Today's Reading:

Psalm 7
Psalm 27
Psalm 31
Psalm 34
Psalm 52

Over the years, I have grown to say that I can appreciate the Psalms- though I know they are not everyone's favorite section of Scripture right from the start. I am certainly no expert here (I am the least qualified to discuss them!), but that's exactly why we will walk through them together. My goal is to highlight the differences we find among the laments, how they connect to and echo other parts of the Bible, and, especially, the powerful moments of mercy, grace, and joy that shine through even in the hardest prayers.

If you already love poetry and the Psalms, the next couple of months are going to feel like a real highlight—rich, heartfelt, and full of depth. If the Psalms have not been your go-to part of Scripture yet, no worries! Just like Leviticus and Numbers, every page here is important and inspired by God. We will tackle them side by side, discovering insights and tidbits as we go.

When you read each Psalm, take note of the titles, which include a heading “superscription” meaning “written above”. This text is not an original part of the psalm but informs the reader on the author, musical direction, or occasion. Not every psalm has headings; about 116 / 150 do, and they provide helpful information.

With the superscriptions, these are untranslated words that can be seen, and the definitions:

• Ascent- (15 times, #120-134) Sung by Hebrew pilgrims heading to Jerusalem for annual festivals. The physical journey up in elevation to Jerusalem (Mount Zion/Moriah) and/or up the Temple steps.
• Alamoth- (#46 only) Meaning young women/virgins, possibly “high pitched/soprano”.
• Gittith- (#8, 81, 84) Possibly from Gath- Philistine city, or “winepress” grape harvest song, cheerful.
• Maskil- (13 times) To understand, or give insight with teaching, reflection.
• Miktam- (6 times) Always by David, meaning uncertain, possibly inscribed, precious, memorable prayer.
• Sheminith- (#6,12) Likely means “on the eight”, lower octave or bass tuning for strings.
• Shiggaion- (#7 only) A passionate, intense, or “wild” song/poem can be emotional, with “wandering” rhythm. The plural form shigionoth, found in Habakkuk 3:1.

Other frequent terms:

• Acrostic- (8-9 times), Alphabetical structure, where consecutive lines or verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order from Aleph to Tav.
• Mizmor- “Psalm” something sung with instrumental accompaniment.
• Neginoth- “Stringed instruments” (examples #4, 6, 54, 55, 61, 67, 76).
• Selah- Not in superscriptions but scattered in psalm bodies (71 times) like a musical/liturgical pause, interlude, or emphasis cue (possibly “lift up” voices/instruments or “forever”).
• Shir- “Song” often paired with others like in #46, 48.
• Tehillah- “Praise” (#145) The only one explicitly called this.
• Tephillah- “Prayer” (examples #17, 86,102, 142).

The Psalms were written by:

• David- (73) Psalms with "Of David” possibly 12 more
• Asaph- (and family/Levites) (12) #50, 73–83
• Sons of Korah- (11) #42–49, 84–85, 87–88 (#88 shared with Heman)
• Heman the Ezrahite (1) #88 (shared with Sons of Korah)
• Solomon- (2) #72, 127
• Moses- (1) #90
• Ethan the Ezrahite (1) #89
• Anonymous / Unknown ( ~49–50) No heading or attribution (some traditions suggest more by David).
  
  

 

Psalm 7
A Shiggaion (passionate lament) by David, possibly concerning Cush, a Benjamite. This was possibly linked to slander. David, having fought lions in his youth, took refuge in God and wanted to be delivered from his pursuer (possibly Saul). David claimed he was innocent and if he had repaid evil for good or plundered without reason, then let him be judged. He asked God to “arise” and judge his enemies, knowing God defends the upright. Every day, God is angry with the wicked, emphasizing His righteous judgment, as crimes do not pay. David then ended the psalm with his thanks to the Lord due to His righteousness.

Psalm 27
Likely during Saul’s pursuit or Absalom’s rebellion. David had fearless trust in the Lord as his light of guidance and protection when armies came for him. David wanted to spend eternity in God’s house. God would hide him from his enemies, and David offered praise to the Lord. David knows even if his parents forsook him, he had assurance that God would not (divine adoption). He asked the Lord to teach him His ways and not to give him to the enemies. The psalm started with David would not be afraid and ended with he would wait for the Lord.

David wrote, even if his father and mother forsake him, the Lord would not. Brutal honesty moment: What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever felt “forsaken” over (like your phone dying at 5% or the last slice of pizza disappearing)? How would you rewrite verse 10 in that petty modern lament style?

Psalm 31 
(To the chief musician) David looked to the Lord for refuge, asking Him to listen and come to his rescue as his enemies had trapped him (Saul or Doeg possibly). Jesus on the cross quoted the verse “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). David continued with how he hated idol worshippers but trusted God. David was physically distressed and drained; he felt forgotten and plotted against. Through it all, David trusted God to deliver him from his enemies. He knew the Lord stored good things for those who feared and looked to Him and judged those who acted in pride. Even when David felt forgotten, God heard his cry for mercy. He said to love the Lord, be strong, and wait.

Psalm 34
A thanksgiving psalm to God for the safety from Achish. When David pretended to be insane in 1 Samuel 21, note the superscription said- “Abimelek,” meaning “my father is king.” This was likely the title for a Philistine king (like the Egyptians use the word “Pharaoh”) versus Achish, the personal name for the king of Gath. David began the psalm with praise to the Lord. David sought and trusted in God as He heard him call and saved him from his troubles- all troubles, fears, and afflictions. The Angel of the Lord encamped (sets up a resting place) with those who feared God. David gave an invitation to personally trust/ “taste” God’s goodness rather than unquestioning acceptance. True happiness (blessings) come from trusting God and seeking His refuge. The lion (self-reliant or powerful people) would fail on their own, whereas those who sought God would be provided for. The psalm ended with a line of prophecy in Jesus as “he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken” from John 19:33-36, where the soldiers did not break Jesus’ legs during the crucifixion as was typical during that era to bring death quicker on a person.

Psalm 52
The superscription said Doeg had tattled to Saul about his whereabouts. The betrayal by Doeg led to the 85 priests being killed. David rebuked boasting in evil and said God would bring the wicked down forever. While His love would endure,and the righteous would see, fear, and laugh. David would praise God forever for what He has done.

Today's Discussion question: 

 
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