The fourth book of the psalms (Ps. 90-106) develops in full the coming of the Lord (His appearing) in power and glory to deliver the godly remnant and establish His Kingdom. The key to this book is Rev. 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15). “The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” It gives the introduction of the First-begotten into the world by the cry of the remnant. His coming to reign is mentioned in almost every psalm in the book (Ps. 90:13, Ps. 93:1, Ps. 96:10, 13, Ps. 97:1, Ps. 98:9, Ps. 99:1, Ps. 103:19, Ps. 104:31, Ps. 105:7). The psalms in the forth book describe the feelings of the remnant as they experience the joy of having their prayers answered in the coming of their long waited for Messiah.
The fourth book has been referred to as the Numbers section of the Psalms. Numbers is the book that records Israel’s wilderness journey to Canaan. This book also has many references to their experiences in the wilderness. Psalm 90 shows the generation that had provoked the Lord to anger dying off in the wilderness on account of their own unbelief (Num. 14:26-3526And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 27How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: 29Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, 30Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. 32But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. 33And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. 34After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. 35I the Lord have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. (Numbers 14:26‑35), Heb. 3:17-1917But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:17‑19)). Psalm 91, on the other hand, gives the divine protection and care of the new generation (the children under 20 years of age) as they were brought along the way safely to the promised land. There are several other direct references to Israel’s wilderness journeyings (Ps. 95:7-11, Ps. 99:78, Ps. 102:6, Ps. 103:7, Ps. 105:39-43, Ps. 106:13-33). Moses and Aaron whom God used to lead the children of Israel through the wilderness are mentioned 7. times (Ps. 90 heading, Ps. 99:6. Ps. 103:7, Ps. 105:26, Ps. 106:16, 23, 32).
The various series in the fourth book are Ps. 90-93, Ps. 94-101, Ps.102-106. At the end of the book (Ps. 106:47) there as a cry to the Lord to gather Israel. This is a reference to the ten tribes particularly, and is sort of an introduction to the subject of the fifth book where the return and restoration of the ten tribes of Israel is developed in full.
Psalms 90-93
PSALM 90 This psalm records the prayer of the godly remnant as they see the nation dying off on account of the circumstances of the tribulation. Conscious of having to do with the eternal God, they take account of the children of men “returning to dust” (vs. 1-6 JND Translation). They trace the cause to sin. Compare Rom. 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12) (“death by sin”). Realizing they too could be cut down at any moment they desire to number their days and use them wisely for God (vs. 712). This leads them to call upon the Lord to return and deliver them (vs. 13-17).
PSALM 91 In contrast to the previous psalm where men and women are seen falling in death and not making it through the tribulation, this psalm shows the divine care and protection the remnant will experience as they pass through that same seven year period. Although many will perish in the tribulation God will preserve His godly remnant through it al1. Four names of God are used in this psalm; “the Most High” (El Eylon), “Almighty” (El Shaddai), “LORD” (Jehovah), and “God” (Elohim), showing the infinite care God has for the protection of His own (vs. 1-2). The perils of the tribulation described under twelve different figures, cannot touch them because they have made the Lord their refuge (vs. 3-13).
PSALM 92 The remnant lift up their souls in praise to the Lord. They express their fullest confidence in Him as they anticipate His coming to deliver them (vs. 1-4). So sure of it they speak confidently of what He will do in judgment upon the apostate Jews that follow Antichrist (vs. 5-8), and the Gentile nations (vs. 9-11), while they themselves will be blessed in the Kingdom (vs. 12-15).
PSALM 93 The Lord has come to reign in answer to the cry of the remnant. He has publicly taken His throne in Zion in the display of His majesty (vs. 1-2) and has put down the rebellious Gentile nations (the floods of water—Rev. 17:1515And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15), Ps. 65:7, Isa. 17:12-1312Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! 13The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. (Isaiah 17:12‑13), etc.) by the exercise of His power (vs. 3-5).
Psalms 94-101
PSALM 94 This psalm begins a new series taking us back into the tribulation just prior to the Lord’s coming (the appearing of Christ). The remnant are suffering from the injustice in the land under the reign of Antichrist. Being persecuted by their apostate brethren who follow Antichrist, the godly remnant call on the Lord to come and show Himself as “the Judge of the earth” (vs. 1-7). The remnant then plead with the apostate nation to consider that the Lord knows and sees all of their wickedness and therefore to repent of it. They exhort any among them to be found in the way of “the blessed man” who waits on God and is instructed out of His law (vs. 8-15). They call them to make a stand in faith against the evil doers, encouraging them that the Lord in His mercy will keep them as He has done for the remnant (vs. 16-19). As they wait they realize that when the Lord does come to establish His Kingdom in righteousness “the throne of iniquity” (the reign of Antichrist) cannot go on with it. Hence having raised the question, “How long will the wicked triumph?” (vs. 3), they are confident that the whole order of things under Antichrist cannot continue very long (Job 20:55That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? (Job 20:5)). The Lord will cut off the wicked in judgment (vs. 20-23).
PSALM 95 Psalms 95 and 96 describe the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6-76And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:6‑7)) that will be preached by the remnant in the last day. It is the last call to the world to submit to the coming King. In Psalm 95 it is preached to the Jewish nation; in Psalm 96 it is preached to the heathen nations. The remnant summons their brethren to come to Jehovah their Maker in faith with song and praise (vs. 1-6). They are warned not to be as their fathers in the wilderness who did not enter into the promised rest because of unbelief (vs. 7-11).
