angela hormberg

Category: Reading Through the Psalms

  • Psalm 20

    Psalm 20

    Commonplace –

    “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

    Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

    Remember all thy offerings and accept thy burnt sacrifice;

    Selah” (Psalm 20:1-3).

    In Psalm 20, David is asking his congregation to pray for him and gives them the words to use that will most help him in his time of need. Matthew Henry offers a wonderful summary of Psalm 20.

    “It is the will of God that prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, should be made, in special manner, for kings and all in authority. This psalm is a prayer, and the next a thanksgiving, for the king. David was a martial prince, much in war. Either this psalm was penned upon occasion of some particular expedition of his, or, in general, as a form to be used in the daily service of the church for him. In this psalm, we may observe,

    I. What it is they beg of God for the king (v. 1-4).

    II. What assurance they beg it.” (248).

    We may find this psalm very useful in praying for our own leaders and our kin and kindred, as well. We can pray this psalm for any one working on behalf of good. As David notes, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). Amen.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 20.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 19

    Psalm 19

    Commonplace –

    “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

    Surely one of the greatest of the psalms of praise, Psalm 19 is a psalm of pure rejoicing. David carries the reader away with his expressions of amazement at the way nature itself proclaims God’s glory. He then moves on to meditating on the perfection of God’s laws, statutes, and judgments. He ends with a prayer that God will keep believers from sin, so they can be upright and clean in the His presence.

    Matthew Henry provides a lovely summary of Psalm 19.

    “There are two excellent books which the great God has published for the instruction and edification of the children of men; this psalm treats of them both, and recommends them both to our diligent study.

    I. The book of the creatures, in which we may easily read the power and godhead of the Creator (v. 1-6).

    II. The book of the scriptures, which makes known to us the will of God concerning our duty. [David] shows the excellency and usefulness of that book (v. 7-11) and then teaches us how to improve it (v. 12-14)”.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 19.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 18

    Psalm 18

    Commonplace –

    “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2).

    David’s own introduction to Psalm 18 is worthy of noting:

    “A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and the hand of Saul” (Psalm 18).

    Here is a song of victory. Yet in it, there is no conceit, no arrogance, no smugness. David heaps his gratitude on God and gives God all the glory for the defeat of his enemy. Matthew Henry’s description of Psalm 18 is especially insightful.

    [Psalm 18] is an admirable composition. The poetry is very fine, the images are bold, the expressions lofty, and every word is proper and significant; but the piety far exceeds the poetry. Holy faith, and love, and joy, and praise, and hope, are here lively, active, and upon the wing” (241).

    With Psalm 18, David was setting down a stone of remembrance of the occasion of his victories over his enemies. We have encountered many psalms where David was in distress and beseeching God for assistance. It is right and good that when he receives the answer to his prayer he recognize the gift and give thanks for it, and here he did so in a beautiful way.

    In regard to this point, Matthew Henry notes:

    “The private compositions of good men, designed by them for their own use, my be serviceable to the public, that others may not only borrow light from their candle, but heat from their fire” (241).

    As Matthew Henry points out, the passion David pours out in Psalm 18 is an encouragement for our own times of struggle to keep going. We can borrow some of his joy to fuel our own hope.

    To Matthew Henry’s point about “borrowing light from their candle”, in Psalm 18, David also left us a worthy model of offering thanks to God, which we can use to illuminate our own expressions of thankfulness to God in times of intense and hard fought victories. Matthew Henry has taken David’s model and broken it down into a helpful outline, which we can employ for our own use.

    I. “[David] triumphs in God (v.1-3).

    II. He magnifies the deliverances God had wrought for him (v. 4-19).

    III. He takes the comfort of his integrity, which God had thereby cleared up (v. 20-28).

    IV. He gives to God the glory of all his achievements (v.29-42).

    V. He encourages himself with the expectation of what God would further do for him and his (v.43-50)” (241).

    It is essential to take note when God has given us a victory in our own life for a few reasons.

    1. It is important to thank the giver for the gift.
    2. It is an important reminder to ourselves that the victory was granted to us.
    3. It increases our faith, because we realize God hears and answers our prayers.
    4. In future struggles, we can look back and remind ourselves of the hard times we previously faced and the victories gained, which will gives us strength and encouragement to stay the course.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 18.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 17

    Psalm 17

    Commonplace –

    “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 17:8a).

