Chapter 1

1:4-6 - Does Hell exist? No.

* The word used in verse 6 for "perish" can also be translated "not escape" or even "come undone."  Therefore, this verse could read "the way of the wicked will come undone."  It isn't the wicked that will perish, but it is the way of the wicked.

Chapter 2

2:8-9 - God will hit heathens with a rod of iron and "dash them in pieces."

* God is referring to His judgment of some heathens.

Chapter 5

5:5-6 - This psalm says that fools "shall not stand in thy sight." But foolishness is highly recommended by Paul in the New Testament.

* When Paul spoke about foolishness in 1 Corinthians 1:21, 3:18 and 4:10, he was using a "tongue-in-cheek" form of communication.  The foolishness he is referring to is what ungodly people see and call foolishness.  It is not actual foolishness.

5:5 - Christians often say that one should love the sinner but hate the sin. Perhaps, but God hates sinners. This verse, by the way, is used to justify the Rev. Fred Phelps' slogan that "God hates fags." His logic is impeccable if one accepts the Bible. God hates sinners (Ps.5:5). Homosexuality is a sin (Lev.18:22, Lev.20:13). Therefore God hates homosexuals -- or fags, as Rev. Phelps indelicately puts it.

* This verse states that, "You hate all workers of iniquity."  This verse never tells us to hate people.

* God hates sin, but He still loves people, too.  If He did not love people, then they would cease to exist.  Everybody experiences a large degree of God's love, even if they choose to sin and reject God.

* As we can see from the verses regarding God's judgment, He is very serious about the issue of sin.  When people reject Him and choose wickedness, God hates it.

5:5 - Does God love everyone?

* God loves all people. However, we also see that He can hate sinners. This doesn't mean that they are outside His grace. It simply means that He hates sin and those that reject Him and choose to hurt themselves and others by sinning can conjure His wrath.

Chapter 6

6:5 - Dead people, contrary to many Bible verses, neither remember God nor give him thanks.

* Psalms 6:4 and 5 read, "Return, O LORD, deliver me!  Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!  For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks?"  David is simply pleading with God to deliver Him.  He is telling God if he dies, then he won't be able to give Him thanks and recall Him before others.

* David never plainly denies an afterlife.

Chapter 8

8:3 - God made the heavens with his fingers.

* This is figurative language.  In this passage and in several others, a human is equating God to things that he knows.  This is one way to begin understanding and explaining a God that is beyond explanation.  This doesn't mean that God the Father has literal fingers and it doesn't necessarily mean that He doesn't.  David is just using figurative language to describe God's creative power.

Chapter 9

9:11 - Does God dwell in Zion as this verse says, or in the heavens as is said in Ps.123:1?

* God dwells in both places.  Neither passage claims to be mutually exclusive.  Therefore, both can be true.

Chapter 10

10:1 - This verse says that God hides from the ones who need his help. But other Psalms (46:1 and 145:1) say that he is always ready to help in times of trouble.

* This verse simply explains David's feelings.  Many of David's writings were songs and poems.  They weren't all doctrinal statements.  Like the book of Job, David experienced some suffering and wrote about his perception of things.  This doesn't necessarily make them so, though.

Chapter 11

11:4 - God has eyelids.

* This Hebrew word for "eyelids" can also mean "dawning" or "morning rays of sun."  At any rate, this is figurative language that is trying to explain and understand a God that is greater and larger than our brains.

11:5 - Does God love everyone?

* God loves all people. However, we also see that He can hate sinners. This doesn't mean that they are outside His grace. It simply means that He hates sin and those that reject Him and choose to hurt themselves and others by sinning can conjure His wrath.

11:6 - God will rain fire and brimstone on "wicked" folks.

* This is an allusion to Sodom and Gomorrah.  It may also have a future meaning that is yet to be fulfilled.

Chapter 12

12:6 - "The words of the LORD are pure words."

* Yes, God's words are pure because God is without fault.  However, part of God's desire is to discipline sinners.  He gave His laws and when people disobeyed them and embraced wickedness, He spoke words of judgment to them.

Chapter 14

14:1 - Atheists are fools who never do anything good. According to Jesus (Mt.5:22), the psalmist is in danger of hell for uttering the word fool.

* David is describing a fool's thoughts.  He is not senselessly name-calling.  Therefore, Jesus' words don't apply to him.  (Don't forget that Jesus lived several hundred years after David died.)

14:2-3 - Has a righteous person ever lived?

* Yes.  As far as humans go, earthly righteousness is a state of being.  Humans have had times of righteousness, but they have not been perfect for the entire lives.

14:3 - Has anyone ever done anything good? No.

