Psalms 1-8 | David Is Troubled

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Today, we embark on an exciting 30-day journey through the Book of Psalms, covering all 150 psalms during this time. The Book of Psalms, known in Hebrew as “praises,” is a collection of poems expressing a wide range of emotions—from adoration to lament, from trust to fear—capturing the full spectrum of human experience before God. As we move through these powerful verses, we will see how they have been central to the worship and devotion of God’s people for centuries. Whether written by David, the Sons of Korah, or other voices throughout Israel’s history, these psalms invite us to cry out to God, meditate on His Word, and find peace and comfort in His promises. Today, we begin our daily devotional with Psalms 1-8—let’s prepare our hearts for this incredible journey of worship and reflection. Read about the Greatness of Mordecai in the daily devotional on Esther 10.

Psalms 1-8 Commentary by Allen J. Huth

Today, we begin the Book of Psalms. We are going to enjoy the whole book in thirty days. Amazing, 150 psalms in thirty days, so we better get started. The Book of Psalms, the English title, comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for song. The Hebrew name for the book is praises.

What Is the Book of Psalms Best Described As?

As I often do, I am going to read from my English Standard Version (ESV) Study Bible introduction to the Book of Psalms. It says, the Book of Psalms:

is a collection of 150 poems that express a wide variety of emotions, including: love and adoration toward God, sorrow over sin, dependence on God in desperate circumstances, the battle of fear and trust, walking with God even when the way seems dark, thankfulness for God’s care, devotion to the word of God, and confidence in the eventual triumph of God’s purposes for the world (p. 935).

Who Are the Writers of the Psalms?

David is the most common author. He appears in seventy-three titles and is also attributed to two more in the New Testament, for a total of seventy-five, half of the psalms. Other authors include the Sons of Korah and Asaph. They served in the sanctuary and oversaw the service of song in the House of the Lord. Two psalms are attributed to Solomon. Moses attributed with one. There are other psalms that do not identify an author at all. Individual psalms come from various periods of Israel’s history, from the time of Moses in the 15th or 13th century B.C., to David and Solomon in the 10th century B.C., as well as other times.

Psalms is basically the hymn book of the people of God for worship. Dr. Woodrow Kroll, former President of Back to the Bible, who had an ESV Bible called Calling America Back to the Bible, wrote in his introduction to the Book of Psalms:

The Book of Psalms is the greatest collection of prayers, praises, and promises recorded anywhere in history. Not only does this book record actual songs that Jewish pilgrims sang as they ascended the roads to Jerusalem for their feasts, it has much to say to us today in the middle of our worries and fears. The Book of Psalms will direct your praise toward God and help you appreciate His continual care and compassion for you. Do you need your spirits lifted today? Here’s your answer. These psalms have a way of making those who read them joyful.

We will cover 150 psalms in thirty days, a challenging task indeed. Obviously, that means we will read or listen to numerous psalms each day. We will average about eighty verses a day, but because they are in the form of psalms, most verses will go very quickly. I read Psalms in thirty days in 2007, so that will be the model we use here in Day by Day Through the Bible.

I know it will be a wonderful and very blessed thirty days in the Book of Psalms. Let’s get started on an incredible journey through 150 psalms in thirty days. Today we will cover the first eight psalms. Please read or listen to Psalm 1-8.

To help us through the Book of Psalms, I selected three of my personal Bible reading journals from 1997, 2007, and 2015. Because of the length of the readings, most days we will only be referring to the journal from 2007 (NASB). We start with it right now.

“Great reading, Psalms 1-8. Overall themes: cry out to God, He does hear; He alone is God, worship Him alone; there is evil, God helps us conquer evil; to be blessed and be fruitful, meditate on God’s Word, referring to Psalm 1:1-3.

What does Psalms Chapter 5 Verse 12 Mean?

“God is in charge of kings and rulers, Psalm 2. God fights our enemies, Psalm 3.” I quoted Psalm 4:3, “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself.” I continued, “Cry out to God, He heals, Psalm 5.” Then 5:12, “‘For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.’ I experience this favor in my life, and I praise God for it.” Then Psalm 6, “In despair, weep before God. He hears our prayers.” And Psalm 7, “If guilty, punish me. If not, deliver me from my enemies.” Finally, Psalm 8, “God made it all. He is the creator.”

What Psalm Talks about Laying Down in Peace?

Let’s focus on one application from these first eight psalms. Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  How do you sleep? Do you toss and turn? Do you wake up in the middle of the night and cannot get back to sleep? Are you rested after a night of sleep? How long do you try to sleep each night?

What Bible Verse is “Goodnight Sleep”?

I believe in the promises of God, and I believe this is one of them. I remember reading this early in my Christian life and deciding to take God at His Word. For the most part, “In peace I both lie down and sleep” (4:8).I try to get seven hours of sleep a night, 11-6, 10:30-5:30; and I try to get to bed about the same time every night and get up the same time each morning. God has blessed me for decades with rest. If I do not get a good night’s sleep, I do not worry about it. I figure God knows how much rest I need, and He takes care of it. He alone makes me dwell in safety; He protects my sleep.

I pray this focus on God’s promise of peaceful sleep is, or will, become a reality in your life. God loves you and offers you peace and safety as you rest in Him. Take Him at His Word. Enjoy rest in Him.  

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your promises in these first eight psalms. Thank You for peace and safety as You watch over us as we sleep. May we truly rest in You and You alone.

Father, thank You for the Book of Psalms. Bring joy to us as we read or listen to all the psalms in these next few days so we can praise You better. We give You the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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The Prayer of Salvation

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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