    Calling on the Lord

    Psalm 17 opens with David beseeching the Lord three times to heed his prayer using three synonymic verbs: hear, attend, give ear to. In the second half of verse 1, David emphasizes that his prayer “goeth not out of feigned lips” (v.1b), meaning his prayer comes from a sincere heart. David supports his use of multiple apposite verbs with the evidence that his earnest appeal is pouring forth from his devoted heart.

    Why should the Lord listen

    David then supports his claim that his heart is devoted by listing the following evidence:

    1. His heart has been proven.
    2. The Lord has tried him and found nothing wanting.
    3. He is steadfast in not allowing sin to come from his lips.
    4. He has been obedient to God’s words.
    5. He has kept to the right path.

    Petition

    Only then does he put forth his petition: that God would keep him on the right path and not allow him to fall into evil ways.

    Call on the Lord

    At this point, he once again asks God to hear his words.

    Why should the Lord listen

    Once again he supports his request with proof of his devotion: he has put his trust in God.

    Petition

    Then, he puts forth three more petitions:

    1. “Keep me as the apple of the eye” – prayer to be a cherished one of God
    2. “hide me under the shadow of thy wings” – prayer for God’s protection

    State the problem

    David then brings forth the reason for this prayer: he is being oppressed by his wicked enemy. He is surrounded by them. They hide, waiting for an opportunity to kill him.

    Evidence to support the validity of the claim

    The evidence of their wickedness:

    1. They speak pridefully.
    2. They bow down to the earth and not God.

    Petition

    David brings forth two more petitions:

    1. Disappoint the wicked.
    2. Cast the wicked down.
    3. Deliver him from the wicked.

    More evidence to support the claim

    Davide supplies more evidence of their wickedness:

    1. Men that have their portion in this life.
    2. Men who fill their bellies with God’s treasure.
    3. Men who propagate children just like themselves.

    Confidence in God’s Help

    David ends in confidence that his righteousness will have a reward: He will behold God’s face.

    Matthew Henry notes the following in his summary:

    “David being in great distress and danger by the malice of his enemies, does, in this psalm, by prayer address himself to God, his tried refuge, and seeks shelter in him” (237).

    and further

    “Some make [David], in this, a type of Christ, who was perfectly innocent, and yet was hated and persecuted, but, like David, committed himself and his cause to him that judgeth righteously” (237).

    In the same way, in our own struggles, we can commit ourselves and our causes to God, when we are innocent and yet hated and persecuted.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 17.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 16

    Psalm 16

    Commonplace –

    “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

    Psalm 16 is a beautiful meditation on a life purposed to follow God. It is all about living with intention and persistently pursuing God. How do we live that way?

    Purposeful Living

    David shares with us how he lives intentionally.

    1. He puts his trust in God. (v.1)
    2. He seeks God’s counsel. (v.7)
    3. He sets the Lord always before him. (v.8)
    4. He recognizes God maintains his lot. (v.5)
    5. He rests in the hope that God will not leave him nor forsake him. (v.10).

    David shares with us how he receives God’s gifts. Often we ask for things from God and we are committed to following God, but we never receive the gifts of God. We continue to live in stress and worry. What does receiving the gifts of God look like?

    1. Recognizing the good things in our lives and being thankful for them. (v.6).
    2. Living with a glad heart and rejoicing in the Lord always no matter the circumstances. (v.9).

    God gives us the gift of life; life is a gift. There is always something to be thankful for: breath of life, sunshine, rain, food, people that come into our lives, even if it’s simply a stranger with a smile. Recognizing these things is an essential part of living with a glad heart. When we purpose to recognize the good, we are also purposing to see past our present unpleasant circumstances. This is key to obtaining the joy that David is talking about in this psalm. It is a mindset. It is affirming the goodness of God and the gift of life. It is the very essence of hope. Connect your hope with action: be “be patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). In this way we live the life Christ modeled for us.

    Matthew Henry’s summary includes the following excerpt:

    “This psalm has something of David in it, but much more of Christ. It begins with expressed devotion as may be applied to Christ; but concludes with such confidence of a resurrection (and so timely a one as to prevent corruption) as must be applied to Christ” (234).

    And our faith in Christ gives us the same confidence in eternal life. We can have that eternal life now through faith, and we can walk that faith out every day.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 16.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 15

    Psalm 15

    Commonplace –

    “He that doeth these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15:5).