* This verse is referring to some people, in a state of being, in a certain point in time.  It isn't referring to whether or not anyone can be good or do good for a period of time.  It is clear from the scriptures that people can do both good and evil and will have periods of goodness and evil.

Chapter 18

18:7 - The earth shakes whenever God really gets mad.

* The Creator of the earth can shake the earth.

18:8 - Smoke comes out of God's nose and fire comes out of his mouth.

* This is symbolism for God's anger.

18:9 - God's feet.

* This is figurative language.

18:10 - God rides upon cherubs and can fly.

* David is simply explaining God's ability to be everywhere.  He is also emphasizing His majesty.

18:11 - Does God dwell in darkness or in light?

* God is everywhere.

18:15 - "The foundations of the world were discovered ... at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils." Apparently, then, the earth is set on firm foundations and does not move -- and God has nostrils.

* God's words created all things.  He spoke them into existence.  This verse is emphasizing God's power through His breath or words.

* This passage doesn't indicate that the world is set on firm foundations and does not move.  The word "foundation" can have many meanings.

18:30 - Is the law of God perfect?

* Yes, God's law is perfect. God is perfect, so His laws are perfect as well.

* In Hebrews 8, we read about God's covenants. The Old Covenant is contrasted with the New Covenant. The Old Covenant is described as imperfect. God and His laws are not described as imperfect.

* The Old Covenant involved making animal sacrifices for the temporary forgiveness of sins. The New Covenant involves Jesus Christ's final sacrifice for our sins, so we can have faith and ask Him for forgiveness and be forgiven. Therefore, in short, the New Covenant is better than the old one because it offers eternal forgiveness without having to sacrifice animals.

* Following God's perfect law perfectly would result in perfection; under either covenant. However, no human has ever been able to do this.

18:34 - The God of peace teaches us how to kill our neighbors in war.

* Sometimes a person must go to war.  In David's case, many people tried to kill him and the Israelites.  God helped David overcome his enemies.

* God has a multi-faceted character.

18:41 - God sometimes refuses to answer those who cry out to him, contrary to Pr.8:7 and the teaching of Jesus in Mt.7:8.

* Verse 40 indicates that these people are the enemies of the righteous - people who hate godly people.

* All throughout the scriptures, God tells people what they need to do to live.  When people reject God, He warns them and gives them time to repent.  If they do not, after some time, God judges them.  At this point, He may not listen to their cry for help because they had ample time to obey and repent.  Their cries have become illegitimate and only for the sake of themselves.

Chapter 19

19:6 - The sun moves around the earth.

* This verse says, "The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat."  David wasn't making a scientific statement.  He was making a simple observation.  If you've ever mentioned the words "sunrise" or "sunset," you should know what David is doing.  The sun doesn't rise or set, but when you use these terms, you're not teaching a science class.  You are simply describing what you see.

19:7 - Is the law of God perfect?

* Yes, God's law is perfect. God is perfect, so His laws are perfect as well.

* In Hebrews 8, we read about God's covenants. The Old Covenant is contrasted with the New Covenant. The Old Covenant is described as imperfect. God and His laws are not described as imperfect.

* The Old Covenant involved making animal sacrifices for the temporary forgiveness of sins. The New Covenant involves Jesus Christ's final sacrifice for our sins, so we can have faith and ask Him for forgiveness and be forgiven. Therefore, in short, the New Covenant is better than the old one because it offers eternal forgiveness without having to sacrifice animals.

* Following God's perfect law perfectly would result in perfection; under either covenant. However, no human has ever been able to do this.

Chapter 21

21:9-10 - If God doesn't like you, he will burn you to death.

* Verse 8 indicates who verses 9 and 10 are talking about.  Psalm 21:8 reads, "Your hand, O Lord, will find your enemies, all who hate you."

Chapter 22

22:1 - Does God always hear our prayers?

* Sometimes, the Bible writers felt like God wasn't listening, so they wrote like He wasn't.  The other times were times when God wasn't giving wicked, unrepentant sinners any more time to repent.  It was time for His judgment and their selfish prayers and cries came too late.

22:21 - God saves the author of this psalm "from the horns of the unicorns." He is a lucky guy -- those unicorns are vicious beasts.

* This Hebrew word for "unicorn" also means "wild bull."  However, I agree that being delivered from a vicious unicorn would be wonderful, too.  I don't think they exist, though.

Chapter 25

25:8 - "Good and upright is the Lord." Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* The Creator God holds the right to judge His sinful creation.

Chapter 29

29:6 - God makes Lebanon and Sirion "like a young unicorn."

