What I Noticed Today (Psalms 5, 38, 41-42)
Psalm 5
Psalm 5 is David’s morning prayer asking God to hear him as he begins each day (vv. 1-3). Verses 4-7 reflect David’s confidence in God’s mercy, and God’s dislike of the wicked evildoers, and deceitful men. In verses 8-10, David prays for guidance against his enemies and asks God to judge them for their rebellion against God. David closes the psalm in verses 11-12 with encouragement for those who rejoice in the Lord because the Lord will bless the righteous.
Psalm 38
Psalm 38 is David’s sorrowful petition to the Lord to not forsake him in the midst of the Lord chastening him.
In verses 1-8, David describes the harsh and painful chastening from the Lord delivered on account of David’s sin. The guilt of his sin was crushing him. In verses 9-12, David describes his family and friends, avoiding him while his enemies plotted ways to ruin him.
David concludes in verses 13-22, expressing confidence in the Lord, who would have compassion for him. His hope was in the Lord to answer his prayer and end his suffering.
Psalm 41
Psalm 41 contains David’s message to the congregation that those who aided the needy would receive deliverance from the Lord. He also called on the Lord to raise him up so that he could repay those who had acted wickedly against him.
In verses 1-3, David began by telling the congregation that the Lord will protect and bless the one who is considerate of the poor.
In verses 4-10, David asked the Lord to heal him from his sins. He also noted that many, including his friends, had maliciously turned against him. David hoped that he would be able to repay those who had turned against him for their treachery.
In verses 11-13, David addressed God, knowing that God had delivered him from his enemies because of his integrity.
Book 2
Psalm 42
Psalm 42 marks the beginning of Book 2 of Psalms. The focus shifts from the Lord as the source of the people’s blessings (Book 1), to the people’s ruin and redemption (Book 2).
Note: Psalm 42 and 43 may have originally been together, which is how they appear in many Hebrew manuscripts.
In verses 1-5, the psalmist writes of his soul longing for God, while others taunted him asking, “Where is your God?”
In verses 6-11, the psalmist refers to his soul being downcast even as he prayed to God. Then he proclaims that God will be with him by day and by night, putting a song in his heart. Even so, he concludes, asking God why his enemies still taunt him, and his soul is downcast.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
