What does it say?
Psalm 1: The righteous delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. The wicked will perish and be driven away.
Psalm 2: The nations desire to destroy the Lord’s anointed. The Lord laughs at their threats. The Lord comforts his anointed King and calls him his Son. The Lord warns the nations to worship him and do homage to the Son, that he not become angry and they perish. The Sons wrath may soon be kindled but those who take refuge in him are blessed.
Psalm 3: The adversaries of David tell him that their is no deliverance for him in God. He calls to on the name of the Lord and he answers him. While resting the Lord sustains him. David prays for the Lord’s salvation.
Psalm 4: David calls on the name of the Lord in prayer. The wicked love what is worthless but God sets apart the godly man for himself. Fear God and do not sin, offer to him sacrifices of righteousness. David trust that the Lord will protect him.
Psalm 5: David cries to the Lord for help. The Lord hates all who do iniquity, speak falsehood and shed blood but David believes that he will enter God’s house by his lovingkindness. David ask the Lord to lead him and make God’s way straight before him and asks that the wicked fall by their own devices. Let all who take refuge in the Lord be glad for the Lord surrounds him with favor.
Psalm 6: David prays for the lovingkindness of the Lord and not his wrath. He prays for the Lord to return and rescue his soul from death. David has become weary of his adversaries. David trust that the Lord hears his cries and will deliver him from the enemy.
Psalm 7: David says that if the Lord does not defend him, he will be dragged away. David says that if he is unjust, let him be destroyed by the enemy. David ask for the Lord to pore out wrath on the wicked. The wicked will perish if they do not repent. David will sing praises to the Lord most high.
Psalm 8: The Lord’s name is majestic in all the earth. David looks at the created things in is awe that God would put man in charge of his creation.
What does it mean?
The Psalms begin by contrasting the righteous and the wicked and this theme continues throughout these eight Psalms. The righteous love the Lord God, his word, and they trust in him for guidance and deliverance from their enemies. The wicked hate God, his word and do not trust in the Lord. David understands that everything comes from the Lord. That if he is to be delivered from his enemies he is to be delivered by God. The enemy is very strong but the Lord is stronger. It is the lovingkindness of God that delivers those who trust in him. God counts them righteous because of their love for him, his law, and their trust in his name. We should look at the created universe and be in awe at how powerful God is and should be amazed that God would give us any authority.
What shall I do?
I shall mediate on the word of God. Jesus first coming was the grace of God but his second coming will mean destruction for all who hate him. I must observe all that he commanded because this demonstrates that I love him. (Jn 14:15) Those who love God, love the Son of God. (Jn 8:42) Those who hate God, hate the Son and all who follow him. (Jn 15:18, 23) I shall expect opposition from the world. I shall trust that the Lord will deliver me from my enemies. I shall call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save me from my enemies and the greatest enemy is sin. I am the wicked man, but I trust, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ I will be saved. The Lord God loves those who love him and his Son and trust in him. I shall put all of my trust in the only begotten Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
