Who wrote the Psalms?
What is the Book of Psalms about?
The Book of Psalms is the prayer book of the Church, capturing the full range of human emotion—from the heights of glorious praise to the depths of desperate lament. In this expansive Bible study, we walk verse-by-verse through the songs of Israel to see how they point us to Christ, sustain us in suffering, and teach us how to speak to God. This exposition provides rigorous, biblical depth while remaining accessible for daily Christian living.
Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt
Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary. Dr. Holt's sermons have reached over 1.9 million listeners on SermonAudio. He focuses on clear, verse-by-verse teaching that makes the Bible easy to understand.
Support New Geneva:
To support Dr. Holt's ministry at the seminary, please visit: newgeneva.org/give.
Why would a God this great care about you? In Psalm 8, David looks at the night sky and asks, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" Dr. Toby Holt shows how God is both towering above all things and tender toward each of us. David is overwhelmed by God's majesty — the heavens, moon, and stars, all the work of His fingers. Against that vastness, people seem tiny. Yet the wonder is that this towering God stoops to care for us, crowning humanity with honor and...
1 Aug 2025
The Lord Is My Shepherd
What does it mean that the Lord is your shepherd? In Psalm 23, the most beloved psalm in the Bible, David calls the Lord "my shepherd." Dr. Toby Holt unpacks why this short psalm has comforted God's people for three thousand years. To call the Lord "my shepherd" is a bold, personal claim — and admits we are sheep, prone to wander. The psalm gives two pictures: God as Shepherd who guards, provides, and leads, and God as gracious Host who anoints our head and fills...
25 Jul 2025
How Long O Lord (The Cry Of God's People)
Is it okay to ask God "how long"? In Psalm 13, David cries out "How long, O LORD?" four times in just six verses — and then ends in worship. Dr. Toby Holt shows that honest lament and real faith can go together. David feels forgotten and overwhelmed, and tells God so plainly. Our struggle is often the duration of hardship, not only its severity. Yet David does not stay in despair: he remembers God's past faithfulness — rescue from the lion, the bear, and Goliath —...
18 Jul 2025
Why Do The Nations Rage
Why do people rage against God? In Psalm 2, the nations and their rulers conspire against the Lord — a rebellion as old as the human heart. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this psalm's picture of human defiance and God's enthroned King. The kings of the earth plot to throw off God's rule, but God in heaven is unmoved. Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm pointing to Christ, God's appointed King, who will one day rule the nations. For now, God shows patience, calling rebels to "kiss...
11 Jul 2025
The Omniscience (Knowledge) Of God
How well does God know you? In Psalm 139:1-6, David says God has "searched" and "known" him completely. In this study on God's attributes, Dr. Toby Holt explores the omniscience, or all-knowing, of God. God knows our sitting down and rising up, our thoughts, even our words before we speak them. His knowledge is not gained over time the way we get to know a friend — He knows all things instantly and perfectly, and is never surprised. The comfort: the God who knows...
4 Jul 2025
The Omnipotence (Power) Of God
Just how powerful is God? In Psalm 2, the nations rage against God — and He simply laughs. In this study on God's attributes, Dr. Toby Holt explores the omnipotence, or all-power, of God. Earthly rulers conspire against the Lord and His Anointed, but God, enthroned in heaven, is utterly unthreatened. "Omnipotent" means God can do anything He wills, though He cannot act against His own nature. He has set His King — His Son — on His holy hill, and that King will rule...
27 Jun 2025
Growing Up (Take Your Faith Seriously)
How does a Christian grow up in the faith? In Psalm 119:9-16, the psalmist asks, "How can a young man cleanse his way?" and answers: by God's Word. Dr. Toby Holt shows what it means to take your faith seriously and grow up spiritually. Spiritual maturity means taking personal ownership of your faith through steady time in God's Word — not growing godly "by osmosis." The psalmist hides God's Word in his heart so he will not sin, treasures it above riches, and...