    Psalm 15, an exploration on righteousness, is in direct response to Psalm 14, an exploration on wickedness.While Psalm 14 focused on the general truth that all men are wicked or as Paul puts it in Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, Psalm 15 explores the righteous man. Herein David searches out the qualities of the righteous.

    Question

    David begins his study of a righteous man with two questions.

    1. Who shall I abide in God’s tabernacle?
    2. Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

    Response

    David then begins to list the qualities of a righteous man.

    1. He walks upright.
    2. He does good.
    3. He speaks truth in his heart.
    4. He doesn’t gossip.
    5. He doesn’t do evil to his neighbor.
    6. He doesn’t complain or express disapproval of his neighbor.
    7. He looks down on the vile.
    8. He honors those who fear God.
    9. He doesn’t swear to his own hurt.
    10. He does not change.
    11. He doesn’t lend money at interest.
    12. He doesn’t hurt the innocent.

    Psalms 15 and 14 are a continuation of the theme of the psalms presented from Psalm 1. Psalm 15 is what the path of goodness looks like and Psalm 14 is the evil path.

    Here is a short excerpt from Matthew Henry’s summary of Psalm 15:

    “The scope of this short but excellent psalm is to show us the way to heaven, and to convince us that, if we would be happy, we must be holy and honest” (232).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 15.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 14

    Psalm 14

    Commonplace –

    “The fool has said in his heart there is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

    In Psalm 14, David explores the path of the evildoers.

    Matthew Henry provides a very helpful summary.

    “In all the psalms from the 3rd to this (except for the 8th) David has been complaining of those that hated and persecuted him, insulted him and abused him; now here he traces all those bitter streams to the fountain, the general corruption of nature, and sees that not his enemies only, but all the children of men, were thus corrupted. Here is,

    I. A charge against a wicked world (v.1)

    II. The proof of the charge (v.2,3).

    III. A serious expostulation with sinners, especially with persecutors, upon it (v.4-6)

    Iv. A believing prayer for the salvation of Israel and a joyful expectation of it (v.7).

    David has found a truth in his own life, a specific truth: wicked men are awful. He realizes that it’s part of a bigger, general truth: all men are corrupt. It’s a depressing reality. Yet, even in the midst of all the sin, “God is in the generation of the righteous” (v.5). Every man has a choice. There is hope, when man repents of his sin. So David ends the psalm looking forward with hope and expectation.

    Within Psalm 14, David describes the actions of the wicked. Matthew Henry provides the following summary of those wicked actions. The wicked:

    1. “are themselves workers of iniquity; they design it, they practise it and take as much pleasure in it as ever any man did in his business” (229).
    2. “They eat up God’s people with as much greediness as they eat bread” (229).
    3. “They call not upon the Lord” (229).
    4. “They shame the counsel of the poor” (229).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 14.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 13

    Psalm 13

    Commonplace –

    “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1a).

    Questions for God

    David opens Psalm 13 with four questions:

    1. How long wilt thou forget me O Lord? for ever?
    2. How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
    3. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?
    4. How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

    Petition

    Then, David brings forth his petition to God, and he uses action verbs. These are the actions he desires God to take:

    1. Consider me
    2. Hear me
    3. Lighten mine eyes, lighten my eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death

    The first two petitions are clear. He is asking God to listen and carefully weigh his requests. The third is a bit confusing, “lighten my eyes” (v.3.); this could be physical, spiritual, or both. David’s mood is heavy and dark; spiritually he is weighed down. This downhearted outlook casts a darkness over life, so he’s asking for spiritual illumination. He is asking for help to see beyond his circumstances and to be reinvigorated with hope and light. It could also have the double physical meaning that he is fearful he will lose his life. He needs strength to overcome his enemies, who stand waiting to jeer at him, if he fails.

    Remembering and Reminding

    David remembers.

    “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

    I will sing unto the Lord, because he hat dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:6).

    Note his past tense in the word ‘trusted’ and how he switches tense with ‘shall’ and ‘will’. I have trusted; I shall rejoice. I will sing. God has always supplied more than enough of his needs. He will walk forward in faith, knowing God will not leave him.

    Once again, Matthew Henry’s words are on point.

    “This psalm is the deserted soul’s case and cure.

    Henry comments on David’s final words: “[David] concludes his deliverance to be as good as wrought” (229).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 13.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 12

    Psalm 12

    Commonplace –

    “Help, Lord” (Psalm 12:1a).

