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 46
What does Psalms Chapter 46 mean? Psalm 46 emphasizes two main truths about God: His strength and His established presence. This leads to the natural responses of trust and thanksgiving. Scholars are unclear if any unique event inspired this psalm. However, some phrases in this passage resemble those found in the…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 45
What does Psalms Chapter 45 mean? Though no specific occasion is mentioned, this song appears to be for a wedding. And yet, some of the phrases create a preview of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Verses 6 and 7 are directly cited in Hebrews 1:8–9. Though the psalmist is speaking about…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 44
What does Psalms Chapter 44 mean? This psalm implies Israel was recovering from an especially embarrassing defeat. No explicit event is mentioned. However, various clues in the text suggest an incident with Edom. There, Israel was surprised and battered by their enemies while the main army was occupied elsewhere (Psalm…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 43
What does Psalms Chapter 43 mean? Many Hebrew manuscripts join Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 as a single work. It’s possible they were separated, at some point, for unknown reasons. The themes of Psalm 43 echo those of the prior song. Overall, the psalmist honestly expresses frustration with his suffering. Yet he makes a conscious effort…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 42
What does Psalms Chapter 42 mean? This begins the second major division of the Psalms, often referred to as “Book Two,” which continues through Psalm 72. This is labelled as a maskil, most likely a musical arrangement, as are Psalms 32, 52, and 89, among others. Psalm 42 is associated with the “Sons of Korah.” These were…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 41
What does Psalms Chapter 41 mean? The collection of Psalms is sometimes divided into five “books,” with the first including everything from Psalm 1 through Psalm 41. This passage was probably inspired by the attempted rebellion of David’s son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15—18). Themes of slander, plotting, danger, and betrayal are compared to…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 40
What does Psalms Chapter 40 mean? David experienced danger many times in his life, often as threats from men who marked him out, specifically, for death. In those moments, he prayed to God and was rescued. In some moments, the danger seemed so dire that David saw no way out—like…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 39
What does Psalms Chapter 39 mean? This psalm features themes related to those seen in Psalm 38. Both mention David’s repentance of sin and the consequences brought by God’s discipline. The Bible assigns no incident to this passage, but it may be tied to David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:7–9).…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 38
What does Psalms Chapter 38 mean? Psalm 38 contains references like those found in Psalm 32: depicting the effects of sin and the pain a believer feels under God’s conviction. It’s possible this passage was composed in response to David’s sin with Bathsheba. He lured her into adultery, impregnated her, then attempted…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 37
What does Psalms Chapter 37 mean? In the beginning of this psalm David tells his audience not to “fret,” which is translated from a Hebrew word referring to burning or heat. In contrast to anxiety, or rage, believers should trust in the Lord, delight themselves in the Lord, commit their…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 36
What does Psalms Chapter 36 mean? Sin is rooted deeply within the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9). That innate wickedness is the source of our evil actions (Matthew 15:18–19). Here, David notes that those who reject God find themselves overtaken by sin. They lose all respect for the Lord (Proverbs 1:7),…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 35
What does Psalms Chapter 35 mean? This is considered one of the “imprecatory psalms:” songs which request the Lord’s immediate destruction of an enemy. Others include psalms 5, 10, 58, 69, 83, 109, and 140. In David’s context, he was the anointed leader of a nation meant to produce the Messiah. Believers, today, are not in that…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 34
What does Psalms Chapter 34 mean? Psalm 34 opens with something David expresses several times: a vow to constantly praise and honor God (Psalm 61:8; 145:1–2). David’s comment about his “boast” being in God relates to Paul’s similar references in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14). David’s song appeals to others…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 33
What does Psalms Chapter 33 mean? The psalm opens with a call on the collected worshippers of Israel. The psalmist, likely David, appeals for joyful praise of God. The opening verses refer to “a new song,” which carries more than one meaning. In a literal sense, “new songs” are expressions…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 32
What does Psalms Chapter 32 mean? When David committed sin with Bathsheba, then sinned further trying to cover up his crimes, God brought intense misery into his life. It was not until Nathan, a prophet, rebuked David that he finally admitted his guilt before the Lord and found forgiveness (2…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 31
What does Psalms Chapter 31 mean? David begins this psalm with a prayer for deliverance from his enemies and for guidance. He trusts in the Lord for stability, security, and protection. Everything, including David’s life, is placed in God’s care (Psalm 31:1–5). Next, David praises God for the times when…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 30
What does Psalms Chapter 30 mean? The first words of this psalm connect it to a dedication. This likely refers to when David consecrated the future site of the temple (1 Chronicles 22:1; 2 Chronicles 3:1). This came after David sinned by conducting an improper census (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). God’s response…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 29
What does Psalms Chapter 29 mean? This psalm begins with an appeal from David: for the angels to speak of the Lord’s glory and strength. He tells these spiritual beings to give God the glory He deserves and to worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness (Psalm 29:1–2). David…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 28
What does Psalms Chapter 28 mean? David does not identify his enemies in this psalm, but he does describe their character and destiny. He says they are wicked, workers of evil, deceptive, and unbelieving. They are destined to go down to the pit—a metaphor for death and eternal ruin. David…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 27
What does Psalms Chapter 27 mean? This psalm begins with David’s expression of confidence in God as his source of joy and life, his deliverer, and protector. The first verse incorporates the concept of light. This was the Hebrew people’s ideal for truth and goodness. David also depicts God as…
Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded 