Psalms study section

Psalms chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every one of the 150 psalms. Open any psalm for the full study.

Back to Psalms Start with Psalm 1

Chapter list

Chapters 1–41

Book One

Mostly psalms of David, opening with the two ways and full of laments and trust.

Chapter 1 (wisdom): The blessed life of the one who delights in God’s law, contrasted with the way of the wicked.
Chapter 2 (royal, messianic): The nations rage in vain against the LORD and His Anointed, whom God installs as King and Son.
Chapter 3 (David; lament): A morning prayer of confidence as David flees Absalom, for the LORD is a shield about him.
Chapter 4 (David; evening trust): An evening prayer that finds peace and safety in the LORD alone.
Chapter 5 (David; lament): A morning cry for God to lead him in righteousness against deceitful enemies.
Chapter 6 (David; penitential): A plea for mercy and healing out of anguish, sure the LORD hears his weeping.
Chapter 7 (David; lament): An appeal to the righteous Judge for vindication against a slanderer.
Chapter 8 (praise): A hymn on the majesty of God’s name and the dignity of man, crowned with glory.
Chapter 9 (David; thanksgiving): Praise to the righteous Judge who upholds the cause of the oppressed.
Chapter 10 (lament): A cry over the arrogance of the wicked, trusting God to defend the helpless.
Chapter 11 (David; trust): Refusing to flee, David rests in the LORD who is in His holy temple and tests mankind.
Chapter 12 (David; lament): A plea for help in a world of flattering lips, resting on the pure words of the LORD.
Chapter 13 (David; lament): “How long, O LORD?” turns from anguish to trust in God’s steadfast love.
Chapter 14 (David; wisdom): “The fool says in his heart, ’There is no God’”; all have turned aside.
Chapter 15 (David; wisdom): Who may dwell with God? The one who walks blamelessly and speaks truth.
Chapter 16 (David; trust, messianic): The LORD is his chosen portion, who will not let His Holy One see corruption.
Chapter 17 (David; lament): A prayer for vindication, hidden in the shadow of God’s wings.
Chapter 18 (David; royal thanksgiving): David praises the LORD his rock, who delivered him from all his enemies.
Chapter 19 (David; creation and law): The heavens declare God’s glory, and His perfect law revives the soul.
Chapter 20 (David; royal): A prayer that the LORD would answer and save the king in the day of trouble.
Chapter 21 (David; royal): Thanksgiving for the king’s victory and blessing from the LORD.
Chapter 22 (David; messianic lament): “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — the suffering that turns to praise.
Chapter 23 (David; trust): “The LORD is my shepherd”; He leads, restores, and dwells with His own forever.
Chapter 24 (David; Zion): “The King of glory” enters His gates; who may ascend His holy hill?
Chapter 25 (David; acrostic): A prayer for guidance, pardon, and integrity, lifting up his soul to the LORD.
Chapter 26 (David; lament): David asks to be vindicated as one who has walked in integrity and loved God’s house.
Chapter 27 (David; trust): “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Chapter 28 (David; lament): A cry to his rock not to be silent, with thanksgiving for being heard.
Chapter 29 (David; praise): The voice of the LORD in the storm; ascribe to Him glory and strength.
Chapter 30 (David; thanksgiving): Joy comes with the morning; mourning is turned to dancing.
Chapter 31 (David; lament, trust): “Into your hand I commit my spirit,” trusting the faithful God.
Chapter 32 (David; penitential): The blessedness of forgiveness for the one who confesses his sin.
Chapter 33 (praise): A hymn to the LORD whose word made the heavens and whose plans stand forever.
Chapter 34 (David; thanksgiving, acrostic): “Taste and see that the LORD is good”; He delivers the righteous.
Chapter 35 (David; lament): A plea for the LORD to contend with those who contend with him.
Chapter 36 (David; wisdom): The wickedness of the sinner set against the abundant steadfast love of God.
Chapter 37 (David; wisdom, acrostic): Do not fret over evildoers; trust in the LORD and He will act.
Chapter 38 (David; penitential): A groaning confession of sin and sickness, waiting for the LORD.
Chapter 39 (David; wisdom): A meditation on the brevity of life; “my hope is in you.”
Chapter 40 (David; thanksgiving, messianic): Lifted from the pit; “I delight to do your will, O my God.”
Chapter 41 (David; lament): Blessed is the one who considers the poor; a plea amid betrayal, closing Book 1.

Chapters 42–72

Book Two

Psalms of David and the sons of Korah, closing with a royal prayer for the king.

