Course Name: [ Old Testament Survey ] Lesson Eight: [ Psalms and Proverbs ] The Poetry Books, Part Two NOTES:

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1 Course Name: [ Old Testament Survey ] Lesson Eight: [ Psalms and Proverbs ] The Poetry Books, Part Two We have seen that the poetry books describe a variety of Israel s experiences from the time of the patriarchs to the time of Israel s return from captivity. The psalms provide unique insights into the heart and expressions of Israel s worship in the midst of these experiences. Proverbs is one of the three books along with Job and Ecclesiastes designated Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, and is well worth a deeper look to see how we can mine more of this wisdom for our lives We can learn so much about the worship and wisdom God wants for His people as we study these wonderful books. 1. Psalms Full of lyrical poetry, the psalms were written as songs to be accompanied by a stringed instrument (like a lyre or harp) and give us patterns and principles for praising God in the good times and the hard seasons. The 150 chapters in the Book of Psalms are arranged into five subdivisions or books (1 41; 42 72; 73 89; ; ). It is interesting to consider how and why these psalms were written and collected in this way. This order follows the fivefold division of the Pentateuch and may reflect the process of collecting these songs and prayers into Israel s hymnbook. Most of the psalms in the first two books were from David (3 41; 51 71), while many psalms in book three were written by Asaph (73 83). Songs of Ascent ( ) and Hallelujah psalms ( ) were grouped together in the fifth book. This suggests that the first two books may have been collected by David, the third and fourth by Solomon or Hezekiah, and the fifth by Ezra. (S. J. Schultz and G. V. Smith, Exploring the Old Testament) These were brought together possibly as early as 500 B.C. and given the Hebrew title Tehillim ( praise songs ). The Greek Septuagint called them Psalmoi ( songs to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument ) and this was the Greek title used in Jesus time (for example, see Acts 1:20).

2 The psalms were written for a variety of purposes. The following are some categories Bible scholars use to describe these purposes, with examples of each category. Didactic or Wisdom (Psalm 1) Trust (Psalm 23) Historical (Psalms ) Royal (Psalm 2) Hallelujah or Praise (Psalm 150) Penitential or Confessional (Psalm 51) Thanksgiving (Psalm 118) Messianic (Psalm 22) Creation (Psalm 8) Pilgrim (Psalms ) Imprecatory (Psalm 137) Lament (Psalms 42-43) Psalms are grouped together and identified as the Songs of Ascent. Many believe that these were sung by worshipers as they made their way to Jerusalem for annual pilgrimages of worship and celebration. The Book of Psalms also contains the longest chapter in the Bible. The 176 verses in Psalm 119 emphasize the value of God s Word for His people using an acrostic pattern of 22 sections, each based on the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is as if the author was declaring that, for every letter in the alphabet, there is a reason, purpose and benefit to God s Word! The Book of Psalms is used in significant ways by the writers of the New Testament. Of the 283 direct quotes from the Old Testament in the New Testament, 116 are from the psalms. The Messianic Psalms powerfully and accurately portray and predict the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ. Approximately half of the Old Testament references to the Messiah quoted by the New Testament writers are from the Book of Psalms (Spirit-Filled Life Bible). Notice how the following New Testament passages use verses from the psalms to declare who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Acts 13:32-33 (NIV) We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: You are my son; today I have become your father. Pastor Steve Homcy // The Poetry Books, Part 2 // Page 2

3 Matthew 22:42-44 (NIV) What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he? The son of David, they replied. 43 He said to them, How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him Lord? For he says, 44 The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet. John 2:17 (NIV) His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me. Matthew 13:35 (NIV) So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world. Matthew 21:42 (NIV) Jesus said to them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Hebrews 5:6 (NIV) And he says in another place, You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. John 13:18 (NIV) I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: He who shared my bread has turned against me. Romans 15:3 (NIV) For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 1 Corinthians 15:27 (NIV) For he has put everything under his feet. Now when it says that everything has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. Jesus also used the psalms to drive home points of His teachings. The Sermon on the Mount (Psalm 48:2) Teaching the multitudes (Psalm 78:2) The cleansing of the temple (Psalm 8:2) At the Last Supper (Psalm 136) On the cross (Psalm 22:1; 31:5) Following His resurrection (Luke 24:44-45) It is helpful to note that certain psalms can be grouped together to give us more insight about the coming Messiah. For example: Psalm 22 The Suffering Savior Psalm 23 The Living Savior Pastor Steve Homcy // The Poetry Books, Part 2 // Page 3

