Psalms Intro

Picking the songs

Review

Where are we? Israel is two kingdoms. Kings was about Israel, the northern kingdom, their idol worship and the effects of that idol worship on themselves and the kingdoms around them.

Chronicles is about Judah. Their continued, though difficult, relationship with God.

Structure

Psalms is a prayer book of poems.

Some written by various kings, Moses, Solomon, 1/3 anonymous

They are not grouped by Author but they are specifically grouped.

There’s 5 books with a conclusion and 5 chapter conclusion.

Chapter 1-2 Intro

Books 1+2 (3-72) are psalms of David. About his relationship with God and seeking God’s temple (not around yet)

Book 3 (73-89) Is the fall of Israel into Exile

Books 4+5 (90-145) are various Psalms of praise and repentance

David looking forward towards the temple, Israel going into exile, Exiles looking back towards the temple. The single message of Psalms is to seek to be in the presence of God. And Psalms was compiled to be like a virtual temple for the Exiles.

Psalm 1+2 Intro

Psalm 1 (NIV)

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 2 (NIV)

1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.