Background and Context Psalm 72 is a magnificent royal psalm, a prayer for a king at the time of his coronation. The superscription attributes it to Solomon (“Of Solomon”), but the content feels more like a prayer for the king rather than by him. The most widely held view is that this was King David’s […]

Background and Context Psalm 71 is a deeply personal and moving prayer of an elderly person facing a crisis. Uniquely, this psalm has no title or superscription identifying its author or historical setting. However, the content and language strongly suggest it is a prayer of King David in his later years. The psalmist speaks of

Background and Context Psalm 70 is a short, sharp, and urgent cry for help. It is a prayer stripped down to its essential elements, making it a powerful “emergency prayer” for someone in immediate distress. The title identifies it as a psalm “Of David. For the memorial offering,” which might suggest it was used in

Background and Context Psalm 69 is one of the most poignant and powerful laments in the Psalter. It is a raw and desperate cry from David, who finds himself overwhelmed by suffering, alienated from his own people, and persecuted precisely because of his passionate devotion to God. The psalm is a profound exploration of what

Background and Context Psalm 68 is one of the most majestic, complex, and powerful hymns in the Psalter. It is a triumphant and epic song, a victory ode celebrating God as the Divine Warrior who leads His people in a glorious procession from victory to victory. The author is David, and the style is a

Background and Context Psalm 67 is a short but powerful hymn, sung by the community of Israel. The author is anonymous, but the psalm’s central theme of a bountiful harvest (“the land has yielded its harvest”) strongly suggests it was used during one of Israel’s great agricultural festivals, most likely the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

Background and Context Psalm 66 is a powerful and joyous hymn of thanksgiving. The author is not named, but the psalm speaks on behalf of the entire nation of Israel, and then transitions to a personal testimony. The specific event that prompted the psalm is not mentioned, which allows it to be a timeless song

Background and Context Psalm 65 is a majestic hymn of thanksgiving, attributed to David and likely used in the corporate worship of Israel at the temple in Jerusalem. While it doesn’t name a specific historical event, its powerful themes of forgiveness, answered prayer, and abundant harvest suggest it was composed for a national festival, such

Historical Background and Context Psalm 64 is a prayer of David for protection from hidden enemies who use slander and conspiracy as their weapons. The psalm does not link itself to a specific historical event, but its themes resonate with many moments in David’s life. He was constantly a target of malicious plots and treacherous

Historical Background and Context The title of Psalm 63 provides a vivid and essential setting: “A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.” This desolate, barren wilderness east of Jerusalem was a place of scarcity, danger, and isolation. This context perfectly fits the period of David’s life when he fled from