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Matthew Poole’s Bible Commentary

Parallel Works

Bibles King James Bible Geneva Bible
Psalters Scottish Psalter Bay Psalm Book
Geneva Notes Gill’s Exposition Matthew Henry’s Commentary Matthew Poole’s Commentary Treasury of David Brown’s Psalm Commentary Hodge on Romans Haldane on Romans
Tools Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms Matthew Poole

Chapters

  1. The Blessed Man Meditates on God’s Law.
  2. God’s Anointed King Reigns Over Nations.
  3. David’s Morning Prayer During Absalom’s Rebellion.
  4. Evening Prayer for Deliverance and Peace.
  5. Morning Prayer for Guidance and Protection.
  6. Prayer for Mercy During Illness and Distress.
  7. Prayer for Deliverance From Persecution and False Accusations.
  8. God’s Majesty in Creation and Human Dignity.
  9. Praise for God’s Justice and Deliverance of the Oppressed.
  10. Prayer for God to Act Against the Wicked.
  11. Trust in God’s Righteous Judgment.
  12. Prayer for Deliverance From Lies and Oppression.
  13. Cry for Help and Trust in God’s Salvation.
  14. The Folly of Denying God; God’s Concern for the Righteous.
  15. The Character of Those Who Dwell With God.
  16. A Song of Trust in God’s Protection and Guidance.
  17. Prayer for Protection From Enemies and Vindication.
  18. David’s Song of Thanksgiving for Deliverance.
  19. God’s Glory in Creation and His Perfect Law.
  20. Prayer for the King’s Victory in Battle.
  21. Thanksgiving for the King’s Victories Granted by God.
  22. A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise.
  23. The Lord Is My Shepherd; A Psalm of Trust.
  24. The King of Glory and His Righteous People.
  25. Prayer for Guidance, Forgiveness, and Deliverance.
  26. Declaration of Integrity and Trust in God.
  27. Confidence in God Amid Adversity.
  28. Prayer for Help and Thanksgiving for Deliverance.
  29. The Voice of God in the Storm; A Psalm of Glory.
  30. Thanksgiving for Healing and Deliverance From Death.
  31. Prayer for Deliverance and Confidence in God.
  32. The Joy of Forgiveness and Protection From Trouble.
  33. Praise for God’s Creative Power and Sovereign Rule.
  34. Praise and Exhortation to Trust in God’s Deliverance.
  35. Prayer for Vindication and Protection From Enemies.
  36. The Wickedness of Man and the Lovingkindness of God.
  37. Exhortation to Trust in God and Do Good.
  38. Prayer of Repentance for Sin and Plea for Healing.
  39. Reflection on the Brevity of Life and Trust in God.
  40. Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Continued Help.
  41. Blessing on the Righteous and Prayer for Mercy in Sickness.
  42. Longing for God Amid Distress and Separation.
  43. Prayer for Deliverance and Hope in God.
  44. Communal Lament Over Defeat and Plea for God’s Help.
  45. A Royal Wedding Song Celebrating the King.
  46. God Is Our Refuge and Strength, Even Amid Trouble.
  47. Praise to God, the King of All the Earth.
  48. Praise for the Beauty and Strength of Jerusalem.
  49. Wisdom Psalm: The Folly of Trusting in Wealth.
  50. God’s Judgment on His People’s Faithfulness.
  51. David’s Prayer of Repentance After His Sin With Bathsheba.
  52. A Rebuke of the Wicked and Trust in God’s Steadfast Love.
  53. The Fool Says There Is No God; God’s Judgment on the Wicked.
  54. Prayer for Deliverance From Enemies.
  55. Prayer for God’s Help Amid Betrayal and Fear.
  56. Trust in God Despite Persecution and Suffering.
  57. Prayer for Mercy and Confidence in God’s Protection.
  58. Judgment on the Wicked and Confidence in God’s Justice.
  59. Prayer for Deliverance From Enemies Who Lie in Wait.
  60. Lament Over Defeat in Battle and Prayer for Victory.
  61. Prayer for God’s Protection and Guidance.
  62. Trust in God Alone for Salvation and Security.
  63. A Psalm of Thirsting for God in the Wilderness.
  64. Prayer for Protection From Secret Plots of Enemies.
  65. Praise for God’s Providence in Nature and Redemption.
  66. Praise for God’s Mighty Works and Deliverance.
  67. Prayer for God’s Blessing and Rule Over All Nations.
  68. Praise for God’s Power and Victories.
  69. A Cry for Deliverance and Reproach From Enemies.
  70. Prayer for Help and Speedy Deliverance.
  71. Prayer for God’s Help Throughout Life’s Trials.
  72. A Royal Psalm for the King’s Justice and Righteousness.
  73. The Prosperity of the Wicked and God’s Ultimate Justice.
  74. Lament Over the Destruction of the Temple and Plea for Help.
  75. Thanksgiving for God’s Justice and Judgment.
  76. Praise for God’s Power and Defense of Jerusalem.
  77. A Lament and Meditation on God’s Faithfulness.
  78. A Recital of Israel’s History and God’s Faithfulness.
  79. Lament Over the Destruction of Jerusalem.
  80. Prayer for Restoration of God’s People.
  81. A Call to Listen to God and Avoid Idolatry.
  82. God’s Judgment of Unjust Rulers.