Chapter 42 (Korah; lament): “As a deer pants for water,” his soul thirsts for God amid downcast sorrow.
Chapter 43 (lament): A prayer for God’s light and truth to lead him back to the altar of God.
Chapter 44 (Korah; communal lament): The nation, defeated yet faithful, pleads with God to awake and help.
Chapter 45 (Korah; royal, messianic): A wedding song for the King, whose throne is forever and ever.
Chapter 46 (Korah; Zion): “God is our refuge and strength”; “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Chapter 47 (Korah; praise): “Clap your hands”; God is the great King over all the earth.
Chapter 48 (Korah; Zion): The glory and security of the city of God, Mount Zion.
Chapter 49 (Korah; wisdom): The folly of trusting riches, which cannot ransom a soul from death.
Chapter 50 (Asaph): God the Judge desires thanksgiving and obedience, not mere sacrifice.
Chapter 51 (David; penitential): David’s great confession after Bathsheba: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
Chapter 52 (David; wisdom): The doom of the boastful man of evil, contrasted with the trusting righteous.
Chapter 53 (David; wisdom): A second “the fool says... there is no God,” lamenting universal corruption.
Chapter 54 (David; lament): A short cry for God to save him by His name when betrayed to Saul.
Chapter 55 (David; lament): The anguish of betrayal by a close friend; “cast your burden on the LORD.”
Chapter 56 (David; trust): “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid,” when seized by the Philistines.
Chapter 57 (David; trust): Sheltered in the shadow of God’s wings in the cave, his heart is steadfast.
Chapter 58 (David; imprecation): A cry for God to judge unjust rulers, that the righteous may see justice.
Chapter 59 (David; lament): A prayer for deliverance from bloodthirsty enemies; “O my Strength, I will sing praises.”
Chapter 60 (David; communal lament): After defeat, a plea for God’s help, for “with God we shall do valiantly.”
Chapter 61 (David; trust): “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,” longing for God’s shelter.
Chapter 62 (David; trust): “For God alone my soul waits in silence”; He is rock and salvation.
Chapter 63 (David; trust): “O God... earnestly I seek you”; his soul thirsts for God in the wilderness.
Chapter 64 (David; lament): A prayer for protection from the secret plots of the wicked.
Chapter 65 (David; thanksgiving): Praise for God who forgives, and who crowns the year with His bounty.
Chapter 66 (thanksgiving): A call to all the earth to praise the God who has tested and preserved His people.
Chapter 67 (praise): A prayer that God’s saving way be known among all nations, that the peoples praise Him.
Chapter 68 (David; praise): God arises and scatters His enemies; a triumphant procession of the King.
Chapter 69 (David; lament, messianic): “Zeal for your house has consumed me”; a cry from deep waters.
Chapter 70 (David; lament): An urgent, brief plea: “Make haste, O God, to deliver me!”
Chapter 71 (trust): The prayer of an aging saint who has trusted God from his youth.
Chapter 72 (Solomon; royal, messianic): A prayer for the king’s righteous, worldwide reign, closing Book 2.

Chapters 73–89

Book Three

Psalms of Asaph and others, wrestling with national crisis and God’s covenant.

Chapter 73 (Asaph; wisdom): The prosperity of the wicked resolved in the sanctuary: God is his portion forever.
Chapter 74 (Asaph; communal lament): A grief-stricken plea after the sanctuary is destroyed.
Chapter 75 (Asaph; thanksgiving): God alone is Judge, who lifts up and puts down.
Chapter 76 (Asaph; Zion): The awesome God who breaks the weapons of war and saves the humble.
Chapter 77 (Asaph; lament, trust): “Has God forgotten to be gracious?” answered by remembering His deeds.
Chapter 78 (Asaph; historical): A long rehearsal of Israel’s history to teach the next generation.
Chapter 79 (Asaph; communal lament): A cry over the desecration of Jerusalem, pleading for mercy.
Chapter 80 (Asaph; communal lament): “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Chapter 81 (Asaph): A festival call to listen and obey, lamenting Israel’s stubbornness.
Chapter 82 (Asaph): God judges the unjust “gods,” calling for justice for the weak.
Chapter 83 (Asaph; communal lament): A prayer against the nations conspiring to destroy God’s people.
Chapter 84 (Korah; Zion): “How lovely is your dwelling place”; the joy of pilgrimage to God’s house.
Chapter 85 (Korah): A prayer for revival, where steadfast love and faithfulness meet.
Chapter 86 (David; lament, trust): A humble plea to the good and forgiving God for an undivided heart.
Chapter 87 (Korah; Zion): The glory of Zion, the city of God, birthplace of the nations.
Chapter 88 (Heman; lament): The darkest lament, crying to God from the depths with little relief.
Chapter 89 (Ethan; royal lament): God’s covenant with David celebrated, then mourned in its apparent failure.

Chapters 90–106

Book Four

A Moses-anchored book celebrating the LORD’s eternal reign as King.

Chapter 90 (Moses; wisdom): God’s eternity and human frailty: “teach us to number our days,” opening Book 4.
Chapter 91 (trust): “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High” is kept under God’s wings.
Chapter 92 (praise): A song for the Sabbath, giving thanks for the LORD’s steadfast love.
Chapter 93 (kingship): “The LORD reigns”; He is robed in majesty, mightier than the seas.
Chapter 94 (lament): A call for the God of vengeance to judge the proud and comfort His people.
Chapter 95 (praise): “Come, let us sing to the LORD”; worship and a warning not to harden hearts.
Chapter 96 (praise): “Sing to the LORD a new song”; declare His glory among the nations.
Chapter 97 (kingship): “The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice”; He is exalted above all.
Chapter 98 (praise): A new song for the LORD’s marvelous salvation, all creation joining the joy.
Chapter 99 (kingship): “The LORD reigns”; the holy King is exalted, and His people worship.
Chapter 100 (praise): “Make a joyful noise”; enter His gates with thanksgiving, for the LORD is good.
Chapter 101 (David; royal): The king’s pledge to walk in integrity and rule with justice.
Chapter 102 (lament): The afflicted pours out his complaint, resting in the LORD who endures forever.
Chapter 103 (David; praise): “Bless the LORD, O my soul,” who forgives, heals, and abounds in steadfast love.
Chapter 104 (praise): A hymn to the Creator who sustains all His works in wisdom.
Chapter 105 (historical praise): A rehearsal of God’s faithfulness to His covenant from Abraham onward.
Chapter 106 (historical, confession): Israel’s repeated rebellion and God’s persistent mercy, closing Book 4.

