- When we start reading/ studying the book of Psalm we must look at it in the context of it being a text that was written over 2000 years ago, but it is still the most read, and most used Old Testament book.
- The Psalms express every emotion from joy to despair, from hate to love.
- Martin Luther said this:
- This explains, moreover, why the Psalter is the favorite book of all the saints, and why each one of them, whatever his circumstances may be, finds in it psalms and words which are appropriate to the circumstances in which he finds himself and meet his needs as adequately as if they were composed exclusively for his sake.
- This explains, moreover, why the Psalter is the favorite book of all the saints, and why each one of them, whatever his circumstances may be, finds in it psalms and words which are appropriate to the circumstances in which he finds himself and meet his needs as adequately as if they were composed exclusively for his sake.
- Most readers will be able to remember Psalm 23, or Psalm 100 or Psalm 119
- The Psalms also have helped influence history and theology.
The Setting of the Psalter
One of the most crucial parts of studying the Psalms is knowing the setting of the text. Psalms are all through the OT. For example: Exodus15:1-18 (Read1-3)
The Psalm conveys the people's faith and helps them define and understand their encounter with God at the high point in their history.
Judges 5:1-31
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Jonah 2:2-9
Jeremiah 20:7-18
People used Psalms while on Pilgrimage
Common Travelling Ps. 122:1
Faith Journey
Prayer of lamentation to Ishtar, The Queen of Heaven compared to Psalm 13.
The largest and most distinctive difference between Hebrew psalms and Ancient Near Eastern Text, is the use of the word Yahweh for Lord. Ps. 29:10
Psalms call for belief in Yahweh rather than the Canaanite deities.
Overview of The Setting of the Psalter
Up to this point, the OT setting of psalms and the ANET setting of the OT have suggested a starting point for reading psalms- understanding them as pilgrimage songs of faith. The songs help explain, encourage, and define belief in Yahweh.
The Shape of the Psalter
The word psalm is translated from the Greek: a song performed to the accompaniment of stringed instruments.
Psalter: Latin, indicating the stringed instrument used to accompany the songs
Hebrew: Book of Praises.
- There are 5 divisions of the Book of Psalms
- Book I Pss 1-41
- Book II Pss 42-72
- Book III Pss 73-89
- Book IV Pss 90-106
- Book V Pss 107-150
- Book I Pss 1-41
- One thing that each book has in common is that they all end with a benediction:
- (ex. Psalm 41:13)
- Out of the 150 Psalms 116 have superscriptions (brief titles written just above the text)
- Many people don't think that these are original to the text, but it's one of those things we don't know and won't while we are here on earth. But they are still important because they give us the insight as to how the Israelites interpreted the Psalms.
- The superscriptions vary but often contain three elements:
- Liturgical collections: " Psalm of David", "Psalm of Asaph"
- Technical terms related to worship: Psalm 59 (golden poem, Miktam) of David. Its superscription gives hints to the people that used to sing and lead these songs (according to Do Not Destroy) could have been a rhythm or beat they sang to, we don't know.
- Historical notes: Psalm 59 ( A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.)
- Many people don't think that these are original to the text, but it's one of those things we don't know and won't while we are here on earth. But they are still important because they give us the insight as to how the Israelites interpreted the Psalms.
- There are also different collections in the book of Psalms
- Davidic
- Korahite
- Elohistic
- Asaphite
- Psalms on the Kingship of God
- A Collection of Psalms of Praise
- Songs of Ascents
- Hallelujah Psalms
- Davidic
- David is given credit for writing the book of Psalms, while he had a large part in it, evidence shows that there were other writers as well.
- There are also Psalms that are in the book more than once. For example in the collections of the psalms the Korahite, Elohite, and Asaphite all overlap.
- Let's compare Psalm 14:2,4 & Psalm 53:2,4
- Psalm 40:13-17 & Psalm 70
- Let's compare Psalm 14:2,4 & Psalm 53:2,4
The Poetry of the Psalter
- Poetry in English is Different than Poetry in Hebrew
- Jack and Jill went up the Hill
- Hebrew poetry seconds of re-affirms what was said in the line before.
- Jack and Jill went up the Hill
- Synonymous parallelism- 2nd line enhances the thought of the 1st
- Ps. 8:4, Ps19:1
- Ps. 8:4, Ps19:1
- Antithetic parallelism- 2nd line may complete the thought of the 1st.
- Ps. 37:9, Ps. 1:6
- Ps. 37:9, Ps. 1:6
- Stair-step parallelism- 2nd line may continue the thought of the 1st.
- Ps 95:3
- Ps 95:3
Some psalms form stanza, Ps.119
Laments
Psalm 13
Lament: What is Lament?
–verb (used with object)
1. | to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence. |
2. | to mourn for or over. |
–verb (used without object)
3. | to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret. |
4. | to mourn deeply. |
–noun
5. | an expression of grief or sorrow. |
6. | a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, esp. in verse or song; an elegy or dirge. |
- When you pray or sing to God do you always feel like your life is right where He wants you to be?
- So many times we feel that we have to come to church with a smile on our face when our lives stink. We have to learn to rely on God with everything. Because he knows how we feel, whether we voice it or not. If we are upset, or mad, voice it to God. Have you ever been so mad at God or upset with Him that you just wanted to yell and shake your fists to the sky?
- In Psalm 13 we see David feeling some of these same feelings toward God.
A Lament basically has 4 parts.