  83. Prayer for God to Judge Israel’s Enemies.
  84. Longing for God’s Presence in the Temple.
  85. Prayer for Revival and Restoration.
  86. David’s Prayer for Mercy and Help.
  87. Praise for Jerusalem, the City of God.
  88. A Desperate Cry for God’s Help Amid Suffering.
  89. God’s Covenant With David and Lament Over Its Apparent Failure.
  90. Moses’ Prayer for God’s Mercy and Eternal Wisdom.
  91. Confidence in God’s Protection and Care.
  92. A Song of Praise for God’s Goodness and Righteousness.
  93. God Reigns in Majesty and Power.
  94. Prayer for God’s Justice and Vengeance on the Wicked.
  95. A Call to Worship and Obedience to God.
  96. A New Song of Praise for God’s Glory Among the Nations.
  97. The Lord’s Reign and Righteous Judgment Over the Earth.
  98. A Song of Joy for God’s Salvation and Justice.
  99. God’s Reign in Holiness and Justice.
  100. A Psalm of Thanksgiving and Praise.
  101. David’s Commitment to Live Righteously as King.
  102. A Lament for God’s Mercy and Restoration of Zion.
  103. Praise for God’s Compassion and Forgiveness.
  104. Praise for God’s Creation and Sustaining Power.
  105. Recital of God’s Faithfulness to Israel.
  106. Confession of Israel’s Sins and God’s Mercy.
  107. Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance From Distress.
  108. A Psalm of Confidence in God’s Help and Victory.
  109. Prayer for Vindication and Judgment on Enemies.
  110. The Lord’s Promised Victory and Eternal Priesthood.
  111. Praise for God’s Righteous Deeds and Faithfulness.
  112. Blessings of the Righteous Who Fear the Lord.
  113. Praise for God’s Exaltation of the Lowly.
  114. God’s Power Displayed in the Exodus.
  115. Glory to God Alone for His Help and Protection.
  116. Thanksgiving for Deliverance From Death.
  117. Praise the Lord, All Nations!
  118. Thanksgiving for God’s Steadfast Love and Deliverance.
  119. A Meditation on God’s Law and Its Blessings.
  120. Prayer for Deliverance From Lies and Deceit.
  121. Trust in God’s Help and Protection.
  122. Joy in Going to the House of the Lord.
  123. Prayer for Mercy Amid Scorn and Contempt.
  124. Thanksgiving for God’s Help Against Enemies.
  125. Trust in God’s Protection and Peace for the Righteous.
  126. Joyful Remembrance of God’s Restoration.
  127. Dependence on God for Life’s Blessings.
  128. Blessings of the God-Fearing Family.
  129. Confidence in God’s Justice Amid Persecution.
  130. A Cry for God’s Mercy and Redemption.
  131. Humility and Trust in God’s Care.
  132. A Prayer for God to Remember David’s Devotion.
  133. The Blessing of Unity Among God’s People.
  134. A Call to Praise God in His Sanctuary.
  135. Praise for God’s Sovereignty and Deliverance.
  136. A Recital of God’s Steadfast Love and Deeds.
  137. A Lament for Jerusalem’s Destruction in Exile.
  138. Thanksgiving for God’s Faithfulness and Protection.
  139. Praise for God’s Omniscience and Omnipresence.
  140. Prayer for Protection From Evil Men.
  141. Prayer for God’s Help and Guarding of Righteous Speech.
  142. A Cry for Help When Trapped in a Cave.
  143. Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance in Adversity.
  144. Prayer for Deliverance and Blessing on the Nation.
  145. Praise for God’s Greatness, Mercy, and Kingdom.
  146. Trust in God, not Princes; His Care for the Needy.
  147. Praise for God’s Restoration of Jerusalem and Care for Creation.
  148. Call for All Creation to Praise the Lord.
  149. Praise the Lord with Song and Dance, Celebrating His People.
  150. Final Call to Praise God with All Instruments and Voices.

Book of Psalms

The Argument

The divine authority of this Book of PSALMS is so certain and evident, that it was never questioned in the church; which being fixed, it is of small moment that the penman of some of them is not now known; nor doth this any more lessen its authority, than it invalidates the decree of a prince, or an act of parliament, that it is not certain by whose pen it was drawn up. Most of them were composed by David, as is evident, both from the title of them, and from the express testimony of the New Testament concerning some of them; and that by the inspiration of God's Spirit, as appears both from the Divine matter and frame of them, and from 2 Samuel 23.1; Matthew 22.43; Acts 1.16; Acts 2.25. But some of them were composed by other persons; by Moses, as Psalm 90, by Heman, and Ethan, and Asaph, as the title of the Psalms show; and by others after their times, whose names are not mentioned, as is manifest from Psalm 126, Psalm 127. It is apparent that the Psalms were not written in the order in which they now lie; and they were put into this order either by Ezra, as the Hebrew doctors affirm, or by some other holy prophet or prophets. It is sufficient for us that the whole book is owned as canonical by our blessed Saviour, Luke 24.44.