Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Recite the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

           1.              This Psalm is referred to as a “community lament” and we find this description: “To the Choirmaster. Of David.” The Psalm would be sung in the Temple in Jerusalem, and led by a choir of Levities.

2.              “The Fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” The word fool means someone who has no knowledge, has received no revelation, and is therefore corrupt and in the worst way.

3.              This is the universal condition of all people, which God is completely aware of. Sin blinds the heart and mind and the result is a rejection of all good and a seeking after corruption.

4.              Not that there is no religion, but this is a seeking after supposed freedom and self-care.

5.              The Psalmist is addressing both Jew and Gentile, evildoers who persecute and destroy God’s people. And they “are in great terror.” They are desperate, restless, and have no peace, and blindly hate those who worship Yahweh.

6.              These who hate God and those who worship Him attempt to “shame” the plans of the poor, that is, those who are unable to defend themselves. However, the LORD is still the refuge of those who call upon Him.

7.              Verse 7 is the cry of the Psalmist that the salvation of Israel would appear. This is the forward looking for the arrival of the Messiah.

8.              The promise is that the LORD will redeem and save His people Israel, and here Israel is seen in two ways, both the nation and all those who receive salvation, including the Gentiles.

9.              The Psalmist, seeing in the distant future, the working of God’s salvation, declares rejoicing and gladness.