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 26
What does Psalms Chapter 26 mean? This psalm is not easily connected to any events recorded in the Bible. Whatever situation David was facing here, the details are not part of Scripture. Apparently, David felt he was under ruthless attack from enemies. These assaults seem to have included malicious rumors.…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 25
What does Psalms Chapter 25 mean? This psalm follows an acrostic pattern. Each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this prayer, David perceives life as a difficult journey that can be pursued successfully only with the Lord’s guidance. David is concerned about his foes and his…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 24
What does Psalms Chapter 24 mean? In this psalm King David extols God as the eternal King, the Lord of hosts. This psalm has traditionally been associated with David’s relocation of the ark of the covenant, from the house of Obed-edom to Mount Zion (2 Samuel 6). A procession would…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 23
What does Psalms Chapter 23 mean? The 23rd psalm is among the most famous passages of Scripture. Among Christians, it might be the most often-quoted and frequently-memorized set of verses in the Old Testament. The themes of comfort, reassurance, and God’s provision for His people have resonated with even non-believers…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 22
What does Psalms Chapter 22 mean? Descriptions in this psalm indicate a painful execution—something David did not suffer. This implies that the terminology used here is symbolic of David’s feelings. At the same time, it serves as a prophetic explanation of what would happen to the Promised One. These events…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 21
What does Psalms Chapter 21 mean? Psalm 21 pairs with Psalm 20, which seems to come before David entered a battle. This song celebrates victory and expresses confidence in future success. This praise of God begins by expressing the king’s victory and his appreciation for God’s favor. Verse 4 makes a reference…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 20
What does Psalms Chapter 20 mean? Psalm 20 features two main parts, as both the assembled people and King David pray for victory in an impending battle. First, the people pray that God would bless the king during the fight: “the day of trouble.” They pray that God would provide support…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 19
What does Psalms Chapter 19 mean? This psalm of David begins by referring to the heavens and the sky as proofs of God’s creative work. The first verse uses Hebrew terms similar to those found in the first verses of Genesis. The existence, structure, and details of nature shout the…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 18
What does Psalms Chapter 18 mean? Psalm 18 is the fourth longest psalm in the book of Psalms. Second Samuel chapter 22 contains a nearly identical speech; the text found here may be an adapted version of David’s praise, to be used for worship. The introduction refers to the fact that…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 17
What does Psalms Chapter 17 mean? Psalm 17 shares several phrases and themes with Psalm 16. A key difference is this psalm’s sense of urgency. David’s prayer here seems more desperate than the pensive words of Psalm 16. This is one of the psalms specifically labeled as a “prayer,” also including psalms 86, 90, 102, and 142.…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 16
What does Psalms Chapter 16 mean? David draws a strong contrast between those who honor God, versus those who dishonor God. The ones who acknowledge their need for the Lord, as David does, see God as their security. He is the ultimate source of good in their lives. This leads…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 15
What does Psalms Chapter 15 mean? This psalm begins with a deceptively simple question. Who is worthy to be in the presence of God? The term “sojourn” does not necessarily mean travel or a temporary condition. Rather, it means to live somewhere as a stranger or foreigner. David implicitly realizes…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 14
What does Psalms Chapter 14 mean? The opening line of this Psalm summarizes Scripture’s assessment of those who reject God. The term used here for a “fool” is nābāl, which implies a stubborn, irrational form of willful ignorance. The problem with such persons is not poor intellect, or lack of evidence…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 13
What does Psalms Chapter 13 mean? David begins this psalm on a note of despair. He feels that the Lord is far from him. David is full of sorrow, thinking about his enemy. This may have been written during the time when King Saul sought to kill David (1 Samuel…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 12
What does Psalms Chapter 12 mean? The Bible does not shy away from recording honest human complaints. Faced with evil or persecution, believers sometimes ask, “where are you, God?” David’s opening lines of this psalm resemble remarks made in other Old Testament passages (Habakkuk 1:2–4; Psalm 22:1). As usual, Scripture brings…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 11
What does Psalms Chapter 11 mean? Psalm 11 does not have a clear context. It’s possible that David wrote this while threatened by the forces of king Saul (Psalm 18). Another possibility is that this was part of his reaction to the rebellion of his son, Absalom (Psalm 3). The general…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 10
What does Psalms Chapter 10 mean? It’s possible Psalm 10 was composed simultaneously with Psalm 9. It continues the acrostic pattern, starting each stanza with a successive Hebrew letter. It uses phrases and themes seen in Psalm 9. However, Psalm 10 does not have the same musical notations as Psalm 9. Whether they were meant to be…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 9
What does Psalms Chapter 9 mean? The introduction to this passage includes an extremely obscure reference, Muth-labben. This might refer to a song which was known in David’s time; the term literally means “the death of the son.” If so, it would mean this psalm was meant to be sung according…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 8
What does Psalms Chapter 8 mean? Psalm 8 is cited early in Hebrews (Hebrews 2:5–9) to defend the idea that God would send a human Savior. This passage praises God for His amazing power and creation, while marveling at the idea that such a being would give any further thought to…
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A Verse by Verse Study in the Book of Psalms, (ESV) with Irv Risch, Chapter 7
What does Psalms Chapter 7 mean? Scripture does not indicate exactly which situation inspired David to write this psalm. There were times when David was pursued by enemies who looked to kill him (1 Samuel 19:1; 20:31–33; 24:1–2). First Samuel chapter 24 includes one such moment of danger, where David expresses thoughts…
Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded 