David is named as the author of seventy-two psalms, or nearly half of the book of Psalms. That is an impressive collection for a man as busy as he: shepherd, warrior, fugitive, king. And the idea that one of the manliest men in Israel was also a shepherd, composer, poet, and harpist is hard to believe. (American notions of manhood leave much to be desired, it seems.)
That being said, while the book of Psalms makes for a great source of ideas and lyrics for hymn writers and worship leaders, it is not always the easiest book to read. It tells few stories. There are few scenes, few characters, and minimal history. But the book of Psalms contains a heaping portion of one powerful ingredient few other books can match: GOD’S PROMISES.
Here are a few from David’s psalms. Write down some of these promises and place them where you can see them often. Choose one to memorize. These are promises from God that speak direct answers to so many questions:
- You are special and God is listening to your prayers: “The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call unto him” Psalm 4:3.
- God gives joy: “Thou hast put gladness in my heart” Psalm 4:7.
- God will punish liars: “Thou shalt destroy them that speak lies” Psalm 5:6.
- God will protect and shield the righteous: “But thou, Lord, will bless the righteous. With favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield” Psalm 5:12.
- God gives us a taste of glory, honor, and useful work: “What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visiteth him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou made him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet” Psalm 8:4-6.[1]
- God listens to the prayers of the humble: “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble … the needy shall not always be forgotten, the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever” Psalm 9:12,18.
- God is on his throne and He sees the hearts of men: “The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his eyes test the children of men” Psalm 11:4.
- God’s word is as pure and flawless as refined silver: “The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver purified in a furnace, purified seven times” Psalm 12:6.
- God can be trusted: “I have trusted in thy mercy, my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation” Psalm 13:5.
- No matter how intellectual he may be, the atheist is foolish: “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘there is no god’” Psalm 14:1.
- God welcomes the righteous. “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle, who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth” Psalm 15:1-2.
- When you give God first place, you will have security: “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” Psalm 16:8.
- God will resurrect his Son (this is a Messianic prophecy) and God will give eternal life to all his children: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither will thou allow thy holy one to see decay” Psalm 16:10.
God, teach us to read and cherish the psalms. Thank you for these amazing promises from your word! Help us during every reading to discover these nuggets and collect them like jewels!
ΑΩ
[1] I once wrote a lengthy story involving Psalm 8, a cathedral in Florence, Italy, and a trip I took with my church youth group. The story is not a Bible study by any means, but it briefly explores a modern rendition of Psalm 8. I will post that story here, just for fun: https://dadsdailydevotionals.com/2025/01/13/the-majesty-and-glory-of-a-name-discovering-my-father-in-an-italian-cathedral/
Household Words: 