This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.

This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.

PSALMS CHAPTER SUMMARIES

PSALMS BOOK OVERVIEW

PRINTABLE PDF PLAN

SESSION 1: PSALMS 1-15

SESSION 2: PSALMS 16-30

SESSION 3: PSALMS 31-45

SESSION 4: PSALMS 46-60

SESSION 5: PSALMS 61-75

SESSION 6: PSALMS 76-90

SESSION 7: PSALMS 91-105

SESSION 8: PSALMS 106-119

SESSION 9: PSALMS 120-134

SESSION 10: PSALMS 135-150

SESSION ONE: PSALMS 1-15

THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS

In Psalm 1, how is the way of the righteous compared to the way of the wicked?

Read Psalm 2:11. What does it mean to fear the Lord and rejoice with trembling?

In Psalm 3, David referred to God as “the lifter of my head.” What do you think he meant by this title?

Read Psalm 4:3. Have you heard that God’s people are “set apart”? How do you think David would have defined this term?

Many psalms include petitioning or crying out to God. In these psalms, what requests stand out to you? (See Psalm 3:7, 5:1-2, 5:8, 6:1-2, and 7:1 as examples.)

In Psalm 6:6-7, how did David describe his distress? In the verses that follow, how did David display trust in God?

How did David desire for God to judge him in Psalm 7:8-9? How can God serve as both a righteous judge and a compassionate father?

In Psalm 8:3-4, how did David reflect on God’s mindfulness of humanity?

In Psalm 9, David recalled God’s goodness. How can reflecting on and recounting God’s provision in our own lives produce faithfulness in the future?

Read Psalm 10:1 and 13:1. Has God ever felt distant or forgetful in your life?

Read Psalm 1:1-2 and 12:6. How is God’s Word described as valuable?

In Psalm 14:1, how did David describe those who believe that there is no God? Does this seem consistent with God’s love for outsiders?

SESSION TWO: PSALMS 16-30

THE LORD AS A SHIELD + A SHEPHERD

How have you experienced the “fullness of joy” by spending time in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11)?

Read Psalm 17:15. How did David’s faith bring him contentment in hard times?

How does Psalm 18 relate to David’s ongoing feud with Saul (see 1 Samuel 18-24)?

Why is it significant that David referred to God’s Word as a shield?

Try to memorize Psalm 19:14. How can this verse serve as a helpful everyday prayer?

Read Psalm 20:4 and 21:2. How do these verses align with God’s will? What does it look like to both ask God for what we want and trust His plans?

What elements of Jesus’ crucifixion are foreshadowed in Psalm 22 (see Matthew 27 and Mark 15)?

How did David’s personal experience as a shepherd add significance to Psalm 23?

In Psalm 25:14, how did David describe his personal relationship with God?

Read Psalm 27:14. How did David experience a long period of waiting? What can be challenging about waiting on God’s timing?

In Psalm 29, how did David compare God’s glory to creation?

In reference to the dedication of the temple, David sang, “You have turned mourning into dancing.” Why was the temple a place of celebration and rejoicing for the Israelites (Psalm 30:11)?

SESSION THREE: PSALMS 31-45

THE ISRAELITES + THE PSALMS

Read Luke 23:46. In what context did Jesus reference Psalm 31? How did both David and Jesus trust God with their lives?

What spiritual practice did David advocate for in Psalm 32:5? Why is this action important?

In Psalm 33:10-12, what do you think it means that God “frustrates the plans of the peoples”? Which nation is described as “blessed” and called His “chosen heritage” in these verses?

Read Psalm 34:18. According to this verse, who experiences God’s nearness?

Based on these psalms, how would you describe David’s attitude towards God’s judgment and righteousness?

How did David describe the weight of his sin in Psalm 38?

How does Psalm 39:4 summarize the overall theme of the book of Ecclesiastes?

What was David saying in Psalm 40:6? Why would this be a controversial statement to the Israelites?

How do Psalm 41:9 and 42:10 point to Jesus’s life and crucifixion?

Based on Psalm 44, how did the Israelites feel towards God? How did these emotions quickly shift?

SESSION FOUR: PSALMS 46-60

TRUSTING GOD DESPITE THE CIRCUMSTANCES

Psalms 46 and 47 reference Jacob and the “God of Jacob.” Why was Jacob a significant figure to the Israelites (see Genesis 35)?

