Cover Photos: R K Lumkes22019. Used with Permission
BENEFITS OF THE PSALMS 1. Teaches us to share our emotions honestly with God. Psalm Emotions
116
62
77
51
137
2. Reveals the character of God.
Psalm God’s Character 23
121
54
48
40
3. Teaches doctrine in a different way – supports doctrine but does not present anything new.
4. Demonstrates the importance of reflection & meditation upon who God is & remembering what he has done.
5. Teaches us how to Pray.
3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PSALMS BOOKS OF THE PSALMS Book 1: (Ps 1-41) These Psalms center on David’s conflict with Saul, and ask for divine protection in light of his enemies. ➡ Compiled by David about 1000 B.C. ➡ All but 1,2, & 33 are written by David. ➡ Emphasis on prayer Book 2: (Ps 42-72) These Psalms were written during David’s kingship. Many of these Psalms were written as temple music. ➡ Compiled by Solomon about 900 B.C. ➡ Many kingly psalms, with an emphasis on prayer Book 3: (Ps 73-89) These Psalms are mainly attributed to Asaph and form a series of laments centering on the breaking of the old covenant and the sad state of the nation. ➡ Compiled by the sons of Korah about 586 B.C. ➡ Mostly prayers concerning national suffering, exile, and destruction of Jerusalem. ➡ Emphasis on prayer. Book 4: (Ps 90-106) These Psalms are introspective, considering the destruction of the temple and the exile to Babylon. A new hope is presented ― Yahweh as king (93; 95-99) performing mighty acts on behalf of his people. ➡ Compiled by David. ➡ Emphasis on Praise. Book 5: (Ps 107-150) These Psalms are of praise and reflection on a new era. God has indeed brought them out of their troubles. Many of these Psalms consider the model of David. ➡ All the psalms probably compiled by Ezra 539 - 444B.C. after return from exile. ➡ Emphasis on praise & prayer. **** It is interesting to note that each book ends with a similar doxology “Praise the Lord!” and “Amen.” These are the additions of the final compiler, and they are used to conclude the books themselves.
THE TITLES By 200 B.C., when the Septuagint translators who translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek, the meanings of the titles were not known. However, all ancient manuscripts contain these titles. They are believed to be part of the text and inspired.
They give some or all of the following:
a. assignment - to the Choirmaster b. authorship c. occasion for writing-any history given d. literary type e. musical instructions f. aim – purpose of the psalm
**** Most psalms do not have all the parts and some have no title.
**Put the above letters next to the appropriate part**
4 Psalm 60 To the choirmaster: According to Shushan Eduth A Miktam of David For instruction When he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zoboh, and when Joab on his return killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt
LITERARY TYPE 1. Psalm: Written to a well-known tune with musical accompaniment, composed for a specific occasion. 77 occurrences. 2. Song: Song not necessarily accompanied with music. 15 occurrences. 3. Song of Ascents: A group of songs sung while going to feasts in Jerusalem. 15 occurrences. 4. Maskil: Didactic or meditative, intended to teach or make one wise. (Wisdom Literature) 13 occurrences. 5. Miktam: “Golden Psalms” silent prayer for atonement or expiation. All are laments. 6 occurrences. 6. Prayer (tefillah): 5 occurrences. 7. Song of Praise: 1 occurrence. 8. Testimony (edut): 1 occurrence. 9. Shiggaion: An expression of emotion and grief. 1 occurrence. 10.Unclassified: Psalms: 1, 2, 11, 14, 33, 71, 91, 93-97, 99, 104-107, 111-119, 135, 136, 146-150.
AUTHORSHIP 1. David - 73 psalms Psalm 2 is thought to be David’s (see Acts 4:25) Psalm 95 is thought to be David’s (see Hebrews 4:7) Psalm 105-106 is thought to be David’s (see 1 Chron.16:8-36) 2. Sons of Korah - 12 psalms 3. Asaph - 12 psalms 4. Ethan the Ezrahite (same as Jeduthan) - 1 psalm. Also mentioned in the titles of Psalms 39, 62, 77 5. Heman the Ezrahite - 1 psalm 6. Solomon - 2 psalms 7. Moses - 1 Psalm 8. “One afflicted” - 1 psalm 9. Unspecified - Psalms 1, 2, 33, 66, 67, 71, 91-100, 104-107, 111-121, 123, 125, 126, 128-130, 132-137, 146-150
5 STYLES OF PSALMS The Psalm Style: The style of the Psalm refers to a group of texts similar in their emotion, content, or structure. They are flexible. A psalm can be a part of more than one style.
1. Praise Psalms: Praises God for his nature, qualities, and action. 146-150 2. Lament: Expression of sorrow or regret. They are a cry to God in great distress. The author is honest about his frustration. They usually include a petition, a description of distress, and an expression of trust. 44, 74, 79, 80, 137 3. Penitential Psalms: The Psalmist asking forgiveness for his own unrighteousness and failure. 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143 4. Messianic Psalms: They predict the Messiah, the “anointed one”, the coming king, priest, and prophet. 2, 8, 16, 22, 31, 40, 45, 69, 72, 89, 102, 109, 110, 132 5. Wisdom (proverb): These psalms emphasize a contrast in ways of living which bring about different consequences. Also they teach that through prayer and praise man can approach God and live by faith and obedience to the law. 1, 19:7-14, 37, 49, 73, 112, 119, 127, 133, 139 6. Historic Psalms: Psalms with specific settings. You will be able to identify these by their titles. 3, 7, 18, 30, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63, 142 7. Social Psalms or History Psalms: The history of Israel and God’s past acts of redemption are the focus. Also speaks of the origin, nature and purpose, and destiny of man. These lead to thanksgiving or supplication. 78, 105, 106, 135, 136 8. Imprecatory Psalms: Crying out to God for justice for the failure of other men, prayer for the defeat and overthrow of the wicked. 35, 59, 69, 109
HISTORIC USE OF THE PSALMS BY THE PEOPLE OF GOD
1. Worship services through the day ― 3-5, 93, 134, 141 2. Read at Pentecost ― 29, 68 3. Dedication of the house ― 30 4. Memorial offering ― 38-70 5. Weddings ― 45, 127, 128 6. Weekly Sabbath ― 92 7. Thank offering ― 100 8. Night of Passover ― 113-118 (113-114 beginning of the meal & 115-118 close of the meal) 9. Three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem ― 120-134 (The “Songs of Ascent”) 10. Opening of Passover ― 136 11. Beginning of Passover ― 148
6 HEBREW POETRY Surprisingly, about one third of the Bible is poetry. Psalms, proverbs, and the Song of Solomon are easily identified as poetry. However in the O.T. the only books that do not have any Hebrew poetry are: Leviticus, Ruth, Ezra, Esther, Haggai, and Malachi.
The Revised Standard version of the Bible was the first English edition to put all the O.T. poetic passages in a distinctive form to show that they were poetry.
IMAGES/WORD PICTURES Like our poetry the author paints a picture with words to describe the situation they are going through or the emotions they are feeling. He uses Figures of Speech to assist him in this. a) The first step is to see the word picture being communicated. You need to use your imagination. What connotations go with that picture? Are they good or bad? What emotional overtones does it communicate? b) The second step is to interpret their connotations? In light of the whole psalm what was the author trying to communicate?
Psalm 23:1-3 A shepherd, we are the sheep, green pastures & still waters -
Psalm 1:1-3 They are like tall trees planted by streams of water... -
EMOTIONAL The psalms are meant to communicate the emotion of the author. Most of the time we do not know what he was going through but he shows us how he felt through it. It is like reading someone’s journal – you may not know about the circumstance but you will see what was going on inside of the person writing it. Written also to stir up emotion in others and to draw the reader in. This is done by using figurative language.
One could say, “I’m sad…helpless” or Psalm 69:1-3
One could say, “I’m depressed & lonely” or Psalm 102:3-11
FIGURES OF SPEECH The main way the author is going to communicate his word pictures & emotions is through Figures of Speech. The main F.O.S. used are similes, metaphors, & anthropomorphism.
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
That yields it’s fruit in it’s season, And it’s leaf does not wither.
7 PARALLELISM
The unique structure of Hebrew Poetry is parallelism. In western literature, meter and rhyme characterize poetry. In Hebrew Poetry meter and rhyme are for the most part absent; instead Hebrew Poetry’s distinguishing feature is parallelism, which is balancing of thought against thought and word against word.
1. Synonymous Parallelism: The thought of the second line repeats what has been said in the first. Therefore, both lines mean the same.
Psalm 49:1 Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the World.
2. Antithetic Parallelism: The second line states the truth of the first line in a contrasting way. Often connected by the word “but”.
Psalm 90:6 In the morning it flourishes and is renewed
In the evening it fades and withers.
3. Synthetic Parallelism: The second line adds to the first, leading to a logical conclusion. The second line completes the thought of the first. (Usually you can ask “Why?” or “What’s the result?”)
Psalm 55:6 And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest; “
4. Emblematic Parallelism: One line is a literal statement followed by a second line which is figurative. (Uses similes and metaphors.)
Psalm 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth , So great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.
5. Climactic Parallelism: Also known as repetitive parallelism . Merges synonymous and
synthetic parallelism. There is repetition and development of a concept. Stair-like.
Psalm 29:1-2 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; Worship the Lord in holy array.
6. Chiastic Parallelism: Having four lines with the thought of the first and the fourth being the same and the second and third being the same. The pattern is A-B-B-A.
Psalm 30:8-10 A To thee, O Lord, I cried;
and to the Lord I made supplication: B “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? B Will the dust praise thee? Will it tell of thy faithfulness? A Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be thou my helper!”
8 7. Inclusio Parallelism: The first line of the psalm is also the last line of the psalm. It is repeated.
Psalm 8 8:1 O Lord, our Lord how majestic is thy name in all the earth. 8:9 O Lord, our Lord how majestic is thy name in all the earth.
____________________ Information taken from: ‣ Family Bible Encyclopedia: Volume 13, p.2393-2407, Brodsky ‣ Family Bible Encyclopedia: Volume 16, p.2972-2978, Brodsky ‣ Family Bible Encyclopedia: Volume 17, p.3079-3099, Brodsky ‣ Lecture by Carol Saia ‣ Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary p.884-886. Lockyers,Sr. ‣ New Bible Commentary, Revised, p.44-51, Harrison. ‣ Toward an Exegetical Theology, by Walter C. Kaiser, p.216 ‣ Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia. Volume K-Z, p.1423-1426, Pfeiffer. ‣ Zondervan Pictorial Bible Encyclopedia, Volume 3, p.76-87, F.F. Bruce ‣ Zondervan Pictorial Bible Encyclopedia, Volume 4, p.924-947, Tenney ‣ How to read the Psalms, by Tremper Longman ‣ How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart ‣ Words of Delight, by Leland Ryken ‣ Answering God: Using Psalms as Tools for Prayer, by Eugene Peterson ‣ www.mattcapps.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/understanding-the-psalms/
9 PSALMS ASSIGNMENT 1. Read through one psalm per day out loud (see assigned Psalms for the week)
2. Fill out Psalms horizontal
• Give each Psalm a title • Fill in Authorship (if it is given) • State the Literary Style • Determine which Style(s) the Psalm is: Praise, Lament, Penitential, Wisdom, Messianic, Imprecatory, Historical, Social • State if the Psalm is cited in the New Testament.
3. Color Code each psalm after you read it aloud
Suggestions on what to color code: • Themes: Human Emotion (of the author) & Character of God • Figures of Speech ‣ Metaphors / Similes ‣ Anthropomorphism ‣ Rhetorical Questions • Atmosphere, Mood, Emotions • Command or Promise • Contrast • Question & Answer • Who • When • Emphatic Statements • Connectives 4. Meditate on and Pray through the Psalm Some suggestions on questions to ask yourself as you meditate and pray through this psalm: • What was the author experiencing in the psalm? ‣ Have you been through anything that relates to this? Are you currently? • What emotions do you think the author would be having? • If you can’t relate to the emotion or circumstance the psalmist is going through, can you pray for someone who is? • Is there something happening in my life right now that relates to this psalm? • What aspects of God’s character are shown through the Psalm? • How does God’s character as shown in the Psalm minister to you? • Praise God for his character and how he has shown himself to you.
5. Vertical Chart From your weekly psalms reading schedule pick 1x psalm per week and chart this Psalm.
**** Note that you need to hand in your Psalms assignment in on Saturdays before leaving.
