Category: A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 66
What does Psalms Chapter 66 mean? No author is assigned to this psalm. David might have written it, but it is likely this song was composed much later. Two possible events are thought of as most likely to have inspired this psalm. One is the defeat of the Assyrian forces…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 65
What does Psalms Chapter 65 mean? The early words of this psalm suggest calm, inspired trust that God will forgive sins—and so praise for the Lord is soon to come. The Hebrew phrasing is obscure, but various translations share core ideas such as worship, stillness, and obedience. This faith is…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 64
What does Psalms Chapter 64 mean? This psalm begins with a broad prayer for safety and rescue from David’s enemies (Psalm 64:1). David then describes the lies, hateful words, plots, and schemes of his enemies. Their words are calculated, as are their plans. They think to destroy David, as in…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 63
What does Psalms Chapter 63 mean? Absalom, one of David’s sons, used deception and propaganda to gather followers (2 Samuel 15:1–6, 10–12). When the time was right, Absalom moved on Jerusalem and David was forced to make a hasty retreat (2 Samuel 15:13–14). This led David and those still loyal over…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 62
What does Psalms Chapter 62 mean? This psalm reiterates the idea of confidence in God: that He alone is a perfect anchor point for trust and faith. No particular event in David’s life is tied to this song. The song is connected to the name Jeduthun, possibly the title of a…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 61
What does Psalms Chapter 61 mean? Some of David’s psalms are connected directly to historical events (Psalm 54; 59; 60). This song includes no such details. However, it refers to David being displaced and seeking a rocky sanctuary (Psalm 61:2). It also mentions his continued life and heritage (Psalm 61:6). It’s possible…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 60
What does Psalms Chapter 60 mean? During his military campaigns, David fought the Arameans and Ammonites to the north of Israel. These wars are recorded, in part, in 2 Samuel chapter 8 and 1 Chronicles chapter 18. At one point during the northern campaign, it seems that Edom made a…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 59
What does Psalms Chapter 59 mean? Although Saul was the first king of Israel, he ignored the Lord and was ultimately rejected by Him (1 Samuel 15:11). David was God’s chosen successor (1 Samuel 16:13). Even though David never attempted to take over the throne, Saul was violently jealous (1…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 58
What does Psalms Chapter 58 mean? This is one of several “imprecatory” psalms. These are songs which call on God, in emotional and often graphic terms, to bring justice to wicked people (Psalm 5; 10; 17; 59; 137). They are not appeals for other people to act, nor are they promises that the psalmist…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 57
What does Psalms Chapter 57 mean? This song was written during David’s attempts to evade Saul, the jealous and murderous king (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). This included fleeing from pursuing attackers and hiding in caves. The same series of events factored into the writing of Psalms 56 and 142. The psalm is presumably set…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 56
What does Psalms Chapter 56 mean? David wrote this psalm in response to his experiences in Gath. He had fled there to escape Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 21:10–15). David pretended to be insane when captured by the Philistines so they would not see him as a threat. The song echoes themes…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 55
What does Psalms Chapter 55 mean? This psalm is not assigned to any specific event. However, clues throughout tie closely to the rebellion of Absalom and the betrayal of Ahithophel. When David’s son tried to take over the kingdom (2 Samuel 15:1–12), one of David’s closest advisors sided with the…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 54
What does Psalms Chapter 54 mean? This song was inspired by the people of Ziph’s betrayal of David. Saul had been rejected by God (1 Samuel 15:26), and jealously wanted to have David killed (1 Samuel 19:2). While David hid in the region of Ziph, where he should have been…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 53
What does Psalms Chapter 53 mean? This psalm opens with a declaration that “the fool” denies God’s existence. The Hebrew word translated as “fool” in this verse is nā’bāl. This doesn’t imply someone who is stupid or incapable. It means someone senseless, irrational, or lacking in wisdom. Even intelligent people can…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 52
What does Psalms Chapter 52 mean? This psalm is tied to Doeg, the Edomite herdsman who sided with Saul over David. Doeg saw David speaking with Ahimelech when David was first a fugitive from Saul (1 Samuel 21:1–9). Supplied by the priest, David continued to flee from Saul. Saul heard…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 51
What does Psalms Chapter 51 mean? Psalm 51 is a renowned expression of repentance. David, the greatest of Israel’s kings, fell into serious sin and recognized his need to plead with God for forgiveness. This confession was inspired by David’s sins of adultery, deception, and even murder in his relationship with…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 50
What does Psalms Chapter 50 mean? This segment was written by Asaph, who also composed psalms 73—83. His other works include frustration at the hypocrisy of his era and God’s delayed response (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:10). Asaph was a worship leader during the time of David (1 Chronicles 16:7, 37). In dramatic language, the…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 49
What does Psalms Chapter 49 mean? The subject of this psalm is depicted as a “riddle.” In this case, that means something hard to understand or a frustration which requires wisdom to untangle (Proverbs 1:6–7). According to the introduction, this message is valuable for all people. That includes those who…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 48
What does Psalms Chapter 48 mean? This passage parallels ideas found in Psalms 44, 46 and 47. The city of Jerusalem is held up as a living example of God’s greatness. The writer notes that history—to that point—had established the city as a place fortified by the power of the Lord (Psalm 48:1–3). During…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 47
What does Psalms Chapter 47 mean? Many psalms appear to have been divinely inspired for more than one layer of meaning. Some refer to events which are immediate to the writer while also providing insights into the work of the Messiah. Psalm 47 might have been composed to celebrate a victory over…
Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded 