Psalms 72:1

Psalms 72:1 says, A Psalm for Solomon.  This is identified as  Psalm for Solomon, then verse one says, Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.  David asked that God give not only himself but his son the ability to rule by God's judgment.  We must pray not only for our salvation and obedience to God, but for that of our children as well.  Verse two adds, He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.  David asked that his son, Solomon, would rule under the guidance of God and that his rule would be fair to the poor.  We don't have leadership by succession of birth, but we do have children who go out into the world in positions of leadership, and we need to pray that they have accepted Christ and will lead by His guidance.  Verse three states, The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.  Matthew Henry says this asks that the higher courts and the lower courts rule by God's judgment.  Verse four adds, He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the opvpressor.  David asked that Solomon would rule with fairness to the poor and break the power of those who oppressed them.  Too often today, people take advantage of the poor, but as followers of Christ we should always help them whenever we can.  Verse five declares, They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.  David asked that people would always fear, or respect God, as long as the world continued to exist.  It is our responsibility as Christians to make sure that people today know God through a relationship with Christ, so that people will continue to know Him in the coming generations.  Verse six adds, He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.  Matthew Henry says that this psalm is not only about Solomon but is also about Jesus Christ.  We know that Jesus did come down like a renewing rain, since He is the living water.  Verse seven continues, In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.  David asked that the rule of Solomon would be one in which righteousness and peace abounded, and we know that this is what will be true when God's kingdom is finally ushered in at His judgment.  It is our responsibility as Christians to live by the righteousness of Christ today so that His kingdom might be advanced.  Verse eight says, He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Though  Solomon's rule may not have reached the whole world, the kingdom of Christ does.  Verse nine adds, They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.  David said that even those who lived in the wilderness would bow before Christ, and until we accept Him as our Savior and Lord we are in the wilderness of sin.  Verse ten continues, The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.  David said the other rulers would bring gifts to Solomon, and even if the rulers of the world today never bring gifts to Christ, one day they will acknowledge Him as the Lord.  For too many, this will come too late for it to do them any good.  Verse eleven concludes, Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.  As stated, one day everyone, from the leaders of the world to the poorest, least powerful person in the world, will fall down and worship Jesus Christ. 

Psalms 71:13

Psalms 71:13 says, Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.  David prayed that were adversaries to his soul be confounded and consumed.  I don't believe that we are doing wrong if we pray for those who would harm us spiritually to be confused, but we are still called on to reach out to them with the love of Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.  David said that even if he were surrounded by enemies that he would continually put his faith in God and praise Him even more.  So must we as followers of Christ today.  Verse fifteen declares, My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.  David said that he would speak of God's righteousness and His salvation all day, because he did not know the number of his days.  We should also speak of God's righteousness and salvation daily, because we don't know the number of our days nor the number of the days of those that we are witnessing to.  Verse sixteen adds, I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.  David said that he would go in the strength of God and make mention of Him only.   As Christians, as we go about our everyday life, we need to go under God's power and to always give Him the credit for everything good in our life. Verse seventeen continues, O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.  David said that God had taught him from his youth and that he had declared God's wonderous works since then.  We may or may not have been a follower of Christ since our youth, but no matter how long we have been, we must always declare God's wonderous works to the world.  Verse eighteen states, Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.  David asked that God not forsake him now that he was old and grayheaded, but that he be allowed to continue to tell and show the future generations about God's power.  No matter how old we may be as Christians, we still have the commission to share the gospel with the next generations, and God will never forsake us as we do so.  Verse nineteen adds, Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!  David declared God's righteousness to be very high and said that He done great things that no one else could do.  We as Christians serve an all powerful and righteous God, and it is through the righteousness of Christ alone that we are made righteous before God.  There is no other God but Him.  Verse twenty continues, Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.  David said that even though God had allowed him to suffer great troubles that even when he died that God would raise him up again.  No matter how many troubles we face in life as Christians, even if we die for our faith or for any other reason, God will one day raise us up from the grave.  Verse twenty-one says, Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.  Like David said then, God increases our greatness by giving us everlasting life when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse twenty-two adds, I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.  David said he would sing praises to God and so should we.   Verse twenty-three continues, My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.  David said his lips would greatly sing the praises of God, because God had redeemed his soul.  David did not speak about his position or material wealth as a reason to praise God, but of the fact that God had saved his soul.  This should be our reason for praising God today.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ  our soul has been redeemed.   Verse twenty-four continues, My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.  David said that he would speak of God's righteousness all day long, because those who sought to bring him to shame were confounded, or confused.  We should likewise proclaim God's righteous all day long, because those who deny Him and maybe even attempt to harm us are spiritually confounded or confused.  We must tell them of the righteousness of God and the mercy that He has shown by sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins and make salvation possible. 

Psalms 71:1

Psalms 71:1 says, In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.  As followers of Christ, we like David have put our faith in God, and we should never allow the world to lead us to confusion about what that means.  We are forever a part of the family of God because we have accepted the salvation of Christ.  Verse two adds, Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.  David asked that God deliver him by God's righteous, and not ny his own, and to allow Him to escape from his enemies.  David also asked God to hear him and save him.  As Christians, God has saved us from our sins by His righteousness and allows us to escape the punishment we deserve.  God will always hear us and has already saved us forever.  Verse three continues, Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.  David asked for God to be his strong habitation where he could always live, and as followers of Christ, God provides us with a strong fortress where we will dwell forever.  As David said, Christ is our rock and our fortress.  Verse four concludes, Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.  David asked that God, his God, deliver him from the hand of the wicked.  Though God is the only real God, for Him to save us from the sinful world, He must be our God, which is only possible by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five states, For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.  David said that God was his hope and that he had trusted Him since his youth.  God is our only hope today, no matter what age we may be when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse six adds, By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.  David said that God had preserved his life from the time that he was in his mother's womb on.  I don't believe that we can truly believe in God and not believe that life begins at conception.  Verse seven says, I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.  David said that many people questioned his faith in God when he suffered at times, but he still knew that God was his strong refuge or resting place.  If the world seems to be beating us down as Christians today, we need to always remember that we have a refuge, a resting place, with God, no matter how much the people of the world may question this.  Verse eight continues, Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.  Like David, as followers of Christ, our mouths should be continually filled with praises to God.  This means in the bad times as well as the good.  Verse nine states, Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.  David asked God to not cast him aside when he was old and his strength failed, and we can be certain as Christians that God will never do this to us.  We are forever His.  Verse ten adds, For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,  David said that his enemies spoke against him and laid wait for his soul.  Like David, we may feel that the whole world is out to destroy us,but as long as we remain faithful to God it never will, even if we lose our life because of our faith.  Verse eleven adds, Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.  David said that his enemies felt free to persecute him because they thought that God had forsaken Him.  No matter what the people of the world may think nor no matter how bad things may get in life, as followers of Christ, God will never forsake us.  Verse twelve continues,  O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.  As Christians, as David asked, we can be certain that God is always near us,because the Holy Spirit indwells us.  Because of this, there is nothing in the world for us to fear.

