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Introduction tothe Book of Psalms

23 March 2008

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Book of Psalms

In Greek, psalm = “a song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument”

The Book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps most widely used book in the Bible

It explores a full range of human experience in every personal and practical way

It covers a large time span – about 1000 years – from Moses (about 1410 B.C.) to the Postexilic community under Ezra and Nehemiah (about 430 B.C.)

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Authors of the Psalms 75 attributed to David

12 by Asaph, “Collector”, a priest who headed the service of music

10 by the sons of Korah, “Bald”, a guild of singers and composers

2 by Solomon, “Peaceful”, Israel’s most powerful king

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Authors of the Psalms 1 by Moses, “Son of the Water”,

a prince, herdsman, and deliverer

1 by Heman, “Faithful”, a wise man

1 by Ethan, “Enduring”, a wise man

50 anonymous, but some traditionally attributed to Ezra

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Outline of Psalms

Book 1 2 3 4 5

Chapters 1-41 42-72 73-89 90-106 107-150

Chief Author

David David / Sons of Korah

Asaph Anony-mous

David & Anony-mous

No. of Psalms

41 31 17 17 44

Basic Content

Songs of Worship

Hymns of National Interest

Anthems of Praise

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Notes about Psalms Selah is not a person; it was probably

used to mark a pause, musical interlude or a crescendo

If you want to learn the Hebrew Alphabet, see Psalm 119. It’s an acrostic psalm in which each section starts with one letter of the alphabet.

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Interpreting Psalms When the superscription gives the

historical event, the psalm should be interpreted in that light; otherwise don’t try to guess

Some of the psalms are associated with Israel’s form of worship (in the temple or offering burnt offerings, etc.); Christian worship does not require entering a building or offering animal sacrifices; instead Christian worship means offering our own lives every day and every minute (see Rom. 12:1)

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Interpreting Psalms Many psalms use definite structure and

themes

Many psalms anticipate Israel’s Messiah and are fulfilled in Christ; marvel at these and look forward to more fulfillment

Be careful not to allegorize or forget the grammar and history involved

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Labels of Psalms Mizmor, “psalm” – a song accompanied

by a stringed instrument

Shir, “song”

Maskil, “contemplative poem”

Miktam, “inscription poem”

Tepillah, “prayer”

Tehillah, “praise”

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Themes of Psalms

1. Creation

2. The Exodus

3. Penitence / repentance

4. Annual pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem

5. Messiah’s 1st or 2nd coming

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Classification of Psalms

1. Individual lament psalms

2. Communal lament psalms

3. Individual thanksgiving psalms

4. Communal thanksgiving psalms

5. General praise psalms

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Classification of Psalms

6. Descriptive praise psalms

7. Enthronement psalms

8. Pilgrimage psalms

9. Royal psalms

10.Wisdom psalms

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Application

1. When you are upset or in despair, don’t complain to people; talk to God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Ph. 4:6,7 NIV)

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Application

2. Pray in whatever circumstances you’re in.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.(1 Th. 5:16-18 NIV)

3. Learn to praise and Adore God

4. Learn the kind of worship God really wants - offering your life as a sacrifice every day and every minute (Romans 12:1)

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Application

5. Read psalms as an aid for praise

6. Try to view God as our Shepherd

7. Try to value God’s Word as the Psalmist did in Psalm 119

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105 NKJV)

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Application

8. God’s word – the law – is to be obeyed.The Jews had to obey the Mosaic Law. Christians have to obey Christ’s law(i.e., the New Testament commands)

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. (1 Cor. 9:21 NIV)

The purpose of salvation is to become holy, and holiness comes through obedience.

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Application

9. God’s testimonies are to be shared

10.God’s precepts are to be practiced

11.God’s promises are to be claimed

12.God’s ways are to be followed

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Application13.Don’t curse people, but bless & evangelize them

Curses in psalms were acceptable for OT saints, who were commanded to kill or live apart from the wicked. The Mosaic Law did not forbid cursing, and it did not command evangelism.

Curses are not acceptable for NT saints, who are supposed to be living in the midst of a pagan world, trying to win people to Christ:

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Rom. 12:14 NKJV)

Bibliography

Special thanks goes to the following:

Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa for their information in Talk Thru the Bible

Walt Henrichsen for his wisdom and insight shared during Bible studies he has led and in books, articles and e-mails he has written

Edward Reese for his chronology and dating in The Reese Chronological Bible