Psalms
The meaning of the title Psalms from the Septuagint is “Sacred Songs Sung to Musical Accompaniment”; from the Hebrew title comes “praises. Moses is the Author of Psalm 90, Asaph is the author of Psalms 50, 73-83, Solomon is the author of Psalms 72, 127, Heman is the author of Psalm 88, Ethan is the author of Psalm 89, and David is the author of 73 psalms in total. In addition, 12 psalms are assigned to “The Sons of Korah”. The Book of Psalms is a record of petitions, lamentations, thanksgiving and praise to God by His people. It has brought comfort, encouragement and blessing to God’s people throughout the ages. The purpose of the psalms was well expressed by David when he appointed Levites to institute hymns in Israel to record, thank and praise the LORD GOD of Israel.
Psalm 1
1:1-6 Two ways of life contrasted
Psalm 2
2:1-12 Coronation of the Lord’s Anointed
Psalm 3
3:1-8 A prayer of confidence in God
Psalm 4
4:1-8 Evening prayer for deliverance
Psalm 5
5:1-12 A prayer for protection
Psalm 6
6:1-10 A prayer for mercy
Psalm 7
7:1-17 Wickedness justly rewarded
Psalm 8
8:1-9 God’s glory and man’s honor
Psalm 9
9:1-20 Praise for victory over enemies
Psalm 10
10:1-18 A prayer for the overthrow of the wicked
Psalm 11
11:1-7 “In the Lord put I my trust”
Psalm 12
12:1-8 A plea against the wicked
Psalm 13
13:1-6 How long, O Lord, how long?
Psalm 14
14:1-7 The characteristics of the godless
Psalm 15
15:1-5 The characteristics of the Godly
Psalm 16
16:1-11 Eternal life for one who trusts
Psalm 17
17:1-15 “Hide me under the shadow of thy wings”
Psalm 18
18:1-50 Thanksgiving for deliverance by God
Psalm 19
19:1-14 The works and words of God
Psalm 20
20:1-9 “Some trust in chariots”
Psalm 21
21:1-13 Praise for victory
Psalm 22
22:1-31 A psalm of the cross
Psalm 23
23:1-6 “The Lord is my shepherd”
Psalm 24
24:1-10 The King of Glory
Psalm 25
25:1-22 A prayer for guidance and protection
Psalm 26
26:1-12 “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me”
Psalm 27
27:1-14 “The Lord is my light and my salvation”
Psalm 28
28:1-9 Rejoice because of answered prayer
Psalm 29
29:1-11 The voice of the Lord in the storm
Psalm 30
30:1-12 A thanksgiving for deliverance from death
Psalm 31
31:1-24 “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust”
Psalm 32
32:1-11 The blessedness of forgiveness
Psalm 33
33:1-22 Praise to the Lord for who He is and does
Psalm 34
34:1-22 The Lord hears the righteous
Psalm 35
35:1-28 A petition for God’s intervention
Psalm 36
36:1-12 The steadfast Love of God
Psalm 37
37:1-40 The true state of the wicked
Psalm 38
38:1-22 The petition of a sick man
Psalm 39
39:1-13 A prayer for self-understanding
Psalm 40
40:1-17 Delight to do God’s will
Psalm 41
41:1-13 Comfort for the forsaken
Psalm 42
42:1-11 An intense longing for God
Psalm 43
43:1-5 A prayer for deliverance from the ungodly
Psalm 44
44:1-26 A nation in distress
Psalm 45
45:1-17 A Psalm for the king’s marriage
Psalm 46
46:1-11 “God is our refuge and strength”
Psalm 47
47:1-9 “God is the King of all the earth”
Psalm 48
48:1-14 “God is our God”
Psalm 49
49:1-20 Trust in God, not wealth
Psalm 50
50:1-23 The Lord shall judge all people
Psalm 51
51:1-19 Confession and forgiveness of sin
Psalm 52
52:1-9 Caution to the prideful wicked
Psalm 53
53:1-6 The foolishness of men
Psalm 54
54:1-7 A prayer for protection
Psalm 55
55:1-23 A cry against deceitful friends
Psalm 56
56:1-13 A confident prayer for help
Psalm 57
57:1-11 Prayers in the midst of perils
Psalm 58
58:1-11 Wicked judges will be judged
Psalm 59
59:1-17 A prayer for deliverance
Psalm 60
60:1-12 A prayer for deliverance of a nation
Psalm 61
61:1-8 A prayer when overwhelmed
Psalm 62
62:1-12 God only is my rock and my salvation
Psalm 63
63:1-11 Thirst for God
Psalm 64
64:1-10 A prayer for God’s protection
Psalm 65
65:1-13 God’s provision through nature
Psalm 66
66:1-20 The great works of God
Psalm 67
67:1-7 God shall govern the earth
Psalm 68
68:1-35 Israel’s triumphant God
Psalm 69