Psalms 70:1

Psalms 70:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.  After the introduction which states that this is a psalm to bring remembrance, verse one says, Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.  This psalm is almost word for word the last five verses of the fortieth psalm, and as Matthew Henry says may have been used as a prayer.  David asked for God to help him quickly.  If we are in a bad situation, we should ask God to help us quickly, but then we should rest in the assurance that He will help us when His timing is right.  Verse two adds, Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.  David then asked God to leave his enemies confused and ashamed.  Those who are at war with the followers of Christ are already confused, and one day, when God's judgment comes, they will realize this and be very ashamed that they did not put their faith in Jesus Christ instead of being at war against Him.  Verse three continues, Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.  David again asked that his enemies be turned back as a reward for their actions against him because of his stand for God.  Those who oppose and oppress Christians will one day receive the reward for their actions, which is everlasting separation from God and punishment in hell.  Until then, though we should pray to God that they not be victorious over us, we should also pray for their salvation with a Christ like love for them.  Verse four states, Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.  Having prayed for the defeat of his enemies, David now prayed for the rejoicing of those who put their faith in God.  Having put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, there should never be anything that keeps us fom rejoicing in the Lord.  We should rejoice whether things are going well or whether we are surrounded by enemies.  Verse five adds, But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. David pronounced himself to be poor and in need of God's help and again asked God to come quickly to deliver him.  Until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are poor spiritually and need to ask God to come quickly and save us, and He will immediately save us once we put our faith in Christ.   Jesus Christ is the only help and Redeemer that anyone can ever have, and once we put our faith in Him, nothing can separate us from God.  The Holy Spirit is with us continually to guide us and help us in times of trouble. 

Psalms 69:25

Psalms 69:25 says, Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.  David continued to ask God to punish his enemies.  I believe that too often we do the same thing, even though we as Christians are called on to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us.  Verse twenty-six adds, For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.  Matthew Henry says this refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah Who was to come in David's day and Who has come in our day.  Verse twenty-seven states, Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.  We are to pray for the salvation of everyone, but those who reject Jesus Christ are adding iniquity to their iniquity.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.  Again, though this is not to be our hope for anyone, it is the future for those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Their name will not be written in the Lamb's Book of Life as is the name of those who are made righteous through faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-nine declares, But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.  David said he was poor and sorrowful, and so are we all spiritually before God.  David then asked God to set him on high, and this is what happens to anyone spiritually when the accept the salvation of Christ.  Verse thirty adds, I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.  Like David, we need to praise God and magnify Him with our thanksgiving.  This should not be a sometimes thing when life is going well, but a continual thing no matter what.  Verse thirty-one continues, This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.  David said singing praises to God and offering Him heartfelt thanksgiving pleased Him more than ritualistic sacrifices.  We must be sincere in our worship of God, because He does not honor worship that is simply us going through the motions.  Verse thirty-two says, The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.  As David said, those that humble themselves and seek God through faith in Jesus Christ will find His  salvation and shall live with a happy heart.  Verse thirty-three adds, For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.  David said that God hears the poor, and no matter how many riches we may have in the world, we are but poor sinners before God.  Verse thirty-four states, Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.  David asked that all of creation praise God, and we know that there is coming a day when all people will acknowledge God.  Verse thirty-five adds, For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.  Though David spoke of God saving the people of Israel and restoring them, we know that He has done so much more by saving all who put their faith in Jesus Christ and restoring them to an everlasting relationship with Him.  Verse thirty-six continues, The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.  David said that God's salvation was available to all coming generations.  When Christ came and died on the cross, it was for the sins of all people of all time and to bring salvation to all who put their faith in Him as their Savior and Lord. 

Psalms 69:13'

Psalms 69:13 says, But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.  David said that his prayer to God was that at an acceptable time God would hear his prayer through the truth of his salvation.  When we pray to God, it must be through the truth of our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and we must be content for God to answer in His acceptable time.  Verse fourteen adds, Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.  David asked God to deliver him from the murky situation he was in and from those who hated him.  If we find ourselves in a bad situation today, we should pra for God to deliver us, but if  He does not, we also need to remember that He has already given us everlasting deliverance if we are Christians.  Verse fifteen continues, Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.  David asked God to not allow Him to be defeated forever, and as already stated, we have the assurance that God will never allow this to happen to us if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.  Verse sixteen states, Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.  David asked God to hear him, not because of David's goodness, but because off the mercy and lovingkindness of God.  We cannot appeal to God because of our own goodness, but must appeal to Him because of His mercy and lovingkindness.  Even as Christians, we cannot stand by our own worthiness, but must stand by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Verse seventeen adds, And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.  David asked God to not turn away from him because he was in trouble and needed God's help quickly.  It we are in trouble because of our faith in Christ today, we need to ask God for help, but we need to be content to wait for His answer as well.  Verse eighteen continues, Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.  David asked God to draw close to him and redeem him from his enemies, and as followers of Christ, God has already done this for us.  We are forever in God's presence and forever redeemed, no matter what is going on in our life.  Verse nineteen says, Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.  David said that God already knew what was happening in his life, and God already knows what is going on in ours.  If we are reproached by the world, we need to realize that this is to be expected, since Jesus Christ Himself was as well.  Verse twenty adds, Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.  Like David, it may seem that there is no one who looks to comfort us,but as long as we remain faithful to God in end it does not matter.  Verse twenty-one declares, They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.  This is a reference to what happened to Christ on the cross.  We will never suffer more for Jesus Christ than He suffered for us.  Verse twenty-two adds, Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.  David asked that the things that his enemies, and God's enemies, thought to be blessings become a trap to them.  People who deny God and put their faith in the things of this world, even if they become really rich, will one day realize what a trap this was.  Verse twenty-three continues, Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. David asked that God make his enemies weak and helpless.  God has already done that to our enemies today if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-four concludes, Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.  David asked God to deal with his enemies.  Those who refuse to accept the salvation of Christ will one day face the judgment of God instead of coming to Him through the mercy He showed them by Jesus Christ dying for their sins on the cross. 

