Home Group Session 2 - Psalms (Introduction)

Recap

The Psalms are a collection of songs/poems/meditations/prayers written by David and others

The Psalms are unique because they are emotionally transparent, raw, and unfiltered, very unlike our polite prayers and songs

The Psalmists knew to approach the throne of Grace boldly, they were secure enough in their faith to express themselves honestly and know that the Lord would no reject them for it

Like Sinai and Zion, the Psalms are special songs because they were written by the Spirit of God at work in the Psalmists

Genre allows us a sense of scope, helps us “find out place in the text”

Weird question -

Let us think on this again/a bit - what differentiates the Psalms from a song I wrote? I believe that the Spirit of God inspired David to write, and I have the same Spirit.

It is part of the Canon of Scripture which is complete, this alone makes it superior to anything you and I would write.

Our writing can be inspired, just like David’s, but it does not carry the authority of Scripture

Our writing can be uplifting, just like David’s, but it is not canon.

Genres

The hymn - Ps 8

Generalized praise

The lament - Ps 3

Internal or external opposition

Song of Thanksgiving - Ps 9

More specific praise, outlines what they are grateful for

Can look like a lament because authors state the difficulty they have been rescued from

Song of Remembrance - Ps18

Focus on what the Lord has done for the person or the nation

Focuses on the Exodus, the reign of David, and/or the reign of Christ

Song of Confidence - Ps 11

Wisdom - Ps 1

Song of the king - Ps 2

Other thoughts

Symbolism: Detail and narrative vs. Metaphor and similes, e.g. Exod 14 vs. Exod 15

Couplets to deepen, contrast, complete, e.g. Ps 51

The story of the Psalms

Who is the subject in the Psalms, the person or the nation?

It depends

Next week