PSALM 96 The remnant extend their call to the Gentile world. They publish “His salvation,” “His glory,” and “His wondrous works” among the heathen nations (vs. 1-3). Compare Mt. 24:14. They will call the nations to fear the Lord and submit to Him; and to give Him the honor, the glory, and worship that is due (vs. 4-9), because He is coming to judge the world in righteousness (vs. 10-13).
PSALM 97 The Lord appears. He comes in full power to reign (vs. 1). This psalm describes the judgment He will execute when He comes as Judge. The effect of the judgment is that all adversaries are dealt with. No evil in any part of the earth will pass unjudged; all will be searched out by His lightening’s (vs. 2-7). This execution upon Jehovah’s enemies brings deliverance to Zion. Zion rejoices and is made glad because of His judgments. Christ is exalted above all gods as He reigns supreme (vs. 8-12).
PSALM 98 Israel rejoices over the results of His coming. In the past Israel had raised a song of praise to the Lord for vanquishing their enemies (Ex. 15). Now the nation raises a “new song” unto the Lord for intervening again to judge their enemies and to deliver them. The Lord’s victory over His enemies and salvation to Israel is openly showed to the world (vs. 13). Israel praises the Lord (vs. 4-6). The nations (the floods) who once lifted up themselves in rebellion against the Lord also swell in a chorus of praise to Him (vs. 7-9).
PSALM 99 The Lord takes His place on the throne in Zion as Israel’s holy King, and establishes His righteous government over all the earth (vs. 1-4). The intercession of the remnant for the nation (figured in Moses, Aaron, and Samuel who interceded for the nation in their day when it was far from God) has been heard and the Lord has brought in the Kingdom according to His promise vs. 5-9)
PSALM 100 The kingdom having now been established, the Gentiles (“all the lands”) are called up to Jerusalem to worship. See Isa. 2:2-32And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2‑3), Zec. 14:1616And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:16).
PSALM 101 This psalm completes this series disclosing the great principles on which the Kingdom of Christ will be governed. Above all else the Kingdom will redound to the praise of Jehovah, setting forth His “loving-kindness and judgment.” These two great principles of grace and government will govern the Kingdom (vs. 1 JnD Translation). Christ’s Kingdom will be marked by separation from every wicked thing (vs. 2-3). Furthermore evil will not be tolerated in the Kingdom. It will be dealt with as it occurs. The wicked person will be cut off daily (“every morning”) out of the land (vs. 4-8 JND Translation).
Psalms 102-106
PSALM 102 With the coming of Christ to establish His Kingdom outlined in the previous series (Ps 94-101), this series gives the effects of the Kingdom being established in the hearts of redeemed Israel; namely, the overflow of their praise. But before their hearts are lifted up in song and praise they must learn the meaning of the sufferings of Christ on the cross. This psalm brings before us the complaint of the suffering Christ to God as “the Man of sorrows.” He sees Himself deserted by His followers (vs. 1-7), and reproached by His enemies (vs. 8), as He sustains the righteous wrath of God against sin (vs. 9-11). The dying Man visions the future and the blessing God will bring to Israel as a result of His suffering on the cross. He thinks upon the promises which must surely be fulfilled according to which Zion will be rebuilt and be the center of all earthly glory. He anticipates the establishment of the Kingdom according to the mind of God and blessing extending to the Gentiles (vs. 12-22). But He (Christ), the sinless One upon whom all the promises depend, must die. He is taken away in the midst of His days (vs. 23-24a). God speaks, answering Christ in resurrection; although He has been put to death in this world, He will continue forever in another world. This world which is but a work of His hands will pass away, but He will continue forever (vs. 24b-28).
PSALM 103 is Israel’s praise of Jehovah as Redeemer. Realizing the work of Christ on the cross and the blessing that has come to them as a result (Ps. 102), redeemed Israel praise the Lord. They rehearse in a theme of praise the blessings (benefits) that are theirs as a result of being redeemed. Seven times they “bless” the Lord (vs. 1-2, 20-22).
PSALM 104 is Israel’s praise of Jehovah as Creator. The psalm begins with celebrating the greatness of the Lord (vs. 1), then rehearses the six days in creation (Gen.1) showing the greatness of His power. It begins with the light and closes with man in fellowship with His Maker. There is mention of the light (Day 1) and the formation of the firmament (Day 2) vs. 2-4, followed by the dry land appearing out of the water with its vegetation for the purpose of sustaining God’s creatures (Day 3) vs. 5-18. Then the heavenly luminaries are mentioned (Day 4) vs. 19-24, and the sea out of which the living creatures came (Day 5) vs. 25-30. Lastly, there is man (Israel) in fellowship with his Maker (Day 6) vs. 33-34. The Sabbath (7th Day) is not mentioned because what it typifies (the Millennial rest) is not fully ushered in yet. The psalm ends with work remaining. Sinners and wicked persons still existent in the earth need to be purged out (vs. 35). All evil at this point is not yet fully put down, nor is the creation itself released from the bondage of corruption (Rom. 8:20-2320For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:20‑23)).The lion is still hunting his prey (vs. 21) and the curse of death is still in the earth (vs. 29), This shows that these psalms are the expression of Israel’s heart as the Kingdom is being brought in, rather than after it is set up.
PSALM 105 is Israel’s praise of Jehovah for His grace. It traces God’s ways with them in grace before the giving of the Law. Hence there is no mention of any failure on the part of Israel,
PSALM 106 is Israel’s praise of Jehovah for His ways in government. It traces their history under law, and shows nothing but rebellion and failure. Through it all they see His hand in perfect wisdom. In spite of their failure they are brought to the promised land and blessed there in it.