Memory Verse(s)
Psalms 19:8-11
(8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
(9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
(10) More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
(11) Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Overview|Background
The Psalter is a collection of collections and represents the final stage in a process that spanned centuries. It was put into its final form by postexilic temple personnel, who completed it probably in the third century b.c. As such, it has often been called the prayer book of the “second” (Zerubbabel’s and Herod’s) temple and was used in the synagogues as well. But it is more than a treasury of prayers and hymns for liturgical and private use on chosen occasions. Both the scope of its subject matter and the arrangement of the whole collection strongly suggest that this collection was viewed by its final editors as a book of instruction in the faith and in full-orbed godliness — thus a guide for the life of faith in accordance with the Law, the Prophets and the canonical wisdom literature. By the first century a.d. it was referred to as the “Book of Psalms” (Lk 20:42; Ac 1:20). At that time Psalms appears also to have been used as a title for the entire section of the Hebrew OT canon more commonly known as the “Writings” (see Lk 24:44 and note).
Psalm Types
Hebrew superscriptions to the Psalms acquaint us with an ancient system of classification: (1) mizmor (“psalm”); (2) shiggaion (see note on Ps 7 title); (3) miktam (see note on Ps 16 title); (4) shir (“song”); (5) masvkil (see note on Ps 32 title); (6) tephillah (“prayer”); (7) tehillah (“praise”); (8) lehazkir (“for being remembered” — i.e., before God, a petition); (9) letodah (“for praising” or “for giving thanks”); (10) lelammed (“for teaching”); and (11) shir yedidot (“song of loves” — i.e., a wedding song). The meaning of many of these terms, however, is uncertain. In addition, some titles contain two of these (especially mizmor and shir), indicating that the types are diversely based and overlapping.
Analysis of content has given rise to a different classification that has proven useful for study of the Psalms. The main types that can be identified are: (1) prayers of the individual (e.g., Ps 3-7); (2) praise from the individual for God’s saving help (e.g., Ps 30; 34); (3) prayers of the community (e.g., Ps 12; 44; 79); (4) praise from the community for God’s saving help (e.g., Ps 66; 75); (5) confessions of confidence in the Lord (e.g., Ps 11; 16; 52); (6) hymns in praise of God’s majesty and virtues (e.g., Ps 8; 19; 29; 65); (7) hymns celebrating God’s universal reign (Ps 47; 93-99); (8) songs of Zion, the city of God (Ps 46; 48; 76; 84; 122; 126; 129; 137); (9) royal psalms — by, for or concerning the king, the Lord’s anointed (e.g., Ps 2; 18; 20; 45; 72; 89; 110); (10) pilgrimage songs (Ps 120-134); (11) liturgical songs (e.g., Ps 15; 24; 68); (12) didactic (instructional) songs (e.g., Ps 1; 34; 37; 73; 112; 119; 128; 133).
Key Passage(s)
Psalms 19:1-14
(1) To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
(2) Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
(3) There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
(4) Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
(5) Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
(6) Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
(7) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
(8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
(9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
(10) More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
(11) Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
(12) Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
(13) Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
(14) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalms 51:1-19
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David When Nathan the Prophet Went to Him, After He Had Gone in to Bathsheba.
(1) Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
(2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
(3) For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
(4) Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
(5) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
(6) Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
(7) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(8) Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
(9) Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
(10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
(11) Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
(12) Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
(13) Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
(14) Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
(15) O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
(16) For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
(17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.
(18) Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
(19) Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
Key Facts
Authorship & Time Period
The brief descriptions that introduce the psalms have David listed as author in 73 instances. David’s personality and identity are clearly stamped on many of these psalms. While it is clear that David wrote many of the individual psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire collection. Two of the psalms (72 and 127) are attributed to Solomon, David’s son and successor. Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned to Moses. Another group of 12 psalms (50) and (73—83) is ascribed to the family of Asaph. The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms (42, 44—49, 84—85, 87—88). Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman, while Psalm 89 is assigned to Ethan the Ezrahite. With the exception of Solomon and Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David’s reign. Fifty of the psalms designate no specific person as author, although two of those are designated elsewhere in the Bible as psalms of David. Full article: Who wrote the book of Psalms? Who was the author of Psalms?
It is clear that the 150 individual psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel’s history. They must have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C. Full article: When was Psalms written?
Type of literature
Poetry and Prayer book
Characters
MAJOR CHARACTERS: Yahweh, David, Israel, “the Righteous,” and “the Wicked.”
The Story
Summary
The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper’s thoughts on God in praise and adoration. Parts of this book were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel. The musical heritage of the psalms is demonstrated by its title. It comes from a Greek word which means “a song sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument.”
Major Events
- David’s life
- The Assyrian and Babylonian eras
- The fall of Jerusalem, exile, and return to the land
Themes
- God’s gifts of his covenants, law, and wisdom
- God’s steadfast love and forgiveness
- God’s faithfulness to Abraham and David
- Praise and lament
Outline of Psalms
- Psalms 1–41: Worshipping God When Enemies Attack
- Psalms 42–72: Worship and the Next Generation
- Psalms 73–89: The Consequences of Later Generations Rejecting a Godly Worship Heritage
- Psalms 90–106: Worship and Patient Endurance
- Psalms 107–150: Worship and Restoration
Where Do We See Christ?
God’s provision of a Savior for His people is a recurring theme in the Psalms. Prophetic pictures of the Messiah are seen in numerous psalms. Psalm 2:1-12 portrays the Messiah’s triumph and kingdom. Psalm 16:8-11 foreshadows His death and resurrection. Psalm 22 shows us the suffering Savior on the cross and presents detailed prophecies of the crucifixion, all of which were fulfilled perfectly. The glories of the Messiah and His bride are on exhibit in Psalm 45:6-7, while Psalms 72:6-17, 89:3-37, 110:1-7 and 132:12-18 present the glory and universality of His reign.
Point of Application
How can we apply this to our lives today?
One of the results of being filled with the Spirit or the word of Christ is singing. The psalms are the “songbook” of the early church that reflected the new truth in Christ.
God is the same Lord in all the psalms. But we respond to Him in different ways, according to the specific circumstances of our lives. What a marvelous God we worship, the psalmist declares, high and lifted up beyond our human experiences but also close enough to touch and who walks beside us along life’s way.
We can bring all our feelings to God—no matter how negative or complaining they may be—and we can rest assured that He will hear and understand. The psalmist teaches us that the most profound prayer of all is a cry for help as we find ourselves overwhelmed by the problems of life.
Discussion Questions
Do you have a favorite Psalm?
Jesus utters the introduction to Psalm 22 while hanging on the Cross. Why do you think He did that?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the gift of prayer as written in the Psalms and for the example they set that we can come to you in every season of our lives.
Current Prayer Requests:
Doc – renewed vigor to join us on Saturdays
Richard Brooks – faith and courage during the next stage of his journey in Christ
Andrew McKinney – employment provision
Bob & Gaynelle – Breast cancer diagnosis
Julia (Arras) – praise for better health
Jim Allen, friend of Daryl, heart issue, VLAP operation
Jim Sachs – job situation, improvement, wisdom for interaction with leadership
Daryl’s employee Tara – ill (possible tumor) in Cambodia
Daryl’s Son Jonathan and Wife Lizz – spiritual renewal
Tom and Jeanice – Divine Healing and Peace in their spirit
Becky and Lee Davidson, health and healing
Jim & Melissa, father-in-law’s heart condition and spiritual health, marital closeness
Mike Arras’ daughter, mental and spiritual health
Mike Arras’ son, Trevor – employment PRAISE
Mike Allen – sister Adele and brother
Joe & Deb – continued prayers for Deb’s Dad
Brian – Job situation
Ryan – Interview, new job opportunity
Keith and LaDana Thorne – wisdom and covering for new phase of life
Additional Content
FOR GREATER HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING: DETERMINING A PSALM’S HISTORICAL SETTING
Determining a psalm’s historical setting is always helpful for interpretation. However, arriving at the historical setting for the poems in the book of Psalms is difficult for several reasons.
First, most psalms have no specific statement about the situation in which they were written. As was noted earlier, the titles and superscriptions are sometimes helpful. Second, psalms written at different times and for different reasons often use similar forms. Knowing a psalm’s specific form may narrow down the general setting of the psalm’s use (e.g., a time of war) but still not reveal the author’s immediate context. Third, the general nature of individual psalms could fit more than one event in David’s life or Israel’s history. Thus, readers must be cautious when trying to determine a psalm’s specific setting. As Ken Barker states, “It is better to admit ignorance of the specific historical setting than to arbitrarily assign a particular historical life-setting when there is not [enough] evidence to justify such a reconstruction.”
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