Psalms 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88 were written by the Sons of Korah. Using a study Bible or internet search, who were the sons of Korah and what was their role?

Read Psalm 48. In which city is Mount Zion located? What else is in this city?

Psalm 50 describes God as a righteous judge. Does this description of God sound intimidating or endearing? Is it comforting or concerning?

In Psalm 51, what was David asking of God? What attitude or perspective did David have toward his own sinfulness?

Psalm 52 is in reference to the events of 1 Samuel 22 (when Doeg gave King Saul information pertaining to David’s hidden location). How did David exhibit faith over fear?

Read Psalm 53:3 and Romans 3:23. Why is it often hard to admit that we have sinned or fallen short?

In Psalm 56:8, how did David describe God’s concern for his discomfort and grief?

Throughout Psalms 55-59, how did David continue to display trust in God despite facing great opposition?

In Psalm 60, how did David describe Judah as compared to the other tribes of Israel? Why was Judah significant amongst the tribes?

SESSION FIVE: PSALMS 61-75

THE PSALMS THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE

How did David acknowledge God’s authority in his prayer by saying, “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2)?

In Psalm 62, David stated that he waited for God. How had David practiced patience throughout his life?

Read Psalm 63:1 and John 4:13-14. What do these verses have in common?

From what did David ask God for protection in Psalm 64:1? How does feeling threatened or experiencing dread compete with faithfulness?

Long before Jesus provided salvation to believers, David called God the “God of Salvation.” What kind of salvation was David referencing? What kind of salvation does Jesus offer?

What event is referenced in Psalm 66:5-6? How did this event fuel the faith of the Israelites (see Exodus 13-15)?

Read Numbers 6:24-26. How does Psalm 67 reference the blessing of Aaron?

Read Matthew 27:34-35. How was this event foreshadowed in Psalm 69:21?

In Psalm 70, David pleaded with God to send help quickly. Have you ever felt like God’s goodness or provision was delayed? How did you respond?

Psalm 72 references 1 Kings 3, which describes Solomon’s request for wisdom from God. Why do you think Solomon requested discernment? What did God provide him with in addition to wisdom (see 1 Kings 3:10-14)?

Asaph was a prominent Levite singer in David’s court whose role was to worship God through song and music. How do his psalms (50 and 73–83) highlight God’s provision and goodness?

SESSION SIX: PSALMS 76-90

GOD’S ETERNAL + POWERFUL PRESENCE

In Psalm 78, what did Asaph want the new generation of Israelites to remember regarding God’s provision?

Psalm 79 references the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. How did the author respond to God in times of great distress?

Read John 15:1-8. How is the vine analogy similar to the imagery in Psalm 80:8-13?

What instruments are included in Psalm 81:1-3? How were the Israelites instructed to praise God?

In Psalm 81:16, what does it mean that there is “honey in the rock”? How did God bring sweetness to the Israelites during challenging times?

The Israelites repeatedly cried out to God, asking Him to rescue them from the consequences of their own sin and rebellion. Why do we often question or blame God for the problems we created ourselves?

How does Psalm 84:10 describe the value of God’s presence?

Read Psalm 86:15. How does this verse recall God’s description of Himself in Exodus 34:6-7?

Read Psalm 88:3-7. Look up the meaning of the word “Sheol.” How do these verses capture the meaning of this word?

How do Psalms 89 and 90 emphasize the brief nature of life in contrast to God’s eternal nature? Who wrote Psalm 90? Why is this significant?

SESSION SEVEN: PSALMS 91-105

THE LORD REIGNS OVER ISRAEL

Read Genesis 3:15. What theme does this verse share with Psalm 91:13?

What instructions are provided in Psalm 92 for honoring the Sabbath?

Psalm 93 speaks of God’s authority over creation. Throughout the Bible, how did God use water to display His power?

How does Psalm 94 emphasize both God’s righteous and merciful nature?

Psalm 95 mentions “hardened hearts” and “hearts gone astray.” Can you think of any examples of this throughout Scripture? Can you think of any personal examples?

How does rejoicing and praising God both honor God and strengthen our faith?

Read Psalm 97:10 and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Why do you think the Bible says there is a time to hate? How does God’s hatred of sin actually reveal His love for creation?

