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A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally: Book IV (Psalms 90-106)

by Bob Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

Book I: Psalms 1-41
Book II: Psalms 42-72
Book III: Psalms 73-89
Book IV: Psalms 90-106
| Psalm 90 | Psalm 91 | Psalm 92 | Psalm 93 | Psalm 94 | Psalm 95 | Psalm 96 | Psalm 97 | Psalm 98 | Psalm 99 | Psalm 100 | Psalm 101 | Psalm 102 | Psalm 103 | Psalm 104 | Psalm 105 | Psalm 106 |
Book V: Psalms 107-150


Book IV (Psalm 90-106)
Note: The reader may wish to mark a personal Bible with the stanzas and subsections outlined in the general notes and reading notes below.

Introduction to Book IV
The separation of Book IV from Book V is problematic because of the apparent continuity between Psalms 106 and 107. (See notes on those two psalms.) A familiar collection of praise psalms (92,93,95,96,97,98,99,100) make up the majority of the Book IV. Book IV is the shortest of the five books, both in number of psalms included and in the length of the psalms.


Psalm 90
Stek identifies eleven psalms (90-100) framed by the phrase "throughout all generations" (90:1 and 100:5). All are brief psalms of prayer and praise. Psalm 90 begins with a melancholy description of the transitory human experience of life filled with difficulties (the judgment of God) and culminating in death. Only the favor and wisdom of the Lord can make sense of the human experience.

Reading: Psalm 90:1-17
The psalm is attributed to Moses the man of God. God as creator has created human beings who live under the shadow of the reality of death (1-6), in a life filled with trouble, which the Psalmist attributes to God's judgment (7-10). Only in understanding God's purpose and the brevity of life can one make sense of mortality and accountability to God (11-12). Thus the psalm concludes with a prayer requesting God's compassion and love, blessings and favor so that our efforts on this earth are not in vain (13-17).

Prayer
Dear God, help us this day to follow your wisdom, recognizing the nature of life on this earth and the purpose you have for our lives. Certainly we have been created for something beyond this world! We trust in you, knowing you can make sense of the foolish. Bless our efforts and labors today so that we might do what you call us to do and participate in your plan for our lives and for the world according to your will. Thank you for helping us see your love through the sacrifice of Jesus, in whose name we pray, Amen.


Psalm 91
This psalm, filled with hope and promises of security, provides an alternate point of view when compared to the perils of life as reflected in Psalm 90. Long life (91:16) is set in contrast with short and troubled days (90:10). The psalm is perhaps best known because Satan quotes it in tempting Jesus. Verses 14-16 are often memorized.

Reading: Psalm 91:1-16
Composed of two sections of eight verses each, the psalm reflects some parallelism between the introductions to the two sections (verses 1-2 and verses 9-10). Deliverance from four fears (5-6) is balanced by triumph over four beasts (13). Security comes to those who dwell in the Most High and seek in him refuge.

Prayer
Dear God, we are grateful for your promise to provide and protect. Fashion our hearts so that we desire to dwell in your midst. Remind us daily that only in you can we find refuge and strength. We are confident that you protect us even in times when we do not know it or recognize it. Increase our love for you. Show us your deliverance and it will be enough. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 92
This Sabbath Song was designed to praise God in his righteousness. God is praised for his love and faithfulness, his greatness and profound thoughts, which are a source of joy for those who understand. The God of righteousness will exalt and put down so that the righteous confidently declare, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

Reading: Psalm 92:1-15
The psalm is short and easily read. Note that verse 8 provides a thematic dividing line between the first seven verses and the last seven verses. Notice the parallelism between the senseless (6-7) and the righteous (12-15). Verses 7 and 13 are linked by their descriptions: evildoers flourish but are destroyed, the righteous flourish in the courts of God.

Prayer
Dear God, we today praise you and declare that it is a joy and privilege to praise your name, to proclaim your love and to contemplate your faithfulness. You make us rejoice as we consider your works and your plans. We confidently expect your blessings. Bring us fruitfulness as we firmly stand in your ways. Protect us from evil, deliver us from wickedness, through Jesus our Redeemer, Amen.


Psalm 93
The Lord reigns-majestic, strong, eternal, transcendent, invincible, holy! This psalm reflects themes similar to Psalms 95-99, causing us to contemplate the separation posed by Psalm 94 (see comments there). Steh suggests that this psalm is placed between Psalm 92 and Psalm 94 to provide a pivot point. The fact of God's rule over the world secures both our joy (Psalm 92) and our hope (Psalm 94).

Reading: Psalm 93:1-5
The psalm has two sections of two verses each followed by the conclusion (2-2-1). The affirmation of verse 1 was fundamental to Israel's faith and the rule and holy nature of God secures his Word forever.