* Once again, this Hebrew word is also translated "wild bull."

Chapter 30

30:5 - This verse says that God's anger lasts for just a moment. But Num.32:13 and Jer.17:4 say that his anger can last a very long time.

* Sometimes God's anger is brief and sometimes it lasts awhile.  Different people have had different experiences with God's anger.  Therefore, they have written different things about it.

30:10-12 - Is dancing a sin?

* In these verses, David was rejoicing because God "turned his mourning into dancing." In the same passage, we find David giving God the glory and praise. This was pleasing to God.

Chapter 33

33:8 - Should we fear God?

* Yes, we should fear God.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 34

34:10 - Those "that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing." So those who are poor or hungry just aren't seeking God enough.

* This verse is emphasizing the point that people who seek God are satisfied and blessed by Him.  There are always great riches to be found in God.

* If they ask, God will give people His wisdom.  He will also give supernatural blessings to people, even if they don't deserve them.  Therefore, He takes care of all kinds of people.  David was noting how he saw God love those that sought Him.

34:16 - Does Hell exist? No.

* Nothing in this verse confirms or denies Hell's existence.

34:21 - In several places the Bible says that the wicked live long and prosper, yet her we are told that they will be made desolate.

* Some wicked people prosper and some do not.

Chapter 35

35:6, 8 - A sweet prayer for the destruction of one's enemies.

* Along with verse 4, the first verses in this chapter indicate why David is speaking like this.  Verse 4 reads, "Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life; let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt."  David is wanting God to "let" His judgment land on the people who are trying to kill him.

Chapter 37

37:1-2 - Does Hell exist? No.

* This verse is written to a human person about the wicked people that are oppressing him.  Verse 2 says that they will die away.  These verses do not confirm or deny Hell's existence.

37:11 - "The meek shall inherit the earth." Will they really? In nature they inherit nothing, but die painful deaths from disease, starvation, and predation.

* In this passage, "the meek" is referring to the Jewish captives.  They were given Judea as an inheritance.

37:12 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

37:20 - Does Hell exist? No.

* Once again, this verse is talking about wicked humans on Earth that would be killed.  It doesn't mention anything about their life after death, so this verse neither confirms or denies Hell's existence.

37:21 - Stealing is condemned in this verse. But elsewhere God tells the Israelites to steal.

* In each instance where God tells His people to "spoil" or "plunder," it is because these people had first stolen from them.  This is clearly seen in Exodus 3:22, 12:35 and 36, and Ezekiel 39:10.

* Psalm 37:21 reads, "The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives."  This verse is talking about borrowing and not stealing.

37:25 - According to this verse, wealth is a sign of righteousness. But this is contradicted in Luke (6:24) and James (5:1).

* In David's experience, he had seen the righteous blessed with things such as food.

* Wealth can be a sign of righteousness or ungodly gain.  Therefore, some scriptures are talking to the wicked, rich people and others are talking to the righteous, rich people.

Chapter 38

38:5, 7 - The author of this psalm allegedly is David. If so, then it's not surprising that his "loins" would be "filled with a loathsome disease." After all, his promiscuity was legendary, and he probably didn't practice safe sex.

* If these verse are to be taken literally, then the writer probably contracted a disease.  If they are to be taken symbolically, they are describing the ungodly desire of the flesh.

Chapter 40

40:6 - Misquoted in Heb.10:5-6.

* The author of Hebrews never stated that he was only quoting from this written passage in Psalms.  He surely never alluded to quoting this passage alone or verbatim.

Chapter 44

44:2 - The Psalmist praises God for driving out and afflicting "the heathen" with his own hand.

* God judged and removed wicked pagans and the author is praising God for this.

44:21 - God "knoweth the secrets of the heart." Then why did he have to test people to see what was in their hearts?

* In Deuteronomy 13:3 and 2 Chronicles 32:31, this Hebrew word for "know" is also translated "make known."  What is in these people's hearts is being revealed or made known to the world.  However, God already knew their hearts.

44:23 - "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?" But according to Ps.121:4 God never sleeps.

* The writer perceived that God was not helping him and his people.  Perhaps he even tried to get God to act by using this phrase.  At any rate, it was a figurative statement made by a person who wanted to see God's actions, immediately.

* Simply because a person asks a question about God and His "sleeping," this doesn't mean that God sleeps.

Chapter 46

46:1 - Is God "a very present help in times of trouble?"

* In these passages where God is apparently not helping, they are either the writer's perception or they are about pagan, unrepentant people who were being judged.

* As the writer was righteous, God was a very present help in his times of trouble and need.