Invocation: Address the prayer to God
- (v.1) David sounds pretty desperate right here. He feels God has left him forever.
- But he is calling on the Lord for help, He knows who he can rely on through everything.
Complaint : This part talks about what is causing lament.
- (v.2) David is tired of everything that is going on. He is tired of feeling this way. Then he states his problem in the end of the verse, the problem that is causing him to feel this way.
- David lays it out on the table, he doesn't hold anything back from God. He tells him what is bothering him, totally transparent.
Petition: Plead for help; motivation or reasons God should help
- (v.3) David was in danger; he was afraid to sleep. He was petitioning God to protect him while he slept. He was so scared he was afraid to close his eyes, but he trusted God enough that he took that request to Him in prayer.
- (v.4) Why God should protect him: David is afraid that his enemies will find him and get the upper hand on him. When they do they will be against David, and against God. This is David's ultimate reason that God needs to help Him because, he wants it to be all for the Lord.
- David seems really desperate and scared during this time, but the neat thing that happens is right here, we can see that this is when God's presence takes over in David's life.
Conclusion: usually positive/ Expression of trust in God
- (v.5) is an expression of trust in God
- (v.6) A vow to offer praise to the God who delivers
- But when he remembers who God is he takes refuge in that. (verse 5)
- Because of his relationship with God he is going to praise because of that relationship alone.
- Not because God made his enemies disappear
- Not because God made him magically teleport to safety
- But because of his personal relationship with God, and all of the promises of truth that, that relationship is built upon.
- Not because God made his enemies disappear
Psalm of Praise
Psalm 30 & 117
There are 2 different Themes that the Psalmist used when writing Psalms of Praise.
- Thanksgiving
- Hymns of Praise
First we are going to be looking at Thanksgiving
Psalms that are listed as Psalms of Thanksgiving are Declarative. They Make a Statement.
Like the psalms of lament, psalms of praise have parts.
- The Introduction: proclaims the intent to give thanks & praise.
(Ps. 30: 1-5)
- The narrative- tells the story of crisis (v.6-7), the plead for help (v.8-10), the deliverance (v.11)
- The conclusion- a renewed vow of praise or testimony (v.12)
The second type of Psalm of praise, is a: Hymn of Praise
Psalm 117
- Introduction - a call to praise (v.1
- Body- This gives reason for praising God
- I.E. Ps. 146:6-7
- I.E. Ps. 146:6-7
- Conclusion- a renewed call to praise, often in repetition of the introduction (v.2)
We have to remember through all the Psalms of praise, the central instruction is "praise Yahweh!"
So however the Holy Spirit convicts us to praise God we need to give that praise to Him, whether it's in a praise of thanksgiving, or a everyday conversation with God.
Royal Psalms
Psalm 2
Royal Psalms:
We have looked at Psalms of lament & Psalms of praise bot h of these have to do with the type of literature that these psalms where written as.
There are only 11 Royal Psalms in the whole book of Psalms
Royal Psalms have to do with Psalms of the King of Jerusalem, and his relationship with God. The king is the common factor in all the Royal Psalms, and throughout the book we see the kings change, but all of them are in the Davidic line.
The king was viewed as a distinctive figure in society and in worship. This collection is important because the kings of this line were given a blessing by God, one that was usually only given to the priests of this era.
Psalm 2
v. 1-6 Give us the setting
Proclamation
(v.7) King shows that God has claimed him as His son. And had made a promise to him
(v.8-9) God continues to tell the Kin and show him, what He will do for him.
Warning
(v.10) God is telling the other rulers to "Understand what I am saying" take this warning as one of how to live your lives.
Instruction
(v.11) Worship the Lord. Plain and simple, God is the only true God and he deserves all worship.
(v.12) Not only must you worship the Lord you need to show respect to the man he had placed as king, His son.
So that the king does not become angry and defeat you.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Blessed are those who worship God and keep Him first.
Wisdom Psalms: I will instruct you
Wisdom Psalms came from the groups of people in Israel that seemed to be the wisest, and wanted to pass down this wisdom to generations to come.
Wisdom Psalms give instruction for living
Examples of Wisdom Psalms
:The better saying
: Better is a little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. (37:16)
The blessed saying
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! (128:1)
The Warning:
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not keep with you. (32:9)
The address
: Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! (49:1,2)
Other forms
: Simile, Numerical saying, or rhetorical question: The wicked are no so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away. ( 1:4)
Psalm 1
You Play like you Practice
(v.1-2)
The writer of this Psalm is saying, if you want to live a blessed life this is what you must do.
Counsel = advice
So the advice you take in, or the people you hang out with will have an effect on your life, but if we delight ourselves in God's word and meditate upon it, then we will be rooted in God.
You have to be Plentiful
(v.3)
We will be like a tree. But not just a tree that sprouts up, but a tree that God has planted. (Ps 104:16)
The cedars of Lebanon where huge might strong trees. They were used as boats, they were used for medical procedures. Many different uses if you really study them.
But here the writer is saying that we will grow strong like those cedars.
You have to placed on a firm foundation
(v.4-5)
This is the way of the wicked the way God doesn't want us to go.
The ungodly will not have a place to stand because they are not rooted, they do not have a foundation.
(v.6)
God knows the fate of every person. The way of the wicked will perish, or be lost.
John 10:10 Jesus has said that He has come that they may have life.
Key Sources: Holy Bible (NASB), Psalms : Reading and Studying the Book of Praises – W.H. Bellinger, Jr.
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