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. 11:15. “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. 14:26-35, Heb. 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. 5:12 (“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. 17:15, Ps. 65:7, Isa. 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 20:5). The Lord will cut off the wicked in judgment (vs. 20-23).
PSALM 95 Psalms 95 and 96 describe the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6-7) 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. 2:2-3, Zec. 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. 8:20-23).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.