Chapter 50

50:13 - Does God desire bloody sacrifices? This verse implies that he doesn't. Why then did he give such detailed instructions for them in the first nine chapters of Leviticus?

* This verse correlates with the others that state, "Obedience is better than sacrifice."  God's desire is for His people to obey Him.  If they would, they wouldn't have to offer sacrifices for their sins.  Nonetheless, His people sin and need to offer sacrifices (this is in the Old Testament and not in the New Testament).

50:22 - If you forget God, he will tear you into pieces.

* This verse doesn't refer to a simple forgetting by a righteous person.  This verse is referring to willful rejection of God and His subsequent judgment.

Chapter 51

51:5 - "In sin did my mother conceive me." God considers both women and sex to be sinful.

* David is referring to "imputed" or "original" sin that every person inherits as they enter the world.  Because of the first sin, this began with Adam and Eve's children and continues today.

* This statement has nothing to do with sex between a husband and wife being sinful.

51:16 - If God "delightest not in burnt offerings", then why did he give detailed instructions for making burnt offerings in the first nine chapters of Leviticus?

* In the Old Testament, God required animal sacrifices.  However, He doesn't any more.  After Jesus came, died and rose from the dead, He didn't require them any longer.

* In the Old Testament passages that may appear that God indicated that He didn't want any more animal sacrifices, He was emphasizing the need for obedience.  "To obey is better than to sacrifice."  At times, the Israelites would sin without repenting and without remorse, then they would just offer sacrifices and pretend like God was happy.  God indicated that He was not happy and He didn't want their sacrifices if they were going to be empty, meaningless rituals.

* Paul disagrees because He evangelized after Christ and the covenant had been changed.  Animal sacrifices were no longer necessary.

Chapter 52

52:5-7 - If you don't trust in God, he'll kill you and while you're dying the "righteous" will laugh at you.

* The first verses in this chapter indicate these people that God will judge both "boast in evil" and "love evil."

* This Hebrew word for "laugh" can also be translated "rejoice."  The righteous rejoice when their oppressors (and sometimes these oppressors sought their lives) are no more.

Chapter 53

53:1 - This psalm repeats Psalm 14 which says that all atheists are fools who never do anything good. According to Jesus (Mt.5:22), the psalmist is in danger of hell for uttering the word fool.

* David is describing a fool's thoughts.  He is not senselessly name-calling.  Therefore, Jesus' words don't apply to him.  (Don't forget that Jesus lived several hundred years after David died.)

53:3 - Her we are told that there never has been a single righteous person. Yet in other places, the Bible clearly says that such people have existed.

* Yes.  As far as humans go, earthly righteousness is a state of being.  Humans have had times of righteousness, but they have not been perfect for the entire lives.

53:3 - Has anyone ever done anything good? No.

* This verse is referring to some people, in a state of being, in a certain point in time.  It isn't referring to whether or not anyone can be good or do good for a period of time.  It is clear from the scriptures that people can do both good and evil and will have periods of goodness and evil.

Chapter 55

55:15 - How should we treat our enemies?

* There is a difference between treating someone with love and accepting God's judgment on them.  It is the duty of a Christian to love all people; including their enemies.  However, like it was stated above, after evil people do evil and oppress the righteous, the righteous rejoice when their oppression is removed.

* Godly people who have been afflicted by wicked people often say, "Your will be done, Lord."  They also pray for their oppressors to obtain godliness and sometimes this happens when they repent after being judged by God.

55:23 - This verse says that the wicked die young. But Job ( 21:7) complains that they live to a ripe old age.

* Some wicked people die young and some do not.

Chapter 58

58:3 - Wicked people are wicked from birth -- God made them that way. They tell lies immediately after birth (before they can even talk!).

* Wicked people are wicked from birth.  This is because of their fallen condition (like it was explained above).  Their inherited sin causes them to be born into sin and they embrace wickedness.  The righteous inherit the same sin, but choose to obtain godliness through repentance and redemption.

58:6-10 - The psalmist devoutly prays: "Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth, ... let them be cut in pieces." He says that "the righteous" will rejoice when he sees "the wicked" being dismembered by God. He'll even get a chance to "wash his feet in the blood of the wicked." Now that's entertainment!

* David indicates that the righteous will rejoice when their oppressors (the ones that want to kill them) are gone.

58:8 - According to the psalmist, snails melt. But they don't, of course, they simply leave a slimy trail as they move along.

* The writer apparently put salt on a snail (or saw/knew the effects of applying salt to a snail).

Chapter 59

59:5 - The psalmist asks God to kill all "the heathen" and not show them any mercy.

* The first verses in this chapter state that these heathens were trying to kill David.  Therefore, David hoped for God's judgment on these people before they killed him.

