PSALM 1

THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

This first psalm opens by saying that those who delight in and meditate on God’s Word are blessed, offering encouragement to the reader. This psalm focuses on how God establishes those who are righteous, while the wicked ultimately perish. 

Psalm 1:6 - For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

PSALM 2

SERVE THE LORD IN FEAR + REJOICE WITH TREMBLING

This psalm confronts prideful leaders, warning them to serve and honor God. God is the ultimate ruler and laughs at those who rage and plot against Him. Those who act foolishly on their own accord will perish, but those who take refuge in God are blessed.  

Psalm 2:11 - Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

PSALM 3

DAVID FLEES FROM HIS SON ABSALOM

David wrote this psalm while fleeing from his son Absalom. 2 Samuel 15 recalls Absalom attempting to overthrow David’s kingdom. 

David is hurting and afraid, concerned about the fate of Jerusalem. With Absalom’s leadership on the rise, David feels as though thousands of men are against him. Even when his own family has become his adversary, David trusts God and calls upon His justice and judgment. 

Psalm 3:3 - But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

PSALM 4

ANSWER ME WHEN I CALL 

David praises God and thanks Him for relieving his distress. David calls upon God to respond to his prayers, knowing that he is set apart and heard by God. David challenges others to leave their lives of sin and follow God. 

Psalm 4:1 - Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have given me relief when I was in distress.

PSALM 5

LEAD ME IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS 

David authored this song, intended to be sung to the accompaniment of flutes. 

David laments, asking God to hear the sound of his groaning and crying. David knows that God does not delight in wickedness or dwell with evil. David asks God to bless and protect the righteous.   

Psalm 5:7 - But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

PSALM 6

O LORD, DELIVER MY LIFE

David cries before God, asking Him to be gracious in his time of suffering. David is languishing and lamenting, saying his soul is greatly troubled. 

David describes his bed as flooded with tears and his eyes as wasting away because of his grief. Although David is in despair, he trusts God with his grief and acknowledges that God hears his prayer. 

Psalm 6:2 - Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.

PSALM 7

I TAKE REFUGE IN YOU

David traveled and hid as a refugee multiple times, but God served as his refuge. As David is being pursued by Saul, he describes their chase as a lion tearing his soul apart.  

David has witnessed terrible rulers and kings in Israel but knows that God is the ultimate authority. David is thankful for God’s righteousness and praises God for His character. 

Psalm 7:17 - I will give to the Lord thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

PSALM 8

HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME

David praises God for His majesty, reflecting on God’s great creations. David marvels over God’s kindness to humanity and how God can both rule a vast creation and care for humans individually. 

Psalm 4:8 - What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

PSALM 9

I WILL RECOUNT YOUR WONDERFUL DEEDS

David gives thanks to God, praising God and recalling all that He has done for him. David allows God’s previous faithfulness to fuel his trust in Him. 

As David awaits his own throne, he speaks of God’s righteous throne. Although David has experienced poor leadership and injustice on earth, David trusts God’s justice and authority. 

Psalm 9:7 - But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice.

PSALM 10

WHY DO YOU HIDE YOURSELF?

David cries out to God, asking Him to draw near when He feels distant. David describes the wickedness he has witnessed and ponders why evildoers seem to prosper. David sees injustice in the world and calls upon God to enact justice. David recognizes that God hears those in need and trusts God to defend the oppressed. Psalm 

Psalm 10:17 - O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear… 

PSALM 11

THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE

David praises God’s character, telling of His love for the upright and hate for the wicked. David argues that although the upright will be tested, they will ultimately know God and behold His face. David contrasts God's love for good deeds with His hatred of violence.

Psalm 11:7 - For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

PSALM 12

THE FAITHFUL HAVE VANISHED

David feels alone in his righteousness, telling God that the faithful have vanished. David says that everyone around him speaks only in lies, but God’s Word is refined and purified. David trusts that God will protect the poor and needy. 

Psalm 12:6 - The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

PSALM 13

HOW LONG, O LORD?

David feels forgotten and abandoned, crying out to God for nearness. Even in his despair, David trusts God’s steadfast love and rejoices in His salvation. David chooses to continue praising God, even when God feels distant. 

Psalm 13:1 - How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

PSALM 14

THE FOOL SAYS THERE IS NO GOD

David cries out to God, frustrated with the disobedience and faithlessness he is witnessing in Israel. David describes the unbeliever, calling those who don’t know God corrupt and foolish. It is important to remember that David is the one speaking here, not God. God shows throughout Scripture that He chooses unlikely people to establish His plans and endlessly pursues His creation. 

David asks God to intervene in Israel, bringing salvation and restoration to His people. 

Psalm 14:7 - Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

PSALM 15

WHO SHALL DWELL ON YOUR HOLY HILL?

David desires closeness with God, wanting to dwell inside His tent. David knows that he must live blamelessly and speak in truth for this to happen. Unfortunately, David does not live a blameless life, and God appoints his son Solomon to build the temple instead of David (1 Chronicles 17-22).

The theme of dwelling with God continues in the last verse of Psalm 23, where David says that God’s goodness and mercy will follow him all the days of his life and that he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Psalm 15:1 - O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

PSALM 16

YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL

David praises God, thanking Him for never abandoning him. David declares his dependence upon God, acknowledging that he has no good apart from Him.

David states his loyalty to God and says that because God is near, he will not be shaken. David remembers God’s faithfulness and praises Him, saying His presence brings fullness of joy. 

Psalm 16:8 - I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

PSALM 17

IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS

David calls upon God to attend to his cries for help. David stands firm in keeping God’s instructions, avoiding violence, and speaking truth. 

David pleads for God’s protection and asks Him to demonstrate His wondrous and steadfast love.

Psalm 17:15 - As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

PSALM 18

THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS

David praises God for being his protection, calling God his rock, fortress, and deliverer. David glorifies God for keeping him innocent and guiltless amid trials. 

Although he had the opportunity to kill Saul on two separate occasions, David knew God would reward his faithfulness. David says that God equipped him with strength and made his way blameless. David knows that although he did the right thing, it was God’s strength that allowed him to be faithful. 

The psalm wraps up with David's affirmation that God will show steadfast love to both the appointed and the descendants of David. It is indeed a profound truth, since Jesus traces His lineage back to David.

Psalm 18:30 - This God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

PSALM 19

THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT

David praises the Word of God, speaking of its power and perfection. He knows that Scripture is reviving to the soul and enlightening to the eyes. David describes God’s Word as more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. 

David notices how the heavens proclaim God’s glory and creation displays His power. Trusting God’s discernment, David prays for all his thoughts and words to be acceptable to God. 

Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

PSALM 20

TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD

David sings of God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness, noting that while some trust in chariots and horses, God’s people have been victorious because of His power. David knows that trusting in God has led the Israelites to both contentment and victory. 

Psalm 20:4 - May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!