Introduction to the Psalms

Introduction

The Psalms are among the oldest poems in the world, and they still rank with any poetry in any culture, ancient or modern, from anywhere in the world. They are full of power and passion, horrendous misery and unrestrained jubilation, tender sensitivity and powerful hope. Anyone at all whose heart is open to new dimensions of human experience, anyone who loves good writing, anyone who wants a window into the bright lights and dark corners of the human soul—anyone open to the beautiful expression of a larger vision of reality should react to these poems like someone who hasn’t had a good meal for a week or two. It’s all here.

The Range of the Psalms

The word Psalm means “a song of praise”

The Psalms present the full range of human emotions but in the context of a relationship with God.

Praise, anger, joy, sorrow, gratitude, disappointment, etc.

There is diversity of both audience and speaker.

You, “you all,” God, the nations.

I, we, you, etc.

The range of time is extreme:

From Moses (Psalm 90).

To captivity or return from captivity (Psa. 137:1)

The superscriptions are important

Psalm 18 & 2 Samuel 22:1.

Psalm 110 & Matt. 22:42-45

The Books of the Psalms

The Psalms are divided into 5 books

Book 1: 1-41

Book 2: 42-72

Book 3: 73-89

Book 4: 90-106

Book 5: 107-150

These books seem to carry some degree of theme division.

This is not always as clear in every place.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t placed intentionally.

Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 set the stage for the rest of the Psalter.

Psalm 1 is about the law and how we stand in relation to it.

Psalm 2 is about God’s King and how we stand in relation to Him.

Book 1 contains the Psalms of David.

Only Psalm 10 & Psalm 33 are not attributed explicitly to David.

Psalm 10 is a continuation of Psalm 9.

Psalm 33 is traditionally attributed to David.

The message is these are the Psalms of David.

Psalm 18 & 19 are about the Messiah (David) and the Law of the Lord repeating the themes of Psalm 1 & 2.

Book 2 is about communication.

We move from talking about those who have rejected God to talking TO those who reject God.

Sometimes in judgment

Sometimes in appeal

You see this sort of back and forth in Psalm 49, 50, 51, 52.

Psalm 49: Appeal to the nations

Psalm 50: Appeal to Israel

Psalm 51: the repentance of David

Psalm 52: the rejection of Doeg

Book 3 is about lament

All of these are Psalms of lament.

It is interesting to note that the darkest of the Psalms comes second to last right before the most hopeful of the lament Psalms.

Book 4 is about Exodus:

It begins with a Psalm of Moses

It borrows from the language of the Exodus throughout.

Book 5 is about joy:

Many begin with the proclamation Hallelujah including the last 5.

This is the joy of deliverance.

The Poetry of the Psalms

There are only 6 books in the Old Testament that DON’T contain poetry.

And astonishingly, it doesn’t get lost in translation. Most poetry suffers when translated into other languages because it relies for its effect on the sound and rhythm of the original words. It’s true that the Hebrew of these poems is beautiful in itself for those who can experience it. But the Psalms rely for their effect on the way they set out the main themes. They say something from one angle and then repeat it from a slightly different one

It has to be read differently than regular narrative sections.

Hebrew poetry is rooted in parallels.

1:1 parallels (Psa. 94:16).

Contrast (Psa 1:6).

And many others.

So the poetry has order.

Poetry often says very little. But it was once meant to say MORE not less than standard narrative.

That is certainly the way of the Psalms.

Conclusion

There is so much more to say here.

But I hope we have said enough to peak your interest and dig further into this heart of God’s word.