Psalms 69:1

Psalms 69:1 says, To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David.  Again, we have an introduction, then verse one says, Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.  David asked God to save him because his soul was drowning.  David had reached a point of spiritual suffering, and not just physical.  If we begin to feel spiritually defeated, we need to cry out to God as David did.  Verse two adds, I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.  David said he couldn't find a place solid enough to stand on, and until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will never find a solid rock to stand on.  Verse three states, I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.  David said that he had cried out to God so long that he was weary and his throat had died out.  What we need to realize as Christians is that if we cry out to God He will always hear us and we simply need to wait on His answer.  Verse four adds, They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.  David said his enemies were too numerous to counted and that they hated him without cause, and that he had even given back things to them that he hadn't taken to start with.  Jesus Christ also has many enemies that hate Him without cause, and we as Christians may as well.  Verse five declares, O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.  Like David, we need to acknowledge that God knows our foolishness and that our sins are not hidden from Him.  We may hide sinful thoughts from everyone else, but we will never hide them from God.  Verse six adds, Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.  I believe that David was asking God to not allow others to question Him because of David's situation.  We should also pray that we as followers of Christ never become a reason for others to question God and His goodness.  Verse seven continues, Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.  David said that he had borne shame and reproach for God's sake.  If we are suffering shame and reproach in the world today, we need to make sure that it is for God's sake and not because we have allowed sin to come back into our life.  Verse eight says, I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.  David said he had become a stranger even in his own family.  As Christians, if we fall on hard times, some who call themselves our brothers and sisters in Christ may desert us, trying to put the blame for our situation on sin in our life, even if this isn't true.  Verse nine adds, For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.  David said that he was being persecuted because of His zeal for God's house, or His relationship with God.  We today as followers of Christ may be persecuted because of our zeal for God, but we should never be discouraged if this happens.  Verse ten states,  When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.  Verse eleven adds, I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.  David said that he was being reproached because he was humbling himself before God.  People in the world today may look down on Christians if they live humble lives before God.  We sometimes hear the question that if God is so powerful why do those who put their faith in Him suffer, but they fail to realize that no matter what happens in this lifetime that we as Christians already have a heavenly home that is rich beyond all compare.  Verse twelve continues, They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.  David said that those in power spoke against him, and that even drunkards had made up songs about him.  People in power today may speak out against Christians, and even the drunkards of the world my go along with them, but it is only God's judgment that matters, so we should never be discouraged no matter what is happening in life.

Psalms 68:24

Psalms 68:24 says, They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.  People really cannot deny the works of God, which are visible to all, even if they claim otherwise.  Verse twenty-five adds, The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.  David then continued by speaking about the way that God's people publicly worshipped Him.  People today should see God's people, those who are followers of Christ, worshipping Him out in the world and not just see that they are gathered in a building two or three times a week.  Verse twenty-six continues, Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.  David then said that we are to bless God in congregations.  Even as we worship God in our everyday life, we are also to gather together tto worship Him.  These are not mutually exclusive things.  Verse twenty-seven states, There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.  There were four tribes of Israel mentioned, Benjamin and Judah which had been at war with each other in the past, and Zebulun and Naphtali, which were to the north, or closer to enemies of the people of Israel.  They all worshipped God together.  We must unite in spirit in worship with Christians everywhere.   Verse twenty-eight adds, Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. David asked God to command His strength toward His people as they worshipped Him.  We need to worship God today empowaered by and protected by His power.  Verse twenty-nine says, Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.  David said that because of God's temple in Jerusalem, which represented His presence in Jerusalem, that kings would bring presents to Him.  We as Christians are the temple of God, representing Him to the world, and we should lead people to present themselves to Him as living sacrifices through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty adds, Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.  David asks that God be victorious over all His enemies in the world and that people submit to Him.  David also asked that those who delighted in war be scattered.  God has already won the victory, and even if we never see it happen in our lifetime, He will scatter, or send away in defeat, all those who oppose Him. Verse thirty-one adds, Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.  Verse thirty-two continues, Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:  David said that rulers from other countries would come to worship God and that people from throughout the world would sing praises to Him.  There are people throughout the world today who are worshipping God, and they don't have to be in a particular country to do so.  Verse thirty-three states, To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.  David again speaks of the power of God, Who can create with just His word.  This the all-powerful God that we as followers of Christ serve.  Verse thirty-four adds, Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.  We as David said then must give God all the glory for His strength and power over everything in the world.  Verse thirty-five continues, O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.  David then spoke of the power of God which came forth from His holy places.   David said that God gave strength to His people.   We serve the all powerful God as Christians, and any good that we do in the world must come from the holy places off of God, and we should sing praises to Him for His goodness to us.

Psalms 68:13

Psalms 68:13 says, Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.  David said that even though the people of Israel had been slaves in Egypt that God had elevated them to being a rich nation.  We are lowly sinners, no matter how rich we may be in the eyes of the world until we accept salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, then we are elevated into being citizens of the rich kingdom of God, no matter how poor we may be in the eyes of the world.  Verse fourteen adds, When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.  The Almighty, the one true God, had scattered the enemies of Israel and had purified the people of Israel by their faith in Him.  As Christians, God has already scattered or defeated all our enemies, and we should be purified by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse fifteen states, The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.  David said that God's people would be raised up higher than any hill or mountain around.  There is no place higher than the place of God, and He lifts His people above all else.  Verse sixteen asks, Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.  David asked why the high hills leapt, when it was the hill of God that should be desired.  The people of the world today, those who do not believe in or put their faith in God, may believe that they have defeated God's people and jump with joy, but God still asks them why.  The ultimate victory belongs to God and His people.  Verse seventeen adds, The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.  David said that God had a mighty army of angels, but God has really only ever needed His word to defeat His enemies.  Verse eighteen declares, Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.  This is a reference to Jesus Christ Who ascended into heaven to bring the gift of everlasting life to those who believe in Him.  As Matthew Henry points out, this gift was not for the fallen angels but for mankind alone.  Verse nineteen adds, Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.  As David said, we should bless God for His gifts to us, but most importantly for the gift of salvation.  Without accepting this gift, nothing else matters.  Verse twenty continues, He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.  David said that our God is the God of salvation.   It is only through salvation made available by Jesus Christ that we can be restored to a right relationship with God.   Verse twenty-one says, But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.  As David said, God will defeat all His enemies, and as Christians He will defeat all our enemies, even death itself.  Verse twenty-two adds, The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:  David said that God had said that He would gather His people together again, even from the depths of the sea. There is no place in the world where we will be separated from God as followers of Christ, and He will one day gather all of those who put their faith in Christ together with Him.  Verse twenty-three adds, That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.  David said God would make His people victorious over their enemies, and He already has forever.  Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have the everlasting victory over the sinful world. 

