Background and Context Psalm 94 is a powerful and passionate community lament. The anonymous psalmist cries out to God on behalf of a nation suffering under the brutal oppression of wicked and arrogant rulers. These evildoers are not just external enemies; they seem to be corrupt leaders from within the nation who use their power … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 93 is a short but majestic hymn celebrating the eternal kingship of the LORD. It is the first in a series of psalms (Psalms 93, 95–99) known as the “enthronement psalms,” which have the central theme, “The LORD reigns!” This psalm is anonymous and was likely written for use in the … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 92 is uniquely identified in the Bible as “A psalm. A song for the Sabbath day.” This designation places it directly within the context of Israel’s corporate worship. It was designed to be sung on the Sabbath, a day set apart for rest and for refocusing on God. The psalm’s purpose … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 91 is one of the most beloved and powerful psalms of trust and protection in the entire Psalter. It is an anonymous psalm, not tied to any specific historical event, which gives it a timeless and universal quality. It is a confident and triumphant declaration of the security, safety, and comprehensive … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 90 is the first psalm in Book Four of the Psalter and is the only psalm in the entire collection attributed to Moses, the man of God. This attribution is profound, as it places the psalm in the context of the wilderness wanderings. It is the prayer of a leader who … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 89 is a powerful and poignant national lament, written by “Ethan the Ezrahite,” who is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the wisest men of his time, a contemporary of Solomon. This psalm is the final one in Book Three of the Psalter and it grapples with one of … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 88 is the darkest and most sorrowful psalm in the entire Psalter. It is a raw, unrelenting lament from a man named Heman the Ezrahite, one of the three chief Levitical musicians appointed by King David. Heman was a respected sage and worship leader, which makes the content of his prayer … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 87 is a short but breathtakingly beautiful “Song of Zion,” written by the Sons of Korah, the guild of temple musicians. This psalm is one of the most remarkable missionary and prophetic psalms in the Old Testament. It looks forward with stunning clarity to a day when the city of God, … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 86 is titled “A prayer of David.” It is a beautiful and deeply personal lament, an individual’s cry for help in a time of distress. While many psalms are a patchwork of human emotions, this one feels like a patchwork of Scripture itself. The psalmist (David) weaves together phrases, ideas, and … Read more
Background and Context Psalm 85 is a community prayer from the “Sons of Korah,” written by a people who have experienced a great deliverance but are still waiting for the fullness of God’s blessing. The language of the psalm, particularly the opening line, “You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of … Read more