Prayer
Dear God, help us recognize your glory and splendor. We marvel at this world, your word, and your holy nature-firmly established and immovable forever. May we see you this day in the little things of our lives. We thank you for your love demonstrated in Jesus Christ, and for the continued access you give us to your throne through Him. We come now in His name, Amen.


Psalm 94
This psalm seeks justice or divine redress for the wrongs done by powerful persons within the nation. As such, it may be characterized as a "righteousness psalm." The confidence that God will do what is right is the source of hope.

Reading: Psalm 94:1-23
The three-verse introduction is followed by five stanzas of four verses each. The appeal to the Judge of the earth to right such wrongs progresses through an indictment of the wicked and their actions (4-7), a warning to the wicked (8-11), the blessedness and hope of those who trust in the Lord (12-15), the certainty of depending on the Lord (16-19), and confidence that justice will prevail (20-23).

Prayer
Dear God, we live in a world that often seems unfair. We see the suffering of many who do not deserve the treatment they receive. We ourselves wonder at some of the things that occur in our lives and do not understand how and when evil seems to prevail and win. Thus to our Righteous Judge we appeal, asking patience and understanding, seeking your blessings, desiring to be always upright in heart. In hope we accept your promise that you will not forsake us, and in that same hope we await your righteous judgment again evil. We trust you because you have shown us your love in Jesus, through whom we pray, Amen.


Psalm 95
This psalm is the first of a series of psalms that focuses on God's universal reign. It has been popularized in contemporary Christian music. One song is a verbatim quotation of verses 1-5. Less well known but equally important in the structure of the psalm is the second part of the psalm which is used by the Hebrew writer as an exhortation to faith and obedience (3:7-4:11). Security in God is possible only for God's loyal, obedient people.

Reading: Psalm 95:1-11
The psalm has two parts. A call to praise (1-5) is followed by a call to submit in obedient worship (6-11). The exhortation to worship concludes with a reminder of the times when Israel rebelled in the wilderness. God's intention was to give his people a place of security which he described as their "rest." In their rebellion, Israel did not enter the rest, making clear that God continues to demand obedience, and that rebellion against God separates from God's eternal plan and purpose.

Prayer
Dear God, we praise you because you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. We hardly know how to express our joy and gratitude for who you are and what you have done for us. We bow down in worship; we kneel before you, because you have claimed us and because you care for us. Help us to listen and heed. Lead us to faithful obedience as your children. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 96
In this psalm, all the earth is called to praise the Lord and to recognize his glory and deeds. This psalm may be seen an anticipating the work of God to save the entire world.

Reading: Psalm 96:1-13
The first six verses begin with a call to all the nations to praise the Lord. The imperatives (sing, praise, proclaim, declare) are followed by a series of reasons for such praise. The next section (7-13) begins with imperatives (ascribe, bring, come, worship, tremble) and concludes with majestic language that provides a climax to this brief psalm. Thus the psalm should be read in two parts each of which has two subsections (A1, A2; B1, B2).

Prayer
Dear God, we declare your glory and marvel at your deeds. We stand in awe of such splendor and majesty, strength and glory. Help us live in a way that honors your reign in this world and in our lives. You will do what is right, and in that confidence we seek your truth, in Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 97
The third psalm of praise in this series reflects the themes already introduced in Psalms 95 and 96. God's righteous reign is joyfully celebrated by his people who are especially blessed through his righteousness and justice.

Reading: Psalm 97:1-12
The psalm has two main divisions (1-6, 8-12) with a center verse that shames idol and image worship and calls upon all, including false gods, to worship the Lord. The two divisions are very nearly the same length in Hebrew despite the English verse numbering. The first division declares that even the nations have seen the glory of God displayed and thus the entire earth should join God's people in rejoicing in the reign of God. The second division focuses on the joy of God's people and declares that loving God means hating evil, that righteousness is the only true source of rejoicing.

Prayer
Dear God, help us to see your glory in the world around us, as we enumerate the multiplied evidences of your presence and power. Thank you for the great blessing you are to your people. May we evidence our love for you by our hatred of evil. May we rejoice in righteousness and praise your holy name. We gratefully pray in Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 98
Psalm 98 is another admonition to joyful celebration of the Lord's righteous reign in the world. It includes wording similar to the other psalms in the series.

Reading: Psalm 98:1-9
The psalm may be read as three stanzas of three verses each. The first stanza serves as introduction and recalls God's salvation and righteousness, especially visible in his love for and faithfulness toward his people. This saving love can be seen by all the nations. The second stanza is framed by the phrase "shout for joy" and may be seen as the body of the psalm. What is the psalm about? God is joyfully worshiped! The final stanza serves as summary. The whole world and its inhabitants anticipate the righteous judgment of God.