Psalms 68:1

Psalms 68:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.  After the introduction of this as a psalm of David, verse one says, Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. David asked that God's enemies be scattered and flee before Him.  Today, God's enemies may think that they can stand up to Him or even defeat Him by denying either His existence or His power, but one day, when His day of judgment comes, they will all try to flee from Him, and they find out that it is even impossible to do that.  Verse two adds, As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.  David asked that God's enemies disappear like smoke or to melt away like wax.  This is about how powerful God's enemies are, even if they appear to be very powerful today.  Verse three states, But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.  As followers of Christ, we are the righteous today, not because of our righteous but because of the righteous of Jesus Christ, and we should be rejoicing in our life, not just when things are going well, but at all times.  Verse four adds, Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.  David tells people, especially the people of God, to sing praises to God and rejoice before Him.  JAH is David's term for Jehovah in this Psalm, but He is the one and only all powerful God.  Verse five says, A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.  David said that God was the God of the orphans and widows.  We as God's people should always help the orphans and widows today so that God may be glorified.  Verse six adds, God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.  David said that God brings those that put their faith in Him together in His family and frees them from their chains of sin, but the rebellious are left to dwell in a dry land, a land cut off from God.  Verse seven declares, O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:  David said that God went before the people in the wilderness, and no matter what we are going through today, as Christians we can be certain that God is going before us.  Verse eight adds, The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.  As David said, God has the power to move the heavens and the earth, as He showed when He shook Mt. Sinai when He gave His law to Moses.  We are even told that as followers of Christ that if we have the faith of a mustard seed that we can move mountains if it is necessary to do so to accomplish God's work.  Verse nine says, Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.  David said God sent refreshing rain when His people were weary.  God will meet our needs today and refresh our faith as long as we continue to put our faith in Him.  Verse ten adds, Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.  We as Christians are the congregation of God and we should dwell in His presence.  We also have the task of showing God's goodness to the poor.  Verse eleven states, The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.  As David said, God has given His word and as Christians it is our responsibility to publish, or share it with the world around us today.   Verse twelve adds, Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. David said that kings fled from His word, and that God's people divided the spoils.  God will always be with us even before the most powerful people in the world, and we have already been promised the victory through faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Psalms 67:1

Psalms 67:1 says, To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.  After the introduction of the Psalm, verse one says, God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.  This should be the prayer of every person today, and especially Christians.  Of course, as Christians God has already been merciful to us by forgiving our sins through our faith in Jesus Christ, but we need His mercy and blessing everyday, and we need God's Light to shine on us always.   Verse two adds, That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.  As Paul said, we need God's mercy and grace so that we can show His way to the world.  This is our commission as followers of Christ and not just something that we are to do to bring honor to ourselves.   All that we do as Christians should bring honor and glory to God.  Verse three states, Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.  David called on all the people to praise God.  We cannot expect all the people to praise God if we do not praise Him ourselves.  If people are truly to see Jesus through us, we need to continually live by His grace and power and to reflect it to the world.  Verse four adds, O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.  David called on all the nations to be glad and sing for joy because God judges people righteously and for all nations to let God rule them.  This will happen one day, when Jesus Christ returns in judgment, but until then we can only live with Him ruling our heart and life and witnessing to others that they might become a part of God's kingdom.  Verse five continues, Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.  Again, we cannot control whether all the people praise God or not, but we can certainly control whether we do or not, and if all people are to praise God, then that definitely includes us.  We should praise God at all times and not just when life is going well.  Verse six declares, Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.  David said that when everyone truly praised God that the earth would yield its increase.  If the world seems to be failing to provide its increase today, that is because too many people do not give praise to God and follow His way in life.   Verse seven adds, God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.  As David said then, if we follow God's way through faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ, He will bless us.  Our obedience to God, even in the storms of life, should cause others to fear what will one day happen to them if they don't put their faith in Him.  

Psalms 66:11

Psalms 66:11 says, Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.  David was still talking about God purifying the people of Israel through trials.  Verse twelve adds, Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.  David said that even though God allowed them to be purified by trials that He brought them through the trials to a wealthy place.  As followers of Christ, God may allow us to go through trials of faith in this lifetime, but He will bring us through to our heavenly home.  Verse thirteen states, I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,  David said that he would keep his vows to God and worship Him, as we must today as Christians even when we are going through trials in life.  Verse fourteen adds, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.  David said that these vows were spoken when he was in trouble.  If we make a vow to God in times of trouble, we need to be sure that we fulfill that vow when God delivers us out of the trouble.  Even though our salvation is secure through our faith in Jesus Christ, God still expects us to be faithful in carrying out promises made to Him, even those made in times of trouble.  Verse fifteen continues, I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.  David said that he would offer burnt sacrifices to God.  Today, we know that it really isn't the burnt offerings that are important, but our faithfulness to God that is.  The burnt offerings were just a sign of faithfulness to God.  Verse sixteen declares, Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.  David asked anyone who feared or believed in God to come and hear what God had done for him.  We should be ready to share what God has done for us today, not only with those who believe in God and salvation through Jesus Christ, but with anyone that we meet.  Verse seventeen adds, I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.  David said he praised God with his words, and so should we.  Verse eighteen says, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:  David said that if He allowed iniquity in his heart that God would not hear Him. Even as Christians, we cannot expect to hold on to evil in our heart and expect God to hear our prayers until we confess that evil and ask for His forgiveness.  Verse nineteen adds, But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.  David said that God heard him, and God will hear us today when we cry out to Him in faith and obedience.  Verse twenty concludes, Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.  David said he blessed, or praised, God for hearing his prayers.  We today need to always praise God for hearing our prayers, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. 

