Background
This Psalm opens the second or “Exodus” book in the Psalms (Psalms 42-72), and is tied together with Psalm 43 (which has no title of its own). This unity can be seen in that a chorus occurs in the middle and end of Psalm 42 and at the end of Psalm 43. The chorus includes: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.”
Background
Like Psalms 38 and 39 and 40, this shows the sufferings the Messiah would endure and overcome so that he could reign as King. Psalm 41 shows Messiah’s trust in God despite the betrayal of intimate friends. It closes with Messiah’s integrity and his future place seated at God’s right hand forever. This Psalm is also the conclusion of the first or “Genesis” book in the Psalms, having a benediction and double “Amen.”
Background
Like Psalms 38 and 39, this shows the sufferings the Messiah would endure and overcome so that he could reign as King. Psalm 40 shows man’s need for God’s help and the salvation that He gives through the Messiah.
Background
Like Psalm 38, this shows the sufferings the Messiah would endure and overcome so that he could reign as King. Psalm 39 shows man’s need for God’s help.
This Psalms is separated into three sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Background
This Psalm shows in great detail the enemies and evil that Messiah would face, as evidenced in the life of his ancestor David. These words are not all directly the Messiah’s (verse 18: “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin”) for he was sinless. The Psalm closes with a plea for God’s salvation. That prayer was answered in the life of Jesus Christ.
Background
Just as Psalm 23 showed that we can trust in the Lord as our shepherd, this Psalm shows that we can trust in, delight in, commit to, and rest in the Lord despite the evil of those around us (verses 3-7).
Background
This Psalm has a title: “A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.” The Hebrew reads: “A Psalm by David about the Lord’s servant.” Jesus Christ would have seen his own life of service exemplified in this Psalm, as written by his ancestor.
Background
This Psalm specifically speaks of the Messiah, and Jesus Christ quotes verse 19 regarding himself. He sets Psalms 35:19 in the context of those who hated him as opposed to those who believed his words and would receive the gift of holy spirit.
Background
This is another Psalm that has an acrostic, where a Hebrew letter is used to begin a verse. It is a regular acrostic, so that each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is set in order and begins one or more verses.
Background
This Psalm is a beautiful contrast between the Messiah (who is upright and reverent to God), and natural men (who follow their own devices and plans).