PSALMS

BOOK 5

Lesson Twelve

PSALMS 107-150(A-2, page 3 introduction)THE FIFTH, OR DEUTERONOMY BOOK

GOD’S WORD THE ONLY GOOD.

“He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from all their destruction.”

(Psalms 107:20; 147:15,18)

A-2

A -1 Psalms 107Deliverance by the healing word

E Psalms 108 (E-1), 109 (E-2), 110 (E-3) The true David’s Humiliation, Deliverance, Exaltation.108: 6

G Psalms 111 (G-1), 112 (G-2), 113 (G-3) Praise, Three Hallelujah Psalms. The first two beginning,

And ending, with “Hallelujah.” (Ps. 111 Being Praise for

Jehovah’s works;112, for His ways; and 113, for Himself)

H Psalms 114 (H-1), 115 (H-2)Deliverance from Egypt, and Egypt’s idols

G Psalms 116 (G-4), 117 (G-5), 118 (G-6) PraiseThree Psalms. The first two ending with “Hallelujah,”

And the third beginning and ending with “O give thanks”

A-2 Psalms 119Quickening and sustaining by the revealing word

H Psalms 120 (H-3) – 134 (H-4)Deliverance from Sennacherib typical of Israel’s future deliverance

Fifteen Psalms arranged in Five Triads

G Psalms 135 (G-7), 136 (G-8)Praisetwo Psalms linked together by one combined structure

H Psalms 137Deliverance of captives - Sennacherib’s captives

G Psalms 138Praise

H Psalms 139Deliverance from an evil heart (Compare Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 31:33)

G Psalms 140 (G-9) – 144 (G-13) Prayer and Praise

E Psalms 145The true David leading the praises of his people (Ps. 144:9)

G Psalms 146 (G-14) – 150 (G-15) Praise. Five Hallelujah Psalms, each beginning and ending with

“Hallelujah”

X Psalms 151The unknown Psalm found in the LXX by David

XX PsalmsDead Sea Scrolls

BOOK FIVE LESSON TWELVE

(1)Deuteronomy is man’s name for this book of the Psalms. It comes from the Greek Septuagint (LXX), and means “the second Law.” It was given because Deuteronomy was a repetition of the Law, with some variations, to suit the needs of the new generation in the Land.

(2)The title in the Hebrew Canon is ‘ellehhaddebarim, “These are the Words.” It is the book that contains the words of God; and consists almost wholly of the testimonies, statutes, judgments, &c., of Jehovah.

(3)It was from this book that the Saviour made His three quotations, when He met the tempter (Satan) with the threefold “It is written.” It follows the Book of the Wilderness; and gives the reason for all the trials of the pilgrimage:

(4)“The Lord thy God led thee these forty years…that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:2,3)

(5)The natural life, the giving of, which is recorded in Genesis, is nothing worth if man be not begotten by the Word, and if the new nature thus given be not nourished by the Word. For only thus can man be truly said to “live.”

(6)Hence, in this Deuteronomy – Book of the Psalms we have the same leading subject. It teaching, like that of the other books, is Dispensational; and it is grouped around the Word:

  1. All blessing for Man (Book 1),
  2. All blessing for Israel (Book 2),
  3. All blessing for Zion (Book 3),
  4. All blessing for the Earth and its Nations (Book 4),

(7)Is bound up in the WordandLaw of God. The breaking of that Law had been the source of Man’s sorrow, Israel’s dispersion, the Temple’s ruin, and the Earth’s misery.

(8)It will yet be seen that all blessing for Man, the gathering of Israel, the building of Zion, and restoration for the earth, is bound up with the Word of God, and with His Law written by His Spirit on the fleshy tables of the heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:24-38).

(9)What a wonderful thing for one to be brought to say “O how I love Thy Law!” (Psalm 19:97), when the breaking of that Law had brought in all the suffering!

(10)But it will be noted that this is said only after (in Psalm 118) the Resurrection of the Righteous Magnifier of that Law has been celebrated.

