A Few Leading Thoughts as to the Book of Psalms: An Article from The Present Testimony
George Vicesimus Wigram
Table of Contents
A Few Leading Thoughts as to the Book of Psalms
Most of the Psalms are expressions afore-prepared by the Supreme Being for His earthly people—expressions of sentiments produced in their hearts, in and by circumstances through which they have to pass.
Among His people I include here the Messiah Himself.
These expressions give us, in truth, the part which the Spirit takes, as working in the hearts of saints for the earth, amid their sorrows and exercises, and even in their human infirmities and failures, of which, of course, the Messiah had none; and He thus gives, beforehand, the thoughts of faith, and the truth suited to all that happens.
B. Observe here,
1St. These expressions belong to the godly remnant in Judah. and Israel in the last days.
Secondly. It is the spirit of Messiah—the spirit of prophecy which so speaks?
3rdly. While the sins of the people would morally hinder their having confidence in God amid their distresses, yet He alone can deliver them, and to Him they must look in integrity of heart.
In sum, then, the Psalms are the expression of the spirit of the Anointed One, either in the Jewish remnant, or in saints in Israel, or in His own person as suffering for them, in view of the counsels of Elohim with respect to His elect earthly people.
C. Observe, too, that the positions in which Messiah suffers are three:
1St. From man for His righteousness and love, and for His testimony in that which is good, by which He revealed God. Here He calls for vengeance.
2ndly. From God for sin. Here He is all alone; and blessing and grace the result.
3rdly. From Satan's power and darkness, and the anticipation of death, besides what is referred to in Heb. 2:10. God had not yet given up Israel; but their state was judicially dealt with under His government. Devils and leprosy, sickness and famine, etc., filled the land, as well as the sword of; and tribute to, Caesar heavy upon them, and ten and a half tribes gone, no one knew where. Christ went through that which enables Him to be afflicted in all the afflictions of His own people, and will enable Him to sympathize with them hereafter (Heb. 5:7-9), when as the angel of Jehovah's presence, He comes to save them.
At the close of His life—we may say, from after the paschal supper—He bare in principle, in His soul, all the distress and affliction under which Israel will come through the government of God—not condemnation, but still the consequences of their sin.
In John 12 He anticipated it, but afterward entered into it.
It was apostate Israel's hour and the power of darkness; and He looked to the Father—not yet forsaken.
D. The Book of the Psalms contains five books.
Book 1, 1-41 gives the state as a whole of the Jewish remnant, or of those of it who are not driven out of Jerusalem, and hence of Messiah Himself, as connected with it. We have thus more of His personal history in it than in all the rest.
Book 2, 42-72, views the remnant as cast out of Jerusalem. Messiah's place is with them, and so they hope. His coming in restores them, in the view of prophecy, to relationship with Jehovah—a people before Him, 45, 46. Previously, when cast out, they speak of Elohim rather than of Jehovah. In 51, they own the nation's guilt in rejecting Him.
Book 3, 73-89, shows the deliverance and restoration of Israel as a nation: Jerusalem at the close being the center of His blessing and government.
78. electing grace stands in royalty when all seems lost.
88. the dread effects of being under law.
89. all mercies centering in Messiah—longed for.
Book 4, 90-106, Jehovah at all times the dwelling place of Israel: they look for Him to deliver. For this the Abrahamic names of El Shaddai and Gnelion are introduced. Messiah comes in and says, "I own them in Jehovah, the Elohim of Israel." There He is found. Then there will be judgment on the wicked and deliverance of the righteous. The full divine nature of Messiah, once cut off, is made the ground of His having the blessings: He is unchangeable, Jehovah. Then, blessing on Israel and creation, and judgment on the goim—but all of that mercy which had so often spared them.
Book 5,107-150, a kind of moral on all: the close triumphant praise.
Note—It is common in the Psalms for the beginning of a psalm to give its thesis, and the after-verses to give that which the spirit passed through in reaching it. This remark will be found often to help the reader in a psalm.
The same principle is true as to the Psalms in their consecutive order; and, perhaps, as a book.
Some great truth is brought forward (as in 1 and 2), and then a series of Psalms follow (as 3-7), expressing the sentiments of the remnant: and then the issue (as in Psa. 8).
Book 1
Let us now turn to the First Book, (1-41. 41 Psalms), and 1St. as to the general structure. Psa. 1 to 8 give the basis of the whole Five Books.
Psa. 1 and 2 are standard psalms giving great principles or facts: then
3-7. A series—thoughts produced thereby in the faithful (A), closing with a new fact in
8. the result in the purposes of God.
