Psalm 16
Michtam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I take refuge.
2 O my soul, thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee.
(David's soul cried to God about not being good without God.)
3 As for the saints that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight.
(Saints, or believers, were called excellent.)
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that give gifts for another god: Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take their names upon my lips.
5 Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons.
8 I have set Jehovah always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety.
(David’s heart was glad and he was safe because he set God before him in all that he did. Verses 8 and 9 were quoted by Peter during his sermon on Pentecost: Acts 2:25-26.)
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.
(This verse was also quoted by Peter during his Pentecost sermon: Acts 2:31.)
11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
(In God’s Right Hand was long term pleasure.)
Psalm 17
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; Let thine eyes look upon equity.
(David asked for his sentence (judgment) to come from God.)
3 Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
(David was purposed that his mouth would not transgress. This was an effect of David’s heart, which had been proved. David was a man after God’s own Heart: David was always encouraged and made progress when he was perceived on, when his sin was pointed out. Our words and actions end up in our hearts.)
4 As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
(David had faith that if he called on God, God would answer.)
7 Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that take refuge in thee From those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.
(Some people consider this psalm to be prophecy for Israel in 1917. The Book of Psalms was the 19th book of the Bible and this was the 17th Psalm. In 1917, General Allenby surrounded Jerusalem which was occupied by the Turks. On December 10, Allenby had hundreds of planes fly overhead. The Turks surrendered without a shot being fired.)
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
(Allenby was a British general. The symbol of Britain was the lion.)
13 Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword;
14 From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.
(David asked for safety from his enemies but finished by saying he would behold God’s Face, His Form.)
Psalm 18
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of Jehovah, who spake unto Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said,
(This psalm was the same as the song which made up 2 Samuel 22. There were some very minor variations in the language of the song here from the version in the 2 Samuel. Some people believe this was because the copy in 2 Samuel 22 was the first copy and that David may have revised the song while writing it here in the Book of Psalms.)
1 I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength.
2 Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
(David gave God credit for his deliverance from his enemies. Hebrews 2:13 referenced this verse.)
3 I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.
6 In my distress I called upon Jehovah, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry before him came into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the mountains quaked And were shaken, because he was wroth.
(God responded to David’s cry by shaking the earth! God was angry at David’s situation.)
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; And thick darkness was under his feet.
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly; Yea, he soared upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion round about him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
12 At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire.
13 Jehovah also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered his voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.
14 And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them.
15 Then the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At thy rebuke, O Jehovah, At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
(The "breath of God’s Nostrils" was the Holy Spirit, God’s Breath.)
16 He sent from on high, he took me; He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
(God delivered David.)
18 They came upon me in the day of my calamity; But Jehovah was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
20 Jehovah hath rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
(David was rewarded according to David's righteousness. Our righteousness does not bring Salvation but it does bring Reward.)
21 For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his ordinances were before me, And I put not away his statutes from me.
23 I was also perfect with him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24 Therefore hath Jehovah recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;
26 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.
27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; But the haughty eyes thou wilt bring down.
(The afflicted (humbled) were saved; The haughty (proud) would be brought down. We will all bow and confess that Jesus is Lord. It is our choice if we do it of our own accord. Will you humble yourself or will you be humbled?)
28 For thou wilt light my lamp: Jehovah my God will lighten my darkness.
29 For by thee I run upon a troop; And by my God do I leap over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him.
(God’s way, His how, was perfect: maximum profitability.)
31 For who is God, save Jehovah? And who is a rock, besides our God,
32 The God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect?
(God wants to make our way, our how, perfect.)
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: And setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war; So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; And thy right hand hath holden me up, And thy gentleness hath made me great.
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.
37 I will pursue mine enemies, and overtake them; Neither will I turn again till they are consumed.
38 I will smite them through, so that they shall not be able to rise: They shall fall under my feet.
39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
(David attributed his strength in battle to God.)
40 Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.
41 They cried, but there was none to save; Even unto Jehovah, but he answered them not.
42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.
43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; Thou hast made me the head of the nations: A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me; The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me.
45 The foreigners shall fade away, And shall come trembling out of their close places.
46 Jehovah liveth; and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation,
(The Lord lives! David also referred to Him as his Rock, similar to Deuteronomy 32:4 - "The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.")
47 Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, And subdueth peoples under me.
(David let God equal out Justice.)
48 He rescueth me from mine enemies; Yea, thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me; Thou deliverest me from the violent man.
49 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah, among the nations, And will sing praises unto thy name.
(Paul referenced this verse in Romans 15:9.)
50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king, And showeth lovingkindness to his anointed, To David and to his seed, for evermore.
Psalm 19
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork.
(The heavens declare God. God shows Himself through His creation.)
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard.
(God is declared to everyone, so only a fool can say there is no God.)
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens, And his circuit unto the ends of it; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.
(God is Right and Just. God's ordinances and commandments were Right and Just.)
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.
(God's ordinances and commandments were more to be desired than gold. In Proverbs 8, Solomon stated his instruction was more to be desired than silver and knowledge more than choice gold.)
Psalm 20
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, And strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, And accept thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah
4 Grant thee thy heart's desire, And fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will triumph in thy salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners: Jehovah fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that Jehovah saveth his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven With the saving strength of his right hand.
(God saves His anointed: those who live by grace through faith.)
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God.
(Some will put their faith in the physical but believers put their faith in God.)
8 They are bowed down and fallen; But we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Jehovah: Let the King answer us when we call.
(1 Kings 10:27,28 stated Solomon multiplied silver and horses from Egypt.)
(This post covered five psalms that demonstrated David's reliance on God.)
Day 159
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