Psalms 66:1

Psalms 66:1 says,To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.  After a short introduction, verse one says, Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:  David called on all the lands, or everyone, to make a joyful noise unto God.  We need to do this today, especially as followers of Christ.  Verse two adds, Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.  As David said then, we need to honor God's name in all that we do and praise His glorious love and mercy towards us.  Verse three continues, Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.  David said that people were to acknowledge the power of God over His enemies.  We have no need to fear those who oppose God today, because He has already won the victory for Christians.   Verse four concludes, All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.  David said there is coming a day when people from all parts of the world will worship God and sing praises to Him.  We know that the Bible tells us that Christ will return only after the gospel has been preached throughout all the world.  It is our responsibility to proclaim the gospel to everyone we meet.  Verse five states, Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.  David called on everyone to come see the works of God.  Terrible does not mean bad, but awesome as Matthew Henry says.  Verse six adds, He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.  David then reminded the people of Israel about when God parted the Red Sea so they could escape Egypt.  We as followers of Christ simply need to look back to when He died for our sins.  There is no greater miracle.  Verse seven continues, He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.  As David said,  God rules by His power forever. Whether people want to acknowledge this or not, it is no less true.  Just because God gives people free will to rebell against Him does not mean that He is no longer in charge, as those who deny or defy Him will one day realize.  Verse eight declares, O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:  As David called on the people in his day to do, we as Christians must make our praise to God heard.  Verse nine adds, Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. David said that people should praise God because He held their souls in life and would not let them be moved.   As followers of Christ, God holds our souls forever through our faith in Jesus Christ, and nothing can ever move us away from Him as long as we are faithful.  Verse ten adds, For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.  David said that God had proved them, as a refiner purifies silver.  When trials come in life today, instead of questioning God,we need to just continue to be faithful to Him.  He may be purifying our faith by what we are going through. 

Psalms 65:1

Psalms 65:1 says, To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David.  After David's introduction, verse one says, Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.  David said praise waited for God in Zion, and vows to Him would be performed.  One day, all those who have made a vow to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord will continually praise God with no obstacles between God and them.  In the meantime, the church praises God, because all praise is due God.  Verse two adds, O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.  David said God hears prayers and that all people would one day come to Him.  At that time, only the Israelites and those who had become Israelites by faith came to God in prayer, but the day was coming when all people would come to God by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse three states, Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.  Like David, just because we stand with God through faith in Jesus Christ doesn't mean that everyone is going to like us.  As a matter of fact, those who deny God will more likely stand against us, but one day God will purge them away.  Verse four adds, Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.  David said that those that God chose would be blessed and satisfied with the goodness of God's holy temple and dwell in His courts.  God extends His merciful salvation to anyone and everyone who will accept it, and everyone who does accept God's salvation should be satisfied with living in the goodness of His grace.  Verse five declares, By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:  Matthew Henry says this applies to the destruction of the enemies of God's people.  This should give those who put their faith in God no matter where we are or whatever is happening in the world assurance today.  Verse six adds, Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:  David said that we can have faith in God because He is the Creator and Sustainer of the world.  We as followers of Christ serve the God of unlimited power, so we should never live in fear.  Verse seven continues, Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.  David continues to speak about the power of God over the world.  God controls the seas as well as the land.  We serve the God of unlimited power.  Verse eight says, They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.  David said that those who lived anywhere in the world, no matter how remote the place might be, feared the tokens of God.  God causes the sun to rise and set, and people acknowledge that this has to be because of some great power, but too often they worship the sun and moon instead of worshipping the Creator of the sun and moon.  Verse nine adds, Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.  David said that God provided the rain to grow the crops needed to feed the people.  Whether people want to admit it or not, we owe God the praise for meeting our needs.  Verse ten continues, Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.  David continues to give God the credit and praise for providing for the needs of people. We as God's people today should especially give Him praise and thanks for providing for our needs, the greatest of which is salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Verse eleven states, Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.  Verse twelve adds, They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.  David said that God blessed the people every year with the birth of livestock.  The whole earth is dependent on God whether people ever acknowledge it or not.  Verse thirteen concludes, The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.  God blesses us with what we need in the world, though not necessarily with what we want.  We need to learn to give God the glory no matter what.  As Christians, He has already provided for all our needs forever. 

Psalms 64:1

Psalms 64:1 says,To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. After David's introduction, verse one says, Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.  David once more asked God to hear his prayers and preserve his life from his enemies.  We need to continually be in prayer to God, and we can be certain that He has already given us everlasting protection from our enemies.  Verse two adds, Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:  As David asked of God then, we need Him to protect us from the secret counsel of our enemies.  There are many people today who are secretly working to destroy Christians, and we need to ask God for the wisdom to recognize who they are and what they are doing.  Verse three states, Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:  David said that those who secretly plotted against him then used their tongue like a sword or bow and arrows against him.  People today often use their tongue, their speech, as a weapon against God's people.  Verse four adds, That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.  David said his enemies shot at the perfect, or those who put their faith in God, from secret and suddenly.  As followers of Christ, we are not perfect, but we still often come under attack from those who would destroy us from ambush, as it were, and suddenly.  That is why we must always be ready to defend our faith.  Verse five declares, They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?  David said that his enemies, and therefore God's enemies, encouraged themselves in evil and privately laid snares for God's people.  Today, many people delight in things that are considered evil by God, and they often go out of their way to attempt to destroy those who are faithful to God.  Verse six adds,They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.  David said that his enemies looked deeply into his life searching for iniquity, or sin.  People today often look into the past of Christians in order to find something to discredit them with, but we need to remember that God has washed away our past, present, and future sins if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse seven says, But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.  David said that God would suddenly shoot down His enemies, and He will one day suddenly shoot down all of His enemies when Christ returns.  All we need to do is continue to put our faith in God.  Verse eight adds, So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.  David said that those who worked to destroy him and against God's word would be destroyed by their own words.  One day, everyone who denies God will be condemned by their own words.  Verse nine continues,  And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.  When God's judgment comes, all those who have denied God and failed to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord will be in fear.  They will also declare, or acknowledge, the work of God.  Verse ten declares, The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.  David then said the righteous would be glad in the LORD and that the upright in heart would glory in the LORD.  We can only be made righteous by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  If we have, we must then be upright in our heart by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Psalms 63:1