9. and 10. state of facts in the latter days.
11-15. A series: compare 3-7. (B.)
16-24. Messiah, and the whole Divine testimony; Messiah crucified—atonement.
25-39. A series (C); compare (A) and (B).
40. Messiah's intervention.
41. His people's blessing.
Then, 1, the standard of man's walk on earth raised; and 2, Messiah, earth-rejected, but heaven-owned. (3-7. The thoughts and feelings of the faithful thereupon.)
8. The Son of Man glorified in heaven.
9-10. The basis of what follows to end of 15, being the historic condition of the remnant in the latter day.
(11-15. thoughts and feelings to which that condition gives rise.)
16-24. Messiah entering into the circumstances of the faithful few; the testimonies of Elohim; the sufferings of Messiah, and the final manifestation of His glory when He is owned as Jehovah on His return.
The faithful few are seen in 17, 20, 23; creation and law as testimonies in 19; Messiah the main subject of the rest.
(25-39. Thoughts and feelings of the faithful few thereunder.)
40, 41. The true source of Messiah's intervention in the counsels and plans of Elohim; His place in humiliation and the blessing of him who can enter into that, His humiliation, and that of the believing ones associated with Him.
Observe—The point of departure of the feeling and of the whole of what is said—is any godly Jew whatever in the latter days. Into that Messiah has entered in His own way. But the point of moral departure is always the remnant and their state.
To take it now more in detail:
The first verse or few first verses generally give the thesis of a psalm.
The godly and their blessing under divine government; judgment of the ungodly; moral government on earth made good by judgment in Israel.
Messiah, and the counsels of Jehovah as to Him.
(3-7) the remnant in their moral traits thereon, and position.
3. the condition in general in contrast with 2; and faith a stay.
4. appeals to righteousness; also, in Him, and in themselves.
5. cry to Him who discerns between good and evil.
6. appeal to mercy for selves, and judgment on the wicked.
7. cry to Him who judges the righteous and will judge the wicked. How long?
8. Son of Man owned as set over all things.
(9 and 10. there are 1St, the humble; 2ndly, the goim: 3rdly, the wicked, 9. 5, and 10:15 and 16; the 2nd and 3rd perish together.)
9. Jehovah's intervention in judgment for His own.
10. position of the sorrow and trial of the remnant till Jehovah arises.
Note the character of the wicked (Jew) as to idols and Babylon, and as to Messiah: ver. 12, the humble cry, ver. 16, Jehovah, king forever.
(11-15. founded on 9 and 10.; circumstances.)
(11-15. the remnant in their thoughts and feelings.)
11. What can the righteous do when evil reigns in Jehovah's land? He is in heaven and loves righteousness.
12. He will cut off the proud and deceitful lips.
13. How long, Jehovah! My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
14. He will judge from heaven, for Elohim is in the generation of the righteous.
15. Who shall then abide with Him? The upright in heart.
(16-24. Messiah's place as to the remnant.)
16. Messiah takes formally His own place in grace among the remnant. In thee I trust.
17. the Spirit of Messiah in the remnant, and in Himself amid the wicked. Hear the right.
18. His humiliation the way to and basis of the deliverance and exaltation of Israel, from Egypt till the millennial reign.
19. Testimonies to God. Creation and the law of Jehovah.
20. the remnant associate themselves with Messiah in His sufferings. See 18 and 19.
21. the answer on high to the 20th.
22. Messiah has suffered for sin from God: God glorified about sin will bless man.
23. confidence in the shepherd, Jehovah (compare 16). He knows what to give us.
24. the character of those who will have a part with Jacob (comp. 17): glory on earth.
(25-31. the position of the remnant on a new ground and a different footing.)
25. the remnant, 1 and 2, trust; 3, waiting; 4, 5, guidance; 6, mercy; 7-11, pardon of sins; 9, the meek; 12-14, the fearers' hopes; 15-21, the meek one.
26. integrity and trust in Jehovah pleaded; and separation sought from the wicked.
27. 1-6, the confidence of the believer; 7-12, cry of distress. Singleness of eye, and the call "Seek ye my face;" and waiting.
28. cry, not to be confounded with the wicked; 6, Jehovah hears; 7, His Messiah.
29. Let the mighty hear the mightier voice of Jehovah. He has a temple and a people.
30. Trust in Jehovah better than trust in prosperity; 3-9, a living people to be blessed upon earth.
31. trust and righteousness and looking for guidance for His name's sake, and for deliverance from enemies.
32. forgiveness of sins, on confession—and no guile. His eye guides.
33. the full result of deliverance is celebrated. He is the joy of the upright.
