Psalms Book 4 (Psalms 90-106)
Sept. 21, 2024 version
Psalm 90-91– The Eternal God and Lost Time
1. In Ps 90:1-17, how do you handle when you feel like you have to wait for an eternity?
2. In Ps 90:1-17, what is an outline of this psalm?
3. In Ps 90:2-3, what is the paradox here about dust and eternity?
4. In Ps 90:5-6, Ps 103:15; Isa 40:6-8,24; 51:12; Jms 1:24 how are we like grass?
5. In Ps 90:9, how have their days passed/dwindled in God’s wrath?
6. In Ps 90:12, how are we to number our days?
7. In Ps 90:14, what does the morning represent here?
8. In Ps 90:15, what is the unusual request Moses is asking here?
9. In Ps 91:3, what is the snare of the fowler / bird-catcher mentioned?
10. In Ps 91:3, what is pestilence?
11. In Ps 91:4a, 17:8; 57:1; 61:4f, how are we under God’s pinions?
12. In Ps 91:4 and many passages talk of God’s right arm and hands, so does that mean God has a body like a man?
13. In Ps 91:4f, how is God’s truth as a shield and buckler?
14. In Ps 91:11-12, does this refer to Jesus, or to all believers?
Psalm 92-93 – He is Still on the Throne
1. In Ps 92:1-15, when was this song sung?
2. In Ps 92:10, how was David’s horn exalted?
3.: In Ps 92:12-14, why is the data palm mentioned here?
4. In Ps 92:14, what does it mean to bring forth fruit in old age?
5. In Ps 93:1, how is the Lord clothed with majesty and strength?
6. In Ps 94:1-23, what is an outline of this psalm?
A: The psalm is arranged as a chiasm.
1-2 The God of vengeance
- 3-7 How long with the wicked triumph with arrogance?
- - 8-11 God will rebuke the wicked
- - 12-15 God will bless the wise
- 16-21 Condemnation of the wicked
22-23 God our refuge will destroy them
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.610 for more info.
7. In Ps 94:1 what does this teach about vengeance?
8. In Ps 94:1-7, for what exactly is the psalmist praying?
9. In Ps 94:10, what does it mean that vengeance belongs with God?
10. In Ps 94:11 why are the thoughts of man useless?
11. In Ps 94:12 why does God sometimes discipline His beloved children?
12. In Ps 94:20 what is a “throne of destruction” or a “corrupt throne”?
Psalm 95-97 – Kneel before our Maker
1. When was Ps 95;1-11 written?
2. In Ps 95:8, how can we choose to harden or not?
3. In Ps 95:7-11, what are the two main points?
4. In Ps 95:9-11, how do people sometimes test God today?
5. In Ps 96:1-12, why could one argue this is not a praise psalm?
6. In Ps 96:1, why is the emphasis not on singing a song, but on singing a new song?
7. In Ps 96:9-13, what two quite different emotions are juxtaposed here?
8. In Ps 97:1-12, what is the main point of this psalm?
9. In Ps 97:1, why are island shores emphasized here?
10. In Ps 97:2 and 2 Chr 6:1, how are clouds and darkness around God, and in Ps 104:2 how is God covered with light?
11. In Ps 97:7 and 1 Chr 16:25-26, how are there many gods?
12. In Ps 97:7, why does Heb 1:6 quote this from the Septuagint?
13. In Ps 97:10a, are Christians supposed to hate?
14. In Ps 97:10b, how does God preserve the souls of His saints?
Psalm 98-101 – Kneel before our Maker
1. In Ps 98:1, what type of music is suitable for worship?
2. In Ps 98:1; 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9; 149:1 is it OK in church to sing songs whose words are not Bible verses?
3. In Ps 98:5-6, 12 Chr 16:5,6; 2 Chr 5:12,13; 29:25-30; Ezra 3:10-13, how does this relate to not using musical instruments in church?
4. In Ps 98:8, how do the rivers clap their hands?
5. In Ps 99:1-9, why we should exalt God?
6. In Ps 99:6, Aaron was among God’s priests, but how were Moses and Samuel priests?
7. Why is Ps 100:1 like Ps 66:1?
8. What is Ps 101:1-8 about?
9. In Ps 101:1-8, what is the structure of this psalm?
A: This short psalm is a chiasm with the following structure.
1-3a The king commits to God’s righteousness
- 3b-5 The king will hate evil
- - 6 The king will love God’s people
- 7 the king will not remove evil and evil people from his courts or the land
8 the king will root out injustice
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.641 for more info.
10. In Ps 101:5 why are secret things highlighted here?
11. In Ps 101:7-8, what does this say about public office?
Psalm 102-103 – Praising God in pain and anguish
1. In Ps 102:1-11, what are the two requests behind this psalm?
2. Is Ps 102:1-28 Messianic?
3. In Ps 102:4, what do you do when illness has not only taken your appetite, but it seems your joy in life?
4. In Ps 102:6 what is the first bird here?
5. In Ps 102:11, what does the lengthening shadow mean?
6. In Ps 102:25-27 how do these verses apply to Christ in Heb 1:10-12?
7. In Ps 102:28, why does the psalmist bring up children here?
8. In Ps 103:1-2, what is the distinctive emphasis of this psalm?
9. Since Ps 103:3 says that God heals our diseases, does that mean doctors and medicines are useless as Christian Science teaches?
