What are The Psalms?

That might seem strange to ask as we open this series, I mean the Psalms are known pretty well in and out of the church. I would imagine Psalm 23 to be the most well known of the Psalms.

There are many things we may know and probably just as many things we may not know about the Psalms.

The Psalms cover just about anything we struggle with in life. Which is why they make for good prayers.

To begin let’s read the opening Psalm, Psalm 1 chair bible page 363 together as it serves as the introduction to the rest of the Psalms.

Are you ready for the message God has for us today?

Cool let’s dig in!

Psalms and the Church

In the ancient church the Psalms were known as the Psalter. You might here me use that term in this series.

Psalter is from Latin for Psalm

Psalters were used to teach people to read as well they were read with other liturgical readings.

Even today many devotions have a Psalm along with other readings.

In the ancient church the Psalms were used as prayers and songs during the worship services. That liturgical tradition still exists in many churches today.

The Jews sung the Psalms in temple worship, and also recited certain Psalms as the journeyed the ascent of the mountain on which Jerusalem sat. These particular Psalms are called the Psalms of Ascent.

So from ancient times in the church and in the nation of Israel Psalms played an important role in worship.

The Order of The Psalms

When we open our Bibles and look at the Psalms we may notice a particular order in their arrangement as a book.

In fact that is an interesting study in and of itself. So I want to consider that just a bit in the opening of this series.

“When Psalms were collected together as a book it may well be that a secondary use for them developed, namely as a resource for private meditation and devotions.” The Psalter

There is a purposeful order in the Psalms that lends itself to memorization.

Memorization was the only access to Scripture and specifically the Pslams for common people both for Jews and in the ancient church.

They did not have iPhones, Androids, tablets, Bibles, computers, but they did have scrolls.

Imagine having to unroll scrolls looking for Psalm 23.

There is one impressive scroll that 7 1/4” High x 33 1/4” long. It contains 49 Psalms - Psalms 101-150.

Memorization was essential. Thus Psalm 1:2

Psalm 1:2 NASB 2020

But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night.

To meditate means you have it memorized.

Many of the Psalms have titles that point to their use in temple worship, i.e. “For the sabbath” Or “for the thank offering.”

Some scholars see Psalm 1 and 2 as setting the tone of the Psalms by dividing humanity into two groups the righteous and the wicked

The theme of this division can be found throughout the Psalms.

Features of the Psalms

There are various features to the Psalms

C.S. Lewis, “What must be said is that the Psalms are poems, and poems intended to be sung; not doctrinal treaties, nor even sermons.”

The various features of the Psalms make them like a mini-Bible

To remind God’s people of important events and tie them to the worship of Yahweh as a reminder of His provision for Israel.

Gordon Wenham is a Reformed British Old Testament scholar and writer, “It gives an overview of history from creation through the conquest of Canaan.” Gordon Wenham

Some of the Psalms, based on the titles, are from various episodes of David’s life.

Other Psalms are meant to celebrate worship in Jerusalem.

Others relate to the sacking of Jerusalem, and reflections on the experiences of exile.

There are also acrostic Psalms where the one reciting works through the letters of the Hebrew alphabet verse by verse, Psalm 119 is one of those Psalms. This was intended as an aid for memorization

Some Psalms are linked together, others are grouped by similar themes.

A great deal of purpose and thought went into the organizing of the Psalms. Clearly guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Books of The Psalms

The Psalms are divided into five books to reflect the five books of the Torah.

Book 1 — Psalms 1-2 provide the introduction to all five books. There are also reflections on worship and ethics in this book. The Majority of the Psalms in Book 1 are attributed to David.

Book 2 — The first group of Psalms are by the Sons of Korah. More Psalms of David, including most of the historical Psalms. The prayer Psalms are dominated by lament and distress. Book 2 ends with the lone Psalm attributed to Solomon pointing to Christ as the great King of God’s people.

Book 3 — The tone darkens. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. Book 2 ended with a high point of royal aspirations. Book 3 ends in Psalm 89 with these expectations threatened. Through the darkness though some of the Psalms shine rays of hope. Contained in the short book are most of the Psalms of Asaph.

Book 4 — Psalm 90 opens this book. It can be seen as a response to the problems raised in book 3. Psalm 90 was written by Moses, reminding the reader that God has been active on Israel’s behalf long before David.

Psalm 103-106 summarize God’s dealings with his people before any king reigned.

Psalm 93-100 are a group of Psalms that have the refrain, “The LORD reigns.”

Book 5 — The structure of this book reflects the closing petition of Book 4 In Psalm 106:47

Psalm 106:47 NASB 2020

Save us, Lord our God, And gather us from the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise.

This book concludes with 5 hallelujah Psalms.

The longest Psalm 119 celebrates the value of God’s law

This book also has the 15 Psalms of Ascent used by pilgrims ascending the mountain of Jerusalem.

Reading the Psalms in the context of the Jewish canon, or Hebrew Bible, invite us to do this by referencing historical figures and episodes from the past.

Conclusion

Scottish Politician Andrew Fletcher said, “Let me write the songs of a nation, and I care not who writes its laws.”

He recognized the power of song to capture and mold people’s imaginations and attitudes toward life.

This is the purpose of the Psalms in regards to the people of God.

In doing a series on the Psalms there is a temptation to preach from 1 Psalm every Sunday.

Well with 150 Psalms that would take almost three years. So I wanted to do this a different way.

A new look at the old Psalms.

I want to come to the Psalms with an approach that shows they are more than just another part of the Bible.

The Psalms played a very important role not only in Ancient Israel but also in the early church. The Psalms are the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament.

It will be I hope a fascinating look into this book of the Old Testament one that will spark your own study into not just the Psalms but the rest of scripture as well.