David expressed his trust in the Lord in Psalm 25. He asked Jehovah to teach him how he should live. Yahweh is good, loving. and faithful and all his followers should be also. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. Keep my paths straight. The Psalmist knows that the Lord will make a way for our salvation.

What was King David experiencing or thinking about in Psalm 29? He mentions the voice of the Lord. It is over the waters, powerful, majestic, breaks the cedars of Lebanon, strikes with flashes of lightning, and twists oaks. This sounds to me like a hurricane, cyclone, or an old-fashioned Missouri tornado. The destructiveness of nature is described by the King. With all the kingdom’s authority and influence, he still must sit inside and wait for this storm to pass. That is why he ends with the Lord sitting enthroned over the flood and blessing His people.

Singing praise is part of most of the Psalms including chapter 33. God’s word is identified as how everything was created. This is also what John 1 tells us. Reverence and fear are two forms of praise to Jehovah. David wanted to build a permanent place for Yahweh to live. Heaven is that place. Because He resides there, we put our hope in Him. Those who have chosen Him and been selected by God are able to accomplish more than anyone who rejects the Lord.

Do you know anyone personally that rejects Jesus as the creator and Lord of the universe? In Psalm 36 the Psalmist David mentions those who have no respect for Yahweh. Selfishness and pride are two of the main ways to discern someone who does not really believe in Christ. The King knew that some of these people try to disguise themselves as believers.

The wicked will be punished eternally while Jehovah blesses those who follow Him. Sacrifices in David’s day and church attendance in our own are not methods to discover our true stance as followers of God and Jesus. Look for those who exhibit the Lord’s love. They are real Christians not just church people.

One of the most difficult things for me is to hold my tongue. In Psalm 39, King David says that he would keep silent if he could. No one knows how long they will live. The Psalmist asks Jehovah to show him the length of his days. He also requests that his sins be forgiven. He knew that the only one who could help them was Yahweh.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Jehovah’s love is the theme of Psalm 89. David acknowledges that his throne will be established forever. God is praised for the covenant He made with David and his descendants.  Verses 26-27 are prophetic when they say, “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also, I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

David declares in Psalm 96 what he often did for the Lord. “Sing to the Lord a new song.” He is one of the most prolific of the Psalmists. Many new songs were written and sang to proclaim salvation and His glory for everyone. Here, as throughout scripture, Jehovah is declared to be the only true creator God. Strength and holiness are His alone. He reigns and will judge all humans. Even creation rejoices and praises their creator.

We should shout for joy to the Lord according to the one-hundredth Psalm. Worshiping Him with joy in our songs as our creator and shepherd. His goodness and love deserve our praise and thanks.

David sings of the love and justice of Yahweh in Psalm 101. He wants to be blameless and far from evil. The King pledges to discipline those who lack wisdom. He will watch everyone in Israel. If he does what he says he will, everything in the land will be as Jehovah wishes it to be.

We continue to sing praise to Yahweh in Psalm 105. His name means I am that I am. Do you understand the significance of who He is? When no one else existed, He was. In all three of His forms, He was here before anyone or anything. That is why we can rejoice and worship him.

He made a covenant with Abram, Isaac, Jacob, and all of Israel. He instructed them not to harm God’s prophets even though they did not do it. All the miracles that He performed for and through His people are repeated. The Plagues on Egypt are remembered as is His presence in the wilderness. All of this was to remind the Jews who He is.

While the One Hundred and Thirty Second Psalm was not written by David he is remembered here. The Shepherd King’s desire to give a permanent home to the God of Israel is worthy of praise. Jesse’s Son brought the Ark to Jerusalem after it became the capital of Judah and Israel. The Davidic Kingdom was to last while his descendants followed Yahweh. An eternal kingdom ruled by Jesus will be established. We read in Deuteronomy that Moses told his people that Jehovah would select His own location to dwell. He chose the city that is still known as Jerusalem. Salvation clothes the priest. That is why we believe in the priesthood of the believer.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Are you blessed because you do not walk with the wicked as is stated in the first Psalm? We delight in the Lord and His law. A tree planted next to water gives us the inspiration to think about what that means to the Christian that loves His God. The yield of fruit is greater and his or her life is always full and flourishing. Yahweh is watching His own but is less concerned with those that take advantage of or hurt others.

Why do those who oppose God try to plot against Him and His children? This is laughable to the Creator of the universe in Psalm 2. His Son will be the ruler of that creation and overpower those who are enemies of the family. He is our refuge and the worst nightmare of those who refuse to honor Him.

Who will live in Heaven? The righteous is what Psalm 15 says. All the answers repeated here are like the questions on Jeopardy. The problem is that David knows none of us fit this scenario.  Our only way to meet Jehovah’s requirements is to have faith in Him to provide for us.

Psalm 22 contains a phrase that was used by Jesus at the crucifixion. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus took David’s sin as well as yours and mine with Him when he died on that cross. “I am a worm and not a man” is also in this song. An old hymn had the words “for such a worm as I.” They have been removed by modern man.

We also would like to ignore the fact that “They cast lots for my garments.” This again refers to an actual event during the death of Christ. This scripture also refers to the mocking and the taunting that our Lord suffered.

The Psalmist refers to Yahweh laying him in the dust. In the twenty-third psalm, he speaks of his cup overflowing. This is the opposite of that image. The power, majesty, and strength of the Lord are emphasized once again. Even those to come will be told of Jehovah. That is us.

This Psalm, the 23rd is very familiar. It is studied, loved, and memorized by thousands. Remember that it begins with the name Jehovah, which is written “The Lord”, because of the fear of taking God’s name in vain. He is described as David’s shepherd. Let us make a list of things that He does as The Shepherd.

He provides what is needed physically. He leads where we need to go. He gives us what we need spiritually. He makes us courageous by protecting us like a human shepherd would with his rod and staff. His provision is not hampered by those who oppose us. David ends by stating his belief that Yahweh will never forsake him.

“The earth is the Lord’s” is the way Psalm 24 begins. Everyone who lives here is also His. Who can enter heaven? Only those who are pure. They will receive vindication. The rest of us need Jesus’ salvation. But none are righteous, not even David. Through our faith, we can be forgiven. God is referred to as the King of Glory many times in the final words of this song.

Psalm 47 is not for Baptists. They do not often clap their hands in Church. Israel had been successful at subduing other peoples. Jehovah is high above everything. The applause is to show joy and praise Him. Praising the Lord is Baptist. Exalting His name is also in line with our doctrinal beliefs.

Have you ever watched a candle as the flame burned and the wax below the wick melted? The Shepherd King likens this to what Jehovah should do to his enemies in Psalm 68.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, He rides on the clouds, and He leads the prisoners with singing. Did you notice that the lives of the Israelites did not have much singing and dancing before David’s reign? He is the one who praises Yahweh with music. He left a heritage for all of us.  Our God is an awesome God.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

In Psalm 133 David speaks of the unity of God’s people. He says it is good and pleasant. The example of oil poured on the head of the high priest. Imagine a day camping or at the beach. Have you ever stepped into an outdoor shower and felt the water pouring on your head or dumped a bucket of lake or ocean water on your own head? The converse is also true. It is bad and unpleasant when we are fighting. Don’t dry up the dew on the mountain by your words or actions to a fellow Christian.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger