Psalm 60

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Who - David speaking to the LORD, then to the people as a choir song.  

What - This is a national lament.  It is a lament over a national crisis that has come upon Israel by the opposing armies threatening Israel.  It is a cry to the LORD for His help and deliverance.  

When - The title gives the occasion of this psalm when Aram, Syria, Edom and Ammon assembled together to battle David and Israel in 2 Samuel 8:3-14 and 10:1-19.  What we discover in those passages were multiple engagements with a very large fighting force arrayed against Israel.  Not only was David and the army out numbered, but the Syrians had chariots while the Israelites did not.  So it was both a technological and numerical disadvantage for David.  

Where - Where this psalm was written is difficult to determine.  Most likely it was written out in the field where David and his army were encamped in Ammon.  If so, David was in a foreign land, outnumbered and overpowered by his enemies.  

Why - David and the army were in a desperate situation.  They were in a foreign land outnumbered and under-armed.  All the advantages went to David's enemies.  David calls upon the LORD to deliver and save Israel from these threats.  If David and Israel lose this battle, the Davidic Dynasty never happens.  

Psalm 108

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Who - David is speaking to the LORD.

What - David is making a plea to the LORD for help.  He is calling to God for help against Israel's enemies, apparently after defeats by the enemies around Israel in Battle.  

When - Unstated.  However, verses 8-13 are an exact match to Psalm 60:7-12.  So both psalms are probably inspired by the same events in 2 Sam 8 & 10.   

Where - Unknown, possibly in Ammon in the army’s encampment there.

Why - David sees the plight of Israel as desperate.  He believes they are in danger from armies around them.  He also believes that no human agent can save them.  Their only hope is the LORD intervening for them.  

Psalm 107

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Who - An unnamed psalmist writes a Thanksgiving song for gathered worship, speaking to the people.  

What - The primary focus is to call the people to remember the steadfast love of the LORD.  The reasons for calling the people to remember are thanksgiving, encouragement and admonishment.  Those who have experienced the steadfast love of LORD are to give thanks to Lord for what he has done.  Those in similar circumstances to the first group are encouraged to seek the LORD for help.  Why?  Because from His steadfast love He will help them if they are repentant and faithful.  Individuals are admonished not to join the wicked or turn to sinful ways.   The LORD’S steadfast love for His people means the LORD’S judgment for those who oppress others.  

When - Unstated

Where - Unstated

Why - The psalmist is calling the people to give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love and His deliverance from trouble.  He is calling the redeemed of the LORD to give thanks to Him for redeeming them.  

How - The psalmist calls on the people to praise and give thanks to the LORD for He is good.  His steadfast love endures forever and He redeems His people from trouble.  The psalmist first calls the redeemed to praise and give thanks to the LORD.  He lists four groups the LORD has redeemed:  

1. Wanderers in a wasteland the LORD has led to a city to dwell in.  
2. Those suffering in the shadow of death and in affliction and prison because they rebelled against the LORD.   
3. The foolish who suffered affliction as a result of their foolishness, but were healed when they cried out to the LORD.   
4. Those who went to do business on the sea and the LORD sent a great storm to discipline them.  They were saved when they cried out to the LORD.  Each group is called to give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love and wondrous works for the children of men.  For He:    1) satisfies the longing soul (vs 9).  2) shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron (vs 16).  3) delivers from destruction (vs 20).  4) brings them to their desired haven (vs 30).  Each is to testify to the LORD’S wondrous works.  

The last two stanzas are admonishments to avoid wickedness.  The LORD punishes those who do evil while he blesses those who do good.  

So What 

1. Testify to the LORD’S steadfast love in your life by telling what He has done for you.  All of us fit into one or more of the four groups listed by the psalmist.  Testify!
2. When we find ourselves in one of the four situations described by the psalmist, cry out to Jesus.  He will save.  
3. When tempted to do evil or join wicked people, remember the steadfast love of the LORD becomes the steadfast judgment of the LORD for the wicked (vs 33-43).  
4. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good and His steadfast love endures forever!  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!  

Psalm 91

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Who - The author is unstated.  He is appealing to the LORD and speaking to his hearers.  

What - This reads like a deliverance psalm, as the author is asking the LORD to deliver him and his hearers from some trouble.  Is this an individual psalm or a corporate psalm?  I cannot tell from the words whether its original inspiration was an individual crisis or a national one.  It reads as if the priest was saying these words over the army as they go out to battle.  Yet it has a very personal “you” and “I” singular message.  Either way it is appropriate to apply in both cases today.  

