Week 19

Psalm 23, 26, 28, 31, and 35

David was the shepherd king who preceded the ultimate Good Shepherd.

Shepherds held the lowest stature in society, and yet Jesus said “I am the Good

Shepherd, and I lay down my life for the sheep”.

Psalm 31:19 NKJV -  Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for

those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the

presence of the sons of men!

Psalm 31:24 NKJV - Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All

you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 41, 43, 46, 55, 61, 62, and 64

The Lord of Hosts is with us no matter what the difficulty, and He will sustain

those who trust in Him. Who do we have to turn to but Him? Who can save but

Him? Who can separate us from the love of God? No one!

Psalm 69-71, and 77

These psalms continue in the same vein, with David not only persisting in

calling upon the Lord, but we see passages throughout that are prophetic of

Jesus, the promised Messiah, and Savior of the world, including Psalm 69:7-9

and 69:19-21.

Psalm 83, 86, 88, 91, and 95

In Luke 18:1-7 Jesus told the story about a widow seeking justice from a local

judge who wasn’t necessarily righteous, and He commended her for being

persistent with that judge. He told that story to commend us in being persistent

in our prayers before the Lord, and we see that sense in these Psalms, where

David and others did not lose heart in seeking God’s face, and in begging Him to

hear and answer their prayers.

Psalm 88:1-2 NKJV - O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night

before You. Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry.

Psalm 108-109, 120-121, 140, and 143-144

In Psalm 109 David is praying for God’s judgement against the wicked, and

against his enemy, however at least a portion of this chapter is prophetic of

Judas, and that someone else will take his place (verse 8).

Psalms 120-134 are all called “Psalms of Ascents”, and tradition has it that

the people in Israel would sing these psalms when they are traveling “up” to

Jerusalem to celebrate one of the annual feasts. Jerusalem is higher in elevation

than most of the rest of Israel, and the cities in that country.

David continually looks to the Lord for deliverance and blessing.

Psalm 1, 14-15, 36-37, and 39

These chapters highlight the stark difference that exists between the godly

and the ungodly, and that the Lord is faithful to keep His own, and the wicked will

disappear, even though it seems like they are invulnerable.

Psalm 40, 49-50, and 73

Sacrifice and offerings are not what God desires. He doesn’t need our

money, and He doesn’t feed on our gifts to Him. It is not possible for even the

richest of men to redeem the cost of their soul.

Psalm 49:6-8 NKJV - Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of

their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God

a ransom for him— For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease

forever

As it said at the beginning of Psalm 1, blessed is the man who’s delight in in

the Lord and His law, as it is our hearts that He wants, and He will keep all who

love Him.

Psalm 73:23-26 NKJV - Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by

my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to

glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire

besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and

my portion forever.