angela hormberg

Category: Reading Through the Psalms

  • Psalm 2

    Psalm 2

    Commonplace –

    “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

    Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:10-11).

    The writer opens with a question: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” What is this vanity? The writer is referring to people who reject God. This is an interesting follow up to Psalm 1, a psalm of instruction, which lays out the choice all men have between good and evil. In Psalm 2, the writer gives the reader a glimpse of life for those who choose evil; they will be punished for their evil actions. The psalmist ends with an entreaty to the reader to make the good choice, “Be wise therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:10-11).

    The result of choosing to follow God is a blessing: “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:12b). Notice, the psalmist doesn’t say “Blessed will be“. This is important, because the blessing is present. One does not have to wait for it to happen; those who follow God are blessed in the present moment in the act of following God. The blessing is the peace that comes from doing the right thing.

    It is also important to note the Messianic message in this psalm: “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but little” (Psalm 2:12a). Here we are introduced to the Son of God and our need of Him. Allegiance to Him is a necessary element in choosing the good path. Matthew Henry notes this in his comments:

    “As the foregoing psalm was moral, and showed us our duty, so this is evangelical, and shows us our Saviour. Under the type of David’s kingdom (which was of divine appointment, met with much opposition, but prevailed at last) the kingdom of the Messiah, the son of David, is prophesied of, which is the primary intention and scope of this psalm” (196).

    Further on, Henry continues:

    “This psalm, as the former, is very fitly prefixed to this book of devotions, because, as it is necessary to our acceptance with God that we should be subject to the precepts of his law, so it is likewise that we should be subject to the grace of his gospel, and come to him in the name of a Mediator” (196).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 2.” 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 Singing: Psalm 1

    Psalm Singing: Psalm 1

    From The Psalms of David in Metre

    “That man hath perfect blessedness

    who walketh not astry

    In counsel of ungodly men,

    nor stand in sinner’s way,

    Nor sitteth in the scorner’s chari:

    But placeth his delight

    Upon God’s law, and meditates

    on his law day and night.

    He shall be like a tree that grows

    near planted by a river,

    Which in his season yields his fruit,

    and his leaf fadeth never:

    And all he doth shall prosper well.

    The wicked are not so;

    But like they are unto the chaff,

    which wind drives to and fro.

    In judgment therefore shall not stand

    such as ungodly are;

    Nor in th’ assmebly of the just

    shall wicked men appear.

    For why? the way of godly men

    unto the Lord is known:

    Whereas the way of wicked men

    shall be quite overthrown” (1).

    Works Cited

    “Psalm 1.” The Psalms of David in Metre. Trinitartian Bible Society, 1998.

  • Psalm 1

    Psalm 1

    Commonplace –

    “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

    Matthew Henry has much to say on this Psalm, so I will let him take the lead.

    “This is a psalm of instruction concerning good and evil, setting before us life and death, the blessing and the curse, that we may take the right way which leads to happiness and avoid that which will certainly end in our misery and ruin. The different character and condition of godly people and wicked people, those that serve God and those that serve him not, is here plainly stated in a few words; so that ever man, if he will be faithful to himself, may here see his own face and then read his own doom. That division of the children of men into saints and sinners, righteous and unrighteous, the children of God and the children of the wicked one, as it is ancient, ever since the struggle began between sin and grace, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, so it is lasting, and will survive all other divisions and subdivisions of men into high and low, rich and poor, bond and free; for by this men’s everlasting state will be determined, and the distinction will last as long as heaven and hell” (194).

    Further on, Henry continues,

    “whoever collected the psalms of David (probably it was Ezra) with good reason put this psalm first, as a preface to the rest, because it is absolutely necessary to the acceptance of our devotions that we be righteous before God (for it is only the prayer of the upright that is his delight), and therefore that we may be right in our notions of blessedness and in our choice of the way that leads to it. Those are not fit to put up good prayers who do not walk in good ways” (194).