(11)This is the theme of the Deuteronomy-Book of the Psalms. It consists of forty-four Psalms, in which the title Jehovah occurs 293 times; and Jah. 13; while Elohim occurs only 41 times (4 of, which are with Jehovah); El, 10 times; Eloah, twice.

(12)While the structure of the other books consists of two or three sections, this book is, like the Law of God itself, a perfect whole. It is the only book that has an even number of Psalms. It first Psalm (107), as is the case with the first Psalms of the other books, is at once its keynote and epitome.

Hebrew Shehith = graves, orpits (from Shahath= to destroy), occurs only here and in Lamentations 4:20. The two passages, taken together, tell us that it is not merely the written Word that delivers from deep afflictions, but that the Living and Divine Word (Jesus Christ), Who was “taken in their pits,” is the alone Deliverer of His People from their graves.

It will be noted that Psalm 119 is characteristic of the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms, while Psalm 84 is characteristic of the Leviticus Book, and Psalm 90 of the Numbers Book. We cannot imagine these as being appropriate to any other Books.

BOOK FIVE LESSON TWELVE

The Quickening and Sustaining Word. This is characteristic of Psalm 119. Compare vv.25,37,40,50,88,93,107,149,154,156,159 (eleven occurrences). Moreover, the verb hayah (=to breathe, to live, to continue tolive) is used sixteen times in this Psalm, always in the sense of keeping aliveorcontinuing in life. See the following Hebrew senses:

  1. Kal (Future), vv. 17, 77, 116, 144, 175
  2. Piel (Pret.), vv. 50, 93
  3. Piel (Imperative), vv.25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159

In this connection, how suitable to Hezekiah. Note the Distress, that is the subject of the first Psalm of each of the five groups of “the songs of the Degrees;” and Hezekiah’s earnest prayer.

The Songs of the Degrees are 15 in number (Psalms 120-134, (H, page 1).

  1. They correspond in number with the 15 years added to Hezekiah’s life.
  2. Ten are by Hezekiah (corresponding with the number of “the Degrees” by which the shadow of the sun went backward on the sun-dial of Ahaz, (2 Kings 20:8-11).
  3. Five are by others (4 by David and 1 by Solomon).
  4. Solomon’s Psalm occupies the center (Psalms 127);
  5. And, of the 7 on either side, 2 in each 7 are by David,
  6. And 10 (5 in each 7) by Hezekiah.

In each 7 the name of Jehovah occurs 24 times, and Jahonce in the third Psalm of each 7. In the central Psalm Jehovah occurs 3 times.

The fifteen Psalms are arranged in five groups of3each. In each group, the subject of the first is Distress; the second is Trust in Jehovah, while the third speaks of Blessing and Peace in Zion.

They are here in fulfillment of Hezekiah’s promise recorded in Isaiah 38:20.

Isaiah 38:20

20 "The LORD was ready to save me; therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life, in the house of the LORD." NKJV

The last five Hallelujah Psalms (Psalms 146-150) (G, page 1) are an echo and reminiscence of the whole of the five books of the Psalter: -

G JPsalm 146GENESIS.Compare v. 4 with Gen. 2:7; v. 5 with Gen. 28; v. 6 with Gen. 1.

KPsalm 147EXODUS.Compare v. 4 (“names”) with Ex. 1:1; vv. 2,20 with the building

Up of the nation (Ex. 1:7-20); and vv. 15,19 with Ex. 20.

LPsalm 148LEVITICUS.Compare v. 14 (“a People near unto Him”) with Lev. 10:3.

KPsalm 149NUMBERS.Compare vv. 5-9 with Num. 14:21; 24:17-24. The nations ruled

And blessed by the Saints

JPsalm 150DEUTERONOMYCompare v. 2 with Deut. 3:24.

BOOK FIVE LESSON TWELVE

THE TEN WORDS OF PSALM 119

The number of the words that are frequently repeated in Psalm 119 has been variously given and enumerated by expositors and commentators. It will be better to give them here on the authority of the Massorah.

