Old Testament Survey: The Book of Psalms

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Old Testament Survey The Book of Psalms

• Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel
  of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of
  sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful
  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in
  His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 11,2

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Background

• The book draws its name from the title in the
  Septuagint (LXX) translation.
• The word means praises. Or songs of praise.
• 73 Psalms are attributed to David.
• 50 Psalms are anonymous.
• Total of 150 Psalms
• A few have been set to music, and we sing them
  today.

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Background

• National songs of Israel.
• Largely the songs of the church in past
  centuries.
• Largely written for individual devotion.
• Book of prayer and praise.
• All emotions touched in the Psalms.
• Mainly written in Hebrew poetry style.

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Divisions of Psalms

• Book I
• Psalm 141

• Corresponds with Genesis
• All but four written by David
• Subject
• Man
• His state of blessedness
• Fall and recovery

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Divisions of Psalms

• Book II
• Psalm 4272

• Corresponds with Exodus
• 18 written by David
• Subjectnation of Israel
• Her ruin (42-49)
• Redeemer (50-60)
• Redemption (61-72)
• Righteous King (72)

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Divisions of Psalms

• Book III
• Psalm 7389

• Corresponds with Leviticus
• Centers on time of Hezekiah
• Subjectthe sanctuary referred to in nearly every
  Psalm in Book III

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Divisions of Psalms

• Book IV
• Psalm 90106

• Corresponds with Numbers
• Two Psalms of David (101 and 103)
• Other Psalms in time of exile
• Subject The earth
• Psalm 90 written by Moses during wilderness
  wanderings

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Divisions of Psalms

• Book V
• Psalms 107150

• Corresponds with Deuteronomy
• 15 Psalms of David
• Compiled in time of Nehemiah and Ezra
• Subject Gods word
• Psalm 119 greatest and longest Psalm

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Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

• Synonymous Parallelism
• Verses in which the thought of line A is repeated
  in line B.

• LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will
  the wicked triumph? (943)
• Hear this, all peoples give ear, all
  inhabitants of the world. (491)

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Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

• Antithetical Parallelism
• Verses in which the opposite thought of line A is
  expressed in line B.

• For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but
  the way of the ungodly shall perish. (16)
• For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is
  for life weeping may endure for a night, but joy
  comes in the morning. (305)

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Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

• Synthetic parallelism
• Verses in which line B supplements or completes
  the thought in line A.

• Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.
  (26)
• I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt
  bountifully with me. (136)

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Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

• Climatic Parallelism
• Verses in which the first line is incomplete, so
  the second line takes up the words in it and
  completes the thought

• Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto
  the LORD glory and strength. (291)
• The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness,
  the world and those who dwell therein. (241)

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Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

• Acrostic Poem
• The opening words begin with the same letter of
  the alphabet, or each line begins with the
  succeeding letters of the alphabet.

• Psalm 119
• Opening letter of verses 1-8 is aleph
• Opening letter of verses 9-16 is beth
• Continues on through 22 letters of the Hebrew
  alphabet

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Topical Classification

• Gods Attributes
• No book more fully sets forth the qualities of
  Gods nature. Nine names are used to show His
  Divine attitudes and attributes.

• The Lord is our judge and defense (78-10)
• Refuge of the poor (146)
• Rock and fortress (182)
• Light and salvation (271)
• Shield (287)

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Topical Classification

• Psalms That Praise God
• Psalms that give Him glory, honor, and praise

• Extolling His goodness (85,95,100,136)
• Praising His glory and wisdom (18,19,29,62)
• Creator and preserver (33,89,104)
• Infinite knowledge (139)
• Divine providence (105)

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Topical Classification

• Christ in the Psalms
• Psalms that elevate and prophesy about the coming
  Messiah and Christ

• His crucifixion (22)
• His resurrection (16)
• Reign of a righteous King (45,72,110)
• The rejected Stone (118)
• His eternity (61)

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Topical Classification

• Historical Psalms
• Psalms that remind of past events

• Exodus and crossing the Red Sea (13610-15)
• Period of wandering (114)
• Period of judges (10634-46)
• David fleeing from Saul (7,11,34)
• Davids sin with Bathsheba (24,30 ,51)

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Topical Classification

• Psalms Concerning Man
• Psalms that elevate and tell about mankind

• Mans exaltation (8)
• Mans sinfulness (10,14,36)
• Wicked contrasted with godly (1,4,5)
• Folly of wicked who trust in riches (37,49,53)
• Fate of ungodly (9,11,73)

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Topical Classification

• Psalms of Trust and Thanksgiving
• Psalms that express mans gratitude and trust in
  His God

• Trust (3,16,20,27,31)
• Shepherd Psalm (23)
• God is our Refuge (46)
• Gates of thanksgiving (100)
• Pay vows to God (50)
• Help from God (121)

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Topical Classification

• Prayer Psalms
• Psalms that express prayers offered up to God

• Mercy in time of trouble (6)
• Prayers of assurance (27 and 116)
• Penitence (51)
• Destruction of the deceitful (55)
• Deliverance (70)
• Mercy (86)

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Topical Classification

• The Lords Church (typical)
• Psalms about the coming of the Lords church

• Safety (46)
• Zions beauty and glory (48,87)
• Love for Gods house (84, 122)
• Unity among brethren (133)

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Topical Classification

• Psalms Concerning Experiences and Religion in
  Life
• Psalms about religious experiences

• Magnifying Gods word (19,119)
• Worship (43,84,100,122,132)
• Vanity of life (39,49, 90)
• The home (127)

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Great Lessons From the Psalms

• Adoration of God
• Rich in expressing admiration for God and the
  souls longing to be near Him (81)
• The Sanctuary
• The Psalmist had in mind the tabernacle and
  temple (7713 and 1221)
• The heart yearns for His Divine presence (421)
• Understanding and seeing things more fully
  (733,17)

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Great Lessons From the Psalms

• Blessings in the Psalms
• The splendor of happiness and contentment shines
  with the luster of diamonds (11,2 212
  1281,2 321 844 1191 9412 14415)
• The Lord is our help
• He looks down from heaven (142)
• He provides and helps in trouble (461)
• He hears our voices (1161)
• Knows every word and thought (1391-7)
• If we call in time of trouble, He will deliver
  (5015)

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Great Lessons From the Psalms

• Forgiveness of sins
• All have sinned, and God forgives the penitent
  (531-3 513,4 11911)
• Seven great subjects in the Psalms
• Recognizing the all-powerful God (901,2)
• Praise for His infinite love and providence
  (103,136)
• Rebukes all forms of idolatry (964,5 977)
• Prophetic glimpses of Christ (1101-4)
• The terrible nature of sin (143)
• Gods Divine mercy and forgiveness (32, 130)
• Emphasizing duties to repent and obey (291,2
  51 96)