How to Read the Psalms

Transcription

1 Journey through the Old Testament Bible Survey of Psalms Introduction: The Psalms express a wide range of human feelings in the presence of God. Each Psalm is a unit on its own. There is great diversity among the psalms. Theme: Worship God in whatever situation you find yourself in. 1.0 Read The Psalms Historically How to Read the Psalms 1.1 Know Who Wrote The Psalm. Who How Many What Psalms David 73 Psalm 3-9; 11-32; 34-41; 51-65; 68-70; 86; 101; 103; ; 122; 124; 131; 133 and Asaph 12 Ezra 2:41 Psalm 50; Sons of Korah 10 Numbers 16, 26 Psalms 42; 44-49; 84-85; 87 Solomon 2 Psalm 72 & 127 Moses 1 Psalm 90 Heman 1 I Chronicles 15:19; 25; I Kings 4:31 Psalm 88 Ethan 1 I Kings 4:31; I Chronicles 15:19 Psalm 89 Anonymous wrote 50 Psalm 1; 2; 10; 33; 43; 66-67; 71; ; 102; ; ; 123; ; ; 132; ; and Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 1 of 8

2 1.2 Know the Setting of the Psalm Psalm 3-2 Samuel Psalm 30-2 Samuel 5:11-12 Psalm 34 - I Samuel 21:10-22:1 Psalm 51-2 Samuel Psalm 52 - I Samuel Psalm 54 - I Samuel 23:1-26:1 Psalm 56 - I Samuel 21:10; 27:4; 29:2-11 Psalm 57 - I Samuel 22 Psalm 59 - I Samuel 19 Psalm 60-2 Samuel 8:13-14 Psalm 63 - I Samuel 22:5 Psalm I Samuel 22:1 or 24:3 1.3 Realize That the Psalms Were Compiled By Different People David (I Chronicles 15:16) Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:30; Proverbs 25:1) Ezra (Nehemiah 8). There are five books: o each book ends with the benediction, Praise to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, Amen and Amen o The five books match the fact that there are five books in the Pentateuch. Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 2 of 8

3 2.0 Read the Psalms Poetically 2.1 Keep In Mind The Form Of Hebrew Poetry. Hebrew poetry does not rhyme but it does have rhythm and form. The most basic form is parallelism. That is where the second line parallels or repeats in some form what is being said in the first line. There three types of parallelism, 1- Synonymous parallelism 19:1,2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 2- Antithetic parallelism the lines contrast (Psalm 37:9) For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land 3- Synthetic parallelism each successive line expands the meaning (Psalm 19:8) The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 2.2 Keep In Mind The Language Of Hebrew Poetry. Metaphor uses picture language to make a point. Hyperbole uses exaggerated language to make a point. 3.0 Read the Psalms Corporately The Psalms were meant to be used in corporate worship. Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 3 of 8

4 4.0 Read the Psalm Prayerfully 4.1 The Psalms Can Be Grouped Together According To Types. Psalms Of Lament - Individual Psalms Of Lament - Corporate Type What They Do Specific Psalm which help a person express struggle, suffering or disappointment with the Lord Express the peoples struggle with the Lord Psalm 3, 22, 31, 39, 42, 57, 71, 120, 139, 142 Psalm 12, 44, 80, 94, 137 Psalms Of Thanksgiving - Individual Psalms Of Thanksgiving - Corporate Psalms Of Praise Salvation History Psalms Confessional Psalms Imprecatory Psalms They express individual joy and thanks for good circumstances and for God s faithfulness and blessing. They express joy and thanks for good circumstances and for God s faithfulness and blessing on God s people These focus on God and praise him for His greatness and generosity toward the earth and his people. These focus on God s saving work among the Israelites in rescuing them from bondage in Egypt In these Psalms the Psalmist calls down God s wrath upon their enemies - These psalms help us not to sin in that they give voice to anger toward God. -These psalms encourage us to leave wrath, anger with God. Psalm 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 66, 92, 116, 118 & 138 Psalm 65, 67, 75, 107, 124 & 136 God praised as - Creator (Psalm 8, 19, 104, and 148) - Protector and benefactor of Israel (Psalm 66, 100, 111, 114, 149) - God praised as the Lord of history (Psalm 33, 103, 113, 117, ) Psalm 78, 105, 106, 135 & 136 Psalm 6,32, 38, 51, 102, 130 & 143 Psalm 35, 37, 69, 79, 109, 139, 143 Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 4 of 8