69:1-36 A petition in time of distress
Psalm 70
70:1-5 A prayer for speedy deliverance
Psalm 71
71:1-24 A prayer for help in old age
Psalm 72
72:1-20 The reign of the Messiah
Psalm 73
73:1-28 The perspective of eternity
Psalm 74
74:1-23 A complaint born of faith
Psalm 75
75:1-10 A warning to the wicked
Psalm 76
76:1-12 The glorious might of God
Psalm 77
77:1-20 When overwhelmed, remember God’s greatness
Psalm 78
78:1-72 God’s goodness to Israel in spite of unbelief
Psalm 79
79:1-13 A prayer for destruction of heathen enemies
Psalm 80
80:1-19 A prayer for restoration
Psalm 81
81:1-16 God’s plea for Israel’s obedience
Psalm 82
82:1-8 A prayer for righteous Judgment
Psalm 83
83:1-18 A prayer for destruction of Israel’s enemies
Psalm 84
84:1-12 The Joy of dwelling with God
Psalm 85
85:1-13 A prayer for revival
Psalm 86
86:1-17 “Teach me thy way, O Lord”
Psalm 87
87:1-7 The glories of Zion
Psalm 88
88:1-18 A cry for deliverance from death
Psalm 89
89:1-52 Claiming God’s promises to David
Psalm 90
90:1-17 “Teach us to number our days”
Psalm 91
91:1-16 God is a refuge and a fortress
Psalm 92
92:1-15 Praises for the Lord’s goodness
Psalm 93
93:1-5 The majesty of God
Psalm 94
94:1-23 Vengeance belongs only to God
Psalm 95
95:1-11 A psalm of praise to the great God
Psalm 96
96:1-13 A call to praise God
Psalm 97
97:1-12 The Lord is far above all gods
Psalm 98
98:1-9 Praise to God for his salvation
Psalm 99
99:1-9 God has been faithful
Psalm 100
100:1-5 A call to praise the Lord
Psalm 101
101:1-8 A commitment to holy living
Psalm 102
102:1-28 The prayer of an overwhelmed Saint
Psalm 103
103:1-22 Bless the Lord, all you people
Psalm 104
104:1-35 God’s preservation of nature
Psalm 105
105:1-45 God’s wondrous works in behalf of Israel
Psalm 106
106:1-48 Israel sins against God’s love
Psalm 107
107:1-43 God’s wonderful works to the children of men
Psalm 108
108:1-13 Israel looks to God for help
Psalm 109
109:1-31 A prayer for punishment of the wicked
Psalm 110
110:1-7 The coming of the Priest-King-Judge
Psalm 111
111:1-10 Praise for God’s tender care
Psalm 112
112:1-10 The blessings of those that fear God
Psalm 113
113:1-9 God’s mercies are many
Psalm 114
114:1-8 God’s power demonstrated in the Exodus
Psalm 115
115:1-18 Trust in God, not in idols
Psalm 116
116:1-19 Praise for deliverance from death
Psalm 117
117:1-2 The praise of all nations
Psalm 118
118:1-29 Thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation
Psalm 119
119:1-176 An acrostic in praise of the Scriptures
Psalm 120
120:1-7 Prayer for deliverance from lying lips
Psalm 121
121:1-8 God’s sustaining power
Psalm 122
122:1-9 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”
Psalm 123
123:1-4 Prayer for mercy
Psalm 124
124:1-8 The LORD is on our side
Psalm 125
125:1-5 God surrounds his people
Psalm 126
126:1-6 “Sow in tears…reap in joy”
Psalm 127
127:1-5 Children are God’s heritage
Psalm 128
128:1-6 The rewards of faithfulness
Psalm 129
129:1-8 Plea of the persecuted
Psalm 130
130:1-8 “My soul waiteth for the Lord”
Psalm 131
131:1-3 A psalm of humility
Psalm 132
132:1-18 A prayer for blessing on the sanctuary
Psalm 133
133:1-3 The joy of brotherhood
Psalm 134
134:1-3 An exhortation to praise
Psalm 135
135:1-21 The greatness of the Lord and vanity of idols
Psalm 136
136:1-26 Praise for Lord’s past and present blessings
Psalm 137
137:1-9 The mourning of the exiles in Babylon
Psalm 138
138:1-8 Praising the ways of the Lord
Psalm 139
139:1-24 Living with God
Psalm 140
140:1-13 Prayer for deliverance from evil men
Psalm 141
141:1-10 Deliverance from temptation
Psalm 142
142:1-7 “Thou art my refuge”
Psalm 143
143:1-12 “Teach me to do thy will”
Psalm 144
144:1-15 “I will sing a new song”
Psalm 145
145:1-21 A song of praise
Psalm 146
146:1-10 The blessedness of trusting God
Psalm 147
147:1-20 Praising the God of provision and protection
Psalm 148
148:1-14 All creation to praise the Lord
Psalm 149
149:1-9 A psalm of the Kingdom
Psalm 150
150:1-6 “Praise ye the LORD”