4 Psalm 24 The Coming King The psalms are not just about the worship of Israel. They give all of us hope in the God of Israel, who promised to send His Messiah as the Savior of the world. In Christ we find the ultimate expression of our worship and understand the true greatness of our God as we walk through the valley of this life with Him. 2. Proverbs The Book of Proverbs is full of didactic poetry. It teaches us in short, memorable verses how to live wisely according to God s design and purposes. The name of the book is descriptive of this content: a proverb is a pithy saying, short adage or maxim. Much of the book is primarily a compilation of the wisdom God gave to King Solomon. The proverbs of Solomon were probably written and compiled in the earlier days of his reign when he lived and ruled according to this wisdom. 1 Kings 3:5-14 (NIV) At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, Ask for whatever you want me to give you. 6 Solomon answered, You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both wealth and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. 1 Kings 10:1-9 (NIV) When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had Pastor Steve Homcy // The Poetry Books, Part 2 // Page 4

5 built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. 6 She said to the king, The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness. Although Solomon penned most of Proverbs, some of the latter parts of the book were compiled or written by wise men (like Agur and Lemuel) during the days of King Hezekiah. Proverbs 25:1 (NIV) These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah. The purpose of the book is clearly defined in the first few verses: Proverbs 1:2-4 (NLT) Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Biblical wisdom is the discipline of applying truth to one s life in the light of experience (Douglas Stuart). The teaching about this kind of wisdom makes Proverbs so valuable and practical to us. A helpful outline of the book emphasizes three groups of people who are instructed in wisdom: Wisdom for youth (Proverbs 1-9) Wisdom for all (Proverbs 10-24) Wisdom for leaders (Proverbs 25-31) There are consistent themes that run through Proverbs and give us great insight about godly living. These include the following: The power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) The value of discipline and diligence (Proverbs 12:1) The fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) Wealth and poverty (Proverbs 3:9-10) Giving and generosity (Proverbs 11:24-25) Pastor Steve Homcy // The Poetry Books, Part 2 // Page 5

6 Wisdom and foolishness (Proverbs 13:20) Pride and humility (Proverbs 11:2) Family and friends (Proverbs 17:17) The authors of this book use several literary approaches to emphasize their points: Contrast Proverbs 16:22 (NIV) Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. Comparison Proverbs 17:10 (NIV) A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool. Imagery Proverbs 26:27 (NIV) Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. Personification Proverbs 9:1 (NIV) Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. Exhortation Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Reading, memorizing and developing habits consistent with the teachings in Proverbs help us live with practical, godly wisdom. There is a promise of great blessing and fruitfulness for those who will pay attention to the counsel of this important book. Proverbs 2:1-10 (NLT) My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. 9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Pastor Steve Homcy // The Poetry Books, Part 2 // Page 6

7 Small Group Discussion Guide Getting Started The Book of Psalms is the songbook of Israel. Why is singing such an important part of the worship of God s people? How important is to you in your personal and corporate worship? Talking It Over Read Psalm 1:1-6. What do we learn from this psalm about living under God s blessing? Read Psalm 22:1-2. How does this cry of the righteous sufferer help us understand more about Jesus death on the cross (see Matthew 27:46). Read Psalm 119:105. What does this teach us about the value of God s Word? How does this encourage you to worship Him? How do short, pithy sayings like those in Proverbs help us live more wisely? In what ways might they be more helpful at times than a long lecture or lengthy counsel? Putting the Word to Work Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages of Scripture. It is worth memorizing and meditating on as a point of ministry to your heart and to others as you have opportunity to share it. If all six verses are too difficult for you to memorize, try committing one of the marvelous verses of this psalm to memory. You ll be glad you did! Memorizing the Word Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Pastor Steve Homcy // The Poetry Books, Part 2 // Page 7