Chapters 107–150

Book Five

Songs of return, the Songs of Ascents, and a rising crescendo of praise to the final “Hallelujah.”

Chapter 107 (thanksgiving): “Give thanks to the LORD”; He redeems the wanderer, prisoner, sick, and storm-tossed.
Chapter 108 (David; praise): A confident song of praise and prayer for victory with God’s help.
Chapter 109 (David; imprecation): A cry for justice against a lying accuser, entrusting the case to God.
Chapter 110 (David; royal, messianic): “The LORD says to my Lord”: the King who is also a priest forever.
Chapter 111 (praise, acrostic): Praise for the LORD’s great works; “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
Chapter 112 (wisdom, acrostic): The blessedness of the one who fears the LORD and delights in His commandments.
Chapter 113 (Hallel praise): The LORD, high above all, stoops to raise the poor and the barren.
Chapter 114 (Hallel): The wonders of the exodus, when the sea fled and the mountains skipped.
Chapter 115 (Hallel): “Not to us, O LORD, but to your name give glory”; idols are nothing, but God is our help.
Chapter 116 (Hallel thanksgiving): Love for the LORD who heard his cry and delivered his soul from death.
Chapter 117 (praise): The shortest psalm: all nations, praise the LORD for His steadfast love.
Chapter 118 (Hallel, messianic): “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Chapter 119 (Torah, acrostic): The longest psalm, a vast celebration of the beauty and power of God’s Word.
Chapter 120 (Ascents): A cry for deliverance from lying lips, longing for peace.
Chapter 121 (Ascents; trust): “I lift up my eyes to the hills”; the LORD is the keeper who never sleeps.
Chapter 122 (Ascents): Gladness at going to the house of the LORD; pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Chapter 123 (Ascents): Eyes lifted to God for mercy, like a servant to a master.
Chapter 124 (Ascents): “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,” His people would have been overwhelmed.
Chapter 125 (Ascents; trust): Those who trust the LORD are like Mount Zion, unmoved forever.
Chapter 126 (Ascents): Joy at the LORD’s restoration; those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
Chapter 127 (Solomon; wisdom): “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
Chapter 128 (Ascents; wisdom): The blessing of the one who fears the LORD, in family and labor.
Chapter 129 (Ascents): Israel, often afflicted, has not been overcome; the LORD is righteous.
Chapter 130 (Ascents; penitential): “Out of the depths I cry”; with the LORD there is forgiveness.
Chapter 131 (David; Ascents; trust): A quiet, humble soul, like a weaned child with its mother.
Chapter 132 (Ascents; royal): A prayer recalling God’s covenant to set David’s offspring on the throne.
Chapter 133 (David; Ascents): “How good... when brothers dwell in unity,” like precious oil and dew.
Chapter 134 (Ascents): A final call for the servants of the LORD to bless Him in the night.
Chapter 135 (praise): Praise the LORD, great above all gods, who does as He pleases.
Chapter 136 (thanksgiving): “His steadfast love endures forever,” repeated through creation and redemption.
Chapter 137 (communal lament): By the rivers of Babylon the exiles weep, remembering Zion.
Chapter 138 (David; thanksgiving): Thanks with the whole heart; the LORD fulfills His purpose for His own.
Chapter 139 (David; wisdom): God knows and searches him fully; “search me, O God, and know my heart.”
Chapter 140 (David; lament): A plea for deliverance from violent and slanderous men.
Chapter 141 (David; lament): A prayer that his words and heart be guarded from evil.
Chapter 142 (David; lament): A cry from the cave: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Chapter 143 (David; penitential): A plea for mercy and guidance, for no one living is righteous before God.
Chapter 144 (David; royal): A warrior-king’s prayer for rescue and for the blessing of a thriving people.
Chapter 145 (David; praise, acrostic): “I will extol you, my God and King,” proclaiming His greatness and grace.
Chapter 146 (Hallel praise): Praise the LORD who helps the helpless and reigns forever.
Chapter 147 (praise): Praise the LORD who heals the brokenhearted and sustains creation by His word.
Chapter 148 (praise): All creation, from heavens to sea creatures to kings, called to praise the LORD.
Chapter 149 (praise): A new song for the people of God, who rejoice in their Maker and King.
Chapter 150 (praise): The grand finale: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!”

My notes

Private to this browser — saved on this device only, never uploaded.