Author: Stephen Ricker

Jesus is the path of life that God made known to David (11). Jesus is life, in him is no death. Jesus told confused Martha and Mary just before he raised their brother Lazarus from the dead, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; […]

David, the youngest of many brothers and perhaps the only son of his father’s second wife (or concubine), had an ongoing life problem. He pondered his unsure future and where he belonged. His inheritance according to the law of Moses was questionable. His seven elder brothers did not think well of him. They gave him […]

David is the author of this Trust Psalm. He asks God to keep him safe. Why? Because David takes refuge in God. God is his protector and shelter from danger and hardship. He rescues him from death and gives him a delightful inheritance. God is his inheritance. (Numbers 18:20-24; Deuteronomy 10:8-9) God in verse 1 […]

Everyone wants access to God though our core being is also repulsed by the nature of God (Romans 1). The essence of this psalm, composed by David, is how one gains access to God. Access to God is of course granted by God. Without permission, a person may not enter the King of kings presence. […]

Hope exists for everyone. Jesus’s ministry included everyone. He helped and taught the rich and the poor, the religious elite and the social outcast, and the intelligent and the simple-minded. However, the evildoers never learned. They devour God’s people as men eat bread. Some believe, but most reject. The Lord Jesus, David’s God, was the […]

The Psalm starts by establishing a truth with fact. The truth is that every human soul is morally depraved. With this truth, God says that we are fools. Fool in Hebrew is “nabal” meaning “vile person, one who is morally deficient”. The fact to establish the truth that every soul is morally depraved is that […]

Psalm 13 could be titled “How Long” or “Forget Me Not”. David, the author is grappling with melancholy and disturbing thoughts. Repeated stupefying speculation has become like an unrelenting railroad wheel clanging over rail cracks. Thought is fixated on his enemy’s triumph over him. Sorrow fills his being. He is entangled in his own web. […]

Confidence in the Lord is expressed and believed. Though evil people walk around boldly because they have the upper hand, those who trust in the Lord will be strengthened by their God. We know that he protects us from such people forever. Though at present liers oppress and deceive I can have confidence in the […]

The Lord responds with a reassuring word to the cast down and to David who presented the request. The Lord God does see the oppression of the weak and he hears the groaning of the needy. After the prayer, the Lord says he will arise and protect them from those who malign them. I note […]

David’s appeal to the Lord in verses 1 and 2 has two parts. First, the faithful, those who are morally true and loyal have disappeared (1). Second, everyone is lying. Their lies are flattery, saying one thing while not believing what they say (2). The worst scenario is when they say kind words while secretly […]

Psalm 12 is a plead-psalm. David is seeking the Lord’s help for every tongue seems false, the weak are oppressed, and the needy groan. Looking everywhere he cannot find anyone who is godly. The Hebrew adjective “hasid” is translated as “godly” meaning a kind, virtuous, and moral person. As the Lord later said through the […]

The LORD is the covenant name for the God of Israel. Since the LORD came in bodily form he has also been called Jesus. Jesus is now on his heavenly throne. Jesus is observing every act and the motivation for the act of the righteous. He examines their heart. Those that are wicked the LORD, […]

Everyone has had life’s foundations, including relational, political, and moral support give way. (“Foundations” in vs 3 is “shata” in Hebrew meaning political and moral support; i.e. 82:5) Most are too familiar with life-pillars unexpected shaking. Just as citizens living in cities built near a seismic fault ask, “What can we do now that shaking […]

David’s lamented questions turn into a jubilant poetic prayer. His joy is engulfed in the Lord’s compassionate triumph. The Lord does see trouble and grief. He is the helper of the fatherless. God calls all to account for wickedness, all things done while in the flesh. His patience allowed them to repent, not wanting any […]

David looks at society and his unassuming life and asks two grievous life questions, “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Repeating too often it seems, God does not seem to see me in my time of trouble for I am not happy, do not […]

The grave (Sheol in Hebrew) is not the subject of family and friends parties. Most people do not like thinking about the end of our physical life. The one who brings up the subject will find themself alone in a crowd of lifetime acquaintances. Two occasions exist when we ponder the eventual end of our […]

Today’s BDBD verses have some joined phrases requiring God’s revelation during deep Bible study. Phrases like “enthroned in Zion” (What Zion for the temple was not built in David’s life? The tabernacle and then the ark was moved to Jerusalem late in David’s life. So, what and when is Zion referring to?); “proclaim among the […]

The Psalms (like this one), the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles all agree, that a time is coming when God will judge the living and the dead. (Daniel 11-12, Matthew 24, Mark 13) When Jesus comes again, “he will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.” Those who were enemies […]

David announces a decision to the Lord his God. David declares that he is going to praise the LORD. David is going to let it all out. His heart will gush forth with exaltation like a geyser from the earth. David is going to reveal in song all of the Most High’s wonders. Heartful worship […]

Verses 3 and 4 remind me of the celebrated hymn “O Lord My God”. I also think of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman congregation, “…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal […]

The Psalm of David starts with praise for the LORD (YHWH in Hebrew), our Lord (adon in Hebrew meaning sovereign). The name of the LORD is the manifestation of his character. It has no separate existence apart from the YHWH, but is synonymous with God in his gracious manifestation and accessibility to his people. The […]

David was on the run from a man who wanted to kill him. He was a fugitive in his own land. Life was not sunshine on the beach. David did not take action for he considered he might be wrong. Instead, David asked the Lord to be his shield. He asked God to be the […]

Life is often overwhelming, a relentless barrage for adults and adolescents alike. Continuous are the assaults against body, heart, and mind. Few reliefs can be found that are not self-destructive. Life is often like living in a besieged city. Enemies’ weapons encircle, constantly firing at a shield wall with gaps and grass openings with no […]

David was being pursued by Cush, a Benjamite. King Saul was also a Benjamite. Cush was part of the forces that Saul sent to find and tear David apart like a lion would, or at least Cush would bring him to King Saul for judgment, prison, and/or execution. David could not go to one of […]

David’s illness is physical, caused by a heavy soul. He is faint because he is in anguish. He groans and weeps all night long because of his foes. Sorrow endlessly flows like the tears from his eyes, down his cheeks, and into his drenched pillows. A weighed-down heart and turbulent mind can be the source […]

David starts this psalm with a plea to the LORD for mercy. David knows he is a sinner and thus deserves rebuke and discipline. Part of God’s wrath is disciplining his congregation. David asks the LORD for relief and mercy. David is very ill. He is faint and his bones are in agony. Though he […]

David’s enemies spoke lies about him, not a word from their mouth can be trusted. Their heart, the source of the lies is filled with destruction. David did not take revenge against his enemy’s lies. He did not strike out against them. He may have been king when he wrote these words. He may have […]

David has great respect for the LORD. Reverence is a feeling of profound awe, respect, and love. In God’s mercy and righteousness, David trusts. He tells the LORD that he will come into God’s house and bow down toward God’s holy temple. The house and holy temple that David is speaking of is not the […]

Prayer for David was a regular morning routine. Prayer for David was communicating and communion with his God, his King, and his LORD. This personal psalm starts with David asking God to give an ear to his words and sighs. David is crying to his God and King for help. God hears not only words, […]

David called to the Lord in anxiety and distress. The Lord heard and stilled his soul. David searched his heart in the silence of a dark night. The light of the morning star calmed and quieted. He meditated on his bed instead of sinning. The thought entered his mind, “Offer right sacrifices and trust in […]

David, the author is calling on the LORD, his God. He beseeches God to answer his prayer. David asks for relief from his distress. Anxiety has entered his soul weighing him down like an elephant is sitting on his chest and a methodical drum pounds in his head. He seeks God’s mercy. David knows his […]

King David, the author is amidst despair and trouble. His beloved son Absalom has turned against him in a violent attempt to become king. (2 Samuel 13:22, 29, 39, 14:33, 15:12, 31, 15:13-14, 16:8, 21, 17:1) Much of David’s life had encountered many foes, among them some have tried to kill him. David responded by […]

A warning is made to kings, rulers, presidents, and leaders. Jesus’ inheritance will be to the ends of the earth. He will rule with an iron scepter. A scepter is a staff held by a sovereign as an emblem of authority. A scepter could be made of anything. Being made of iron, the scepter displayed […]

Jesus is the Anointed One meaning he is the Absolute King (2, discussed in the previous BDBD). This verse and verse 12 declare that Jesus is also God’s Son. (Acts 13:32-33) When Jesus was baptized “…a voice came from heaven (declared): “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark […]

Psalm 2 is about the messianic reign of Jesus, the Anointed One as confirmed by New Testament quotes. (Matthew 1:17; Acts 4:25-27, 13:32-33; Hebrews 5:6; Revelation 2:26-27, 12:5, 15) The rage and conspiring against his rule is a fallen human state that all inherited from Adam. This was demonstrated when Herod and Pontius Pilate met […]

This Psalm by an unknown author compares two ways; that is lifestyle choices and their results. The first is the way of the wicked, sinners, and mockers (1). The second is the way of the righteous (6). The way of the righteous is blessed. Blessed, used 516 times in the Bible is a translation of […]