Background
As mentioned at the Background of Psalm 5, this is a prayer in the night (verse 6) where David asks “how long?”will his soul be “sore vexed” unto death in mental pressure and anguish as his enemies attack (verse 4).
Background
This is the third of four Psalms (Psalms 3—6) that show the Messiah’s prayer in light of those who rebel and vainly plan evil against him (Psalm 2). Like Psalm 3, it is a prayer in the morning.
Background
This Psalm of David shows the Messiah’s absolute trust in God. It concludes: “For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety (confidence).” David is confronted by those who love falsehood, but the Lord sets him apart and hears him. David spent time “communing with his heart” in deep reflection upon God’s goodness. He anticipated his son, the Messiah, who would “offer the sacrifices of righteousness.” David was glad and at peace, for he knew that the Lord would send the Messiah to deliver His people.
Background
The third Psalm has a title: “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.” This is recorded in II Samuel 15—18. David was forced to leave Jerusalem and was under attack by his own people (who were influenced by religious leaders). Jesus Christ centuries later read of his “father” David and his exile and persecution.
Background
The second Psalm shows the Messiah’s victory over a rebellious enemy. This goes back to Genesis 3:15 where the seed of the serpent would fight the seed of the woman. The seed of the serpent would bruise the Messiah’s heel—a temporary wound (for Christ was raised from the dead). The seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head—total destruction (in the lake of fire in the future).
Structure
The Psalm is structured as follows:
(Verses 1 – 3) The rebellious and their plans against the Lord and His Messiah
(Verses 4 – 9) God’s response to them—the authority of His Son, the Messiah
(Verses 10 – 12) Man’s proper conduct toward the Lord and His Messiah
Key Scriptures
Verse 7—“I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Think of how Jesus Christ would have marveled with rejoicing when he read this verse. This scripture is quoted in Acts 13:33 by Paul in Antioch of Pisidia. Paul said this was “glad tidings” and a promise that God made to the “fathers” of Israel. It is also quoted in Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5, regarding Christ being greater than any angel; and that he was a new kind of high priest (not under the Levitical law). As God’s Son, Jesus Christ had that stature.
Verse 8—”Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” This is quoted in the Book of Revelation three times (2:27; 12:5; 19:15). All three places show Jesus Christ’s future power and authority in action. He truly will rule with an iron rod.
Verses 11 and 12—“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son….” This mighty Psalm concludes with advice on how to be “blessed.” Serve the Lord God with respect, and show obedience and honor to His Son, the Messiah. The words “Kiss the Son,” can also be translated “kiss the ground,” showing obedience and respect to a superior and lord. I Corinthians 8:6 explains this truth beautifully: “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of [from] whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by [means of] whom are all things, and we by him.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
Introduction
Jesus Christ loved God’s Word and studied it day and night. He was like the good man of Psalm 1. His ancestor David wrote many of the Psalms, as did Jesus’ other ancestor Hezekiah. Every Psalm, in some way, seems to speak of what the coming Messiah would do and accomplish.
Sherry and I love to read five psalms each night before going to bed. If you read five per day, you get through all 150 psalms in thirty days. Then you can start over again the next month. Psalm 34 is one that we read today. As we saw its depth and beauty, we wanted to share it with others.