59:6-7 - They [the heathen] make a noise like a dog .... Behold, they belch out with their mouths." These are good reasons for God to kill them.

* These verses describe some wicked people.

59:8 - God will laugh at the heathen as he kills them.

* This Hebrew word for "laugh" is also translated "rejoice" and "scorn." 

* David is telling God how He will behave after He judges these wicked people.  This isn't necessarily what God does.

59:13 - "Consume them in thy wrath, consume them ..." -- more sweet prayers to a savage god.

* These are more words from a man who is afraid for his life and hoping his wicked enemies receive judgment before they take his life.

Chapter 62

62:12 - This verse says that God judges people according to their works, which contradicts the teachings of Paul.

* Paul never says that one's works are the way to Heaven.

* David is admitting that our deeds - both good and evil - will be judged.  This is consistent with many other passages of scripture.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

62:12 - What must you do to be saved? Do the right things.

* This verse mentions the fact that people will be rewarded for what they do.  It doesn't say or imply anything about earning one's salvation.  The scriptures teach that the saved believers in Christ will receive eternal rewards for their good deeds.

Chapter 63

63:2 - The psalmist claims to have seen God. But elsewhere the Bible says that no one has seen God.

* Psalm 63:2 reads, "To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."  David clearly states that He has seen God's power and glory in the sanctuary.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

63:11 - "Every one that sweareth by him shall glory." But Jesus condemns swearing in Mt.5:34.

* This Hebrew word for "swear" means "to take an oath."  In other words, David was talking about making a promise or decree.  Don't confuse this with swearing (like using profanity), cursing, or taking God's name in vain.

Chapter 68

68:21, 23 - God will "wound the head of his enemies" so that the righteous can dip their feet in blood. And the dogs will lick the blood of God's enemies.

* These verses are talking about the judgment of God.  God can fatally wound His enemies - the ones who choose wickedness and reject Him.

Chapter 69

69:22-28 - The psalmist prays that his enemies be tormented and blinded by God. He asks God to "make their loins continually to shake."

* Verse 4 indicates that David is talking about people who hate him without a cause, persecute him, and likely seek to kill him.  David is hoping for God's intervention and help.

69:28 - Does Hell exist? No.

* This verse doesn't confirm or deny Hell's existence.

Chapter 73

73:3, 7, 12 - These verses speak of the "prosperity of the wicked." Yet Ps.34:21 says that the wicked shall be made desolate.

* Sometimes the wicked prosper and sometimes they don't.

Chapter 74

74:13 - God is so strong that he can even break the head of dragons.

* According to the context, the writer is likely recalling how God delivered His people from the Egyptians.  He is using figurative language that refers to the Egyptians.

Chapter 75

75:3 - God holds the earth up with pillars.

* One definition of the word pillar is this: "A solid mass of coal, rock, or ore . . ."

Chapter 76

76:2 - Does God dwell in Zion as this verse says, or in the heavens as is said in Ps.123:17?

* God is everywhere.

Chapter 78

78:2-3 - Misquoted in Mt.13:35.

* First, Jesus and Matthew never said that He was quoting David verbatim in Matthew 13:35.  Next, the Greek text in Matthew closely resembles the Hebrew text in Psalms.

* Another translation of Psalm 78:2 is this: "I will open my mouth in a parable and utter eternal proverbs."  This is essentially what Jesus is recorded saying.

78:66 - "And he [God] smote his enemies in the hinder parts." (He kicked their ass.)

* This is what the text states.

78:69 - Will the earth last forever?

* This Hebrew word "forever" is better translated "concealed the vanishing point."  No, the Earth won't last forever.

Chapter 79

79:5-6 - The psalmist asks God to pour out his wrath on somebody else for a change. Why not torment some "heathens that have not known thee?"

* David explains why he asks God to do this.  Verses 1-4, 7, 8, 10 reads, "O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; your holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps. The dead bodies of Your servants they have given as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those who are around us . . .  they have devoured Jacob and his dwelling place, we have been brought very low, your servants' blood has been shed."

79:6 - A prayer for God to kill those who don't know him.

* This was just addressed.

Chapter 82

82:1, 3 - "He judgeth among the gods." So he's not alone up there. But this contradicts many monotheistic Bible verses.

* This Hebrew word for "gods" also means "mighty ones, judges, magistrates."  There is one God, present in three persons and there are many "gods."  This word "gods" can refer to many different people.

82:5 - Another reference to "the foundations of the earth", implying that the earth is fixed and does not move.