34. His government is sure: faith can praise at all times.
35. deliverance sought to the praise of Jehovah in Israel restored.
36. warning to the conscienceless wicked. Jehovah my trust! they are fallen.
37. Wait on Him and keep His way, and all is yours.
38. and 39. Governmental rebuking for sins lies on the remnant. Full chastening for sins from the rod of government has reached the sheep of the flock, outwardly and then inwardly.
38. under the stroke of Jehovah, disgrace, shame, and fear, felt and accepted.
39. under the stroke of Jehovah the emptiness of all flesh felt and owned.
40. waiting on Jehovah, Messiah is delivered. He alone has done His whole will (comp. Phil. 2:6-8).
41. Blessed the man who knows this place of the poor of the flock.
Resume—Thus we have (1-8) the whole scene in its principles and result in the purpose of God. 9, 10. the historical circumstances of the Jews in the latter day, whose state forms the groundwork and subject of the whole book. Their state shown, we then have the way of Messiah traced. His life is passed in review; but especially its close.
End of the First Book
Book 2
Book 2 (42-72, 31 Psalms) gives us the godly cast out of Jerusalem—their anguish, and faith, and hope of restoration. Messiah's deliverance and previous humiliation. The glorious and yet lowly One, and then royal rule in David's line established in Israel.
This ends the dealings of the remnant in the land, looked at as apart from the rest.
42. Cast out by the heathen, the godly pants after God; hopes in Him, and (43.) longs for the holy hill, tabernacle, altar.
(44-48. from their first appeal to God to their re-establishment in Zion. 49. a comment thereon.)
44. Faith looks back; that gives faithfulness, and this gives hope in God.
45. Messiah comes in and takes the throne.
46. the God of Jacob is then a refuge. He has His city, etc., on earth. He is with us.
47. He is a great king over all the earth.
48. Mount Zion the center of all the blessing.
49. man and all his glory fades; but God is great as a redeemer.
(50. and 51. the separative judgment in Israel connected with sin against God; the remnant's confession.)
50. (1 and 2, thesis). God's arraignment of His earthly people.
51. The true remnant's confession.
(52-64 the exercises of the remnant; the trial side to faith; 65-67 the bright side to faith and hope.)
52. the wicked man will not abide, for the goodness of God abides.
53. God looks down from heaven upon the infidel scoffers.
54. Save, God! for the sake of Thy name, from strangers outside and oppressors inside. Jehovah my praise!
55. anguish from faith finds rest in God. Jehovah will save.
56. the tears of the godly amid the bitter enmity of the wicked are put into God's bottle. He will keep our feet from falling.
57. God a refuge. His wings a covert till all evil is overpast.
58. Righteousness was asleep in the congregation. Judgment sought.
59. Lord God of Israel, awake to visit. All the heathen against me; slay them not, lest my people forget.
60. O God! Thou hast cast us off; turn Thyself to us again. Through Thee we shall do valiantly.
61. from the ends of the earth I cry to thee; Thou hast heard my desires.
62. My soul waits upon God; from Him my salvation: how long?
63. in a land of drought, Thy loving-kindness better than life; my lips praise; Thou my help; the shadow of Thy wings my joy.
64. the enemy shoots at the perfect: God will shoot at him. His judgment shall be owned of all. (65-67. see above, above 52.)
65. Praise still is dumb in Zion; yet to Thee shall all come; Thy chosen, we shall dwell with Thee.
66. His intervention in judgment: purging the souls of His own.
67. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
(That which follows gives the introduction of Israel into its position.)
68. God at the head of His people; their joy and the shame of the wicked. His character as so doing known of old. The Lord ascended up on high to receive; gives as man, and for rebellious man, Himself—the root of it all. Israel restored.
69. but the pathway into the same blessedness (68.) is moral glory proved in the depths of humiliation. Messiah (as in Psa. 22) was alone, forsaken of God when atonement was made. But having been thus made sin, He can in spirit and heart enter into all the sorrows of the remnant of Israel, into which as under God's government the nation brings itself. It will not be forsaken, then, though judged in time, and He who had been once forsaken can sympathize with the remnant, and pray against the wicked mass.
70. a summing up of the principle on which the spirit speaks in the remnant, and of the association of Messiah with their sorrows: one poor and needy trusted in God.
71. the sum of all God's ways with Israel from the beginning. He will not leave them at the last in the depths.
72. the full reign of peace and royal blessing.
End of the Second Book.
Book 3
Book 3, (73-89, 17 Psalms) takes up Israel as well as Judah; but only the remnant in Israel. There is only one "Psalm of David" in it. The history of the nation as such is given, still a true-hearted remnant is distinguished. Christ, Israel, and general principles.