10. In Ps 103:5b and Isa 40:31, how is a person’s youth renewed like an eagle?
11. In Ps 103:12, why does it says as far as the east is from the west?
12. Is Ps 103:20-21 a prayer to the dead, as some Roman Catholic theologians say?
Psalm 104-105 – Praise the Lord of Creation
1. In Ps 104:1-35, what is the focus of this psalm?
2. In Ps 104:1-35 what is an outline of the psalm?
A: This is a chiasm except the last part does not match the first very well.
1-4 Praising God’s splendor in creating the heavens
- 5-9 Praising God in creating the earth
- - 10-18 Praising God for the glory of the animals
- - - 19-23 Praising God the timing and seasons
- - 24-26 Praising God for the animals on land and in the sea
- 27-30 Praising God for providentially sustaining the earth
31-35 Praise God forever who will remove evil from the earth
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.657-658 and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.666 for more info.
3. In Ps 104:10-14; 20-27, are there parallels to Akhenaten’s Hymn to the Aten?
4. In Ps 104:32, what does this say about God’s power?
5. In Ps 104:35, what is interesting about the ending here?
6. In Ps 105:1-45 what is the structure of this psalm?
A: Many psalms start calmly and then build up to a crescendo. However this psalm starts out with an explosion. This is structure is neither a Middle-eastern chiasm or a western structure.
1-3 Sing Praises for God’s wonders
- 4-6 Remembering God’s works for His children
- - 7-11 God’s promise of land from Abraham to Joseph
- - - 12-15 God’s protection when they were only a few
- - - - 16-23 God’s providence through Joseph
- - - 24-36 God’s protection through Moses
- - - - 37-45a God’s providence in the wilderness
- - 44 God gave them the promised land
- 45a So remember to keep God’s statutes
45b End with Praise
7. In Ps 105:1-6, what are the ten commands to us here?
8. In Ps 105:4, how does someone seek God’s face?
9. In Ps 105:8, does this mean there were 1,000 generations before David?
10. In Ps 105:8-25, what are the ten things listed that God did?
11. Does Ps 105:15 teach that certain men should never be criticized or held accountable, as some Word-Faith teachers say?
12. In Ps 105:15, what are the proper limits in our criticism of religious leaders?
13. In Ps 105:23-36, why did the psalmist recount the ten plagues?
14. In Ps 105:33, did Egypt have many vines and fig trees?
Psalm 90-91– The Eternal God and Lost Time – some brief answers
1. In Ps 90:1-17, how do you handle when you feel like you have to wait for an eternity?
A: This psalm is an invitation to ponder something we talk about every single day, but we rarely think about, or at least not deeply: time.
The superscription says this psalm was written by Moses, which would make this the oldest psalm written. It is fitting that this psalm highlights time, because Moses had to wander with the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years, and Moses found he had a lot of time on his hands. How would you feel if, through no fault of your own, other people’s actions now caused you to wait and not be able to do much, for forty years. You could be disappointed, as I am sure Moses was. You could ask, “why me”, or get depressed, or you could respond like Moses and praise God. Moses was in a unusual situation here, having to wait essentially the rest of his life; and when you are in an unusual situation, that is especially a time to praise God!
AS someone once said, when you ask God for something, throw away your watch, but keep your sneakers beside your bed.
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.592 for more info.
2. In Ps 90:1-17, what is an outline of this psalm?
A: This is arranged as a chiasm.
1-2 The Lord is God
- 3-6 God’s authority over people
- - 7-10 God’s wrath
- - 11-12 Our response to God’s Wrath
- 13-16 Praying for God’s mercy
17 May God’s kindness be on us
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.593 for more info.
3. In Ps 90:2-3, what is the paradox here about dust and eternity?
A: The Hebrew word here for destruction is unusual; it specifically refers to crushed matter. Physically we are like clay puppets slowly disintegrating as we walk across the stage of life. Physically out bodies are journeying to a destination of dust, yet still, we have a hunger for permanence. The only reason that makes sense is that there is something in us that knows it is eternal. Go dhas placed eternity in our hearts, as Ecclesiastes 3:11 says. Everything around us looks like it is decaying or passing away; but God has the last word.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.658, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.593, the New International Bible Commentary p.619, and the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.389 for more info.
4. In Ps 90:5-6, Ps 103:15; Isa 40:6-8,24; 51:12; Jms 1:24 how are we like grass?
A: We are grass that quickly grows and quickly withers. Charles Spurgeon summarizes this verse: grass is “sown, grown, blown, mown, gone”. However brief our earthly lives might be though, Jesus, in speaking of the lilies of the field in Matthew 6:28-30, assures us that God cares so much more for us than grass.
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.689
5. In Ps 90:9, how have their days passed/dwindled in God’s wrath?
A: This was likely written by Moses during the 40 years of wandering. There are two aspects of how this is true.
Out of God’s pleasure: The anonymous author of this psalm talks of the days of God’s people, spent not in the joy of fellowship with God; but the sorrow and tough times disobeying God.
Dwindling days: That also expresses regret at what could have been. So many days, really years, have already passed of missed opportunities and blessings.
We also see both aspects near the end, in Psalm 90:14-15.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.859, the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.48-49, and The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.553 for more info.
6. In Ps 90:12, how are we to number our days?
A: The eternal God does not change; but we do. All our lives, we should realize that our lives on earth are fleeting (Psalm 39:4-6; 90:3-6; 144:4; James 1:10-11). Life on earth is more precious when we realize just how short it is, at least compared to eternity.
