Psalm 36-41
David is the author of all the psalms in this group of mixed types. Out of the six psalms, three of them are laments. However, none of the laments are about the psalmist's personal enemies. Actually, they are about healing from sickness.
Psalm 36
READ PSALM 36. David contrasts the sinfulness of the wicked with the goodness of the Lord and calls upon the Lord to bless the godly and humble the wicked. The psalm is divided into two distinct parts.
The cruelty of the godless
---1. They have no fear of God (Verse 1).
---2. They are conceited and do not see how wicked they are (Verse 2).
---3. They are crooked and deceitful (Verse 3).
---4. They hatch sinful plots (Verse 4).
Characteristics of God
---1. unfailing love (Verses 5, 7)
---2. faithfulness (Verses 5)
---3. righteousness (Verse 6)
---4. justice (Verse 6)
---5. providence and protection (Verse 6-8, 10-12)
---6. goodness (Verse 9)
Psalm 37
READ PSALM 37. This wisdom psalm by David is about the certainty of retribution for the wicked. David encourages the godly to trust in the Lord to rescue them from evil. Though the wicked seem to prosper, they will ultimately be destroyed.
First, the psalmist itemizes at least 11 things the godly sows and about 14 things they reap. Then he itemizes the two things the ungodly sows and only seven things they reap. READ what those things are in your Bible.
Psalm 38
READ PSALM 38. This psalm is actually a prayer for healing from sickness. David confesses his sins, which have caused him to suffer. Then he calls on the Lord to remember him and rescue him.
---1. David is sick, and he needs healing (38:1-14).
---2. His guilt overwhelms him.
---3. His wounds are festering.
---4. He is bent over and racked with pain.
---5. The psalmist burns with fever.
---6. David is going blind.
Other than being sick physically, David is cut off from his friends (38:11). His enemies conspire against him (38:12-14).
David needs help so desperately that he prays, "Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior (38:21-22)
Psalm 39
READ PSALM 39. Like the previous psalm, this psalm is also a prayer for healing from sickness. The psalmist confesses that he has failed to keep a vow he had made and prays for God's compassion.
David's vow was not to sin in his speech and action when in the presence of the ungodly (39:1). However, he does not keep his promise about the sinful ways of the ungodly. Then the psalmist makes a fivefold request to the Lord.
---1. "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days" (39:4-6).
---2. "Save me from all my transgressions, and do not make me the scorn of fools" (39:8).
---3. "Remove your scourge from me" (39:10).
---4. "Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help" (39:12).
---5. "Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more" (39:13).
Psalm 40
READ PSALM 40. This is a psalm of thanksgiving for past deliverances from trouble and a prayer for help once again.
David praises the Lord in Psalm 40:1-10. That includes lifting him out of despair, setting his feet on solid ground, and giving him a new song (40;1-5).
The psalmist lists the things God desires in Psalm 40:6-10. Those things do not include sacrifices and offerings (40:6), but they include obedience and witnessing to others about His goodness (40:7-10).
David petitions the Lord for two things: to be saved from his troubles (40:11-12) and to be rescued from his enemies quickly (40:13-17).
Psalm 41
READ PSALM 41. This is a prayer for healing from sickness. David calls for God to heal him and destroy the plans of those waiting for him to die.
In the first part of this psalm, David acknowledges God's favor on those who honor the poor (41:1-3). Then the psalmist asks God for forgiveness and for his personal healing (41:4). David ends the psalm by calling upon God to rescue him from his enemies who anxiously await his death (41:5-13).
CONGRATULATIONS for coming to the end of the first section of the Psalms.
As you have seen, David wrote all 41 of the psalms studied. He wrote a total of 73, more than anyone else. Also, you couldn't help from noticing that he wrote a lot about his enemies.
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