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Keys to the Psalms

Sometimes it’s helpful to have a nice, succinct summary of something you’re studying. That’s why resources like the Key Word Commentary are so popular with users of the Olive Tree Bible App. The Key Word Commentary distills each chapter of the Bible (all 1189 of them!) down into ten “keys”. These keys help the reader understand the most important elements of the chapter, from the surrounding context to the key verse to key quotations about the chapter from theologians. Let’s look at some examples of the Key Word Commentary taken from the beginning of the book of Psalms.

Psalm 1

1. Following psalm

  • (no previous psalm)
  • Psalm 2: The Lord’s Anointed

2. Analysis of psalm

  • The holiness and happiness of a godly man. (1-3)
  • The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man. (4-5)
  • The reason for both. (6)

3. Key verse

Verse 3: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.”

4. Key word / key phrase

Verse 1, “blessed.”

5. Key event / key person / key theme

The man who is blessed

6. Key thought

There are three steps on the evil path specified by the psalmist in verse 1.

7. Key thing to look out for

A person blessed by God is like a flourishing tree (see cross-reference below).

8. Key Bible cross-reference

Verse 3. See Jeremiah 17:8.

9. Key “by way of explanation”

Verse 5. When God judges people nobody will be able to stand in his presence.

10. Key “Quotable Quote”

The meaning of the psalmist is that it shall be always well with God’s devout servants, whose constant endeavor it is to make progress in the study of his law. He teaches us how impossible it is for anyone to apply his mind to meditation upon God’s law, who has not first withdrawn and separated himself from the society of the ungodly.”

John Calvin

Psalm 2

1. Before and after

  • Previous psalm: Psalm 1: Contrasting two ways of life
  • Following psalm: Psalm 3: Victory in the face of defeat

2. Analysis of psalm

  • Warnings against the enemies of Christ’s kingdom. (1-6)
  • Promise to Christ as the Head of this kingdom. (7-9)
  • Counsel to all, to follow its interests. (10-12)

3. Key verse

Verse 11: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

4. Key word / key phrase

Verse 2, “Anointed One.”

5. Key event / key person / key theme

The Lord’s Anointed

6. Key thought

In the New Testament, where this Psalm is often quoted, the Anointed One is applied to Christ.

7. Key thing to look out for

This Psalm was probably originally written to celebrate the coronation of an heir to David’s throne.

8. Key Bible cross-reference

Verses 1, 2. See Acts 4:25-28.

9. Key “by way of explanation”

Verse 2. The Hebrew word for “anointed one” is “Messiah.” The English word “Christ” comes from the Greek for “anointed one.”

10. Key “Quotable Quote”

For I believe that the whole of human existence, both the dispositions of the soul and the movements of the thoughts, have been measured out and encompassed in those very words of the Psalter. And nothing beyond these is found among men.”

Athanasius the Great

Get Helpful Chapter Summaries with the Key Word Commentary

The Key Word Commentary makes a great addition to anyone’s library. If you’re looking for a tool to help understand the basics of the chapters of the Bible, then look no further than the Key Word Commentary. Visit our store to add this to your Olive Tree Library!

KEY WORD COMMENTARY

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