7. In Ps 90:14, what does the morning represent here?
A: Morning stands for a new, joyful beginning. Too long have they been in the night; but there is a new day coming when God’s people will be obedient and have His favor. The season of affliction in Psalm 90:15 will be over.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.859 and the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.58 for more info.
8. In Ps 90:15, what is the unusual request Moses is asking here?
A: Moses is asking that they be made to rejoice for as long a time as they had been afflicted, if not longer.
See The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.554 for more info.
9. In Ps 91:3, what is the snare of the fowler / bird-catcher mentioned?
A: A fowler’s snare is a hidden, sudden, shocking surprise to healthy birds that they can be caught so that they can be killed and consumed. The bird does not ponder the shortness of its remaining life because it has no clue. Sometimes a bird is unaware that it is in fatal peril trapped until it decides to get out. Some temptations today consume us, slowly, yet thoroughly, like smoking, alcoholism, and drugs. Other temptations consume our soul, making us not even wanting to live an abundant, addiction-free life. But if you have lived your life foolishly, and so much of what you could be seems permanently lost now, God is almighty. You can pray to God ot ask Him to “restore the years the locusts have eaten” as Joel 2:25-26 promised to Israel.
See the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.63, the New International Bible Commentary p.619, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.860, and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.658-659 for more info.
10. In Ps 91:3, what is pestilence?
A: This is a plague, usually of deadly sickness. Circumstances beyond our control can present themselves to us. We might not always be able to control what circumstances happen, but we can decide how we respond to those circumstances.
11. In Ps 91:4a, 17:8; 57:1; 61:4f, how are we under God’s pinions?
A: Pinions are the outermost part of bird wings. They have long feathers. The picture here is that we are little baby birds or chickens whom God, as the mother bird, covers with her wings to protect them from the weather.
William MacDonald, the author of the Believer’s Bible Commentary, on p.689 said that when he was five years old, living in the Wester Hebrides (northwest Scotland), he was about to die of diphtheria. His Christian mother turned away from him because she did not want to watch him take his last breath. All of a sudden, her brother-in-law from the next village knocked on the door. He told him she didn’t have to worry about William; he is going to recover and one day he will come to Christ. The mother asked why he said that. The brother-in-law said that he was reading Psalm 91 when God distinctly spoke to him that this would happen.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.659 and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.599 for more info.
12. In Ps 91:4 and many passages talk of God’s right arm and hands, so does that mean God has a body like a man?
A: No. Psalm 91:4 says that God covers us with his feathers, but that beautiful metaphor of God’s love does not make God look like a bird! Isaiah 44:13 say men worship images in the form of man. If God’s body was like man, it should say these images were in God’s form. While God can appear in any form, this does not mean God the Father has an intrinsic form of a man, any more than He has an intrinsic form of a bush.
On the other hand, after Jesus’ incarnation on earth as both God and man, Jesus is even still now man, as Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
See the discussion on Exodus 8:19 for more info.
13. In Ps 91:4f, how is God’s truth as a shield and buckler?
A: God’s truth protects us in two ways. A shield is something a warrior actively uses to block arrows and sword thrusts. The other word is something that passively blocks the same. It could be a piece of armor or a city wall; we are not certain of the word. The KJV and NRSV say “buckler”, which is part of a soldier’s armor. (Most infantry soldiers did not have armor, but armor was greatly valued.) The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.860 and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.599 say, “rampart”. A rampart was part of the wall of a city.
14. In Ps 91:11-12, does this refer to Jesus, or to all believers?
A: Psalm 91:1 says this refers to “He that dwells in the shelter of the Most High.” This certainly would refer to the Messiah, but it also applies to us, since Jesus lives in us. Satan quoting Psalm 91:11-12 to Jesus in Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:10-11 explicitly proves this refers to Jesus since Jesus did not deny that the verses referred to Him.
Psalm 92-93 – He is Still on the Throne – some brief answers
1. In Ps 92:1-15, when was this song sung?
A: In Jewish tradition this was sung in the morning on the Sabbath by the Levites.
See the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.66 and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.603 for more info.
2. In Ps 92:10, how was David’s horn exalted?
A: Horn is a symbol of strength. God strengthened David from being a shepherd boy to being a king, and then made David’s kingdom very powerful.
3.: In Ps 92:12-14, why is the data palm mentioned here?
A: The date palm tree grew in the Mideast, and at maturity it produce 300 to 400, or sometimes as much as 600 pounds of fruit.
See the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.71 for more info.
4. In Ps 92:14, what does it mean to bring forth fruit in old age?
A: This means to have children in old age.
5. In Ps 93:1, how is the Lord clothed with majesty and strength?
A: When we see a person, typically we only see their face and arms, and their clothes. Likewise, when we “see” God in nature, we see His “clothing” of majesty and strength. While we do see the One True God in nature, we do not see Him directly, face-to-face, until we get to Heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12; Psalm 27:8; Job 19:26-27).
Continuing with the clothing metaphor, we are all not rightfully clothed until we get to Heaven, according to 2 Corinthians 5:4-6.
6. In Ps 94:1-23, what is an outline of this psalm?
A: The psalm is arranged as a chiasm.
1-2 The God of vengeance
- 3-7 How long with the wicked triumph with arrogance?
- - 8-11 God will rebuke the wicked
- - 12-15 God will bless the wise
- 16-21 Condemnation of the wicked
22-23 God our refuge will destroy them
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.610 for more info.