5 5.0 Read The Psalms Worshipfully Psalm comes from the Greek word that means a poem sung to musical accompaniment. The Psalms formed the hymnal for the Jewish nation. 55 psalms are inscribed, To the Chief Musician this means that they were written for the use of the conductor of music in the temple, often for special occasions. Mizmor Shir Maskil Miktam Tepillah Tehillah = psalm, a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. = song. = contemplative poem. = inscription poem. = prayer = praise Selah = pause, a musical interlude, or a crescendo 6.0 Read The Psalms Devotionally 6.1 Read Them Devotionally With An Eye On Jesus. Jesus is described as Which Psalm Crucified Saviour Psalm 22 Shepherd Psalm 23 (See John 10) The Sacrifice Psalm 4:6-8 (See Hebrews 10:1-10) High Priest Psalm 110 (See Hebrews 7:17-21) The Stone Psalm 118:22-23 (See Matthew 21:42) The Coming King Psalm 2 (see Acts 4:25-26 and 13:33) The Good Shepherd Dying For The Sheep Psalm 22 Christ And His Crucifixion. Psalm 22:1-21 Christ And His Resurrection Psalm 22: Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 5 of 8

6 Psalm 22 - Jesus The Good Shepherd Dying For The Sheep. Psalm 22:1-21 Psalm 22:22-31 = Christ and his crucifixion. = Christ and his resurrection. Psalm 22:1 Christ spoke these words My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Matthew 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me) Mark 15:34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? (which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ) Psalm 22:2 Alternate light and darkness Psalm 22:6-8 the reproach of the people My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8 He trusts in the LORD, they say, let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. Matthew 27:45 Matthew 27:39-44 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God! 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 He saved others, they said, but he can t save himself! He s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Psalm 22:11-12 No help was offered him; Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Matthew 26:56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Psalm 22:16 His hands and feet pierced Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet Matthew 27:35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Psalm 22: 17 People Staring At Him All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. Luke 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, He saved others; let him save himself if he is God s Messiah, the Chosen One. Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 6 of 8

7 Psalm 22:18 Gambling for his garments They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. John 19: When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 Let s not tear it, they said to one another. Let s decide by lot who will get it. This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. So this is what the soldiers did. Psalm 23 We See The Great Shepherded Caring For The Sheep. God s Name Jehovah Jireh Jehovah Rapha Jehovah Shalom Jehovah Tsidkenu Jehovah Shammah Jehovah Nissi Jehovah Raah Meaning The Lord Will Provide The Lord Will Heal Or Restore The Lord Our Peace The Lord Our Righteousness The Lord Is There The Lord Our Banner The Lord Is My Shepherd Jesus Christ is all we need Psalm 24 We See the Chief Shepherd Coming for the Sheep Images of God in the Psalms Images of God as Reference in Psalms Shield 3:3; 28:7; 119:114 Rock 18:2; 42:9; 95:1 King 5:2; 44:4; 74:12 Shepherd 23:1; 80:1 Judge 7:11 Refuge 46:1; 62:7 Fortress 31:3; 71:3 Avenger 26:1 Creator 8:1, 6 Deliverer 37:39, 40 Healer 30:2 Protector 5:11 Provider 78:23-29 Redeemer 107:2 Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 7 of 8

8 Specific Messianic Prophecies in the Book of Psalms. Psalm Messianic Prophesy Fulfillment of the Prophecy 2:7 God Will Declare Him To Be His Son Matthew 3:17 8:6 All Things Will Be Put Under His Feet Hebrews 2:8 16:10 He Will Be Resurrected From The Dead Mark 16:6-7 22:1 God Will Forsake Him In His Hour Of Need Matthew 27:46 22:7-8 He Will Be Scorned And Mocked Luke 23:35 22:16 His Hands And Feet Will Be Pierced John 20:25,27 22:18 Others Will Gamble For His Clothes Matthew 27: :20 Not One Of His Bones Will Be Broken John 19:32-33,36 35:11 He Will Be Accused By False Witnesses Mark 14:57 35:19 He Be Hated Without A Cause John 15:25 40:7-8 He Will Come To Do God s Will Hebrews 10:7 41:9 He Will Be Betrayed By A Friend Luke 22:47 45:6 His Throne Will Be Forever Hebrews 1:8 68:18 He Will Ascend To God s Right Hand Mark 16:19 69:9 Zeal For God s House Will Consume Him John 2:17 69:21 He Will Be Given Vinegar And Gall To Drink Matthew 27:34 109:4 He Will Pray For His Enemies Luke 23:34 110:1 His Enemies Will Be Made Subject To Him Acts 1:20 110:4 He Will Be A Priest Like Melchizedek Hebrews 5:6 118:22 He Will Be The Chief Cornerstone Matthew 21:42 118:26 He Will Come In The Name Of The Lord Matthew 21:9 For Group Discussion: What is your favourite Psalm? Share it with your group. Why is it your favourite? For Personal Reflection: Is there something new that you learned in this session that could help enliven your prayer life? Utilize the Psalms today in prayer. Winter 2011 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 8 of 8