62:1-67:7
One of the most controversial questions facing interpreters of the Book of Psalms is how to understand the many references to the "king" or "anointed one" (Hebrew messiah). Do these references speak of a human king of ancient Israel or point ahead to Jesus as the ideal King and Messiah?
The biblical writers wrote of real-life persons and situations. The king played a most prominent role in ancient Israel's national life. Over sixty references in the Psalms highlight the king's prestige. The original readers of the psalms naturally understood that these references spoke of the human king, whose role was so very important in their day-to-day existence. Because the basic meaning of any text is what the author intended the original audience to understand, "king" in the Psalms refers primarily to a human king of ancient Israel.
It may be possible for references to the "king" or "anointed one" to speak of both a human king and point ahead to Jesus as the ideal One.
The only clear passage that describes a human king in its OT context who is seen as the ideal messianic King in a subsequent text is Psalm 2. (Hebrews 1:5 treats this psalm as explicitly messianic.) Thus the human king in Psalm 2 functioned as a type, that is, one who had significance in his own historical setting but who also served as a divinely ordained foreshadowing of someone in later biblical revelation.
Generally speaking, references to the king in Psalms speak of the human king in the biblical writer's time. Occasionally, reference to the king was originally understood as a human king but later applied to the ideal Messiah. In one psalm (Ps 110) the king can mean none other than the ideal messianic King of kings.
The superscription of Psalm 110 portrays it as Davidic. Surprisingly, the first verse speaks of David's successor as his lord. In ancient Israel this was inconceivable. David was the greatest king, the standard by which his successors were measured. Early in Israel's history this passage was understood as a prophecy of the coming Messiah. Jesus interpreted Psalm 110:1 in this way in a dispute with the Pharisees (Matt. 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44). Jesus' riddle - if "David himself calls him 'LORD', how can he be his son?" - captures the mystery of the incarnation. Jesus is the Son of David but also more than David's son (Rom. 1:3-4).
Psalm 62 A Song of Trust (HBH) Trust in GOD and Him alone. He is like a fortress (62:2,6) in that He protects against all who are hostile (62:3-4). People will fail (62:9; the Hebrew text reads, "Humans are worthless [as an object of trust]; people are a lie"). Riches are no security (62:10). A numeric saying, familiar in wisdom literature, concludes the psalm (62:11-12; compare Prov. 30:21-23).
Psalm 62:1-12 So confident and assured does the psalmist feel about GOD's righteousness that he repeats the word only five times.
Psalm 62:9 Social hierarchy or rank have no weight in the balance of GOD's justice.
Psalm 62:11,12 Jesus adds the "kingdom" and the "glory" to these things that belong to GOD (Matt. 6:13).
Psalm 62:12 See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 2 of Psalms.
Psalm 62:12 Work: This concept about personal responsibility is emphasized in Romans 2:6 and Revelation 22:12.
Psalm 63 A Song of Trust (HBH) So profound was his love for GOD that even in a desert the psalmist longed for Him rather than water (63:1). The worship of GOD is better than the most delicious food (63:2-5). At night he thought on GOD rather than sleep (63:6). He stayed close to GOD in the knowledge that he was safe there (63:7-11).
Psalm 63:1,2 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 2 of Psalms.
Psalm 63:1 The second way of designating GOD in Hebrew is El, "the Almighty", an appropriate title when anyone worshiping him feels weak and exhausted. Dry and thirsty land: David uses symbols taken from the natural desert setting that surrounds him in the place where he is hiding from Absalom (II Sam. 15:23). See Matthew 5:6.
 KINGDOM DYNAMICS |
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Psalm 63:1-5 Praise brings blessings and satisfaction, THE SEED OF PRAISE
This classic passage teaches how the expression of praise brings blessings. Notice that this isn't a silent prayer: "And with lips of joy my mouth will praise you". And we see its fruit: 1) "GOD, my GOD, you are mine" (the relationship with GOD is affirmed); 2) "In the morning I will seek you" (clear priorities); 3) "My soul thirsts for you...my flesh longs for you" (profound intensity); 4) "To see your power and your glory...I have seen you in your sanctuary" (desire to participate along with the community); 5) "Because your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you" (appropriate gratitude); 6) The result: "As with marrow and fatness will my soul [my inner being] be satisfied" (the satisfaction of personal needs). (Psalm 50:22,23/Psalm 71:14) C.G.
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Psalm 63:2-6 The psalmist allows himself to be completely involved in this hymn of praise to GOD: eyes (see, v.2), lips (v.3), hands (v.4), soul (v.5) and mind (meditate, v.6); as such, he offers us the example of someone who worships in truths.
 LITERARY RICHES |
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Psalm 63:3 praise, shabach; Strong #7623: To recognize, praise, worship; to glory in something; quiet someone. Shabach has a double significance: "praise" and "calm". The verb appears 11 times in the Old Testament; on eight of these occasions it refers to pronouncing words of praise. The other three speak of calming the tumultuous sea (Psa. 65:7; 89:9) or quieting the wrath of our heart (Prov. 29:11). It seems that there is a connection between "praising with words" and "calming with words", like the testimony of any person who has been hurt, and to whom words of honor and consolation have been offered.
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Psalm 64 An Individual Complaint (HBH) No one is capable of foreseeing and protecting himself or herself from all the plots of evildoers. Only GOD is a sufficient defense. He turns the schemes of the cruel and the criminal back on their own heads (compare 64:3-4 to 64:7-8).
Psalm 64:1-10 Hear, oh GOD: This psalm could refer to the type of incident that occurred when David's principal counselor turned against him (II Sam. 15:12,31).
Psalm 64:1 See section 1 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 2 of Psalms.
Psalm 64:8 Fall: Thus also Ahithophel fell when the counsel offered to David turned against him (II Sam. 17:23).
Psalm 64:9 Notice the difference between the secret counsel of evil (v.2) and the open declaration of the works of GOD.
Psalm 65 A Zion Song (HBH) This song may have been sung in the temple as part of a thanksgiving for a good harvest (65:9-13). The occasion of its singing may have been the Feast of Unleavened Bread at the beginning of the barley harvest or at Pentecost after the general harvest.
Psalm 65:1-13 Praise is recommended in this psalm as a recognition of GOD's intervention in a person's life (v.3), in divine communion (v.4), in national matters (v.8) and in nature (verses 9-13).
Psalm 65:8-13 The earth: The existence of GOD as Creator and sustainer of all that exists is make evident in the ecological balance of nature (Acts 14:17).
Psalm 65:11 Undoubtedly, this psalm was sung in the harvest festival at the end of the agricultural year.
Psalm 66 A Hymn/Testimony Song (HBH) After a general praise to GOD and thanks for His deliverance of Israel in the exodus (66:1-12), the psalmist testified to his personal experience of GOD's grace (66:13-20). The historical experience of the whole community was repeated in the individual life of the believer.
Psalm 66:1-20 In verses 1-12 the congregation's cry of joy is heard, while in verses 13-20 GOD is praised through personal testimony.
Psalm 66:10 Prove: This idea is reflected in I Peter 1:7, where suffering is seen as something that has value in the process of the believer's maturation and discipline.
Psalm 66:18 See section 6 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of book 2 of Psalms.
Psalm 67 A Blessing Psalm (HBH) The psalm is built upon the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26.
Psalm 67:1 This psalm begins with the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, where the shining of the face is equivalent to the modern "dawn of approval".
Psalm 67:3,4 Here it's made evident that GOD's plan of salvation was never directed to a single people or race, but to all peoples and nations.
Music and Instruments of the Bible
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