PSALM 61
LEAD ME TO THE ROCK
David sings of God’s goodness, referring to God as a rock on higher ground. Promising to praise God’s name forever, David asks God to prolong his life and reflects on how God has heard his vows and been faithful to his ancestors.
Psalm 61:2-3 - From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
PSALM 62
MY SOUL WAITS FOR GOD ALONE
Much of David’s life consisted of waiting on and trusting in God. Because of this, God has proven to David that He is a trustworthy, consistent, and safe place of refuge. During his times of waiting, David learned the power of God’s voice and chose to listen.
Because of his confidence in God, David sings for all people to place their trust in Him.
Psalm 62:1 - For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
PSALM 63
MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU
While hiding from Saul in the wilderness, David tells God that his soul thirsts for Him, and his flesh faints for Him. David recalls God’s steadfast love, describing it as better than life.
David praises God for all that He has done for him, saying his soul clings to God while God upholds him.
Psalm 63:3 - Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
PSALM 64
HIDE ME FROM THE WICKED
David sings to God asking for his life to be preserved and spared from the plots of the wicked who want to kill him. David calls for all righteous people, including himself, to rejoice in the Lord and exalt Him. Instead of taking things into his own hands, David trusts God to bring them to ruin.
Psalm 64:10 - Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!
PSALM 65
GOD OF OUR SALVATION
This psalm of David praises God for being the creator and sustainer of the earth, ruling over the roaring seas. David speaks of God’s forgiving nature, saying that his transgressions have been atoned for. Although this was written hundreds of years before Jesus would atone for all sin on the cross, David trusts that God’s character is still loving despite our sin.
David acknowledges that God not only hears prayers but is moving in awesome, righteous ways.
Psalm 65:3 - When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.
PSALM 66
HOW AWESOME ARE YOUR DEEDS
This anonymous psalm praises God for His awesome deeds and glorious name. Like many other psalms, this passage recalls God’s provision for the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to escape the Egyptians. Not only does this psalmist speak of what God has done for the nation, he gives insight into what God has done for him personally.
Psalm 66:16 - Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
PSALM 67
MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
This psalm was written to be sung and played with stringed instruments to praise God and make His name known.
This psalm shares similar language to the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26, which says “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Psalm 67:1-2 - May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
PSALM 68
GOD SHALL SCATTER HIS ENEMIES
David writes of God’s great power, saying He will scatter all of his enemies and drive away the wicked. David blesses God and praises Him as his deliverer and God of salvation.
Like the language of the prophecy and promise of God in Genesis 3:15, David says that God will strike the head of his enemies.
Psalm 68:1 - God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!
PSALM 69
SAVE ME, O GOD
Because David has more enemies than hairs on his head, David feels defeated and distressed. Although David is experiencing shame, scorn, and heartbreak, he still trusts God’s steadfast love. David asks for God to take out His indignation on his enemies and believes God will enact justice.
David references being given sour wine to drink when he is desperate for thirst. Many years later, Jesus is given vinegar for His thirst in His dying moments on the cross (Matthew 27:34-35).
Psalm 69:21 - They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.
PSALM 70
O LORD, DO NOT DELAY
David trusts God to save him but is questioning His timing, asking God to make haste or hurry. David praises God’s greatness but begs Him not to delay His faithfulness.
Psalm 70:4 - May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
PSALM 71
DON’T FORSAKE ME WHEN MY STRENGTH IS SPENT
This anonymous psalm praises God for His righteousness, refuge, and strength. The author asks God to deliver him from his wicked enemies and to carry out justice for their wrongdoing.
This psalm acknowledges that God has been continually present and carried him throughout his life. The author, even in old age, continues to trust God’s purposes and plans.
Psalm 71:5 - For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
PSALM 72
GIVE THE KING YOUR JUSTICE
Solomon wrote this psalm, asking God for wisdom to display justice and righteousness. Because of 1 Kings 3, we know that God answered this prayer by giving Solomon wisdom as well as wealth and a long life.
Solomon shows humility by asking God for guidance during his kingship and acknowledges that the authority of his kingship is nothing compared to God’s heavenly reign.
Psalm 72:11 - May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
PSALM 73
GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND PORTION FOREVER
Asaph, one of the psalmists, writes of God’s goodness in his life. Asaph recalls some close calls with calamity, saying his feet have almost stumbled and his steps had nearly slipped as he grappled with the prosperity of the wicked.
Asaph remembers his bitterness and ignorance, claiming that he was beast-like towards God. He experienced an extreme transformation by knowing God and desiring God’s nearness above all else.
Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
PSALM 74
ARISE, O GOD, DEFEND YOUR CAUSE
Asaph, the author, tells of the destruction of the temple likely during the time Israel was being invaded by the Babylonians. Calling out for God’s attention, Asaph mourns over the state of God’s dwelling place in Jerusalem and how their enemies scoff at Judah’s despair.
Although the situation appears hopeless, the psalmist remembers what God has done for the Israelites in the past and believes He is both sovereign and good. Asaph pleads for God to rescue those who turn to Him and remember His covenant love for Israel.
Psalm 74:12 - Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
PSALM 75
GOD WILL JUDGE WITH EQUITY
Asaph sings of God’s judgment, warning people not to boast in their righteousness. This psalm thanks God, praises God, and honors God’s authority and power. The psalm ends by saying that the wicked will be cut off, but the righteous will be lifted up.
Psalm 75:1 - We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.
PSALM 76
WHO CAN STAND BEFORE YOU?
Asaph sings a song of worship, meant to be accompanied by string instruments, about God’s power and majesty. God alone is to be worshiped with awe! God will save those who are humble before Him.
Psalm 76:1 - In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.
PSALM 77
IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, I SEEK THE LORD
Asaph experiences deep distress and trouble and says that his soul refuses to be comforted. He knows that remembering God’s faithfulness will give him confidence for the future, so Asaph aims to remember the works of God and meditate on His mighty deeds.
Psalm 77:15 - You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
PSALM 78
TELL THE COMING GENERATION
Asaph speaks of God’s provision and glorious deeds, hoping to encourage and educate the future generation. Asaph covers a lot of Israel’s history in this psalm, praising God for all He has done and reminding future generations to remain faithful
Asaph includes many miraculous acts of God, such as sending the plagues to Egypt (Exodus 8–10), leading the Israelites through the wilderness by a cloud and fire (Exodus 13), dividing the Red Sea and allowing the Israelites to cross (Exodus 14), and providing manna and water in the wilderness (Exodus 16–17).
Psalm 78:4 - We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
PSALM 79
HOW LONG, O LORD?
This psalm laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Blood has poured out of Jerusalem like water and the people are left with nowhere to turn. The author questions how long God will be angry with His people while other nations have overthrown and destroyed Jerusalem. The psalmist pleads for God to pour out His wrath on those nations instead.
Asaph asks God for compassion and forgiveness. Not only will this help the Israelites, but it also honors God’s name and authority. Asaph wants to see God’s redemptive power in action and cries out to God to save those who are doomed to death.
Psalm 79:13 - But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
PSALM 80
RESTORE US, O GOD
This prayer asks God to restore the nation of Israel and bring an end to their hardships. Jerusalem is compared to a vine that God brought out of Egypt, planted, and sustained. The Israelites want to see God’s face and experience His glory.
Psalm 80:3 - Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!