Prayer
Dear God, we confidently come before you today and worship you. You have done marvelous things and we have seen your love and faithfulness toward your people. We see our own unrighteousness and thus depend on the righteousness you have imputed to us in Christ, declaring us righteous. May we join all creation in reflecting your glory and salvation. We depend on you to provide for us what we do not deserve and cannot provide for ourselves. Thank you for making us accepted in Christ. We anticipate his glorious coming. Today we come before your throne in his name, Amen.


Psalm 99
This psalm continues the declarations of God's universal reign, based on his righteous actions on behalf of his people. The Lord reigns over the nations with might, power, and justice; he has done what is just and right in Jacob. The Lord reigns; he has heard his people and forgiven them of their misdeeds.

Reading: Psalm 99:1-9
The psalm is marked by the refrain (5, 9) which is repeated with only a slight variation. A secondary refrain, "He is holy," appears in 3,5,9, perhaps reflecting the traditional "holy, holy, holy." The two major divisions each include two stanzas so the psalm is to be read in four parts (1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9). The historical references in the second division expand the initial reference to God's work in Jacob which appears in the first division (8).

Prayer
Dear God, we honor and praise your majesty, your great and awesome name. We marvel as we contemplate your holiness and your desire to have relationship with us and to answer us when we call to you. Strengthen us as we seek to keep your commands, forgive us our misdeeds and misthoughts. We worship you in your holiness. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 100
The final psalm in the praise series briefly summarizes the psalms which precede it. It provides a fitting summary as it calls God's people to worship, but it lacks the references to God's universal work and reign. Recognizing that God is God and that God is good, and recognizing that which he has done for and among us people, the psalm calls to worship with gladness and joy (2,4). The calls to worship precede the descriptions of God. The psalm is easily memorized.

Reading: Psalm 100:1-5
The psalm has two divisions with parallel structures. The first part (1-3) calls to praise and then tells why the Lord is worthy of praise (He is God, he made us, we are his, we are his people-the sheep of his pasture). The second part (4-5) again calls to praise and then tells why the Lord is worthy of praise (the Lord is good, his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues). If the first part focuses on the relationship of God to his people, the second part is focused on God's nature.

Prayer
Dear God, we affirm that you are God and that you are good. Help us to live according to our beliefs. Thank you for all you have done in our lives, and for claiming us and caring for us. We praise you for your goodness, love, and faithfulness-always. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 101
Psalms 101-110 are a collection of ten psalms that appear between two other groupings (the praise psalms of 90-100 and the 'hallel' of 111-119). The difficulty of considering these psalms as a single group is that the division between Book IV and Book V comes between Psalm 106 and Psalm 107. More information can be found in study resources for the Psalms. The psalm, "of David," may be described as a kingly or royal psalm and is related to Psalm 110. As such it may be understood as a commitment to live righteously and administer justice correctly.

Reading: Psalm 101:1-8
The psalm contains seven couplets (sets of two poetic lines), but the first four verses as numbered contain only three couplets (1a-2a, 2b-3a, 3b-4). Thus the psalm has one more verse than the number of couplets. The first two couplets are introductory so that the body of the psalm is composed of five couplets (3b-4, 5,6,7,8). The middle couplet (6) is stated positively while the two couplets before and the two couplets after are negative (faithless, slander and pride, deceit, wicked evildoers). The five commitments of the text, as components of what it means to lead a blameless life and walk with blameless heart, have obvious applications in today's world.

Prayer
Dear God, may we praise you not only with our lips, but also with our lives. May we exclude from our lives the very presence of evil-faithlessness, slander, pride and arrogance, deceit and false words, and evildoing. Guide in your paths so we may dwell with you and serve you, in Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 102
This psalm is unique in that no author is named and no historical or liturgical notes are included. The title simply names the life situation to which the prayer applies. Internal evidence suggests applications in individual circumstances and also during times of national calamity. Some have suggested the Exile as a historical context. In early Christianity, this psalm was used as a penitential prayer although there is no clear relationship with the sin of the plaintiff.

Reading: Psalm 102:1-28
Two introductory verses that call upon the Lord to hear are followed by three major divisions in the body of the psalm. Distress (3-11) is accompanied by the assurance that God hears (12-17). The certainty that God will deliver leads to praise (18-22). The concluding summary or epilogue (23-28) is striking in its comparison of short days (23) and living in God's presence (28).

Prayer
Dear God, we seek your presence, waiting to know with certainty that you are open to our pleas and that you hear. When life buffets us and we find ourselves in the depths of distress and despair, renew in our hearts the assurance that you hear and respond to our prayers. We anticipate deliverance and relief and declare the excellencies of your name. Your eternal nature reminds us that life is not to be measured by what happens today, for we know that your servants and their children will live forever in your presence. You remain forever and give us forever hope, in Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 103
This psalm celebrates God's love and compassion for his people. The psalm is fairly well known for its descriptions of God's actions (note the verbs in 3-5) and God's nature (8-18).

