalm 90

Scholars suggest that this psalm was written by Moses and that it describes a period of time during the wilderness wanderings. If correct, that makes this the oldest psalm in the book of Psalms.

In verses 1-11, the psalmist contrasts the infinite nature of God with the finite nature of man.

In verses 13-17, the psalmist pleads with the Lord to return to them and to love them, saying this would bring joy to the people all their days. The psalmist asks God to display His work and power to His servants and bring favor to the work of their own hands.

Psalm 91

Although Psalm 91 is anonymous, there are several terms common to Psalm 90, Psalm 91, and Psalm 92: dwelling, grass, springs up, make glad, your deeds, and Most High.

In verses 1-2, the psalmist describes the Lord as his refuge and fortress whom he trusts.

In verses 3-13, the psalmist describes how the Lord delivers and protects his children from attack. No harm, says the psalmist, can come to the believer who makes the Lord his refuge because the Lord’s angels will protect him.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Psalms 92-100