Try to memorize Psalm 100. How can this chapter serve as a helpful everyday prayer of thanksgiving?

Read Psalm 103:11-12. What do these verses reveal about God’s love for creation and forgiveness of sins?

What significant Old Testament events are recounted in Psalm 105?

SESSION EIGHT: PSLAMS 106-119

PSALMS OF FAITHFULNESS + WISDOM

Read Psalm 106:13; 19-22. How did the Israelites quickly forget God’s goodness in the wilderness? How did this affect their faithfulness?

How does Psalm 107:29 foreshadow Jesus’ miracle in Matthew 8:23-27?

Read Psalm 110:1. Why do you think God used the phrase “sit at my right hand”? How is this phrase used to describe Jesus in Mark 16:19, Matthew 22:44, and Luke 22:69?

Psalm 110:4 references Melchizedek, a man who was both a priest and a king. How does Melchizedek serve as an image of Jesus (see Genesis 14:18-20)?

What does Psalm 111:10 credit as the source of all wisdom? Read Psalm 119:105. How does this verse describe the wisdom of God’s Word?

Psalm 112 describes the righteous who fear God. Which qualities presented stand out to you the most? Do any of them surprise you?

Psalm 114:8 mentions a rock that provides water. How does this verse relate to God’s provision in Exodus 17:1-7?

Psalm 115:4 says that idols are the work of human hands. What examples of modern-day idols can you think of?

Matthew 26:30 recalls the disciples and Jesus singing a hymn before the Last Supper. Based on Jewish tradition, it is possible that this song was Psalm 118. How does this Psalm refer to Jesus as the cornerstone? What does that mean?

Which Psalm is the shortest chapter of the entire Bible? Which is the longest? What do you think is the significance of their length?

THE PSALMS OF ASCENT

SESSION NINE: PSALMS 120-134

Use a study Bible or internet search to learn the definition of “Psalms of Ascent.” In what context were these psalms recited or sung?

Psalm 121:5-6 describes God’s protection as shade. How did God provide shade for the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 13:21-22)?

Read Psalm 122. How did the Israelites pray for the temple? How should believers today pray for the church?

How does Psalm 124:1-5 reference flooding and raging waters? How did God protect the Israelites from water on their journey to the Promised Land (see Exodus 14 and Joshua 3)?

Read Psalm 127:1. Who wrote this psalm? Was it David or Solomon who ultimately constructed the temple?

Psalm 128 highlights the blessings that come from following God, but Psalm 129 emphasizes the suffering experienced by the Israelites. How can both of these psalms be true? How can you experience both blessing and suffering simultaneously?

Psalm 130 focuses on waiting for the Lord. How can it feel like God is not listening during times of waiting?

How does Psalm 131:1 teach or encourage us not to be concerned with things beyond our understanding or comprehension?

Psalm 132 describes Zion (Jerusalem) as God’s dwelling place. Where is God’s dwelling place now?

Psalm 133 focuses on brothers dwelling in unity. Why would this be important? Can you think of any brothers in the Bible who did not get along?

SESSION TEN: PSALMS 135-150

PRAISE THE LORD!

Psalm 135 remembers God’s faithfulness to the Israelites. What significant event is referenced in 135:8 (see Exodus 12)?

The phrase “stretch out your hand” is used in Psalms 136 and 138. What does this phrase mean? Can you think of anywhere else in the Bible where this phrase is used?

How does Psalm 136 describe God’s love? How does this psalm reference God’s creation and miracles?

In Psalm 138:8, David said that the Lord will fulfill His purposes for him. How did David know these purposes? Has God ever revealed to you His purpose for your life?

In Psalm 139:1, David said that God has searched him and knows his heart. Does this concept of being searched and fully known feel intimate or interrogative?

Read Psalm 141:5. Why did David view the rebuke of the righteous as kind?

In Psalm 143:5, what three actions did David practice to be reminded of God’s faithfulness?

How does Psalm 144:3 describe God’s attitude towards humanity?

Read Psalm 145:3. What does it mean that God’s greatness is “unsearchable”?

Psalm 146:3 says not to put your trust in a son of man. What is the difference between “a son of man” and “the Son of Man?” Which did Jesus claim to be (see Matthew 16:13-16)?

Look at the first and last verses of Psalm 146-150. How do all five of these Psalms start and end?

Way to go! You finished the book of Psalms!

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