As an infant, I was baptized with water at the baptismal font in our church. I remember nothing of this, but my parents did it in hopes of bringing some spiritual cleansing to me. Yet, in reality, I never received God’s gift of holy spirit until years later, when I carried out the Father’s simple instructions in the Book of Romans.
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 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.
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As a larger group, Psalms 25—41 are in many ways responses to the previous Psalms 16—24. And Psalms 25—28 contain prayers about the Messiah and what he would suffer and accomplish.
Background
This is the second of the Psalms that is an acrostic, where sequential Hebrew letters are used to begin verses.
Background
More books may have been written about this Psalm than any other. David was taken from the sheepfolds to lead God’s people (Psalms 78:70-72). Jesus Christ, the son of David, was the good shepherd for God’s people (John 10:11).
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This Psalm speaks of “His Anointed” (verse 6) and “the king” (verse 9). Jesus Christ is the central theme, for he is the Messiah and King who fulfilled the law.
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This Psalm includes the title: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said.” David was pursued by Saul and escaped, by God’s grace, on several occasions.
Background
The title of Psalm 7 includes “Shiggaion,” a Hebrew word showing a loud shout (for help or in joyful thanksgiving). This Psalm shows that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would shout for help and in joy in his time of need. Both of these shouts were made from the cross: for help (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34), and in joy (John 19:30).
Background
The third Psalm has a title: “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.” This is recorded in II Samuel 15—18. David was forced to leave Jerusalem and was under attack by his own people (who were influenced by religious leaders). Jesus Christ centuries later read of his “father” David and his exile and persecution.