7. In Ps 94:1 what does this teach about vengeance?
A: This verse implies, and other verses teach, that vengeance belongs to the Lord, not to us. Other verses that tell us as individuals not to get vengeance are Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:38-46; Luke 3:27-36; Romans 12:17,19; and 1 Peter 3:19. God can “shine forth” and be glorified here, and that opportunity might be lost if you get vengeance yourself.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.861-862 and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.610 for more info.
8. In Ps 94:1-7, for what exactly is the psalmist praying?
A: He is praying that God would restrain the power and influence of the wicked. He is also praying that their time of triumph would be cut short. In the first stanza, 1-3, he is making the request. In the second stanza, 4-7, he details what the wicked were doing.
See the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.78-79 and The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.555 for more info.
9. In Ps 94:10, what does it mean that vengeance belongs with God?
A: Vengeance does not belong with us, for we are commanded not to get revenge. The judge of the universe will, sooner or later, mete out justice that many people deserve. Strictly speaking, God will not give to all what they deserve, because believers will not get what we deserve, but they will receive God’s grace and mercy instead, because Jesus took upon Himself the punishment that we deserved.
10. In Ps 94:11 why are the thoughts of man useless?
A: Man is on earth for such a very short time (Isaiah 40:24) and God can frustrate anyone’s plans (Proverbs 16:3-6). Ultimately all of man’s ambitions, designs, and knowledge, apart from God are in the end all for nothing.
11. In Ps 94:12 why does God sometimes discipline His beloved children?
A: It seems unpleasant to us, but God disciplines us for our benefit, as a good Father disciplines his children according to Hebrews 12:5-11.
12. In Ps 94:20 what is a “throne of destruction” or a “corrupt throne”?
A: The wicked are in power. This is a throne or ruling authority in opposition to God’s truth and laws. There have been many rulers against God and godly living in history, and there are many today.
See The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.555 and the New International Bible Commentary p.621 for more info.
Psalm 95-97 – Kneel before our Maker – some brief answers
1. When was Ps 95;1-11 written?
A: Scripture does not say and we don’t know. However, because of the allusions to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness it is guessed that it was written by David around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Like some other psalms, you need to read this psalm with “two eyes”. One eye is looking around and learning from the experience of others. The other eye, which is what the psalm starts with, is enthusiastically looking up at God, who Himself has a complete eye view of everything.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.660 and the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.694-695 for more info.
2. In Ps 95:8, how can we choose to harden or not?
A: External positive and negative influences can affect us, but we can choose how much to be affected, if at all. God gives us grace for our heart both to be soft for Him, and to stay soft for Him. However, we are responsible for valuing what God has given us.
Christians in past centuries wrote about “keeping short accounts”. What they meant by this accounting term, is that if we are involved in some sin and we are not right with God, we should repent quickly and not have prolonged periods of displeasing God.
3. In Ps 95:7-11, what are the two main points?
A: The two points deal with God’s perspective and our human perspective. This half of the psalm shows God’s care for His disobedient people. Even when God was angry at them, He did not abandon them. The other perspective is to observe and learn. Things did not go well at all for God’s people when they refused to follow and obey Him. We need to apply that lesson to ourselves, and ask what could be more important, what could be better, what could give us a better outcome long-term than obeying God? Since the answer is “nothing” we should be take more care not to harden our hearts but to obey God and draw close to Him.
We can’t just pass this off as a lesson something for Old Testament people, because this passage is quoted as a warning in Hebrews 3:7-11.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.863, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.695, and The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.556 for more info.
4. In Ps 95:9-11, how do people sometimes test God today?
A: Believers can fail to take God seriously enough. Sometimes God wants us to move, and we won’t move unless and until, like Gideon, God makes it unmistakably obvious. There is a difference between praying for confidence and praying for absolute certainty. Other times we won’t stop going in the wrong direction unless, like Balaam, God makes it crystal clear. Just remember James 4:17: “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.”. (BSB)
Imagine your got marriage, and your spouse never stopped “testing” if your love was still there or not. Theat would get very annoying after a while. WE should not be testing God either.
If you are testing God, the real question is not whether God will pass, but rather whether or not you will pass. In the case of the Israelites, they did not pass through to the blessings of the Promised Land, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.622 and the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.390 for more info.
5. In Ps 96:1-12, why could one argue this is not a praise psalm?
A: This is a praise song, but technically it is presented not so much as praise to God but as an appeal to other people, inviting them to praise God. It includes many different kinds of praise: singing; proclamation, recalling His deeds, ascribing glory and honor, and reverent fear. In other words, praise should be “bursting at the seams”! If you constantly praise God in your life that is great. But is your life one where you invite others to praise God too?
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.863, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.694-695,696, and the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.390 for more info.
6. In Ps 96:1, why is the emphasis not on singing a song, but on singing a new song?
A: Singing and playing old songs is just fine. However, within the limits of orderly worship (1 Corinthians 14:32), God likes some innovation, as long as the gospel message is not changed (Galatians 1:6-9).
7. In Ps 96:9-13, what two quite different emotions are juxtaposed here?
A: Like many other psalms, this coming from unsatisfied desire; a longing that God would come, we would dwell with Him, in happiness and harmony. Yet intertwined with this desire is a trembling in verse 9. A trembling because of what will happen when he comes. On one hand, as believers we serve God in love, and love drives out fear as 1 John 4:18. Hebrews 12:18-22 contrasts the fearful experience of the Israelites with our joyful, fearless experience now as believers. But on the other hand, even as believers we still tremble, mourn, or on occasion even cry for the lost, as Paul did in Acts 20:31; 2 Corinthians 2:4; and Philippians 3:18.
