Welcome to Psalms, Book 3
Book 3 contains 17 psalms from Psalm 73-89. Expect to read only Psalm 86 from David. That means you will not read about him asking for delivery from his enemies.
Asaph wrote more psalms in Book 3 than any other writer. He wrote 11 of them. He wrote a total of 12 psalms. His first psalm is Psalm 50 in Book 2.
The Sons of Korah came in second with having written 3 psalms. Heman is the writer of Psalm 88, the only one he wrote. Ethan is the writer of Psalm 89, his only one. It is the last psalm in Book 3. There are no orphans in this book.
Psalm 73
READ PSALM 73. This is the first of Asaph's 11 psalms in this book. All of his psalms are in consecutive order from Psalm 73 through Psalm 83. Asaph was a chief musician appointed by David. In his first psalm, he asks the question: "Why do the wicked prosper and the righteous go unrewarded?"
Like David, Asaph is troubled but for a different reason. He is deeply troubled that the wicked prosper. They enjoy good health and wealth. They seem to have no worries or problems. They are proud and cruel. They are arrogant toward God and people. Yet, they have everything.
In contrast, the godly suffer pain and feel unrewarded. They have problems on every hand.
Asaph is in the sanctuary when he realizes the destiny of the wicked. They are on a slippery slope and will be destroyed. Their present life is just a dream. In the end, they will vanish from the earth when the Lord appears.
In the final verses, Asaph acknowledged two truths about God:
1. God is guiding him (73:21-24)
2. God is watching over him (73:25-28)
Psalm 74
READ PSALM 74. Asaph feels forsaken and laments the sad state of Jerusalem and the Temple. He recounts God's great deeds in the past and calls upon Him to rescue his people from their enemies.
Just like in the previous psalm, Asaph is troubled by several things in this community lament. This time though he is troubled by what he thinks about God instead of wicked people.
1. God seems to have rejected His own people, according to the first two verses.
2. God has allowed Jerusalem and the Temple to be destroyed.
3. God has sent no more prophets.
4. God has not destroyed or punished Israel's enemies.
Even though Asaph is frustrated, he still has faith. He reflects on God's protection in the past and calls on him to rescue His own people. Asaph acknowledges that God is his eternal king and God rules over nature.
Asaph ends this psalm in verses 18-23 asking God to rescue His own people and to remember His covenant promises during this troubled time.
Psalm 75
READ PSALM 75. This is the halfway point of the 150 psalms. Asaph is confident that God will deliver Jerusalem and the people from the wicked.
This short psalm of only 10 verses consists of Asaph's praise in verses 1 and 9 where he praised God for His mighty deed. Asaph promises in verses 2-8 and 10 that God will punish the wicked and protect and promote the godly.
Notice that the word "horn" is mentioned several times in this psalm. That's because the word is a symbol of honor and strength.
Psalm 76
READ PSALM 76. Asaph continues to praise God for His greatness and sovereignty over Israel's enemies.
Notice how Asaph recalls that God lives in Jerusalem and He is more glorious and majestic than the mountains. God has strength and power to make the enemies scatter and the earth shakes, tremble and stand silent. In the final verse, the psalmist exhorts all the people to make vows to the Lord and fulfill those promises.
Psalm 77
READ PSALM 77. The psalm begins with a cry of distress. He is too distressed to pray and he couldn't sleep. He believes his cries to God have been ignored. He wonders if God has abandoned him. Only his memories of the past seem to bring him the slightest joy. The psalmist then remembers God's integrity and realizes that God has not failed to act. Rather the psalmist had been thinking God didn't care. Asaph now praises "the God who performs miracles" (verse 14).
Notice the psalmist named two people from the Old Testament that God used.
Psalm 78
READ PSALM 78. This psalm of Asaph is the second-longest psalm with 72 verses. Psalm 119 has 176 verses. In this long psalm, Asaph recounts the mighty acts God performed for His people. He did this so upcoming generations can learn from them and find hope in God.
Read how people in the past rebelled against God and how God dwelt with them. God ultimately redeemed them in many ways.
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