    Petition

    The situation is dire. David cries out, “Help, Lord” (v.1.). He lays before the Lord his charge against the wicked.

    1. They speak vanity with flattering lips.
    2. They speak with a double heart.
    3. They speak with pride and boasting.

    Grounds for Petition

    David details the situation resulting from the evil actions of the wicked.

    1. godly men cease
    2. the faithful fail

    Justification

    David asks God to keep and preserve the godly from the wicked. He quotes God’s own words back to him:

    “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him” (Psalm 12:5).

    Further, David compares God’s words to the vain words of the wicked. God’s words are “pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (v.6). Therefore, God’s words are more than enough evidence to support the petition for God’s intercession on behalf of the godly.

    Remembering and Reminding

    David reassures himself and the reader that God will resolve this situation and the godly will prevail: “Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever” (Psalm 12:7). Remembering this brings peace in the midst of troubling circumstances. Reminding the reader of this is a help in times of trouble.

    Warning

    The psalm closes with a warning, “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted” (Psalm 12:8). Again, this is written for David and the reader. If vile men are elevated in a society, the wicked proliferate. It is our responsibility to be on guard against this, refrain from participating in anything that encourages the increase in wickedness, and to pray faithfully against it happening.

    Here is an excerpt of Matthew Henry’s summary of Psalm 12.

    “It is supposed that David penned this psalm in Saul’s reign, when there was a general decay of honesty and piety both in court and country, which he here complains of to God, and very feelingly, for he himself suffered by the treachery of false friends and the insolence of sworn enemies” (227).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 12.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 11

    Psalm 11

    Commonplace –

    “For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright” (Psalm 11:7).

    From the beginning, David announces, “In the Lord put I my trust” (v.1a). He chooses to trust God. He makes a formal declaration of his trust. In a like manner, every new Christian makes this same declaration, when they choose to follow Christ. What happens when trouble comes and our faith is tested? This will be the subject of the psalm.

    Circumstances

    “For lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart” (v.2.). The wicked are ready to strike.

    Questioning

    “How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” (v.1b.) and “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (v.3.). Whether it was David’s friends, who were counseling him to flee, or his own fear, in a desperate situation, causing him to consider taking flight, he was in a situation where circumstances were dire. The first question is in response to a desire to run away from the present situation. Should I just leave? The second question is a follow up to the first and is about doing the right thing in a difficult situation. The enemy is powerful and they are going to succeed in their destruction, so what good would it do if I stay and fight, only to die in a losing situation?

    Considering

    In situations where circumstances are difficult, there is always a choice: trust God or not. This precedes all other questions, because it directs our choices, decisions, and actions to whatever questions follow. Even before the 1st question, when we are faced with decisions about stay or go or the 2nd question of whether this is the battle we should choose to fight or not, we must decide if we will be obedient to God and trust him first.

    Remembering

    The first step in trusting God is to remember everything we know about him, which is exactly what David does in verse 4:

    1. He is in his holy temple.
      • God is righteous.
    2. His throne is in heaven.
      • God is judge.
    3. His eyes behold the children of men.
      • God is present.
    4. He hates the wicked and all those that love violence.
      • The wicked will receive their judgment and portion: snares, fire and brimstone, and tempests.
    5. He loves righteousness.
      • He is on the side of the righteous.
    6. His countenance beholds the upright.
      • God sees the doers of good.

    Reaffirm

    After walking through this process of remembering, David is justified in his choice to trust God and not let present circumstances shake him from his faith.

    Answer

    This psalm does not supply us with answers. What it does do is teach us that in every circumstance we must pause and go through this exercise of recommitting ourselves to our original declaration of faith. Confirming our trust in God in desperate times enables us to encourage our soul to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. And that’s the next step, we must determine what step is the obedient step in the circumstance we are in at the moment. Then, we must take that step, because it is the step that brings us closer to God.

    Matthew Henry had some very good insight into this psalm.

    “If you destroy the foundations, if you take good people off from their hope in God, if you can persuade them that their religion is a cheat and a jest and can banter them out of that, your ruin them, and break their hearts indeed, and make them of all the men the most miserable.” The principles of religion are the foundations on which the faith and hope of the righteous are built. These we are concerned in interest as well as duty, to hold fast against all temptations to infidelity; for, if these be destroyed, if we let these go, What can the righteous do? Good people would be undone if they had not a God to go to, a God to trust to, and a future bliss to hope for” (226).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 11.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg