Invitation to the Old Testament 12: Psalms

PSALMS: 

PSALMS Israel’s Song Book

Introduction: 

Introduction The Psalms are a collection of poems (songs). Hebrew poetry is parallel in form, thought, and rhythm. The psalms don't strike us as being poetic because they don't rhyme.

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Synonymous Parallelism – The same thought is repeated in different words. The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. ~ Psalm 24:1-2 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Antithetic Parallelism – The thought of the first line is contrasted with the thought of the second line. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. ~ Psalm 1:6 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Synthetic Parallelism – The second line explains or adds to the first line. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ~ Psalm 19:7 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Iterative Parallelism – The same thought is repeated word for word. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, ~ Psalm 107:8, 15 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Responsary Parallelism – Statement and response / alternating appeal and answer. O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-- He is their help and shield. ~ Psalm 115:9 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Climactic Parallelism – The second line completes the first. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. ~ Psalm 29:1 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Alternate Parallelism – The first and third lines are parallel / the second and fourth lines are parallel. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ~ Psalm 103:11-12 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Types of Hebrew Parallelism: 

Introverted Parallelism – The first and fourth lines are parallel / the second and third lines are parallel. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ~ Psalm 91:14 Types of Hebrew Parallelism

Who wrote the Psalms?: 

Who wrote the Psalms? A. David wrote 73 of the Psalms. B. Approximately 50 are anonymous. Asaph , Solomon, Moses, and the sons of Korah wrote some of the Psalms.

When were the Psalms written?: 

When were the Psalms written? The date of writing was between 1440 and 580 B.C. (Most were written during the United Kingdom.)

Psalm 90 (English Standard Version): 

Psalm 90 (English Standard Version) “Dust in the Wind” Kansas 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

PowerPoint Presentation: 

3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” 4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

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7 For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?

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12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O Lord ! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Why did God give us the Psalms?: 

Why did God give us the Psalms? The purpose of the Psalms is… To offer prayer and praise to God To express the emotions of the heart to God To give prophecy concerning the Messiah

What would an overview of the Psalms look like?: 

What would an overview of the Psalms look like? The Psalms are divided into five sections commonly called "books". These five sections are meant to correspond with the five books of the Pentateuch. A. Book 1 - Psalms 1-41 - Davidic psalms lament B. Book 2 - Psalms 42-72 - suffering of godly C. Book 3 - Psalms 73-89 - God’s dealing with Israel D. Book 4 - Psalms 90-106 - suffering and reign E. Book 5 - Psalms 107-150 - hallelujiah psalms praise

7 Categories of Psalms: 

7 Categories of Psalms petition to God - Psalms 3; 44 thanksgiving / praise - Psalms 30; 65 trust in God - Psalm 4 didactic - Psalms 1; 37; 119 penitential – repentance / sorrow for sin - Psalms 32; 51; 6; 38; 102; 130; 143 imprecatory – invokes God’s wrath on the ungodly - Psalms 7; 35; 52; 55; 58; 69; 79; 109; 137; 140

Imprecatory Psalms: 

Imprecatory Psalms Imprecatory psalms are those psalms that contain curses or prayers for the punishment of the psalmist's enemies. To imprecate means to invoke evil upon, or curse. Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137 and 139 contain prayers for God's judgment on those who have oppressed His people or otherwise behaved unrighteously. “Pray for You” Jaron and the Long Road to Love

Psalm 55:15: 

Psalm 55:15 Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave.

Psalm 58:6: 

Psalm 58:6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths.

Psalm 69:28: 

Psalm 69:28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

Psalm 109:9: 

Psalm 109:9 May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.

Psalm 137:9: 

Psalm 137:9 How blessed will be the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

7 Categories of Psalms: 

7 Categories of Psalms petition to God - Psalms 3; 44 thanksgiving / praise - Psalms 30; 65 trust in God - Psalm 4 didactic - Psalms 1; 37; 119 penitential – repentance / sorrow for sin - Psalms 32; 51; 6; 38; 102; 130; 143 imprecatory – invokes God’s wrath on the ungodly - Psalms 7; 35; 52; 55; 58; 69; 79; 109; 137; 140 Messianic a. Christ's sovereignty - Psalms 2; 8; 24; 45; 72; 89; 97; 110; 132 b. Christ's suffering - Psalms 16; 22; 41; 69; 109; 118