The rubric on verse 122 is as follows:

“Through out the whole of the Great Alphabet [i.e. the Alphabetic Psalm,119] there is in every verse one of the following ten expressions:

  1. Derek (=Way),
  2. ‘Eduth (= Testimony),
  3. Pikkudim (= Precepts),
  4. Mizvah (= Commandment),
  5. ‘Imrah (= Saying),
  6. Torah (= Law),
  7. Mishpat (= Judgment),
  8. Zedek, Zedakah, and Zaddik (= Righteousness),
  9. Hok, and Hukkah (= Statutes).
  10. Dabar (= Word), which correspond to the Ten Commandments; except one verse, in which there is none of these: viz. verse 122.” (Massorah, Ginsburg’s Edition, Vol. 2).

The following list includes all the “Ten Words” given with every occurrence in the Psalm, together with the first occurrence of each word:

  1. Way (Derek) is from darak, to tread with the feet, and denotes the act of walking. Hence it is used of a going, or way, or journeying. The first occurrence is found in Genesis 3:24. It occurs in this Psalm thirteen times: vv. 1,3,5,14,26,27,29,30,32,33,37,59,168.
  1. Testimonies (‘eduth – remember the letter [‘] is the letter yod) is from ‘ud, to turn back again, to go over again, to reiterate, hence, to testify. The first occurrence is found in Genesis 21:30 (edah). It occurs in this Psalm twenty-three times; nine times as (‘eduth), vv. 14, 31, 36, 88, 99, 111, 129, 144,157; and fourteen times as (‘dah, which is fem. Singular,), vv. 2,22,24,46,59,79,95,119,125,138,146,152,167,168.
  1. Precepts (Pikkudim) is taken from pakad, to take oversight or charge: hence, mandates enjoined on others. It occurs only in the Book of Psalms (see Psalms 19:8; 103:18; 111:7). In Psalm 119 it’s used twenty-one times: vv. 4, 15, 27,40,45,56,63,69,78,87,93,94,100,104,110,128,134,141,159,168,173.
  1. A commandment (mizvah) is taken from zavah, to set up, constitute. Hence, constitutional commands. First occurrence is found in Genesis 26:5. In Psalm 119 it occurs twenty-two times: vv. 6,10,19,21,32,35,47,48,60,66,73,86,96 (in the singular sense), 98,115,127,131,143,151,166,172,176.
  1. Word(‘imrah) is from the root word ‘amar, to bring forth to light; hence, to say. The verb is very regularly followed by the words used; hence ‘imrah means an utterance and the purport of it. Not the same as dabar (which is number 10 below), which refers to the articulate utterance of it. The first occurrence in Scripture is found in Genesis 4:23, and is rendered “speech.” In the plural sense only once, Psalm 12:6 (the only place where the plural is found). In Psalm 119 it occurs nineteen times: viz. 11,38, 41,50,58,67,76,82,103,116,123,133,140,148,154,158,162,170,172. With dabar the two occur forty-two times.

