PSALMS THE HYMNAL OF ANCIENT ISRAEL BY JOHN WADDEY DEDICATION I dedicate this book to the host of gifted singers who have led God’s people in praising Christ and his Father. They have enriched the hearts and souls of Christians as they directed them in offering up their sacrifices of praise to God, “the fruit of lips which make confession to his name” (Heb. 13:15). To hymn writers such as Tillet Teddlie, L. O. Sanderson, Alton Howard, A. W. Dicus, Will Slater and F. L. Eiland we express our thanks. To capable song leaders such as Aubrey Yearwood, Nick Boon, Ralph Casey, Gary Hale, David Duncan and Ray Walker we express our sincere appreciation. You have blessed our lives and enriched our worship. We are grateful. My thanks to Eddy Joel Silsbee who designed the cover of this book. FORWARD The portion of the Bible we call the Psalms was the hymnal of ancient Israel. It continues to provide wonderful hymns sung by both Jews and Christians. One small branch of Presbyterians sing only the Psalms in their worship, having adapted them to our modern style of music. Outside of the Four Gospels, the Psalms are the most read portion of the Bible. It is a treasure trove of devotional thoughts that will inspire and strengthen all who read them. In the Psalms we catch glimpses of how the Hebrews expressed their praise to God. Some of the Psalms were majestic hymns sung by the sacred singers at God’s temple. Among those songs are psalms 146-150. Other psalms reflect the praise and devotion of individual saints. Such is the twenty-third psalm of David. Psalms 43 and 51 reflect David’s sorrow and repentance regarding his sin with Bathsheba and his wicked actions that caused the death of her husband. Many of the psalms grew out of their author’s reflection on creation and the world of nature (See Psalms 33 and 148). In reading the Psalms we see the unique style and beauty of Hebrew religious poetry. Their appeal to man’s spiritual appetite is universal and age-lasting. Whether young or old, whether the reader is highly educated or of limited reading skills, all will find food for their soul in the Book of Psalms. Reading the Psalms is of great value, whether in the worship assembly or in ones private devotions. Whether read or sung, the Psalms edify those who take them into their heart. I encourage you to take time to read the introductory chapters of this book before you begin with Psalm 1. This material will enable you to better understand the words you read. It will also familiarize you with the unique style of Hebrew poetry which makes much use of "parallelisms" and other figures of speech which, if you have not previously learned about them, might not be recognized or understood. The Psalms abound in lessons for life. Make good use of you notepad and pen as you read these beautiful hymns and learn their contents. I call them lessons to remember. The treasures of the Psalms are inexhaustible. Like the rest of Scripture, the Psalms never grow old. If you truly love God with all your heart, soul and mind, you will never grow weary of reading the Psalms. The older you grow, the more precious they will be to you. Like your marriage vow to your mate, the Psalms will be your companion in good times or hard times, in sickness or in health until you finally close your eyes in death. "I will be glad and exult in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High" (Ps. 9:2). "I will declare thy name unto my brethren; In the midst of the assembly will I praise thee." (Ps. 22:22). "Bless be Jehovah God... And blessed be his glorious name for ever" (Ps. 72:18-19). John Waddey CONTENTS 1. Background and Introduction to the Book of Psalms........................................................................Page 2. Psalm 1. The Righteous Man and Wicked Man Contrasted............................................................... 3. Psalm 2. The Reign of Jehovah’s Anointed Son................................................................................. 4. Psalm 3. A Song of Unshaken Trust in Jehovah................................................................................. 5. Psalm 4. The Life of Trust.................................................................................................................. 6. Psalm 5. A Payer for the Morning Sacrifice....................................................................................... 7. Psalm 6. A Plea for Help in Time of Sickness.................................................................................... 8. Psalm 7. The Song of Slandered Saint............................................................................................... 9. Psalm 8. What is Man, to be so Honored by God.............................................................................. 10. Psalm 9. A Song Praising God the Righteous Judge of Both Saints and Sinners............................. 11. Psalm 10. A Prayer for the Overthrow of the Wicked...................................................................... 12. Psalm 11. The Answer of Faith to the Advice of the Fearful........................................................... 13. Psalm 12. A Plea for Help Against the Treacherous......................................................................... 14. Psalm 13. An Urgent Plea for Help in Affliction.............................................................................. 15. Psalm 14. On the Universal Foolishness and Wickedness of Man.................................................... 16. Psalm 15. Who is the Friend of God?............................................................................................... 17. Psalm 16. A Song Praising the Blessed Heritage of the Godly......................................................... 18. Psalm 17. The Prayer of a Man in Serious Trouble.......................................................................... 19. Psalm 18. A Hymn Praising Jehovah for Providing Protection and Victory..................................... 20. Psalm 19. Nature and Revelation: Two Witnesses to God’s Glory................................................... 21. Psalm 20. A Prayer for Israel’s King................................................................................................. 22. Psalm 21. An Anthem of Thanksgiving for the Deliverance and Victory of Their King................... 23. Psalm 22. A Psalm Depicting Christ’s Suffering On Calvary............................................................ 24. Psalm 23. The Good Shepherd and His Sheep.................................................................................. 25. Psalm 24. A Song Celebrating the Bring of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem........................ 26. Psalm 25. A Prayer for Protection, Instruction and Forgiveness....................................................... 27. Psalm 26. The Prayer of a Righteous Soul for Vindication............................................................... 28. Psalm 27. A Song of Fearless Trust in Jehovah................................................................................. 29. Psalm 28. A Plea for Help and Thanksgiving For Its Answer............................................................ 30. Psalm 29. A Song of a Storm-Tossed Soul........................................................................................ 31. Psalm 30. A Song of Thanks Upon a Signal Deliverance by the Mercy of God................................ 32. Psalm 31. A Hymn of Mingled Sorrow and Praise............................................................................ 33. Psalm 32. The Song of a Forgiven Sinner.......................................................................................... 34. Psalm 33. A Song of Praise to Jehovah the Creator and Preserver of Life......................................... 35. Psalm 34. A Hymn Praising Jehovah the Great Provider................................................................... 36. Psalm 35. A Petition for Help Against His Enemies......................................................................... 37. Psalm 36. A Song Contrasting the Wickedness of Man with the Righteousness of God.................... 38. Psalm 37. On the Prosperity of the Wicked and the Adversity of the Righteous................................ 39. Psalm 38. A Song of a Suffering Servant........................................................................................... 40. Psalm 39. A Song on the Vanity of Life............................................................................................. 41. Psalm 40. A Song of Sacrifice, Service and Trust.............................................................................. 42. Psalm 41. A Song of A Seriously Ill Man........................................................................................... 43. Psalms 42 & 43. A Song of a Depressed and Weary Soul.................................................................. 44. Psalm 44. An Appeal to God in a Time of Unmerited National Disaster........................................... 45. Psalm 45. A Song Celebrating the King’s Marriage........................................................................... 46. Psalm 46. A Song Praising God as the Refuge of His People............................................................. 47. Psalm 47. A Song Calling On People to Glorify God......................................................................... 48. Psalm 48. A Song Celebrating the Deliverance of Jerusalem From the Assyrian Siege..................... 49. Psalm