Reading: Psalm 103:1-22
Praise sections frame the psalm (1-2, 20-22) which has two major sections. The first is a brief celebration of the benefits received through God's actions on behalf of the psalmist (3-5). The second (6-19) has fourteen verses which contain seven couplets. A unique feature of the body is that it begins with a half-couplet (6) and concludes with a half-couplet (19). The other six couplets fall into two thematic sections: the first a celebration of God's compassion on his people as sinners (7-12), the second a celebration of God's compassion on his people as frail human beings (13-18).

Prayer
Dear God, we praise your holy name when we remember all you have done for us and the benefits we have received from your hand. You have forgiven, healed, redeemed, crowned, satisfied, and renewed us. You are compassionate toward us and do not treat us according to our sins. You are compassionate toward us and know well that we are frail in this temporary human existence. Thank you for showing us life and love beyond this life. Thank you for giving us Jesus as the ultimate promise and power for eternal life. We pray in His name, Amen.


Psalm 104
This psalm is a Creation Hymn, focusing on the visible creation which declares the glory of the Creator. The visible creation is depicted as the garment with which invisible Creator clothes himself as evidence of his glory.

Reading: Psalm 104:1-35
The one line introduction is followed by five stanzas of uneven but symmetrical length (3,5,9,5,3). Descriptions of he creation are grouped according to the celestial realm (1b-4), the foundations of the earth (5-9), the verdant, abundant life that exists on earth as evidence of God's glory (10-18), the life cycles controlled by the moon and sun (19-23), and the sea and its depths (24-26). A summary stanza shows that all of the creation looks to and depends on God (27-30) and is followed by the conclusion (31-32). The last three verses are best understood as an epilogue or personal expression of the psalmist's response to the glory of God which is made visible through the creation.

Prayer
Dear God, help us to see you today in the glory of the world in which we live. No other explanation is possible for the existence of this world-only that you are creator and sustainer. The beauty of the world overwhelms us; thank you! We see you in the rhythms of life, seasons, night and day. We see you in the infinity of the skies and the profundity of the seas. We praise you and glorify your name. We praise you also because you gave us your Son, Jesus. We pray in His name, Amen.


Psalm 105
Two historical psalms (105, 106) recount Israel's history from two distinct vantage points. This psalm recounts Israel's redemption during the Exodus and exhorts God's people to worship and praise the Lord because of his saving deeds. The two psalms provide a center for Psalms 100-110 and a conclusion for Book IV.

Reading: Psalm 105:1-45
The first seven verses provide a longer than normal introduction. Ten imperatives (1-4) are followed by a call to remember God's wonders, miracles, and judgments (5-7). The rest of the psalm is framed by two parallel sections: 8-11 and 42-45. God remembers his covenant (promise); he gave Israel the land of Canaan (the lands of the nations).
The body of the psalm (12-41) recounts the history of Israel beginning with the covenant with Abraham through the deliverance from Egypt. The focus throughout is on God's redemptive actions to deliver his people.

Prayer
Dear God, help us to see your redemptive actions in our lives today. As you redeemed and delivered Israel, and as you redeem us in Christ, we know also that you actively work in our lives each day to protect us and deliver us. We are people of your new covenant and we are bound together by faithfulness and mutual commitment. We are confident that you will not forget your promises to us. You gave us your Son to cement the promise, and we can only believe that you will continue to bless us. We give thanks, we praise you, we declare your majesty because of your great love. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Psalm 106
This psalm, the second of two historical psalms (105, 106) focuses on Israel's history of rebellion during the Exodus. Historically, it is a continuation of Psalm 105 but the focus is reversed. God acted redemptively but Israel responded by acting rebelliously. The last verse (48) is possibly a benediction for Book IV and not only a benediction to close the psalm.

Reading: Psalm 106:1-48
The psalm is doubly framed by an outer frame (1-3, 48) and an inner frame (4-5, 47). The body of the psalm is organized symmetrically. Fourteen lines of Hebrew poetry (6-18) are followed by three stanzas in a six-four-six pattern (19-23, 24-27, 28-33) and another fourteen lines of Hebrew poetry (34-46).
The main theme is the recital of Israel's history beginning with the rebellious attitude at the edge of the Red Sea and continuing through the period of the kings. In fact, the rebelliousness described could well apply even to the time of the Babylonian exile.

Prayer
Dear God, as we contemplate your mighty acts, deliver us from the rebellious spirit. Remember us, show us favor, aid us and save us, so we can enjoy the prosperity and the joy of your people. No inheritance is sweeter than the inheritance of giving you praise. We give thanks and praise you, knowing that the greatest evidence of your action on our behalf is the gift of your Son on the cross. Thank you, in Jesus' name, Amen.


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Last updated October 7, 2013