Satan quotes verses 11 and 12 to Jesus at His temptation on top of the temple.  Which is stunning as verse 13 talks about the Messiah's victory over the lion and serpent!  Jesus’s response about not testing the LORD is a good warning about misuse of a psalm to justify careless and reckless actions.  

When - Unstated

Where - Unstated

Why - The author is facing a crisis in which his physical life is in danger.  He is asking the LORD to deliver him.  

Psalm 86

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Who - David writes a prayer to the LORD.  

What - David is asking the LORD to save him from a group of men pursuing him with the intent to kill David.  David also asks the LORD for more than escape and deliverance.  David asks for the LORD to perform a very public sign so that those pursuing him may “be put to shame.”  David is asking for vindication.  

When - Unstated, but could fit several instances in David’s life.  

Where - Unstated

Why - David is writing a prayer of deliverance because he is being pursued by men who want to take his life.  David believes that unless the LORD intervenes, these men will overtake him.  

Psalm 79

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Who - Asaph writes a lament to the LORD.

What - The psalmist is lamenting to the LORD at the destruction of Israel and and the death of many Israelites at the hands of foreign invaders.  

When - The Psalmist does not specifically say when this happened, but the description only fits the Babylonian conquest and exile.  

Where - Unstated, but most likely Jerusalem.  

Why - The psalmist acknowledges the sins of the nation that have caused this destruction and it is the LORD’S anger poured out on them.  The psalmist is asking the LORD to relent and repay the hostile invaders.

Psalm 74

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Who - Asaph speaking to the LORD.

What - A lament to the LORD for the great calamity that has happened to Israel.  The temple has been burned and destroyed and people who do not worship the LORD rule the land.  The psalmist pleads with the LORD to come and act for the good of Israel and the LORD’S own name.  

When - No specific time stated, but the Babylonian exile and conquest is the only time that makes sense.  

Where - Unstated, but either Jerusalem our Babylon.  

Why - The Babylonians have overrun Israel, taken away the people and destroyed the Temple.  The psalmist pleads to the LORD for relief and help.  

Psalm 61

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Who - David writes a song to the LORD.

What - This song of petition asks for the LORD to lead David to a place of blessing.  David writes a song to be sung in public worship.  

When - Unknown

Where - Unknown

Why - David is requesting the LORD to be a refuge in times of distress.  He also asks God to lead David to the rock of safety and comfort.   David desires to know and experience the LORD’S protection and fellowship.  David is also asking for the LORD’S blessing over his kingship or possibly Solomon’s.  

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 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 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.

Psalm 38

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Who - David writes this psalm to God as part of his offering to God.

What and Why - The title says David writes this psalm to the LORD and it is connected/brought with a memorial offering.  The memorial offering was prescribed in Leviticus 2:1-15.  According to the ESV Study Bible notes, the memorial offering was to “remind” the LORD to look favorably upon the offerer with his purpose, whether praise or petition.  In this case David is making a petition to God while under attack from others and suffering the consequences of his own sins.  As the memorial offering usually accompanied a burnt offering, it is reasonable to think David has come before the LORD at the altar with a sin offering confessing his sins and asking for forgiveness and restoration.  Specifically David seems to be suffering from a physical disease that has resulted in alienation from his friends.  So ultimately this psalm is David’s confession and petition to the LORD for physical, relational and spiritual healing, David’s desire is to be restored relationally with the LORD and other humans.

When - No specific events mentioned, but this could fit many different moments in David’s life.

Where - Unstated, but most likely at the temple.

Psalm 33

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Who - Unstated, no indication who wrote this psalm.  The psalmist is speaking to the people; he ends with a request to the LORD.

What - This is a psalm of praise and reminder of God’s steadfast love.  The psalmist tells us of God's power over all things, His goodness to those He loves and God's deliverance of His people in times of distress.

When - Unstated. However, the wording indicates a time of national distress such as an attack from a powerful enemy (vs 10, 16 and 17) or a famine (vs 19).

Where - unstated

Why - The psalmist seems to want his hearers to remember God’s steadfast love for them and the promises that come with God’s steadfast love, so they will take hope in the LORD and his deliverance from their situation.  

Psalm 16

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Who - David is singing to the LORD.

What - David has written a song of praise and thankfulness.  David is singing about how the LORD has been good to him.  

When - No time is given, possibly after a recent illness or life threatening situation. (vs10).

Where - Unknown

Why - While David does make a specific request (vs 1), the purpose seems to be a personal praise and thanksgiving for God’s overall goodness and blessing.