* This verse reads, "They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable." This verse isn't talking about the dirt and the ground. It is referring to the justice system and how it is unstable because it's ignorant and foolish.

82:6 - "I have said, Ye are gods." Jesus quotes this verse in John 10:34 to get out of a tough spot. (He was claiming to be God for which the Jews accused him of blasphemy.)

* Once again, this same, Hebrew word is used for "gods."  It isn't saying that people are equal with God the Father.  However, it is saying that they are all judges.

* Jesus was testing their knowledge of the scriptures in John 10:34-38.

Chapter 83

83:9-18 - The psalmist asks God to " do unto them as unto the Midianites ... which became as dung for the earth."

* David wants God to act because his enemies have threatened the Israelites with genocide.  Verse 4 reads, "They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'”

Chapter 86

86:2 - Rev.15:4 says that only God is holy. But the psalmist (David?) thinks that he is holy too.

* God's holiness is eternal.  Each human can only have temporary holiness because they are tempted and sin.

86:5 - Is God merciful?

* God has a multi-faceted character.  His mercy is seen as people sin and do not get punished.  However, God also reserves the right to judge sin.  In His perfect timing, the one, pure and sinless God judges His creation.

Chapter 89

89:3-4, 34-37 - "I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations." But the Davidic line of kings ended with Zedekiah; there were none during the Babylonian captivity, and there are none today.

* This promise to David is a spiritual one and not a literal one.  Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of this prophecy.  David's "seed" or his descendant/offspring named Jesus is established forever.

Chapter 90

90:10 - How long is the human lifespan?

* The human lifespan varies.  Even this verse states, "The days of 'our' lives are seventy years and if by reason of strength, eighty years . . ."  This verse refers to their lives and their lifespan varied.

* There are no statements in scripture that say a lifespan is always a certain number of years.

Chapter 92

92:10 - The psalmist has a horn that he'd like God to erect -- "like the horn of a unicorn."

* This "horn" is used figuratively to indicate power.  This Hebrew word for "unicorn" is also translated "wild bull" and even "rhinoceros."

92:12 - Will the righteous flourish as this verse claims, or perish as is said in Is.57:1?s

* David is describing how the righteous flourish.

* Isaiah 57:1 could be referring to the Messiah.  He was righteous and He was put to death.

Chapter 93

93:1 - According to the Bible, Galileo was wrong; the earth does not move.

* This verse never says or implies that the Earth doesn't revolve or rotate.  However, this passage does imply that the Earth's revolutions and rotations cannot be moved because they are established.

Chapter 96

96:4, 97:7 - These verses clearly say that there are many gods. Elsewhere, of course, the Bible claims that there is only one god. But should we fear him?

* There is one, uncreated God.  There are many "gods," "idols," "angels," etc.

* Yes, we should fear God.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

96:10 - According to the bible, the earth does not move. It doesn't revolve on its axis or orbit the sun.

* This verse never says or implies that the Earth doesn't revolve or rotate.  However, this passage does imply that the Earth's revolutions and rotations cannot be moved because they are established.

Chapter 97

97:2 - "Clouds and darkness are round about him." But how can this be if 1 Tim.6:15-16 is correct in saying that he dwells in light?

* This Hebrew word for "round" is also translated "neighbor."  There are clouds and darkness neighboring God.

* The second part of this verse is very telling.  It states, "righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne."  This Hebrew word for "habitation" is referring to the foundation of His throne.  Therefore, this verse is making it clear that the clouds and darkness are neighboring God, but His foundation is righteousness and judgment (and 1 Timothy 6:16 adds the fact that He dwells in light).

Chapter 100

100:5 - This verse claims that God is merciful, Yet the Bible is full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* God has a multi-faceted character.  He loves people and shows them mercy.  This is seen by His tolerance for sinners that don't seek Him or obey Him.  However, God is also a God of judgment.  He won't allow people to reject Him forever.

Chapter 102

102:25-26 - These verses says that the earth will perish, but elsewhere the Bible says that it will last forever.

* No, the Earth won't last forever.  In all of the Old Testament passages that appear to say the Earth will last forever, they use a Hebrew word that is better translated "concealed the vanishing point." 

Chapter 103

103:8 - "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Is this the same guy who demanded that peoples' heads be hung up before him to appease his fierce anger (Num.25:4), and who ordered the slaughter of thousands of innocent men, women, children (1 Sam.15:2-3)?

* In Numbers 25:4, we see why God commands this hanging by reading verses 1-3.  The Israelites had committed harlotry with pagans and they were worshiping and bowing to their idols and gods.

* In 1 Samuel 15:2-3, the tribe of Amalek were judged for their wickedness.  They had hundreds of years to repent, but they did not.  God's mercy had ended.

