Psalms: Part One

The Hermeneutic of the Psalms

David’s Last Words:

2 Samuel 23:1 NKJV

1 Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel:

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2 Samuel 23:1–7 CSB

1 These are the last words of David: The declaration of David son of Jesse, the declaration of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob. This is the most delightful of Israel’s songs. 2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, his word was on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, 4 is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.” 5 Is it not true my house is with God? For he has established a permanent covenant with me, ordered and secured in every detail. Will he not bring about my whole salvation and my every desire? 6 But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up by hand. 7 The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned up on the spot.

The last words of someone, if they are intentional, are often clear concise and important!

2 Samuel 23:2 CSB

2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, his word was on my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:2–3 CSB

2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, his word was on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

23:2 David’s claim about his writings: The Spirit of the Lord spoke through him. David spoke the word of God.

2 Samuel 23:3–4 CSB

3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, 4 is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.”

2 sam 23 3-4

23:3-4 One of the things God said to David:

What is God wanting David and the kings that would come after him to understand?

A king who stewards what God has given him and does not step outside of those boundaries is a blessing to the people.

2 sam 23

2 Samuel 23:5 CSB

5 Is it not true my house is with God? For he has established a permanent covenant with me, ordered and secured in every detail. Will he not bring about my whole salvation and my every desire?

23:5 God is able to keep His promises. David’s hope for his future descendants is based on the faithfulness of God.

David declares the glory of God.

David declares God’s view of people of faith.

2 sam 23

2 Samuel 23:6–7 CSB

6 But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up by hand. 7 The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned up on the spot.

David declares the God’s view of wickedness.

23:6-7 David understands that God has rewarded his faith. He sees a great contrast between those who follow God by faith and those who reject God. The wicked are like thorns. They will be burned up.

There is a connection to from this verse to

John 15:1–8 CSB

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

The Hermeneutic of the Psalms

The Holy Spirit Speaks through David.

God speaks to David.

The Psalms declare the glory of God while

Psalm 14:1–3 CSB

1 The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. 3 All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.

Ps

Romans 3:9–12 CSB

9 What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, 10 as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.

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Ecclesiastes 7:20 CSB

20 There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.

Solomon meditates on David’s words and repeats them.

Paul looks back on David’s words as he is trying to help Jews and Gentiles understand Salvation by faith in Christ alone.

David says there is none who seek God. All are under sin. However, there is a group that God calls righteous.

Psalm 14:4–6 CSB

4 Will evildoers never understand? They consume my people as they consume bread; they do not call on the Lord. 5 Then they will be filled with dread, for God is with those who are righteous. 6 You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the Lord is his refuge.

14:5 In the midst of a human race in which all are corrupt before God, there are those who have met God’s terms for righteousness. The promise is that God is with the righteous.

This truth is why Paul uses this passage to explain the Gospel.

Also in this Psalm is an affirmation of prophecy:

ps 14

Psalm 14:7 CSB

7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

David understands that deliverance from the sinful state of man will come from Jerusalem. David warns Israel to wait for God to fulfill His promise.

James 2:14–26 CSB

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder. 20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Psalm 15 CSB

A psalm of David. 1 Lord, who can dwell in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? 2 The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart— 3 who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor, 4 who despises the one rejected by the Lord but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his word whatever the cost, 5 who does not lend his silver at interest or take a bribe against the innocent— the one who does these things will never be shaken.

ps 15

James uses the example of turning someone away who needs clothes and food as an example of someone who does not have faith—someone who may say they love the Lord, but in fact does not.

Where does he get this idea? One of the passages he may have been drawing from for this example is .

15:2 Vs 1 asks: who can dwell in the tabernacle of the Lord? (Who can live in the Lord’s presence and blessing?) Notice the responsibility of action in 15:2?

15:3 “who does not harm his neighbor.”

15:4 “who honors those who fear the Lord.

15:5 (One who doesn’t take advantage of those who are in need

Much of the book of James is aimed at those believers who are rich and taking advantage of those who need help.

Peter quotes , on the Day of Pentecost to prove the resurrection of Christ. Peter argues that David was speaking about Christ and possibly for Christ.

ex. psalm 22, “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?”

Acts 2:25–28 CSB

25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay. 28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence.

Acts 2:25-

Paul quotes in his first recorded sermon in Antioch (procounsle, Elymus the sorcerer) to prove the resurrection:

Acts 13:33–37 CSB

33 God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 34 As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David. 35 Therefore he also says in another passage, You will not let your Holy One see decay. 36 For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed, 37 but the one God raised up did not decay.

Psalm 16 CSB

A Miktam of David. 1 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.” 3 As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones. All my delight is in them. 4 The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips. 5 Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me— even at night when my thoughts trouble me. 8 I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. 10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. 11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Ps

This could have been a Psalm that was on Jesus’ mind as He prayed in the garden.

Psalm 19:1–6 CSB

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.

David declares the glory of God.

Psalm 19:7–11 CSB

7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. 11 In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

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David declares that the word of God is the only way by which man may understand God’s glory.

Psalm 19:12–14 CSB

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13 Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

David declares the ignorance of man (Even though man understands much through Bible Literacy, man still needs grace). Man needs grace and help from God to cling to His word.