73. "God is good to Israel, to such as are of a clean heart." The prosperity of the wicked perplexes a good man's mind, till he goes into the sanctuary and sees the end.
74. O God, why hast Thou cast us off forever? They have cast fire into Thy sanctuary. Arise! plead Thine own cause.
75. When Messiah receives the congregation He will judge uprightly.
76. In Judah is God known; His name great in Israel; terrible to the kings of the earth.
77. The godly man goes back in trouble to the faithfulness of old of the Most High to Israel: the ways of God with himself.
78. The history of Israel's failure under law, and the security of blessing on the principle of electing love.
79. The heathen lay waste Jerusalem. Wilt Thou let them say, Where is now their God?
80. Israel under the shepherd care of God, as in the wilderness. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand.
81. Israel, supposing itself upon the old historic ground, is judged for unfaithfulness.
82. God judges the judges of the earth, and even of the land.
83. God invoked to judge the confederacy, that men may know that Jehovah is 'Most High over all the earth.
84. joy in the prospect of appearing in Zion.
85. restored to the land, they look for the full blessing of millennium rest.
86. the meek yet confiding expectation of a godly soul, of blessing from Jehovah.
87. Jehovah loves Zion; reckons the Redeemer and the redeemed to her as children: all my springs are in Thee.
88. looking to a Savior from utter ruin and condemnation in self, under law.
89. Jehovah's mercies centered in and clustering round Messiah, when men had no claim to any blessing.
End of the Third Book.,
Book 4
Book 4, (90-106, 17 Psalms). The coming of Messiah; this connects the nation with Messiah, as well as with Jehovah.
(90 the nation looking to Adonay's return to bless them, that His beauty may be on them. 91 The connection of Messiah as a man on this earth with the nation. 92 gives, in prophetic celebration, the great result into which 93-100. enter in the whole establishment of it. 101 and 102 deeply interesting details as to Messiah. 103 and 104 the general result as illustrating Jehovah's ways as to Israel and the earth. 105 and 106 His dealings from the first, and Israel's ways with Him.)
90. The believing people's faith in Adonay ever their dwelling place; His works.
91. Messiah confesses Jehovah as His God; and the promised blessing is declared His.
92. celebration of the open display of the results of 91.
93. Jehovah reigns; He is mightier than the wicked. His testimonies sure and holy.
94. cry to Jehovah the God of vengeance to show Himself as against the wicked.
95. Oh, come, let us [Israel] sing unto Jehovah.
96. all the earth is bidden to come, in the spirit of the everlasting gospel.
97. His coming is now celebrated. His judgments in power precede Himself.
98. Jehovah has made known His salvation and mercy to Israel.
99. He is sitting between the cherubim in Zion.
100. all the earth, or land, called to come and praise.
101. He declares how He will govern His house and land.
102. the contrast between the isolation of the man of sorrows, and the divine glory of the same; and glory.
(103-106 the results and the covenant in grace, and the responsibility of Israel's history. 103 the voice of Messiah in Israel is praise as to Jehovah's dealings with them. 104 the same in creation. 105 God's ways in grace from Abraham to the giving of the land, now to be possessed in grace. 106 Israel's ways from first to last; but looking for Jehovah's mercy which endures forever.)
103. forgiveness and salvation for the remnant'; the blessing from Jehovah.
104. Jehovah as creator of the earth: sinners will be consumed out of it.
105. Thanks to Jehovah who gave unconditional promises to Abraham, and acts in grace to Israel. (N.B.—The previous book does not go back beyond Moses.)
106. Praise Jehovah; His mercy forever: we have sinned with our fathers; but He is our Savior. Praise ye Him.
(As the 3rd so the 4th book speaks of all Israel, not only of mere Jewish circumstances.)
End of the Fourth Book.
Book 5
Book 5, (107-150). The people restored; a survey of God's ways, and a divine comment on it all, ending in praise.
107. The goodness of Jehovah. Israel redeemed from the enemy and brought back from every land: His mercy forever. In temporal things on earth.
108. I praise God, and will praise Him among the nations and all races: He will deliver all our heritage for us.
109. imprecation on the apostate; but Jehovah stands at the right hand of the poor who trusts Him.
110. Jehovah exalts Messiah at His right hand on high, until He sets Him in Zion as Melchizedek:
(111-113 a hallelujah as to Jehovah's ways in delivering Israel.)
