In these Psalms David ponders who can approach God and dwell in His presence. He concludes that this is for those whose character is like His.

He also has prayers and statements regarding God’s protection from his enemies – one of which was Saul. He shows great confidence in God’s response and bases his confidence on both God’s faithful love and his own uprightness. He had determined not to defend himself or seek personal vindication, but was handing all of this over to the Lord to do on his behalf. In his Psalm he records how he envisions God coming to his defense out of anger against David’s enemies. The imagery has God appearing in thick dark clouds with lightning bolts in hand. Yet in tenderness scooping up David and placing him in a place of safety all around.

David also uses the light and heat of the moon and sun respectively to illustrate how God’s words (both spoken and gleaned by experiencing the natural world) are clear for all to see. Then explains the specific benefits to be gained by the statutes, testimonies, precepts, instructions as well as the fear of the Lord.

This Psalm also has a prophetic set of verses which both Peter and Paul confirm under the New Covenant applied to Jesus’ resurrection.