Psalms 63:1 says, A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.  In his introduction, David said this psalm was written while he was in the wilderness of Judah, then verse one says, O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;  Like David, as Christians, God is our God and we should seek Him early each day and all day long.  Our soul should thirst for the presence of God in our lives as we would for water in the desert.  Verse two adds, To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.  David said he also desired to see God's power and glory in the wilderness as he had in God's sanctuary.  We need to acknowledge God's glory wherever we are, and not just in the His sanctuary.  Verse three declares, Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. David said that God's lovingkindness was better than life and he would praise God because of it.  We as followers of Christ today should know that God's lovingkindness is more important than anything in this world, even our life itself.  Verse four adds, Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.  David said that he would bless, or praise, God for as long as he lived, and so must we.  We cannot just praise God in the good times, but must praise Him in the bad times as well.  Verse five continues, My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:  David was in the wilderness when he wrote this, but he said he would be satisfied as he would be in times of prosperity and would praise God with joyful lips.  Verse six states, When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.  David said that he would remember God at night as well as during the day.  God and doing His will should be in our thoughts day and night.  Verse seven adds, Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.  David said that God had been his help in the past, so he would rest under the shadow of God's wing.  We as Christians should be able to look back to when God protected us in the past and know that we can rest in assurance of His protection today.  Verse eight says, My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.  We need to be like David said he was, and to follow hard after God, because it is His hand that upholds us.  Verse nine adds, But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.  David said that those who sought to destroy his soul would go down into the lower parts of the earth.  Those who do not believe in God and seek to destroy our soul, or our spiritual relationship with God, will one day be sent down into hell.  Verse nine continues, They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.  Whether those who are our enemies spiritually die by the sword, or are defeated in this lifetime or not, they will be one day.  Verse eleven concludes, But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.  David said everyone who put their faith in God would glory, but the mouth of those who didn't would be stopped.  It would be nice if this were true everyday, but it will only be true when Christ returns to call His people out of the wilderness of this world and to their heavenly home.

Psalms 62:1

Psalms 62:1 says,To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. After a brief introduction, verse one says, Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.  Verse two adds, He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. David said that he would wait on God, Who alone was his rock and salvation.  Since God is the only source of salvation, we must always wait patiently on Him to guide us in life if we are Christians.  Verse three asks, How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.  David asked how long people would imagine mischief against God.  People today seem to have no end to their devising ways to attempt to defy or defy God.  Verse four adds, They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.  David said some people only sought to bring God down and delighted in the lies of the world.  There are only two choices, and that is to believe in God, or to believe in the lies of the world.  Verse five states, My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  Then verse six adds, He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  David basically repeated what he had said in verses one and two.  God was his expectation, his rock and salvation, and he would wait on Him.  We should continually remember this if we are followers of Christ.  Verse seven continues, In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Like David, we must declare to the world that God is our salvation and strength, our place of spiritual refuge from the evil of the world.  Verse eight concludes, Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.  David called on everyone to put their faith in God, and this is our commission as Christians today.  We must witness to the world about the goodness of God and His merciful salvation provided through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Verse nine declares, Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. David said that whether people were viewed as being of low degree or high degree by the world that they were all worth nothing by their own merit.  People only have value because God has given them value.  God made us in His own image spiritually and breathed the breath of life into us.  Verse ten adds, Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.  David warned people against trusting in the riches of the world.  Too often, people chase after the riches of the world today instead of chasing after God's will and living for His glory.  People also too often idolize the rich, even if they are leading ungodly lives.  Verse eleven declares, God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  David said that God had spoken once and that he had heard it twice, and that was that power belongs to God.  If God has said something once, that should settle it, but it never hurts for us to hear God's word over and over.  We must hear God with our ears, or physically, but also with our soul, or spiritually. Verse twelve adds, Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.  David said that God was the One Who showed mercy, judging people by their works.  We can either stand before God judged by our works on judgment day, or stand before Him by His merciful salvation given to the world through Jesus Christ by His sacrifice on the cross and our faith in Him.

Psalms 61:1

Psalms 61:1 says,To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.  After the introduction, verse one says, Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.  Once more, David is asking God to hear his cry and his prayer.  We must continue to call on God to hear our prayer, though we should never doubt that He does.  We even at times may not really know what to say, or be left crying out at our situation, but we know that God understands our cry even when we don't know the words to say.  Verse two adds, From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  David said that even if he were at the end of the earth that he would cry out to God, and he would do the same if his heart was overwhelmed.  Then, David asked God to lead him to the rock that was higher than him.  Even from the end of the world if we are totally overwhelmed by life, there is a Rock that is higher than us.  That Rock is Jesus Christ, and we reach Him by faith.  Verse three continues, For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.  David said that God had been a shelter and strong tower for him in the past.  From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, God is our protector.  We should be able to look back on our life and recognize this, and should therefore continue to put our faith in God no matter what is happening in our life today.   Verse four concludes, I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.  Like David, we as Christians must trust in the fact that we are His forever.  Our bodies as believers in Christ are the tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, and we should trust in Him to keep us safe and guide us to a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father.  Verse five states, For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.  David said that God had heard his vows to God and had made him a part of those who fear God.  We as Christians have made a vow to God to put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and when we do we forever become a part of the family of God.  Verse six adds, Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.  David said that God would prolong his life.  When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we have everlasting life with God.  This does not happen some day, but becomes true as soon as we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse seven continues, He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.  As David said, by God's mercy and truth we are preserved as God's people forever once we accept His salvation made available through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse eight concludes, So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.  David said that he would sing praises to God forever and daily perform his vows to God.  We as followers of Christ should sing praises to God forever, and we certainly should perform our vow to Him to be faithful through our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Psalms 60:1

Psalms 60:1 says, To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.  As with many of the psalms, there is a specific introduction telling what the psalm was about, then verse one says, O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. David said God had cast the people of Israel off and scattered them.  This was because of their disobedience.  If we as a nation that is called a Christian nation turn our back on God, we should not be surprised if He allows us to be scattered.  Verse two adds, Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.  David said God had caused the earth to tremble, and asked Him to heal it.  We hear of more and more natural disasters today, and it may be that God is trying to shake the world out of its sin and get them to turn to Him in faith.  Verse three continues, Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.  David said God had shown His people hard things and God may be doing the same thing with Christians today.  He may leave us astonished at some of the things that are going on in the world today because we do not put our faith in God and follow His will. Verse four concludes, Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.  As David said, God has given us a banner of truth to be displayed in the world today, and that truth is that Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone and that every person who puts their faith in Him will be saved.  Verse five states, That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.  David asked God to save His people and to hear his prayers.   As followers of Christ, God has already saved us forever, and He will always hear our prayers.   Even if we are defeated physically, we have already been given everlasting life as Christians, so we need to simply remain faithful to God.  Verse six adds, God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.  David said that since God had spoken in His holiness that he would obey God.  Anytime God speaks to us, it is out of His holiness and we need to acknowledge and follow His word.  Verse seven declares, Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;  Verse eight continues, Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.  David said that God's people would once again triumph over their enemies because God was with them.  If we are feeling spiritually defeated today, we must turn to God with faith in Him no matter what is happening in our life.  Verse nine asks, Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?  David was asking what other countries could he depend on to help him.  Verse ten adds, Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?  David then asked if it were not God alone that they could depend on to help them defeat their enemies as He had in the past.   If we are feeling spiritually defeated today as followers of Christ, we need to ask Him to help us as He has in the past.  Verse eleven continues, Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.  David stated that only God could help them because faith in mankind was of no value.  We should never look to the people of the world for deliverance in times of trouble, but must look to God alone. Verse twelve concludes, Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.  David said that it was through faith in God that the people of Israel, God's chosen people, would be delivered.   It is through faith in Jesus Christ alone that we will be delivered to everlasting victory today.  