    And so we begin with Psalm 1. As Matthew Henry noted, it is a psalm of instruction. I highlighted the first verse, because the writer states very clearly his position and the position of any person who chooses the path of good. In order to be blessed, a person must choose to avoid

    1. ungodly counsel,
    2. becoming a stumbling block to others, and
    3. being a person who derides others.

    Instead, a person who desires to be blessed must choose to delight in God’s law and make it his meditation all day. Such a person will be firmly rooted and watered in blessing.

    This psalm is connected to the final psalm, Psalm 150, of the Book of Psalms. Matthew Henry notes this connection in his opening to Psalm 150.

    “The first and last of the psalms have both the same number of verses, are both short, and very memorable. But the scope of them is different: the first psalm is an elaborate instruction in our duty, to prepare us for the comforts of our devotion; [Psalm 150] is all rapture and transport, and perhaps was penned on purpose to be the conclusion of these sacred songs, to show what is the design of them all, and that is to assist us in praising God” (645).

    Therefore, let us begin with the end in mind: a life of praising God.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 1.” 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 Singing: Psalm 150

    Psalm Singing: Psalm 150

    From The Psalms of David in Metre

    Praise ye the Lord. God’s praise within his sanctuary raise;

    And to him in the firmament of his pow’r give ye praise.

    Because of all his mighty acts,

    with praise him magnify:

    O praise him, as he doth excel

    in glorious majesty.

    Praise him with trumpet’s sound; his praise with psaltery advance:

    With timbrel, harp, string’d instruments, and organs, in the dance.

    Praise him on cymbals loud; him praise on cymbals sounding high.

    Let each thing breathing praise the Lord.

    Praise to the Lord give ye.

    Works Cited

    “Psalm 150.” The Psalms of David in Metre. Trinitartian Bible Society, 1998.

  • Psalm 150

    Psalm 150

    Commonplace –

    “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).

    In this beautiful closing to the Psalter is a call to all living things to praise the Lord, whether we be in the sanctuary or in his creation. The psalmist lists reasons we have to praise God; Praise Him for His mighty acts and His excellent greatness. Then, he lists many musical ways to praise God:

    1. the sound of the trumpet
    2. the psaltery, which is an instrument of the string variety
    3. the harp
    4. the timbrel
    5. with dance
    6. with stringed instruments
    7. with organs, also known as an uggab, a pipe or flute
    8. with cymbals
    9. with our very breath

    It is a perfect closing to the Book of Psalms, which have instructed us in prayer and praise, in good times and bad, in every season, to praise God at all times; it is our privilege and duty.

    Matthew Henry gives vital insight to Psalm 150, connecting it to Psalm 1, so we will let him have the last word.

    “The first and the last of the psalms have both the same number of verses, are both short, and very memorable. But the scope of them is very different: the first psalm is an elaborate instruction in our duty, to prepare us for the comforts of our devotions; this is all rapture and transport, and perhaps was penned on purpose to be the conclusion of these sacred songs, to show what is the design of them all, and that is to assist us in praising God” (645).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 150.” 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 Singing: Psalm 149

    Psalm Singing: Psalm 149

    From The Psalms of David in Metre

    Praise ye the Lord: unto him sing

    a new song, and his praise

    In the assembly of his saints

    in sweet psalms do ye raise.

    Let Isr’el in his Maker joy,

    and to him praises sing:

    Let all that Sion’s children are

    be joyful to their King.

    O let them unto his great name

    give praises in the dance;

    Let them with timbrel and with harp

    in songs his praise advance.

    For God doth pleasure take in those

    that his own people be;

    And he with his salvation

    the meek will beautify.

    And in his glory excellent

    let all his saints rejoice:

    Let them to him upon their beds

    aloud lift up their voice.

    Let in their mouth aloft be rais’d

    the high praise of the Lord,

    And let them have in their right hand

    a sharp two-edged sword;

    To execute the vengeance due

    upon the heathen all,

    And make deserved punishment

    upon the people fall.

    And ev’n with chains, as pris’ners, bind

    their kings that them command;

    Yea, and with iron fetters strong,

    the nobles of their land.