Jeremiah 9:1 says, “Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.” (BSB).
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.863-864 for more info.
8. In Ps 97:1-12, what is the main point of this psalm?
A: This is a psalm of clarity. The writer has a vision of great clarity of God watching over everything and God’s future coming. When we meditate on God’s word, one purpose is to clarify and crystallize in our mind on who God is and our service to Him. With a clear picture, our prayers can have more focus.
9. In Ps 97:1, why are island shores emphasized here?
A: In David’s time there were few believers on any islands. In the future, there will be many believers where there were none before this time. Geographically, Cyprus, all the Greek islands, tiny Malta, and Sicily were all islands where there would later be many Christians.
10. In Ps 97:2 and 2 Chr 6:1, how are clouds and darkness around God, and in Ps 104:2 how is God covered with light?
A: Perhaps the images of God given in Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1, 8 will help here. They show God as radiant, and surrounded by unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). However, Ezekiel shows darkness and clouds around and under the throne. Isaiah 6 shows smoke coming out of the temple.
Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22-23; Psalm 18:9,11; Jeremiah 13:16; Ezekiel 30:3,18; 32:7-8; 34:12; Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18-20; and Zephaniah 1:15 also show darkness around God and His coming.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.864 for more info.
11. In Ps 97:7 and 1 Chr 16:25-26, how are there many gods?
A: The Bible teaches there are many idols worshipped as false gods, but only one true God. Mormons look in vain for this verse to support their saying there are many [legitimate] gods.
When you become a part of God’s kingdom, who have to lose something, - your false gods. Leave those behind.
See When Critics Ask p.241, When Cultists Ask p.66, and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.617-618 for more info.
12. In Ps 97:7, why does Heb 1:6 quote this from the Septuagint?
A: The Septuagint and the Masoretic text differ here, and the Septuagint might have been more correct on this verse. Almost all of the Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, written in Greek, are from the Septuagint.
See the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.95, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.697 for more info.
13. In Ps 97:10a, are Christians supposed to hate?
A: Both yes and no. We are supposed to hate sin, but the New Testament never shows Christians are to hate any person. In fact, 1 Corinthians 13:13 says the greatest Christian virtue is love, and 1 John 4:8,20 show that no one can live in hatred of their fellow man and be a genuine Christian. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31).
See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.697 for more info.
14. In Ps 97:10b, how does God preserve the souls of His saints?
A: We can see two ways. First, in this life, God watches over us. That does not mean no we will never die or no calamity will happen to us. Rather, nothing bad will happen to us that God will not allow, and God will not have a way for us to get through. Second, God preserves us to go to heaven (or Paradise and then heaven for Old Testament saints) after we die.
See The MacArthur Study Bible p.662 for more info.
Psalm 98-101 – Kneel before our Maker – some brief answers
1. In Ps 98:1, what type of music is suitable for worship?
A: Any combination of notes and rhythm is, of itself either suitable or not suitable for worship. Rather, particular music, in a particular culture, can tend to draw people into worship of God or distract people from worship. Sometimes for someone music can be so good and engrossing, that one concentrates on the music instead of God. Beware when you go to church to hear the music, or hear a good speaker instead of worshipping God and growing in Him.
A new song is called for because there are always fresh reasons to worship. If your worship of God is consistent that is great; but is your worship also “fresh”.
See The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.556 for more info.
2. In Ps 98:1; 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9; 149:1 is it OK in church to sing songs whose words are not Bible verses?
A: Sure, as these verses say. Some people in reformation times, and the ministry “Still Waters Revival” today, believe words to Christian songs should only be words of the Bible. But singing to the Lord a new song in Psalm 98:1 goes against that.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.864 for more info.
3. In Ps 98:5-6, 12 Chr 16:5,6; 2 Chr 5:12,13; 29:25-30; Ezra 3:10-13, how does this relate to not using musical instruments in church?
A: The Church of Christ denomination says that musical instruments cannot be used in church only voices. However, some still listen to and sing songs with musical instruments outside of church, though that is not official. The lyre and horn are certainly mechanical musical instruments. David used musical instruments, namely a lyre, in worshipping God. Church of Christ people claim that was only good in Old Testament times and not New Testament times.
However, musical instruments are rightly used to praised God in Heaven in Revelation 5:8. How could God like musical instruments in the Old Testament, not like them in the New, but like them again in Heaven. If a Church of Christ person says that outside of church they are fine, but not inside of church, remind them that they would even agree that God’s church is not a building but where believer’s gather together. If they say that musical instruments are wrong to worship God anywhere in these times, ask why we can use musical instruments for any purpose, including a national anthem for our country, but not give that honor to God.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.663 for more info.
4. In Ps 98:8, how do the rivers clap their hands?
A: This poetic expression describes a joy as vibrant as a flood flowing over the land.
5. In Ps 99:1-9, why we should exalt God?
A: The first half of the psalm gives a number of reasons based on God’s character. God reigns, He is great and high above all the people, his name is great and awesome, he establishes justice and judges rightly. The last half of the psalm gives reasons based on what God has done.
6. In Ps 99:6, Aaron was among God’s priests, but how were Moses and Samuel priests?
A: Let’s look at Moses first, and then Samuel. Moses was of the tribe of Levi, like his brother Aaron, and Moses presented the people before God. However, going forward, Aaron, his sons, and their descendants were ordained as Aaronic priests, after the order of Aaron. Moses’ children were not priests at all. Hebrews 7:15-17 tells us that Jesus, who was not a descendant of Aaron, much less Levi, was not a priest after the order of Aaron, but a priest after the order of Melchizedek. God can choose priests however he wants. Moses could be said to have represented the people before God, but he was not after the order of Aaron.
