Psalms 73:1

Psalms 73:1 says, A Psalm of Asaph.  This is identified as a psalm of Asaph, then verse one says, Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.  Asaph said that it was true that God was good to those in Israel who were pure of heart.  Verse two adds, But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  Asaph said that he was still almost tempted to stray away from God, because those who did were seemingly being more prosperous.  We as followers of Christ may look around at the those who do not believe in or follow God's will growing rich and be tempted to follow what they say and do instead of following God's word and will for our life.  Verse three continues, For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  Asaph said he was envious of the foolish, those who did not follow God, because they, the wicked, prospered.  We as Christians should never be envious of the prosperity of the wicked, because the wealth of this life is only temporary.  Verse four states, For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.  Asaph said that the wicked did not die for their wickedness, but remained strong.  No matter how strong the wicked may seem in the world today, they will suffer for their wickedness when God's judgment comes.  Verse five adds, They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.  Asaph said that the wicked did not seem to be troubled or suffer as other people did.  There may be many people today who deny God and seemingly have no trouble in life, but we should never be tempted to try and be like them.  Verse six continues, Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  There are so many people who are rich in material things today who are full of self pride.  They want to take credit for everything that happens around them and often are not afraid to use violence to accomplish their goals.  Verse seven says, Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  Asaph said that the wicked, those who did not put their faith in God, often had more than their heart could wish for, and this often seems to be the case today.  Verse eight adds, They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.  Like then, there are many corrupt people in power today who don't think anything is wrong with oppressing others.  We as Christians must never believe that it is okay to oppress anyone, no matter how weak or poor they may be.  Verse nine declares, They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.  Asaph said the wicked set their mouth against heaven, or God Himself.  So many prosperous people speak out against God and His teachings today, but that does not mean that we are to be envious of or follow after them.  Verse ten adds, Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.  Asaph said that God's people returned wrung out of the blessings of life.  We often hear people who do not believe in God ask why if God is so good and powerful are those who believe in and live by His word not rich, but faith in Christ is never about earthly riches.  Verse eleven states, And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?  Asaph said the wicked questioned the knowledge and authority of God, and too many people today attempt to deny that God exists and is in charge.  Verse twelve adds, Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.  Just as Asaph said was happening then, we often see the ungodly prospering in the world today, but we should never be envious of them as followers of Christ.  Verse thirteen continues, Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.  Asaph said that it seemed that he had cleansed his heart in vain, or that following God's leadership had done him no good.  We should never be guilty of judging the benefit of following God by how rich or poor we may be in this lifetime.  Verse fourteen concludes, For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.  Asaph said that even though he put his faith in God that he suffered every day, and that was why he was tempted to turn away from God.  Even if we suffer for our faith, we must never be tempted to turn away from God and chase after the things of this world. 

Psalms 72:12

Psalms 72:12 says, For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.  David once again speaks about God helping the poor and needy and those that have no helper.  This does not mean that being poor automatically brings a person salvation.  Salvation still only comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse thirteen adds, He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.  Once more, I don't believe that this means that all the poor and needy will be saved, but means that God will save them in spite of the fact that they are looked down on by the world.  Verse fourteen continues, He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.  David said that those who put their faith in God and are mistreated by the world are precious in God's sight.  Being poor and mistreated is not another way to salvation though, since salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse fifteen states, And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.  Though this psalm was written about Solomon, and the gold of Sheba was given to him, as Christians we must likewise give all our material blessings to God to be used for His glory.  Verse sixteen adds, There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.  David said that during the reign of Solomon that people would be blessed with abundant crops.  Matthew Henry says this applies to the spreading of the gospel after Christ came and to the increase in believers because of it.  Verse seventeen declares, His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.  Though the name of Solomon may be remembered, this refers to Jesus Christ.  His name will never be forgotten and His kingdom will never end.  Verse eighteen adds, Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.  David now makes clear that it is God Who is to be blessed, and not Solomon.  No matter how good an earthly ruler may be, we should never give our praise to him or her, but to God alone.  Verse nineteen continues, And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.  David asked that God's name be blessed forever and the whole world be filled with His glory.  We know this is only going to happen when Christ returns to claim those who have put their faith in Him, but we as Christians need to be proclaiming the glory of God to the world every day.  Verse twenty concludes, The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.  Matthew Henry says this was likely means this was one of the last psalms written by David, but whether that is case or not, or if it simply means that David had concluded his prayers for Solomon at this time, I do know that as long as we live we cannot stop praying for God's will to be done in the world. 

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.