111. Jehovah's works glorious: He has brought redemption to His people; and His fear the beginning of wisdom.
112. Blessed the man that fears Him: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
113. Praise for the same, only "for evermore," and "from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same."
114. The presence of Jehovah with His people, as in the redemption from Egypt.
115. Cry to Jehovah to glorify His name in contrast to idols and to Israel (blessed of Him), and those that fear Him to trust in Him.
116. I love Jehovah; He brought me up from the grave's mouth, and saved me from despair.
117. the nations to praise Jehovah for His mercy to us (Israel).
118. Compassed by nations, thrust sore at by the enemy, chastened sore of Jehovah—yet am I delivered. The gate of Jehovah. The rejected stone now made head of the corner. The day made by Him. Blessed is He that comes in the dame of Jehovah.
119. the law written in their hearts, they confess they had gone astray.
Aleph. Blessed the returner who walks with the Lord.
Beth. The word associates with God-cleansing.
Gimel. Leaning on Divine mercy, if the law is in the heart.
Daleth. Soul cleaves to the dust: the word quickens.
He.. Looking for Divine guidance and teaching.
Vav. For establishment before adversaries through instruction.
Zain. Reckoning upon the word of Jehovah-is strength: for
Cheth. Thus, Jehovah is my portion; those that fear Him my companions.
Teth. I can look upon circumstances with God's eye and mind.
Tod. Thou art my Creator; thou wilt guide me' even through afflictions.
Caph. My soul faints for Thy deliverance from evil.
Lamed. But for Thy word I should have perished in affliction.
Mem. Joy in the law, and its effects on the intelligence.
Nun. It guides and comforts me in spite, of enemies and snares; and
Samech. "Gives the horror of vain thoughts.; and terror at the judgments on wickedness.
Ain. Cry to Jehovah to work they have made void Thy law.
Pe—Schin. Give the effects of love to Jehovah's law and testimonies —its value— His trials, walk, grief at transgressors. He looks for teaching, quickening, keeping, and holds fast.
Tau. A general summing up of the whole.
*** Is this the moral state of Israel in the last days, when in the land, the law is written in their hearts ere full deliverance and final blessing are come?
(120-134. Songs of degrees. Israel in the land, but the power of Gog not yet destroyed.)
120. I cried to Jehovah, Save me from the lying lips and deceitful tongue; and was heard.
121. Jehovah, appealed to, is security.
122. Jerusalem, the alone center of blessing.
123. Filled with contempt of the wicked, I wait for Him that dwells in the heavens.
124. had not Jehovah been for us, all, all would have been lost.
125. trust in Jehovah; He judges the wicked, but is peace to Israel.
126. they that sow in tears shall, through Jehovah, leap in joy.
127. all temporal blessings on earth will be from Jehovah.
128. such blessings promised to those that fear and own Him.
129. Jehovah is righteous: by past sorrows He loosened from us the cords of the wicked.
130. forgiveness with Thee that thou mayest be feared.
131. humbled, I have so walked: let Israel trust in Jehovah forever.
132. Grace acted by power in bringing the ark to a sure dwelling-place: and David's seed supplants David's self as root of blessing.
133. the beauty of His people dwelling together in unity under Jehovah.
134. all His servants to bless Jehovah the blesser. (135 and 136 calls to praise Jehovah and His works.)
135. call to praise Jehovah, God of Jacob and Israel; contrasted with idols.
136. answer to the call.
(Here close the Historical Psalms.)
(137-150. A sort of supplement.)
137-144. characteristic sorrows and hopes of blessing and deliverance. 145-150 millennial praises.
137. the captives' love to Zion, and joy at the thought of the judgment on Babylon and Edom.
138. I will praise—for mercy, and for Thy truth, and for Thy care of the lowly one.
139. searched by and known to Thee, I can trust Thee for good.
(140-144. Israel restored, but in conflict: on the road to full blessing.)
140. Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the wicked. Thou wilt maintain the upright.
141. Jehovah, keep my lips and heart amid the wicked that are to be judged.
142. Jehovah my refuge and my portion amid trouble.
143. cry in extremity for Jehovah's merciful interference for me.
144. Jehovah, my strength! What is man? Give judgment, and there will be blessing.
145. Messiah and the remnant, Spirit-led, in dialog, anticipating the millennium with praise of Jehovah.
(146-150. the full final praise.)
146. commences the full final praises. His character towards Israel in the last days.
147. praise for His mercy to Israel, and that He who rules in creation has shown His word to Jacob:
148. all, and all creation to praise Him who has exalted the horn of His people.
149. praise from the congregation of saints, and joy in Israel; He has given them power to destroy the heathen.
150. summons to universal praise to Jehovah.
End of the Fifth Book.
PRÉCIS.
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