Samuel trained under the Aaronic priest Eli, and Samuel ministered before the Lord with a priestly ephod (1 Samuel 1:18), offered sacrifices to God (1 Samuel 16:2). However, Samuel was not from Levi, much less Aaron, but rather an Ephraimite according to 1 Samuel 1:1.
See the Kiel-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.102 for more info.
7. Why is Ps 100:1 like Ps 66:1?
A: The phrase “shout joyfully to God/the Lord all the earth” (NASB) is found in both places. One would not expect believers, back then or now, to shout joyfully to the Lord once and never do so again.
8. What is Ps 101:1-8 about?
A: Psalm 101 is a short psalm that can be called “the psalm of the heart and eyes”. David refused to look at wicked things, and God cuts off those who have a disdainful look. God’s eyes will look on the faithful of the land. The wicked will not endure in God’s sight.
This song is also viewed as an oath of office for a king.
David promised to walk with a perfect heart, and stay away from those with wicked hearts.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.625, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.701, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.391, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.866, and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.664 for more info.
9. In Ps 101:1-8, what is the structure of this psalm?
A: This short psalm is a chiasm with the following structure.
1-3a The king commits to God’s righteousness
- 3b-5 The king will hate evil
- - 6 The king will love God’s people
- 7 the king will not remove evil and evil people from his courts or the land
8 the king will root out injustice
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.641 for more info.
10. In Ps 101:5 why are secret things highlighted here?
A: Political schemes and actions often unfold in secret. When the king uncovers behind-the-scenes malicious attempts to damage another person’s reputation, he should act. Anyone who knowingly makes a false accusation should face meaningful consequences.
11. In Ps 101:7-8, what does this say about public office?
A: Not only is David pledging not to practice deceit, speaking lies, be wicked, or do injustice, but he will not let anyone be in his house or court who is that way either. They should not be allowed to practice their wickedness in society. Even if you are not dishonest or unjust yourself, but you knowingly employ dishonest people, then you are going against Psalm 101:7-8.
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.642-643, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.701, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.558, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.866 for more info.
Psalm 102-103 – Praising God in pain and anguish – some brief answers
1. In Ps 102:1-11, what are the two requests behind this psalm?
A: First, the psalmist needs help because of his sickness that seems life-threatening. Second, God’s enemies are using his affliction to taunt him. Starting with verse 12 the psalmist is asking God to bring back from the brink both himself personally and the nation for God’s name’s sake, so that nations will fear the Lord in 102:15.
Ths psalm is a mixture of desperation in 102:1-11 and confidence in God in 102:12-28.
See The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.558-559, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.391, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament p.866 for more info.
2. Is Ps 102:1-28 Messianic?
A: Hebrews 1:10-12 quotes Psalm 102:25-27 as referring to Christ. Psalm 102 can be read as a dialogue between the Son suffering on the cross and the Father. Psalm 102:16-22 could be the Holy Spirit speaking. The first person to teach this was Augustine of Hippo (388-420 A.D.) in Exposition on Psalms. Others after him were John Chrysostom (before 407 A.D.) in Homilies on Hebrews and Theodoret of Cyrus (c.393-457 A.D.) in his Commentary on Psalms.
See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.701-702 for more info.
3. In Ps 102:4, what do you do when illness has not only taken your appetite, but it seems your joy in life?
A: The psalmist is in bad shape, but like the psalmist we should still look up and praise God anyway. We can still praise God in the midst of anguish and pain.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.626 for more info.
4. In Ps 102:6 what is the first bird here?
A: Translators disagree on the first bird; it could be a vulture. The KJV, NASB, and NKJV says “pelican”. The NIV 1985 translates this as “desert owl”. The NRSV says, “owl of the wilderness”. All translations say the second bird is “owl” except the NRSV, which says, “little owl”. Regardless, it is a picture of lonely living in the desert of life.
5. In Ps 102:11, what does the lengthened shadow mean?
A: This means he feels close to death, or in the sunset of his life. Psalm 23 4a speaks of walking through the shadow of the valley of death. Psalm 102:24 says he is “in the midst of his days” so he likely is middle aged and not elderly.
Sunrise can be beautiful to God and others, and sunsets can be too.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.665 for more info.
6. In Ps 102:25-27 how do these verses apply to Christ in Heb 1:10-12?
A: Hebrews 1:8 specifically says they are “regarding the Son”. These are true of the Father and Spirit also, but the author of Hebrews is specifically making the point that Jesus existed at the beginning also. However an Old Testament reader of Psalm 102 would only know that these verses related to God.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.626 and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.664, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament p.867 for more info.
7. In Ps 102:28, why does the psalmist bring up children here?
A: This is touching. Even when he is close to death with sickness he is concerned about his descendants as well as his immediate children, that they would be established before the Lord.
See The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.559 for more info.
8. In Ps 103:1-2, what is the distinctive emphasis of this psalm?
A: Many psalms says to praise God, but this psalm emphasizes praising God wholeheartedly, without holding back. Psalm 102 is a person who is deathly ill, and Psalm 103:3 is a person who has been healed of their sickness.
