Psalms 51-100 PSALMS
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Psalms 51-100 PSALMS Book Two CHAPTERS 51 - 100 by Brian J. Bailey, Ph.D., D.D. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 1 Psalms 51-100 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We wish to extend our thanks to all the following: To Mary Humphreys—for her excellent assistance in the editing of the grammar of this book. To Daneil J. Caram—for his diligent efforts in typing out the original manuscript of this book. To Suzette Erb and Tarah Derrick —for their superb “final touches” in the proofreading of this book. To Mercy Alarid—for her beautiful drawing of the front cover. To Pastor Joseph Cilluffo—for his vivid colorization of the front cover. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 2 Psalms 51-100 PREFACE The Psalms have been called the hymnal of Israel and of the Church. In times of revival, the Holy Spirit has inspired God’s people to set the Psalms to music, greatly aiding the devotional and spiritual lives of believers everywhere. Flowing through the Psalms is a strong, creative spirit of prophecy. They produce love, joy, hope, and trust within the hearts of those who meditate upon them and sing them. When I have faced seemingly impossible situations, I have found that a psalm set to music has often sprung up within my heart. One such time was on the occasion of the funeral of my own dear wife. The verses of Psalm 30:10-11 bubbled up from deep within my heart, and all mourning and sadness literally disappeared. I was filled with unspeakable joy and happiness. The Psalms are basically devotional in character, dealing with the emotional life of the believer—his fears, sufferings, distresses, persecutions, joys and hopes. Their purpose is to develop a deep sense of trust and confidence in a loving Heavenly Father who hears and cares when we pray to Him in our Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 3 Psalms 51-100 afflictions. The Psalms portray a God who delivers His people from the storms of life by bringing them to their desired haven, and giving them an expected end. The Psalms cause us to realize that the Lord uses these distresses to enlarge us, to teach us His ways, and to bring us into fellowship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Psalms bring comfort, consolation, and courage to the weary pilgrim along life’s journey from earth to heaven. Brian J. Bailey Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 4 Psalms 51-100 INTRODUCTION The Lord Jesus divided the Old Testament into three sections: the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Lk.24:44). The Jews have divided the Psalms into five sections, corresponding to the five books of Moses. 1.) Psalm 1-41 Genesis 2.) Psalm 42-72 Exodus 3.) Psalm 73-89 Leviticus 4.) Psalm 90-106 Numbers 5.) Psalm 107-150 Deuteronomy Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 5 Psalms 51-100 The word psalm comes from the Greek word Psalmoi used by the translators of the Septuagint Old Testament. This Greek word corresponds to the Hebrew word Mizmoi—meaning an ode or song whose singing is accompanied by an instrument. The Psalms fall into two principal categories: 1.) Didactic - meaning teaching 2.) Lyrical - meaning poetical Hebrew poetry cultivated the recurrence of a thought, which is called parallelism. The Jews had a tendency to say everything twice. The second form of expression is a repetition, an amplification, or explanation of the first. Almost all the verses of the Psalms have a division in the middle. The second half of the verse repeats or amplifies the first half. Many of the Psalms are Messianic, meaning that they prophesied or foreshadowed the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus. The Lord Himself testified in Luke 24:44, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 6 Psalms 51-100 of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Everything that was prophesied of the Lord in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled. The New Testament writers quoted from the Psalms more than any other Old Testament book, except the book of Isaiah. The majority of the Psalms were written during three specific periods in the history of Israel: 1.) During the time of David 2.) During the reign of Hezekiah 3.) During and after the Babylonian captivity * One or two Psalms were written earlier and possibly a few later. Each Psalm is best understood and interpreted by a careful examination and study of that particular Psalm. Occasionally, however, it is necessary to look at the historical circumstances through which the Psalms were birthed by the Holy Spirit in the life of the author who penned them. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 7 Psalms 51-100 We trust that this little book will be a personal blessing to you. We have recommended to our students throughout the world that they read five psalms a day. This has proven to be of great benefit to their devotional life as well as their prophetic flow. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 8 Psalms 51-100 SUMMARY OF PSALMS 51-100 We have provided a brief summary of Psalms 51-100. A key verse or key thought from each psalm is given to help summarize the overall tenor of the Psalms. Psalm 51 - David acknowledges his sins after committing adultery with Bathsheba and ordering the death of her husband. He cries out to God for a clean heart and a renewal of the joy of his salvation. Psalm 52 - The boasting tongue shall be destroyed, coming to a sudden end. David, in contrast, likens himself to a green olive tree in the house of the Lord. Psalm 53 - The fool said, “There is no God.” None understand or seek God; but when God brings back the captivity of His people there shall be rejoicing. Psalm 54 - The Lord is with those who uphold the soul of the righteous. Psalm 55 - David’s guide and friend has risen up against him; so he prays that this enemy will go down quickly into hell. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 9 Psalms 51-100 Psalm 56 - The wicked wrest the words of King David, but David’s tears are in the Lord’s bottle. God will deliver his feet from falling. Psalm 57 - What a note of confidence by David—“I will cry unto God that performeth all things for me.” Psalm 58 - The psalmist prays for the melting away of the wicked—“so that a man may know that there is a reward for the righteous.” Psalm 59 - In this psalm, David prays that God will avenge him of his enemies. However, he asks the Lord to scatter them and bring them down rather than to destroy them, so that His people will not forget His judgments upon the wicked. Psalm 60 - God gives a banner to them that fear Him. Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim are His, but Judah is His lawgiver. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 10 Psalms 51-100 Psalm 61 - “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Abiding in the tabernacle under the shelter of God’s wings, David prays that his years shall be prolonged and that mercy and truth will preserve him. Psalm 62 - David waits upon God. His expectation is from God, for power belongs to Him. Psalm 63 - David longs to see the power and glory of God in a dry and thirsty land as he has seen Him in the sanctuary. His soul follows hard after God. Psalm 64 - Those who search out iniquities—their own words shall fall upon them. Psalm 65 - Blessed is the man whom God chooses, and causes to approach unto Him, that he may dwell in the courts of the Lord. And God will crown the year with His goodness! Psalm 66 - The psalmist speaks of the ways of God—trying us, laying affliction upon our loins, but eventually bringing us out into a wealthy place. Psalm 67 - God shall judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon the earth. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved. 11 Psalms 51-100 Psalm 68 - Speaking of the last days, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalm 69 - This psalm foreshadows the crucifixion, showing the cause of Christ’s death in the phrase, “reproach hath broken my heart.” Psalm 70 - A cry to the Lord to make haste and bring deliverance. Psalm 71 - This is a plea that the psalmist be not forsaken in his old age, so that he might show to this generation the strength and power of God. Psalm 72 - A psalm for Solomon—that in his days righteousness shall flourish and there shall be an abundance of peace. This will be fulfilled in the reign of King David’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 73 - The end of the wicked and the righteous is contrasted. After looking at the prosperity of the wicked, the psalmist went into the sanctuary of God and saw their end. He then understood and declared that the Lord would be his guide, and that after his death, He would receive him into glory. Copyright © Brian J. Bailey, 1998. All rights reserved.