Chapter 104

104:5 - God set the earth on firm foundations "that it should not be moved for ever." So, according to the Bible, the earth is stationary and does not orbit the sun. But will it last forever?

* The Earth's revolutions and rotations will not be moved.

* No, the Earth won't last forever.  This was just answered.

104:15 - Is drinking permitted?

* In the scriptures, strong drink is generally discouraged (Proverb 20:1 and Daniel 1:8).  However, people who were literally dying sometimes received some strong drink.  Jesus was offered strong drink as He was dying on the cross.  This tradition can be evidenced in Proverbs 31:6-9 and 1 Timothy 5:23.

* Most scholars agree that the ancient wine mentioned in the Bible was not very alcoholic.  Consequently, Judges 9:13, Psalm 104:15, and John 2:3-10 mention drinking this weak wine.  In each of these verses, drunkenness was not implied or encouraged.

104:21 - God gives the lions their meat. The cruelty and brutality of nature is all part of God's plan.

* There is strong evidence that God created all animals to be vegetarians.  After sin entered the world, death entered the world, too.  Consequently, after Noah left the ark, God told the Israelites that they could eat meat.

Chapter 105

105:29-36 - The psalmist recounts God's treatment of the Egyptians: "He smote the firstborn in their land." See Ex.12:29-30 for the gory details.

* This was God's judgment on the Egyptians who would not repent and let His people go; even after numerous warnings, signs, and smaller judgments.

Chapter 106

106:1 - "Good and upright is the Lord." Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* Everyone sins.  Therefore, God has the right to judge people.  God is a righteous judge, too.  Only a wicked judge would avoid making judgments.

106:11-19 - God is praised for the creative ways that he kills people: by drowning, earth-swallowing, and burning.

* These scriptures describe some historical events and the wrath and judgment of God.

106:39 - God is offended by those who make things with their hands or invent things with their minds.

* Verses 36-38 explain verse 39.  This verse isn't even remotely talking about fruitful inventions or godly ingenuity.  This verse is saying how the Israelites were defiled by their own works: imitating the heathen, worshiping, serving and sacrificing to their idols, offering their own sons and daughters as sacrifices and shedding innocent blood.

Chapter 107

107:1 - "Good and upright is the Lord." Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* Everyone sins.  Therefore, God has the right to judge people.  God is a righteous judge, too.  Only a wicked judge would avoid making judgments.

Chapter 109

109:6-14 - The psalmist asks God to do all sorts of unpleasant things to his enemies. "Set thou a wicked man over him; and let Satan stand at his right hand .... Let his prayer become sin." He asks God to take away his possessions, kill him, and have his children suffer for the sins of their fathers.

* In verses 1-5, David describes these evil people.  They lied about him, tried to kill him, repaid his good with evil, etc.  He is now requesting God's judgment on them and hoping God judges them before they take his life.

Chapter 110

110:6 - God will "fill the places with dead bodies."

* David is talking about the judgment of God on wicked, unrepentant sinners.

Chapter 112

112:1,3 - According to this verse, wealth is a sign of righteousness. But this is contradicted in Luke (6:24) and James (5:1).

* In David's experience, he had seen the righteous blessed.

* Wealth can be a sign of righteousness or ungodly gain.  Therefore, some scriptures are talking to the wicked, rich people and others are talking to the righteous, rich people.

Chapter 115

115:13 - Should we fear God?

* Yes.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 118

118:1 - "Good and upright is the Lord." Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* Everyone sins.  Therefore, God has the right to judge people.  God is a righteous judge, too.  Only a wicked judge would avoid making judgments.

Chapter 119

119:69-70 - Proud people have hearts that are "fat as grease."

* This Hebrew word for "fat" also means "thick" or "stupid."

119:140 - "Thy word is very pure."

* God's words are pure because they are true and righteous.  They aren't always pleasant; especially to people who don't think God reserves the right to judge His sinful creation.

119:151-2, 160 - Do Christians need to follow Old Testament laws?

* The New Testament passages of scriptures regarding the Old Testament laws aren't saying they are worthless.  However, Jesus and the New Testament writers plainly tell us that eternal life cannot be obtained by obeying the laws.

* In the Old Testament, the Israelites obeyed God's laws and they were given eternal life.  This is called the Old Covenant.  In the New Testament, believers in God are to trust, believe, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, then they are given eternal life.

* Christians should follow the 10 Commandments.  However, they are not required to follow the Old Testament's Levitical laws that were specifically for the Old Testament Israelites.

Chapter 121

121:3-4 - These verses say that God never sleeps, but Ps.44:23 says that he does.