And yet, for all the power the psalmist has to praise God, he remembers that he and all his power are just temporary dust compared to God and his throne in Psalm 102:14-19. But despite that, God still loves us as a father has compassion on his children in Psalm 103:13.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.627, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.391-392, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.703, and The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.559 for more info.
9. Since Ps 103:3 says that God heals our diseases, does that mean doctors and medicines are useless as Christian Science teaches?
A: Of course in Heaven all of our diseases will be gone. Even on earth though, God can miraculously heal without medicine, and sometimes people naturally get over colds and other illnesses without medicine. However, medicine can be something God uses, as Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine with his meals because of his frequent stomach illnesses in 1 Timothy 5:23.
See When Cultists Ask p.67 and the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.704 for more info.
10. In Ps 103:5b and Isa 40:31, how is a person’s youth renewed like an eagle?
A: Our youth will be renewed like that of an eagle when we are in Heaven. Secondarily, people who live a cleaner life on earth are in general healthier if they do not bear the consequences of smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, or sexual diseases.
11. In Ps 103:12, why does it says as far as the east is from the west?
A: This is a beautiful poetic expression meaning they are as far as can be. As the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.703 says, “The Lord Jesus has forgiven me al my sins, and He’s never going to hear the end of it.”
See also the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.705-706 for more info.
12. Is Ps 103:20-21 a prayer to the dead, as some Roman Catholic theologians say?
A: No, because the different classes of angels and the hosts of heaven are not dead.
See When Cultists Ask p.66-67 for more info.
Psalm 104-105 – Praise the Lord of Creation – some brief answers
1. In Ps 104:1-35, what is the focus of this psalm?
A: This is a fun psalm to read when you are outside in nature. This psalm also shows a balance between water and the earth with its need for water. Not everything in the Bible is to teach us something brand new. Some parts, like this, are to draw out attention back to what we already know, for Romans 1:19-20 says that all people have a witness to God in nature. Psalms were sung so one commentator called this psalm “Genesis set to music.” Near eastern works that celebrated the wonders of nature were called onomasticons.
But humans are prone to forget, and we are also prone to act like we forgot important things that we should always remember. We need to have our attention drawn back.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.627, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.657, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament p.868-869, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.706-708, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary p.560, and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.666 for more info.
2. In Ps 104:1-35 what is an outline of the psalm?
A: This is a chiasm except the last part does not match the first very well.
1-4 Praising God’s splendor in creating the heavens
- 5-9 Praising God in creating the earth
- - 10-18 Praising God for the glory of the animals
- - - 19-23 Praising God the timing and seasons
- - 24-26 Praising God for the animals on land and in the sea
- 27-30 Praising God for providentially sustaining the earth
31-35 Praise God forever who will remove evil from the earth
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.657-658 and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.666 for more info.
3. In Ps 104:10-14; 20-27, are there parallels to Akhenaten’s Hymn to the Aten?
A: Yes, there are parallels according to the New Geneva Study Bible p.867, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol. 5 p.104,657, and the secular Pharaohs and Kings : A Biblical Quest p.328. As Derek Kidner put it, according to the New International Bible Commentary p.627, an Egyptian jewel has been taken, re-set by an Israelite workman and put to finer use. Then the psalmist deliberately corrected the Hymn by downgrading the role of the sun.”
Akhenaten was an Egyptian Pharaoh who reigned from about 1358-1340 B.C., which is about 400 years prior to Solomon. Akhenaten was a very religious person who rejected Egyptian idolatry, commanded the Egyptians not to worship Osiris and the other gods, because he believed in only one god, Aten. He who wrote hymn a praise to Aten, “The good ruler who loves all mankind”.
However, after Akhenaten’s death the priests changed Aten worship. Aten was equated with the idols Ptah, Min, Re, Khepri, and Atum.
A key difference is that the Hymn to Aten praised the sun as the image of the creator, while Psalm 104 uses nature to praise the unseen God who created nature. Psalm 104 is also chiastic, which the Hymn to Aten is not. One can read the Hymn to Aten in Akhenaten : King of Egypt p.241-243.
The parallels of thought are probably coincidental, but it is possible the writer of Psalm 104 had heard of the Hymn to Aten. In that case the situation would be like Martin Luther’s adapting German drinking songs as hymns, using new words. It is possible the writer could have taken some of the themes of the Hymn to Aten and applied the praise to its rightful source.
4. In Ps 104:32, what does this say about God’s power?
A: This unique metaphor says that God does not push, force or exert Himself, but merely touches a mountain and it smokes.
See the Keil-Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament vol.5 part 3 p.136 for more info.
5. In Ps 104:35, what is interesting about the ending here?
A: This is the first place in the Book of Psalms where the word “Hallelujah” is used. After this it is used a total of 22 other times. The other “Hallelujah” psalms, that start with this word are 105, 106, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 135, 146, 147, 148, 149, and 150.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament p.869 for more info.
6. In Ps 105:1-45 what is the structure of this psalm?
A: Many psalms start calmly and then build up to a crescendo. However this psalm starts out with an explosion. This is structure is neither a Middle-eastern chiasm or a western structure.
1-3 Sing Praises for God’s wonders
- 4-6 Remembering God’s works for His children
- - 7-11 God’s promise of land from Abraham to Joseph
- - - 12-15 God’s protection when they were only a few
- - - - 16-23 God’s providence through Joseph
- - - 24-36 God’s protection through Moses
- - - - 37-45a God’s providence in the wilderness
- - 44 God gave them the promised land
- 45a So remember to keep God’s statutes
45b End with Praise
As an aside, cultures that extensively used chiasms in poetry besides the Hebrews were Sumerian, Babylonian, Ugaritic, and the Qur’an. Other authors who used chiastic structure were the Greeks Herodotus and Homer, the Roman poets Vergil and Ovid, and in a few places William Shakespeare.
