STUDY OF PSALMS - Chapters 62-67

PSALM 62 – “God Only”

(Lament and Psalm of Confidence of David)

This is referred to as a Psalm of Confidence because even while David writes of the problems faced from his enemies (verses 3-4), his primary focus is on his confidence and trust in the protection of God (verses 1-2 and 5-7).

Vs. 1 – “Truly my soul silently waits for God.” The word translated as “truly” can also be “only”. When we wait in silence for God... it is good to wait only for Him.

Vs. 2 – Our only source of salvation is God. We should submit only to Him. David uses three nouns to describe God's protection:

• Rock
• Salvation
• Stronghold

Vs. 3-4 – David's lament concerning his enemies.

Vs. 5 – Our hope is manifested in our expectant faith in God. Like David, we need not despair. He is our only Rock. If we put our hopes and trust in our plans... we will be shaken. But in God only are we secure.

Vs. 8 – David gives all us folks his secret formula for peace in the storm. Are you ready for it? 

Here it is: 

TRUST IN GOD AT ALL TIMES.

Vs. 11 – Spoken “once, twice” is a common device used in Hebrew poems to focus attention on what is being said, which is: Strength belongs to God.

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PSALM 63 - “Thirsting for God”
(Thanksgiving Psalm of David)

The historical setting of this psalm is not specific and described only as “in the wilderness of Judah”. We can surmise that David was fleeing either from King Saul (1 Samuel 23) or his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13). The difference in this psalm and others written by David in similar situations, this is a psalm of Thanksgiving and Praise.

This is another well-loved psalm. John Cyrysostom wrote that “the spirit and soul of the whole Book of Psalms is contracted into this Psalm”.

Vs. 1-2 – In a dry and desolate land, David was thirsting for God. He longed to be in His presence.

Vs. 5 – “Marrow and fatness”; David isn't talking Keto here. He used these words as a metaphor for rich banquet food, and being a foodie, that's a metaphor I can get behind. To David, the presence of God was as satisfying as the most delicious “All You Can Eat” buffet imaginable.

Vs. 6 – David's thoughts are focused on God at night, rather than his problems.

Vs. 9-10 – These are the only verses in which David mentions his enemies and the punishment they will receive in contrast to the peace of God’s protection. [“The lower parts of the earth” refers to the realm of the dead.]

Vs. 11 - The king in this verse is David. He is rejoicing in God because his enemies will be defeated. Guess what? Our enemy has been defeated as well. Jesus defeated him on the cross. And we, like David, should be rejoicing!!

💛NUGGET: In a barren desert, surrounded by enemies, David sought God. There was no complacency in his relationship with the Lord. And in seeking God, David found:

Satisfaction (vs. 5)

Joy (vs. 5)

Help (vs. 7)

Protection (vs. 8)

Glory (vs. 11)

“Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him, the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking…. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.” (A. W. Tozer)

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PSALM 64 – “Protect Me”
(Lament of David)

There are two sections:
Verses 1-6: Prayer of Petition
Verses 7-10: Divine Retribution 

Vs. 1-6 – David petitioned God to stop the scheming plans of wicked men against the righteous. In his list of grievances against the wicked, David begins first and foremost with their destructive words and speech (verse 3).

Vs. 7-8 – “But God...” David trusted in God's Divine retribution.

Vs. 9-10 – God's deliverance should be shared to inspire fear and faith in Him. And the righteous will rejoice.

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PSALM 65 - "Thank You, God" 
(Thanksgiving Psalm of David)

This is a Praise Psalm addressed solely to God for His abundant goodness and blessings.

VERSES 1-5: PRAISE FOR SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

Vs. 2 – Some scholars see this verse as a prophetic glimpse into the future when ALL NATIONS will acknowledge and worship the Lord. (Zechariah 14:16-19).

Vs. 3 – God not only forgives our past sins, but this verse gives assurance of atonement for our future sins. David is thanking God in advance. Oh, what Amazing Grace!

Vs. 4 - We did not choose God, He chose us. John 15:16: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

VERSES 5-13: PRAISE FOR NATURAL BLESSINGS

David details God's power over creation as well as His bountiful provision.

Vs. 5-8 – God is the only one who could honestly stand on the bow of the Titanic and declare Himself “King of the World!”.

Vs. 7 – The same God who can silence the oceans and seas can silence our enemies.

Vs. 11 - “Crown the year with your goodness” refers to a year “adorned” with blessings – an abundance of blessings.

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PSALM 66 - “Make a Joyful Noise”
(Thanksgiving Psalm)

The author of this psalm is not given. A noted scholar of Psalms, H.C. Leupold, speculated that it was written by King Hezekiah God delivered Israel from invasion and Hezekiah from an earlier death. If so, it would give more meaning to the organization of the two sections. Verses 1-12 are of a community focus and verses 13-20 detail a personal note of thanksgiving from the king.

VERSES 1-12 – COMMUNITY PRAISE

Vs. 1 – "Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!" Except for the use of “The Lord” (Yahweh), instead of “God”, Psalm 100:1 is identical to this verse. Notice our shout should be JOYFUL.

💛NUGGET: “The pursuit of joy in God is not optional. It is our highest duty.” (John Piper)

Vs. 5-9 – “Come and See” (John 1:46) – The psalmist is addressing all of humanity to review some of God's miraculous interventions in Israel's history His sovereignty, faithfulness and grace. Our very lives are an act of God’s grace (verse 9).

Vs. 10-12 – Here, the psalmist addresses God directly.  He interprets trials as testing and refinement from the Lord. It takes intense heat of over 2000 degrees to refine impurities out of silver... in the same way, God puts us through “refining fire”. He never wastes our pain and suffering. 

VERSES 13-20: INDIVIDUAL PRAISE

Vs. 13-15 – The psalmist switches to first person, telling of his individual worship and thanksgiving for answered prayers. He does not forget the vows he made to God.

Vs. 16 – The psalmist is sharing the Good News of his answered prayer with “all who fear God”.

Vs. 18-20 – God answered the psalmist's prayer because there was no hypocrisy in his heart.

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PSALM 67 – “Bless Us All”
(Psalm of Thanksgiving)

The hope of this prayer is that God's blessings upon Israel will serve a greater purpose of bringing salvation to all the nations.

Vs. 1 – This blessing is similar to the Priestly Blessing of Aaron in Numbers 6:24-26.

Vs. 2 – This reflects the promise to Abraham that through him and his descendants, God would bless “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:1-3).

Vs. 6-7 – The psalmist repeats the name of God three times in these two verses, emphasizing that we cannot separate God from His blessing... He IS the blessing.  And others will be drawn to Him through us.

💛NUGGET: The word used for “God” in verses 6-7 is “Elohim” (Creator God), instead of the personal name of Israel’s God, “Yahweh” because God's blessings are for all the world.

“Without pointing to the Messiah, the psalm anticipates a glorious messianic era in which Jews and Gentiles share in the glorious presence of God.  When God blesses his people, it is with the goal of provoking the nations to jealousy so that they too might come to know him, share in his blessings, and have reason to praise him.” 

(Willem A. VanGemeren)

READING FOR TOMORROW:  Chapters 68-72

LINK TO READING PLAN:

https://bibleplan.org/plans/psalms-in-a-month/