Psalm 58

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Who - David talks to appointed human rulers, not fulfilling their office, but primarily he speaks to the LORD.

What - A Psalm challenging the unjust rulers and asking God to treat them with great disdain.  

When - Unstated.  The context does fit when Saul is unjustly pursuing David.  

Where - Unstated

Psalm 14

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You may notice this psalm meditation seems out of sequence.  Because of the similarities between Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 I decided to publish them close to each other for the benefit of those who wish to compare them.

Who - David is the author.  Who he is speaking to is unclear.

What - David is lamenting the deeds of the evil-doers.  He is describing their heart attitude, which is no fear or concern for the LORD.  The content and message of this psalm is very similar to Psalm 53.   Read Psalm 53 Meditation here.

When - Unknown

Where - Unknown

Psalm 54

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Who - David talking to God, with his prayer made into a song for public worship.  

What and Why - David is writing a plea to the LORD.  Saul has pursued him into the wilderness after the Ziphites ratted him out for the second time (I believe this is in I Samuel 26:1-25, though it could be I Samuel 23:15-29.)  He is in great danger and no match for the army Saul has brought with him.  Without the LORD’S divine intervention David will be killed by Saul.  David's desperation leads to his pleading with God for help.  David's faith in the LORD leads to his praise and worship for what God did.  

When - Saul has pursued David in I Samuel 23:15 or 26:1.

Psalm 53

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Who - David writes a poem for the people to hear.

What and Why - David does not appear to be speaking to God in this psalm but to the people of Israel, and the righteous worshipers of the LORD specifically.  (Though he does make a request of God at the end.)  He seems to want to instruct his people that the evil people around them are not to be feared. Yahweh will take action against those who reject God and pursue evil.  This psalm is very similar in content and message as Psalm 14.  

When - No specific time is given, but it appears to be when a foreign nation that rejects God has come against Israel.

Where - Unknown

Psalm 51

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Who - David is talking to the LORD. Then he made it into a song for Israel to sing to the LORD.  

When - After Nathan confronts David about his adultery, abuse of power, murder and cover up (2 Sam 12:1-14) 

Where - David's palace, perhaps in his throne room

What and Why - David has been confronted by Nathan for his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah.  David expresses in this psalm his guiltiness, remorse and repentance.  He acknowledges his wrongs and asks God to forgive him.  Yet David asks for more than forgiveness, David asks for restoration, restoration in his relationship with God and his role as instructor in the LORD’S ways.  

Psalm 49

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Who - The sons of Korah sing a song to the people who will listen.

What - This is a choir song of wisdom.  The psalmist is trying to teach his hearers of the dangers of trusting in wealth, power and influence.  He is also warning them not to fear those who use their wealth, power and influence to take advantage of others.  The reason to not trust in or fear those with wealth, power and influence is those things cannot keep them from death and the hand of God's justice.  In the end they are like the beasts that perish.

When - Unknown

Where - Unknown

Why - The psalmist wants his hearers to resist the temptation to trust in wealth, power and influence and fear those who have it.  Instead he wants them to see the temporary life of those people and how God brings them all to the same place, the grave.  

Psalm 48

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Who - The sons of Korah write a song to be sung to the people.

What - A song about how God has blessed Jerusalem and the Temple Mount with His presence and revealed Himself there.  A song that praises God for his supernatural deliverance.  

When - Unknown, but after an invasion by a foreign army.

Where - Unknown, most likely Jerusalem.

Why - To acknowledge God's special favor on Jerusalem, thank God for his deliverance from enemies, praise God and ask for his continued blessing.  

Psalm 46

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Who - Sons of Korah write a choir song to God.  

What - This is a song for the people to sing to God.  A song to strengthen their faith in God during a crisis.  The crisis appears to be threats of war/violence from other nations.

When - Unstated, but it appears to be during threat of war.

Where - Unstated

Why - This song is meant to reduce fear and anxiety by strengthening the singers/hearers faith and trust in God’s deliverance.