What I Noticed Today (Psalms 31-35)
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 praising the Lord for His goodness in protecting the faithful and encourages the saints to remain strong and take courage (vv. 19-24).
Psalm 32
Psalm 32 likely follows Psalm 51. In Psalm 51, David had been confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding David’s sin with Bathsheba. Psalm 32 is focused on the Lord’s forgiveness of David’s sins. David sees himself as blessed because after he had repented, the Lord had forgiven him (vv. 1-2). However, while he was unrepentant, his sin weighed heavily on him, causing him to waste away (vv. 3-5).
Because the Lord had forgiven him, David encouraged others to confess their sins, be repentant, and submit to the Lord because the Lord protects those who trust in Him (vv. 6-11).
Psalm 33
Psalm 33 is a psalm of praise to the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord have the assurance of salvation. Verses 1-3 are a call to praise the Lord and give thanks to Him. The reason we should praise is that the Lord is faithful to fulfill His promises, He is righteous, and is steadfast in His love (vv. 4-19). Concluding, David says the faithful demonstrate their faith by waiting expectantly for deliverance, they trust in Him, and they pray for His steadfast love (vv. 20-22).
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 35
Psalm 35 contains three laments for deliverance from enemies.
David first prays for deliverance from those who seek to destroy him (vv. 1-10). Then laments over those who hate him unjustly (vv. 11-18). In the closing verses 19-28, David asks the Lord to deliver him from the wicked and bring justice to the righteous people who have been treated unjustly by the wicked. David asks the people to praise the Lord because the Lord delights in the welfare of His servants.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