Psalms 59:8

Psalms 59:8 says, But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.  As David said,  God laughs at those who think they are more powerful than He is.  People may believe that God does not exist or is very limited in power if He does, but God will always find this to be nothing more than something to laugh about.  Verse nine adds, Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.  David said because of God's strength he would wait to face his enemies, because God was his strength.  As followers of Christ, God is the source of our strength and we must always wait on His leadership in all that we do if we are to be spiritually successful in life.  Verse ten states, The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.  David said God would prevent him from being destroyed by his enemies, and so will He spiritually for Christians today.  Verse eleven adds, Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.  David asked God not to slay his enemies, but to scatter them so that the people of Israel would not forget the power of God.  I believe that though we are to pray for our enemies, we are not to pray for their destruction, but we are to pray that they will be brought down from power in the world.  Verse twelve continues, For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.  David asked that God bring his enemies down because they were sinning by what they said and were full of self pride.  Too many people today speak lies about God and are full of self pride, and one day, God will bring them all down.  Until then, it is our responsibility to pray for and witness to them.  Verse thirteen declares, Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah. David asked God to destroy those who did not believe in or even defied Him so that the world would know that He ruled to the end of the earth.  We as followers of Christ must always accept the fact that God is in power over all the earth, even as He allows people the free will to choose whether they will accept Him or not.  Verse fourteen adds, And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.  David asked that God allow his enemies to be allowed to continue to live, but that they be like dogs wandering around outside the city.  We should want to see the enemies of God reduced to the point where they have no power, not so we can lord it over them, but so that God will be glorified.  If they fall, it will never be so that we can gloat.  Verse fifteen continues, Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.  David asked that when God defeated his enemies that they be reduced to wandering around searching for food, but never finding enough.  We need to leave the punishment of God's enemies up to God, and be content with the fact that we are a part of His kingdom as followers of Christ, no matter what happens to our enemies and God's enemies in this lifetime.  Verse sixteen states, But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.  Verse seventeen adds, Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.  David said he would sing aloud of God's mercy, because God was his strength and defense.   We need to continually witness to the world about the goodness and power of God.   He is our strength and our defender against all who would destroy us because of our faith in Him.  We are forever secure if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Psalms 59:1

Psalms 59:1 says,To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.  After David's introduction, which says this was written when Saul was trying to destroy David, verse one says, Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.  David asked God to  deliver him from his enemies.   He didn't even ask that God give him the ability to deliver himself, even though David was known as a mighty warrior.  No matter how strong we may be seen as being in the world, we need to realize that as followers of Christ that our victory comes from God, and we need to call on Him always, but especially in times of trouble.  Then, we need to put our life totally in His hands.  Of course, we should always do this, but sometimes in times of trouble we want God to do what we want immediately instead of waiting patiently for His will to be done.  Verse two adds, Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.  David asked God to deliver him from workers of iniquity and those who would shed the blood of others.  We need God to do the same thing for us today, but if He doesn't, we still need to live our lives to bring Him glory.  Verse three continues, For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.  David said that the mighty men were gathered against him wanting his soul, or life.  No matter how powerful people may be, they can only take our life, but never our soul.  As Christians, our soul is secured forever by God.  David also said that it wasn't because he had sinned that they wanted to kill him.  We may ask why bad things happen to good people, as David was saying was happening to him, but we need to realize that it is because of the wickedness of people.  Verse four states, They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.  David said that his enemies ran to prepare themselves to defeat him, and that was not because they had reason to.  He then asked God to awake and behold him.  Even if the whole world seems to be uniting against us, we must acknowledge that God is never asleep or not involved in the world.  Verse five adds, Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.  Selah. David acknowledged God as the LORD of hosts, the only true God, and the God of Israel in particular, but then he attempted to tell God what to do.  David asked God to not be merciful to wicked transgressors, but as Christians we must acknowledge that Christ died for wicked transgressors, including us.  We are called on not to destroy but to love them with a Godlike love,and witness to them so that they might be saved.  We should never want to see anyone die without accepting salvation, no matter how much they may hate and want to destroy us.  Verse six adds, They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. David said that his enemies went around the city even at night, sounding like a pack of dogs.  Even if it seems that our enemies are out to destroy us day and night, as followers of Christ, we should rest secure in His peace.  Verse seven continues, Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?   David said that his enemies bragged about their power and asked if anyone thought that God heard David's, or anyone's, prayers.  People who do not believe in God and His power often see their victory over Christians as proving that there is no God, or if there is that He is weak and not to be concerned about.  One day, when God's judgment comes, they will realize just how wrong they were.