    On them the judgment to perform

    found written in his word:

    This honour is to all his saints.

    O do ye praise the Lord.

    Here is a link to an acapella rendition of the psalm:

    “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HleyqlbA85E&list=RDHleyqlbA85E&start_radio=1”

    Works Cited

    “Psalm 149.” The Psalms of David in Metre. Trinitartian Bible Society, 1998.

  • Psalm 149

    Psalm 149

    Commonplace –

    “For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4).

    David begins this praise song stirring up his spirit and those around him: the congregation of saints, Israel, children of Zion. Specifically, David invites the Lord’s people to dance for the Lord and sing praises accompanied by instruments. He focuses on the relationship between God and His people in v. 4., when he says that the Lord will take pleasure in the praise He receives from His people and return their affection with the gift of salvation. He encourages the saints to be joyful in glory to the point of singing to and praising God from their beds.

    In verse 6, David pivots and instructs the people of God to praise with their mouths and also have the two-edged sword in their hand. This calls to mind Paul’s words in Hebrews 4:12:

    “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

    Peter’s words build on Paul’s thought, instructing believers on how to properly use the Word of God .

    “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

    Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

    May we praise Him into eternity and always be ready to speak about the reason of our hope.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 149.” 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 Singing: Psalm 148

    Psalm Singing: Psalm 148

  • Psalm 148

    Psalm 148

    Commonplace –

    “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13).

    With this psalm, David provides us with a beautiful example of a call to praise. Matthew Henry notes the following:

    “This psalm is a most solemn and earnest call to all the creatures, according to their capacity, to praise their Creator, and to show forth his eternal power and Godhead, the invisible things of which are manifested in the things that are seen. Thereby the psalmist designs to express his great affection to the duty of praise; he is highly satisfied that God is praised, is very desirous that he may be more praised, and therefore does all he can to engage all about him in this pleasant work, yea, and all who shall come after him, whose hearts must be very dead and cold if they be not raised and enlarged, in praising God, by the lofty flights of divine poetry which we find in this psalm.” (641).

    It is a call to all creation everywhere: material, living, sentient, rational creation, along with nonmaterial, nonliving, nonsentient, nonrational creation. His praise, even greater than a flood, engulfs all creation to its fullest extent.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 148.” 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 Number

    Psalm Number

    Commonplace –

    “Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” (Psalm 147:6).

    This is a psalm of high praise and devotion. David delights the reader with many attributes of God, upon which it is good to meditate. Here he tells us that “it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely” (v.1.). Of God, David says:

    1. He builds up Jerusalem.
    2. He gathers together the outcasts.
    3. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
    4. He tells the number of the stars.
    5. He calls the stars by name.
    6. He is great in power.
    7. His understanding is infinite.
    8. God lifts up the meek.
    9. He casts down the wicked to the ground.
    10. He covers the heavens with clouds.
    11. He prepares rain for the earth.
    12. He makes grass grow upon the mountains.
    13. He gives food to the beasts and young ravens.
    14. He takes pleasure in those who revere Him and those who hope in His mercy.
    15. He strengthens the gates of His people.
    16. He blesses His children’s children.
    17. He brings peace to His children.
    18. He fills His children with the finest wheat.
    19. He sends forth His commandments; His word runs quickly.
    20. He gives snow and frost; He casts forth ice.
    21. He sends out His word, which brings warmth.
    22. He causes the wind to blow.
    23. He causes water to flow.
    24. He shows His statutes and His judgments to His people, He does this for no one else.

    Once again, David gives us an exemplary psalm for praising God, naming His wonderful attributes and works. After pondering this list, our place is put right in the world. What was big before now finds its rightful place in our day, and God rises to take His place, ordering our day aright. How can we but help praising God with David after this? It is pleasant to sing praise to God. As Matthew Henry notes, “This is another psalm of praise” (638). Let us put it in our memory and keep it close at hand, calling it forward when times are challenging and comfort is needed.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 147.” 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