BOOK FIVE LESSON TWELVE

  1. Law(torah) is from yarah, to project, issue: hence, to point out, to show (Proverbs 6:13). Then, to instruct, teach. The Torah contains Jehovah’s Instructions to His People, pointing out to them His will. First occurrence is found in Genesis 26:5 (plural). In Psalm 119 it occurs twenty-five times: always in the singular sense: viz. vv1, 18,29,34,44,51,53,55,61,70,72,77,85,92,97,109,113,126,136,142,150,153,163,165,174.
  1. Judgment (Mishpat) is from the word shaphat,to set upright, erect (compare the English word right, and the German word richten and recht); hence, to judge. The word Mishpat means judgment. Its first occurrence is found in Genesis 18:19 (in Jehovah’s mouth). In Psalm 119 it occurs twenty-three times (always in the plural, except four times), viz.: vv. 7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 43, 52, 62, 75, 84, 91 (ordinances), 102, 106, 108, 120, 121, 132 (as thou usest to do), 137,149,156,160,164,175.
  1. Righteousness, Right, &c. (Zedek, in the masc. Sense), is from the word zadak, to be right, upright, just, righteous. Hence the noun of this word means rightness. By comparing the first occurrence (Leviticus 19:15) with the second (Leviticus 19:36) we get the idea that the word has special reference to equal balancing. The word Zedek (masc.) occurs twelve times, and is rendered as “righteousness:” vv. 123, 142 (second), and 144, 172; “right,” v. 75 (in the marg. itsrighteousness); “righteous,” vv. 7,62, 106, 138, 160, 164; “justice,” v. 121. Zedakah (fem.), first occurrence, is found in Genesis 15:6. In Psalm 119, “righteousness,” vv. 40, 142 (first). Zaddik (adjective), spoken of a king (2 Samuel 23:3), once, in v. 137. The three words fifteen times in all.
  1. Stature(hok and hukka) is taken from the word hakak, to hew, cut in, engrave, inscribe; hence, to decree, or ordain. The noun = a decree or ordinance. First occurrence, Gen. 26:5 (Hukkah fem.). In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-two times: viz: vv. 5, 8, 12,16 (Hukkah,fem.), 23, 26,33, 48, 54,64, 68, 71, 80, 83, 112, 117, 118, 124, 135, 145, 155, 171.
  1. Word, Words (dabar), is from dabar, to arrange in a row; hence, to set forth in speech. It refers to the articulate form of what is said, whether spoken or written (cp. #5 above), to the mode or manner by which the ipsissima verba are imparted. The first occurrence is in Gen. 11:1 (“speech”). In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-four times, three of them in pl., vv. 9,16, 17, 25, 28, 42 (twice), 43, 49, 57 (pl), 65, 74,81, 89, 101, 105, 107, 114, 130, (pl), 139 (pl.), 147, 160, 161,169.

Psalms 107:1-43

107:1 Thanksgiving to the LORD for His Great Works of Deliverance

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, 3and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And He led them forth by the right way, which they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. 10 Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons -- 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, 12 Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help.

BOOK FIVE LESSON TWELVE

13Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. 15 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For He has broken the gates of bronze, and cut the bars of iron in two. 17 Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. 20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. 23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters,

24they see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. 25 For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea. 26 They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths; their soul melts because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. 28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. 29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. 30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to there desired haven. 31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 32 Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders. 33 He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground; 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 35 He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into water springs.

36 There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, 37 and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest. 38 He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease. 39 When they are diminished and brought low Through oppression, affliction and sorrow, 40 He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; 41 Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock. 42 The righteous see it and rejoice, and all iniquity stops its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the loving kindness of the LORD. NKJV

Psalm 107:1-43(A-1, page 1)THE DELIVERING AND HEALING, OR LIVING WORD

A-1B. Psalms 107:1-3Praise for Jehovah’s loving-kindness.

C. Psalms 107:4-32Distress and Deliverance.

D. Psalms 107:33-41Judgment and Blessing.

E. Psalms 107:42,43Praise for Jehovah’s loving kindness.

The first Psalm of Book 5. This book contains fifteen by David, one by Solomon (127), and the rest anonymous (probably by Hezekiah), certainly not later than his day.

107:1. The Lord. Hebrew Jehovah. Mercy = loving kindness, or grace, as in v. 43.

107:2. Redeemed. Hebrew ga’al,to redeem bypurchase. See Exodus 6:6, and compare Exodus 13:13.

Hand. Put by Figure of Speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the power exercised by it. Enemy = adversary,orstraightness’s.

107:3. Gathered. This is the subject of this last book. Gathered by His Word, and according to His Word.

The lands, &c. Figure of Speech Topographia, for emphasis. The Psalm looks forward to the final ingathering of theNation of Israel. South = sea: i.e. the Red Sea.

BOOK FIVE LESSON TWELVE

Psalms 107:1-3

The fifth book in the fivefold division includes several smaller collections or groups of psalms. The Psalms of Ascents (120-134) and the Hallelujah (Psalms 111-113,115-117,146-148-149-150) are evidently the nucleus around, which the other psalms were grouped together.