Psalms 58:1

 Psalms 58:1 says, To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.  After the introduction, verse one says, Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?  This was written before David became king.  David asked if the people of Israel, especially the religious leaders, really spoke righteousness and judged uprightly.  This is a question we as Christians should ask ourselves everyday.  Verse two adds, Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.  David went beyond questioning the actions of the people and said that they had wickedness and violence in their hearts.  God judges us not only by our actions but by our attitude as well.  Verse three declares, The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.  David said that the wicked are that way from the womb and go astray as soon as they are born.   I believe that we are born with the ability to sin, but that we are not really guilty of sin until we are old enough to make a personal choice as to whether we will choose to do what is right or what is wrong.  Verse four adds, Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;  David said that those who chose to do evil were as deadly as serpents.  Those who refuse to acknowledge God and obey His laws are indeed more deadly than serpents, because if they get people to follow them, it is the soul of a person that is condemned unless that person turns to God through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five continues, Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.  David said that like a deaf adder, these people could not be charmed by the voice of the charmers.  This does not mean that God's word is some sort of charm to lure people in, but is simply used as an illustration of how obstinate the people were.  They would stop up their ears to keep from listening to God's word.  Verse six states, Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.  David asked God to break the teeth of those who would destroy His people.  David referred to the adder and the young lion, but it was the evil people around him that he was really referring to.  God has already broken the power of those who would destroy us spiritually if we continue to put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seven adds, Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.  David continues to ask God to destroy those who work evil in the world.  Even if it doesn't happen in this lifetime, those who refuse the salvation that God has provided will be sent away into everlasting destruction.  Verse eight continues, As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.  David compared the destruction of the evil to a snail, which Matthew Henry says leaves a little of itself behind in its trail, slowly destroying itself.  David also said that these wicked people would be better off if they did not live beyond the womb.  We know that those who never put their faith in Jesus Christ slowly destroy themselves chasing lies, and they probably would have been better of if they hadn't lived much past their birth.  Verse nine says, Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.  David said that like the pot before it felt the heat of the thorns lit to heat the pot, or quickly in other words, that God would take away the evil.  Even if someone lives a very long life without accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, from a perspective of eternity, they will be sent away quickly to everlasting punishment.  Verse ten declares, The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  David said that the righteous would rejoice at the destruction of the evil and wash their feet of the blood of the wicked.   I personally don't believe that we as Christians should rejoice at the destruction of wicked, evil people, but should be saddened that they are going to be forever separated from God and His mercy.  Still, as long as we witness to them, their blood is not on our hands or under our feet.  Verse eleven adds, So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.  David said that the people of the world would say that there is a reward for the righteous and that God judges the earth.  This is true, but we must remember that it is our acceptance of the righteousness of Christ that makes this true.   We cannot stand innocent before God based on our own righteousness, because as God said, there is none righteous.  The only person to ever live a totally righteous life was Jesus Christ, and the only way for a person to be made righteous is to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. 

Psalms 57:1

Psalms 57:1 says, To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.  We have the introduction, which tells us that this was written when David was hiding from Saul in a cave, then verse one says, Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Even though David was hiding from Saul, he asked God to be merciful to him because he still trusted in God to protect him.  No matter how badly things may be going today in our life, we as Christians should continue to put our faith in God keeping us safe forever.  Verse two adds, I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.  David said he would cry to God most high, Who was responsible for all of David's success.   As followers of Christ today, we must acknowledge that God is the One Who gives us all our success in life.  We need to cry out to Him in praise.  Verse three continues, He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.  David said God would send help from heaven to save him, from reproach and from those who would swallow him up, and that God would send forth His mercy and truth.  God sent Jesus from heaven to take away our sin and reproach before God, and Jesus Christ is God's mercy and truth to people.  Verse four states, My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.  David said he lived amongst people who would destroy him.  Sometimes, it may seem that as Christians the whole world is out to destroy us, but we need to simply remain faithful to God and keep sharing His message of salvation with the world, even those who might be out to destroy us.  Verse five adds, Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.  As David said then, even in the midst of all his troubles, we must live so that God will be exalted above everything else.  We should not just call on God to be exalted when things are going well in life, but at all times.  Verse six continues They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.  Once more, David said it seemed that everyone was out to destroy him.  If it seems this way to us today, then we must continue to live by faith, because God has assured us of everlasting victory through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seven declares, My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.  David said his heart was fixed on God and that he would give God the glory and praise.  Nothing today should keep us from giving God glory and praise.  This should never be contingent on our worldly situation.  Verse eight adds, Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.  David said that it was time for him to wake up and worship God.  When life seems to be falling in on us, as Christians we need to wake up and give God our praise and worship Him.  Verse nine continues, I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. David said he would praise God to the nations, and so must we today as followers of Christ.  Verse ten states, For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.  David said he would praise God because of the mercy and truth of God.  We should always praise God for His mercy and truth that is shown to us through Jesus Christ.  Verse eleven adds, Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.  David asked that God be exalted above the heavens and that His glory be above all the earth.  This is the case whether we acknowledge it or not.   

Psalms 56:1

 Psalms 56:1 says,To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.  There is once again an introduction of the Psalm, then verse one says, Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.  Verse two adds, Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.  David asked God to be merciful to him because he had many enemies who daily tried to swallow him up, or totally defeat if not destroy him.  If we seem have many people today who seem to be out to destroy us as Christians, we are not the first to feel this way, but God has already been merciful to us by sending Jesus Christ to die in our place.  Verse three continues, What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  Like David, even if it seems that the world is out to get us and we are afraid, we need to just continue to trust in God.  Verse four declares, In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.  David said that he would praise God regardless and put his trust in Him, and that when he did, he would not fear what people might do to him.  This is the kind of faith that we need today as followers of Christ.  Verse five adds, Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.  David said that the thoughts of his enemies were constantly against him.  At times we may feel that the whole world seems to be continually out to get us, but if so, we need to just draw closer to God.  Verse six continues, They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.  David said his enemies hid and waited to find ways to destroy him.  There are those in the world today who attempt to ambush and destroy Christians witness if not their life.  Verse seven asks, Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.  David wanted to know if those out to destroy him would escape by their iniquity.  At times, we may wonder if the sinful people of the world are going to destroy those who believe in Jesus Christ by the evil ways.  David asked God to cast them down in His anger.  We need to acknowledge that God has already cast down those who do not believe in Him, but I don't believe He does so in anger.  Even if people reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, He still died for them and loves them.  Still, if they refuse to put their faith in Him, they will be cast down to hell one day.  Verse eight states, Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?  David asked God to note how he had cried because of his situation.  David was not ashamed of crying, and neither should we be.  Sometimes, life may simply seem to overwhelm us, but if so, we must continue to cry out to God in faith.  God already knows the tears that we cry.  Verse nine adds, When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.  David said that he knew that when he put his faith in God that his enemies would be defeated, because God was for him.  We can be certain as Christians that our enemies have already been defeated by God, even if it doesn't seem so at the moment.  Verse ten continues, In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.  Like David, no matter what is going on in our lives or in the world in general, we need to continue to praise God's word.  Verse eleven says, In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.  We need to be like David, and when we put our faith in God through our relationship with Jesus Christ, we should not be afraid of what the world may do to us.  Verse twelve adds, Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. David said that he would live up to his vows to God and praise Him no matter what.  We need to live up to our vows to God today that we will always put our faith in Him and continue to praise Him daily.  Verse thirteen continues, For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?  As David said, since God has delivered our soul from death through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, if we put our faith in Him, we should walk in His light.  God will keep us from falling spiritually if we do.