Psalms on Humility, Pride, Rich, Poor, Low and High

An examination of the uses of pride and humility in the book of Psalms

1. Pride and Humility in the Psalms Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

2. Summary Psalms has much to say about pride and humility, the rich and poor. The comments about the humble poor far outweighing the comments about the righteous rich.

3. Humility in Book 1 The song of the Blessed man The blessed but poor man will start and end Book 1 being in Psalms 1 and 2 and the closing Psalms 40 and 41

4. Humility in Book 1 The song of the Blessed man God saved and leads the humble Psalm 18:27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down . Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way . The humble will observe things with eyes that rejoice in what God is doing Psalm 34:2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad .

5. Pride in Book 1 Psalm 10:4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God. ” Psalm 31:18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt . Psalm 31:23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride . Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust , who does not turn to the proud , to those who go astray after a lie !

6. Humility in Book 2 A thirst for God God will humble the wicked Psalm 55:19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. A person might humble themselves before God with fasting Psalm 69:10 When I wept and humble d my soul with fasting , it became my reproach . Psalm 69:32 ( like Psalm 34 they will be glad) When the humble see it they will be glad ; you who seek God , let your hearts revive.

7. Pride in Book 2 There are a few positive uses of pride Psalm 47:4 He chose our heritage for us , the pride of Jacob whom he loves . Selah But not many and most are negative Psalm 59:12 For the sin of their mouths , the words of their lips , let them be trapped in their pride . For the cursing and lies that they utter , Psalm 56:2 my enemies trample on me all day long , for many attack me proud ly .

8. Humility in Book 3 The dark book of the Psalms God will judge the earth but save the humble Psalm 76:9 when God arose to establish judgment , to save all the humble of the earth . Selah The messiah will not be humbled by the wicked Psalm 89:22 The enemy shall not outwit him ; the wicked shall not humble him .

9. Pride in Book 3 Asaph laments the hard times of Jerusalem at the hand of enemies Psalm 73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace ; violence covers them as a garment .

10. Pride in book 4 The proud will be judged Psalm 94:2 Rise up , O judge of the earth ; repay to the proud what they deserve !

11. Pride and Humility in Book 5 Coming home Psalm 123:4 Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease , of the contempt of the proud . (123 and 131 chiastically balance eachother in the Psalm of Ascent ) Psalm 127 is like the ‘mountain peak ’ of the Psalms of ascent “ unless the Lord builds the house ’ ( the temple , the home, the city ..) Psalm 131:1 Lord , my heart is not lifted up ; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things  too great and too marvelous for me . And the Psalms finish with humility ( not pride ) God lifts the humble and adorns them with salvation Psalm 147:6 The Lord lifts up the humble ; he casts the wicked to the ground . Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people ; he adorns the humble with salvation .