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.665, The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.668, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.709 for more info, and Google AI.
7. In Ps 105:1-6, what are the ten commands to us here?
A: They are: Give thanks, call upon His name, makes his deeds known, Sing to him, sing praises, Tell of all his wonders, Boast in His holy name, See the Lord and His strength, Seek His face, Remember His wonders. It might be a surprise to some that believers are suppose to boast. But we are to boast in the Lord, not in ourselves, as Galatians 6:14 makes clear.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.668 for more info.
8. In Ps 105:4, how does someone seek God’s face?
A: This is an important question about a key issue.
While we must recognize that we will not see God face to face until we get to heaven (1 Corinthians 13), we are to seek God’s heart now. We are to spend time with Him daily and not neglect meeting together in fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).
Seeking to dwell with God forever in Heaven (Psalm 23:6 and Psalm 16:9-11) is only part of the story. Another part is to seek God’s face daily, to dedicate each day to God and live obediently, enjoying God’s favor.
We should not harden our hearts (Hebrews 3:8-9,15, 4:7) but draw near to God as James 4:8 and Hebrews 13:13 say. Read James White’s book Daring to Draw Near for more on this.
9. In Ps 105:8, does this mean there were 1,000 generations before David?
A: A generation is generally considered 40 years, but 1,000 often means a long period of time, and the psalmists is basically saying forever. This verse means that God’s promises from now to the indefinite future will be true, as God’s promises from the indefinite past to now are true.
If you want to be hyper-literal, since God promised salvation from eternity past, before the earth or heaven were even created, God’s promises are true more than a billion generations prior to David.
See The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.668 for more info.
10. In Ps 105:8-25, what are the ten things listed that God did?
A: In this historical psalm God remembered His covenant, He confirmed it to Jacob, He allowed no one to oppress them, He rebuked kings, He called of famine, He sent Joseph before them, The word of the LORD refined him, He made his people very fruitful and stronger than their enemies, and he turned the hearts of their enemies against His people.
Then verses 26-38 on goes into Moses and the ten plagues.
Verses 39-45 tell eight aspects of their wandering in the wilderness: cloud, fire, quail, bread of heaven, opened the rock for water, remembered His word, led out His people with joy, and gave them the lands of nations. Then he finishes with two thing: that they might possess the land and comply with His laws.
11. Does Ps 105:15 teach that certain men should never be criticized or held accountable, as some Word-Faith teachers say?
A: No. This verse says not to harm God’s prophets and anointed ones. Criticizing someone is not harming someone. Even if criticizing a Christian leader who is in error was what this verse really meant, (and it does not mean this) then this practice was superseded by Paul not only criticizing Peter, but also “opposing” him for refusing to eat with Gentiles in Galatians 2:11-16. See When Cultists Ask p.67-68 for a different answer.
12. In Ps 105:15, what are the proper limits in our criticism of religious leaders?
A: Three points to consider in the answer.
Correction vs. Rebuke: Someone can do something wrong without being aware of it. We must not quarrel but should gently instruct people who oppose us (2 Timothy 3:24-25). In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus taught a specific pattern with people who have sin. First go to him privately. If he does not listen, then take one or two others with you. If that does not work, then tell it to the church. If even that does not work, then basically kick him out of fellowship. Of course if someone is justifiably excommunicated and “handed over to Satan”, and they repent, they can be welcomed back again as Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.
Rebuke of godly but erring leaders: Sometimes even believers who love the Lord still persist in error or disobedience. When Paul rebuked Peter, but he focused on Peter’s actions, and not on Peter himself. He made it clear what was to be done to correct the situation. Peter did make the correction. There was no mention, by Paul or anyone else, that Peter should be removed as an apostle.
Rebuke of Ungodly leaders: Regardless of whether they are unbelievers, genuine believers who are in willful disobedience, or if you do not know, they should be rebuked not only for their own benefit, but so that other believers will hear and avoid following them. John rebuked people directly in 2 John 7 and 3 John 9. Paul rebuked unbelieving people by name in 2 Timothy 4:14 and anonymously in 2 Thessalonians 3:11. For some, such as the immoral “Jezebel” in Revelation 2:20-23, there was no rebuke of Jezebel per se, she was already too far-gone. Rather, her followers were threatened with divine retribution for practicing what she taught.
13. In Ps 105:23-36, why did the psalmist recount the ten plagues?
A: Just like he gave ten commands in verses 1-5, the psalmist mentions eight of the ten plagues God did in Egypt to miraculously get Pharaoh to let the people go.
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.5 p.669-670 and The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.668-669 for more info.
14. In Ps 105:33, did Egypt have many vines and fig trees?
A: Egypt was the breadbasket of the Roman and Byzantine Empires because of its great production of wheat. If it were not for the Nile River, Egypt would not few plants. However, because of the Nile and irrigation, the soil of Egypt could grow almost anything, though tall trees for lumber were somewhat scarce.
Q: In Ps 106:28, what are sacrifices of the dead?
A: This could either be sacrifices to lifeless idols as The Expositor’s Bible Commentary volume 5 p.678 says, or it could refer to funeral rituals as the New Geneva Study Bible p.873 say. Either way, we should not be sacrificing to or loving that which is dead.