20 Jun 2025
A New Start And An Old Promise
What does Psalm 103 teach us in A New Start and an Old Promise? In this New Year's sermon on Psalm 103, Dr. Toby Holt of New Geneva Theological Seminary teaches that while everything in life changes, the character of God and His covenant love for His people never do. Drawing on King David's own hardships, Holt contrasts the merciful, gracious God of Scripture with the dispassionate pagan deities of the ancient world, showing that God does not deal with us according...
13 Jun 2025
How Majestic Is Your Name
Why is God's name so majestic? In Psalm 8, David looks up at the heavens and bursts out, "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" Dr. Toby Holt explores the greatness of God and the surprising dignity He gives to people. David marvels at the vastness of creation — and then at an even greater wonder: that the God who made it all would care for small, sinful human beings. We are made "a little lower than the angels," yet crowned with honor....
6 Jun 2025
Remember Your History
Why does remembering matter so much? In Psalm 78, Israel is called to remember and pass on what God has done. Dr. Toby Holt shows that forgetting our spiritual history dooms us to repeat its failures. The psalm retells Israel's story — God's mighty rescue at the Exodus, and the people's repeated forgetting and rebellion. When we forget what God has said and done, we drift into the same mistakes. So Scripture calls us to teach the next generation God's works. Even...
30 May 2025
Depression (Words Of Hope)
Where is God when you feel hopeless? In Psalm 139, David finds comfort in two truths: God knows him completely, and God is always near. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt offers words of hope from this psalm for the discouraged and depressed. David marvels that God knows his every thought and word, and that there is nowhere he can flee from God’s presence — even in the darkest places, “You are there.” Dr. Holt explains that God’s complete knowledge of us is good news: He...
23 May 2025
Finding Forgiveness (Let Go Of Guilt)
How do you let go of guilt? In Psalm 32, David describes the heavy weight of hidden sin — and the relief of full forgiveness. Dr. Toby Holt shows how God forgives completely the moment we confess. David says that while he stayed silent about his sin, it wore him down, even affecting his body. But when he confessed, God forgave him at once. This forgiveness rests not on our worthiness but on the work of Christ, who bore our sin in our place. There is no need to keep...
16 May 2025
Make A Joyful Noise (Even When Life Is Hard)
Can you praise God even when life is hard? In Psalm 100, God's people are called to "make a joyful noise" and serve Him with gladness. Dr. Toby Holt shows that real joy rests not on our circumstances but on who God is. The psalm calls for loud, glad worship. Its center is verse 3: "It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves." We are His people and the sheep of His pasture, coming to Him through relationship, not self-effort. Because the Lord is good, His mercy...
9 May 2025
Hope (Your Story Ends Well)
Is there hope after losing someone you love? In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul comforts grieving believers — not by denying their sorrow, but by anchoring it in hope. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt brings tender, biblical encouragement to grieving hearts. Questions this sermon answers: 1. Is it wrong for Christians to grieve? No. Grief is natural and right. But Paul says we "do not sorrow as others who have no hope." Our grief is tinged with expectation. 2. Will believers...
2 May 2025
Why Did God Make Me This Way
Why did God make you the way you are? In Psalm 139:13-16, David marvels that God personally formed him in the womb. Dr. Toby Holt explains why your design, identity, and purpose come from God — and why that is good news. David says he was "fearfully and wonderfully made," knit together by God Himself. Because a personal Creator made us on purpose, our identity and even the number of our days are set by His will, not by chance. He addresses why some are born with...
25 Apr 2025
Hope In A Dark Valley
What does Psalm 23 teach us in Hope in a Dark Valley? In this sermon on Psalm 23, Dr. Toby Holt of New Geneva Theological Seminary teaches that believers can fear no evil while walking through the valley of the shadow of death because the Lord, the Good Shepherd, is with them, protecting and providing for His sheep. Because God's people are chosen and kept by Christ, His provision exceeds their merit and His goodness and mercy follow them all their days. The...
Contact Psalms Explained: A Bible Study
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Psalms Explained: A Bible Study?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
