Chronological Bible Study – April 15

What I Noticed Today (Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52)

Psalm 7

Psalm 7 is a song that specifically calls out the words of Cush, a Benjamite. David asks God to rescue him from all his enemies (vv. 1-2). He proclaims his innocence (vv. 3-5) in the form of an oath (if I have done this, then judge me). Then David appeals to God to rise up and strike the wicked while protecting the righteous. Verses 10-17 describe God as David’s shield readying His weapons to destroy the wicked and concludes with David thanking and praising God for His righteousness as the Lord Most High.

Psalm 27

The focus of this psalm is on David’s confidence in the Lord (v. 1). Even if enemies come against him, he trusts in the Lord (vv. 2-3). David expresses the desire to live in God’s house because there was safety in God’s presence (vv. 4-6). He concludes with a prayer for the Lord not to reject or forsake him, but confidence resumes as he waits for the Lord to deliver him (vv. 7-14).

Psalm 31

Much of Psalm 31 points to the suffering and resurrection of the Messiah, especially verse 5 (see Luke 23:46).

In verses 1-8, David cries out to the Lord to be rescued but confidently states that the Lord is his rock, his fortress, and his refuge. David commits his spirit into the hands of the Lord in faith trusting the Lord to redeem him from his suffering.

In verses 9-13, David asks the Lord to be gracious to him because he is in distress from his enemies who are scheming against him. In verses 14-18, he goes on trusting the Lord to save him from the lying lips of his enemies.

David concludes the psalm is praising the Lord for His goodness in protecting the faithful and encourages the saints to remain strong and take courage (vv. 19-24).

Psalm 34

Psalm 34 came after David pretended to be insane in order to escape from his son, Abimelech (1 Samuel 21:11).

In verses 1-10, David called on the congregation to praise the Lord with him because the Lord had delivered him and protected him. You will be blessed if you take refuge in the Lord; those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing.

In verses 11-22, David instructs the people how to achieve a good life; shun evil and do good. The Lord looks favorably on the righteous; he hears the prayers of the righteous and delivers the righteous from their troubles. All those who take refuge in the Lord will be redeemed.

Psalm 52

Psalm 52 is ascribed to David and pertains to the time when Doeg the Edomite betrayed David (1 Samuel 22:9).

In verses 1-7, David addresses Doeg directly as the evil man who boasts in his evil and was a disgrace to God, contrasted with the righteous men who would laugh at Doeg.

In verses 8-9, David describes himself metaphorically as an olive tree that was flourishing because he trusted in God’s love and would continue to praise God for all that He had done.

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

Tomorrow: Day 106 Psalms 56, 120, 140-142