* In Psalm 44:23, David wants God to act.  He either perceives that God is not answering Him and/or he is trying to get God to act.  Simply because David says, "Why are you sleeping, Lord?," this doesn't mean that God was actually sleeping.

121:5-6 - "The LORD is thy keeper.... The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night." So believers don't have to bother with sunscreen. God will protect them from sunburn, and moonburn too.

* The writer is simply saying that the Israelites would be protected from sunstroke and frostbite.

Chapter 123

123:1 - Where does God live? In the heavens or in Zion?

* God is everywhere.

Chapter 128

128:1 - Should we fear God?

* Yes.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 135

135:8, 136:10 - God is praised for slaughtering little babies.

* In Psalm 135:8, David is recalling God's judgment against the Egyptians.  God warned the Egyptians with many signs, smaller judgments and ample time before He judged them with the death of their children.

Chapter 136

136:1 - "Good and upright is the Lord." Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* Everyone sins.  Therefore, God has the right to judge people.  God is a righteous judge, too.  Only a wicked judge would avoid making judgments.

136:2 - This verse calls the God of the bible a "God of gods." So there must be more than one god. But in many other places the bible insists there is only one God.

* There is only one, uncreated God and He is present in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

* There are many "gods" and "idols."  This Hebrew word for "gods" can be translated "judges" or "magistrates."

136:4 - This verse says that only God can perform great wonders. But 2 Th.2:9 says that Satan can too.

* 2 Thessalonians 2:9 says that this person, likely referring to the Anti-Christ, will perform "lying wonders."

136:10 - "To him that smote Egypt in their first born: for his mercy endures forever." Go figure.

* God showed the Israelites mercy after 400 years of captivity.  His judgment fell on the Egyptians who owned the Israelites and made them do slave labor.

136:15 - God "overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever."

* This is true.

136:17-18 - God "smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever."

* This is true, too.

Chapter 137

137:9 - Happiness is smashing your little children against the rocks.

* The preceding verses in this chapter explain the context of this statement.  Verse 8 sums it up: "O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us!"

Chapter 138

138:6 - This verse says that God respects the lowly. Yet many Bible verses claim that God respects no one.

* God loves everyone.  However, He is not a "respecter of persons."  This means that earthly titles and social status don't impress Him.  He doesn't show partiality like the world does.

Chapter 139

139:2-3, 7 - According to these verses, God knows and sees everything. But several other verses deny this.

* Yes, God knows and sees everything.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

139:8 - God is in hell.

* God is everywhere.

139:19-22 - The psalmist excels at hating. He hates people with a "perfect hatred."

* David is telling God how he hates the ones who hate Him, say wicked things about Him, take His name in vain, etc.

Chapter 140

140:10 - A prayer that God will burn people to death.

* Verses 1-9 describe the context of verse 10.  Wicked, violent people were planning David's death and trying to kill him.  He was hoping that God would get to them first.

Chapter 144

144:1 - The God of Peace teaches us to kill each other in war.

* This Psalm was written by David.  God prepared David for war and it was a good thing because many people tried to kill him.

Chapter 145

145:8-9 - These verses claim that God is "slow to anger, and of great mercy." Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God.

* Everyone sins.  Therefore, God has the right to judge people.  God is a righteous judge, too.  Only a wicked judge would avoid making judgments.

145:9 - "The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." Then why do nearly all animals die painful deaths from starvation, predation, or disease long before they reach adulthood?

* Suffering, disease, and death were brought into the world because of sin.  These weren't and aren't acts of God, but they are acts of humans.

145:16 - This verse says that God satisfies the desires of all of his creatures. But in nature few needs are met and few desires are satisfied. Life is short, hard, cruel, and painful for nearly every living thing.

* This verse affirms that satisfaction comes from God.  When a person loves God and obeys Him, God satisfies them.  Each person has a "God-shaped hole" and a void that can only be filled by Him.

145:18 - Does God hear all who call upon him?

* Sometimes, the Bible writers felt like God wasn't listening, so they wrote like He wasn't.  The other times were times when God wasn't giving wicked, unrepentant sinners any more time to repent.  It was time for His judgment and their selfish prayers and cries came too late.

Chapter 147

147:11 - Should we fear God?

* Yes.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 148

148:7 - Even the dragons praise the Lord.

* This Hebrew word for "dragon" can also mean "whale" or "serpent."  The glory of God can be seen in His creation.

Chapter 150

150:4 - Is dancing a sin?

* This verse tells us to praise God with a timbrel and dance. As we have seen in other passages, dancing to praise God is acceptable to Him.