The Old Testament Roots of Corporate Prayer

Corporate Prayer in the Old Testament  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Examining the Old Testament roots of corporate prayer

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Introduction

Goals

Goals

To enrich this congregation’s corporate prayer with biblical form and content, and by so doing…
… to raise your personal commitment to and reliance upon this congregation’s corporate prayers.

Lessons

2019-01-09: The Old Testament Roots of Corporate Prayer
2019-01-06: What does corporate confession look like?
2019-01-23: What does corporate petition look like?
2019-01-30: What does corporate praise look like?

Christian Use of Old Testament Prayers

Controlling Principles

The Canonical Principle ()

Canonical Principle ()

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
All useful…
Useful for…
Discipleship
Ministry

Christological Principle (, )

The Christological Principle (, )

Luke 24:25–27 ESV
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:44–47 ESV
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Examples

Christian Use and Adaptation of Standardized Jewish Prayers

The Shema (, “hear, listen, heed”)

Jewish use (Mishnah Barakhot 1:1-3:6)
To be recites three times/day
Regulations about timing (cf. NT mention of third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour)
Covered contingencies …
If you’re away from the congregation
If you’re on a scaffold at a construction site
If you’re ritually defiled, etc.
Christian adaptation coupled with the second great command (; ; )
Matthew 22:37–40 NLT
37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT
5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Leviticus 19:18 NLT
18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Christian Adaptation with Second Great Command (; ; )

The Amidah (Aramaic, “standing” prayer)

What this is
A collection of eighteen prayers, petitions, and blessings
Also called The Tefilla, “Shemoneh Esrei” (שמונה עשרה‎, “eighteen”), The Eighteen Benedictions
Also called “Shemoneh Esrei” (שמונה עשרה‎, “eighteen”)
Collection of eighteen prayers, petitions, and blessings (also called “Shemoneh Esrei” (שמונה עשרה‎, “eighteen”) offered three times a day in personal prayer and during every prayer service of the year (Mishnah tractate Berakhot 4:1).
Offered three times a day in personal prayer and during every prayer service of the year (Mishnah tractate Berakhot 4:1).
Each benediction ends with some form of the Berakhot…—“Blessed art Thou, O Lord.”
The core basically fixed by early first century AD (Hardin, “Prayer”; citing Dugmore, Influence of the Synagogue, 22–25, 114–27; Instone-Brewer, “Eighteen Benedictions,” 25–27); would have reflected current patterns of prayer and worship where…
Would have reflected current pattern of prayer in the synagogues
Jesus taught and prayed
Th
Where the apostles and earliest Christians would prayed and witnessed
Jewish use of the Amidah (Mishnah Barakhot 4:1—5:1)
Prescribes ritual recitation in a wide range of regular activities
Warns against empty ritual (Mishnah Berakhot).
This is on the handout, let audience read it themselves
4:4 A R. Eliezer says, “One who makes his prayers a fixed task — his prayers are not [valid] supplications [of God].”
5:1 A One may stand to pray only in a solemn frame of mind. B The early pious ones used to tarry one hour [before they would] pray, C so that they could direct their hearts to the Omnipresent. D [While one is praying] even if the king greets him, he may not respond. E And even if a serpent is entwined around his heel, he may not interrupt [his prayer].
Christian use and adaptation of the Amidah
Parallels between the Lord’s Prayer and the Amidah (; ).
Jews and Christians recognize similarities between the Amidah and the Lord’s Prayer, despite the Amidah’s considerably longer length (; ). (Baumgardt, “Kaddish in the Lord’s Prayer,” 164–69; Keener, Matthew, 140–46).
Jews and Christians recognize similarities between the Amidah and the Lord’s Prayer, despite the Amidah’s considerably longer length (; ). (Baumgardt, “Kaddish in the Lord’s Prayer,” 164–69; Keener, Matthew, 140–46).
On handout; so no comment
Sanctification of the name of God (Benediction 3; “hallowed be your Name,” )
A desire for the glory of God to be manifest “on earth as in heaven” (Benediction 3; )
Petition for forgiveness of sin (Benediction 6; “forgive us our debts,” )
Requests for adequate material provision (Benediction 9; “give us today our daily bread,” )
Hope that God will cause the ruin of evil (Benediction 12; “deliver us from the evil one,” )
Jesus’s prayer is in some ways an abbreviation of the Amidah (Hardin, “Prayer”).
Liturgical Use of the Lord’s Prayer (; ; see Didache 8.3; Apostolic Constitutions 7.2.24).
As Jews recited the Shema and the Amidah at fixed hours during the day, so Christians in the second century prayed the Lord’s Prayer morning, mid-day, and evening.
As Jews recited the Shema and the Amidah at fixed hours during the day, so Christians in the second century prayed the Lord’s Prayer morning, mid-day, and evening.
Don’t pray “as the hypocrites”: rather, “Pray thus three times a day” (Didache 8.3).
Reflecting Jewish practice: “three times a times a day”
Distinguishing Christian practice from that of Jewish “hypocrites”
“Pray thus thrice in a day, preparing yourselves beforehand, that ye may be worthy of the adoption of the Father” (Apostolic Constitutions 7.2.24)
The prescribed prayers of the Apostolic Constitutions retain characteristics and themes inherited from Judaism that were Christianized for the church (Fiensy, Prayers Alleged to Be Jewish, 1–10, 129–154; van der Horst, Early Jewish Prayers, 1–97).

Other Daily Prayers

Believers recited set prayers at meal times during the services of the church (see Justin Martyr, First Apology 65, 67).
A Morning Prayer
A Morning Prayer
A Morning Prayer
xlvii. “Glory be to God in the highest, and upon earth peace, good-will among men.” We praise Thee, we sing hymns to Thee, we bless Thee, we glorify Thee, we worship Thee by Thy great High Priest; Thee who art the true God, who art the One Unbegotten, the only inaccessible Being. For Thy great glory, O Lord and heavenly King, O God the Father Almighty, O Lord God, the Father of Christ the immaculate Lamb, who taketh away the sin of the world, receive our prayer, Thou that sittest upon the cherubim. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord Jesus, the Christ of the God of all created nature, and our King, by whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee.
An Evening Prayer
xlviii. “Ye children, praise the Lord: praise the name of the Lord.” We praise Thee, we sing hymns to Thee, we bless Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord our King, the Father of Christ the immaculate Lamb, who taketh away the sin of the world. Praise becomes Thee, hymns become Thee, glory becomes Thee, the God and Father, through the Son, in the most holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. “Now, O Lord, lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”
A Prayer At Dinner
xlix. Thou art blessed, O Lord, who nourishest me from my youth, who givest food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that having always what is sufficient for us, we may abound to every good work, in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom glory, honour, and power be to Thee for ever. Amen.
ANF vol. 7: Sec. V—Daily Prayers (Roberts, Donaldson, and Coxe, “Constitutions of the Holy Apostles”)

Doxologies

See ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,
References all on both PowerPoint and handouts and one distinct example each on the slides and the handouts; therefore, don’t comment
Ephesians 3:20–21 KJV 1900
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
;
Romans 11:33–36 ESV
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33–36 KJV 1900
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
;
16:25–27
Romans 16:25–27 ESV
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Romans 16:25–27 KJV 1900
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
;
1 Timothy 6:15–16 ESV
15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15–16 KJV 1900
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
;
Hebrews 13:20–21 KJV 1900
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
;
1 Peter 5:10–11 ESV
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10–11 KJV 1900
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
;
2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 ESV
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
;
Jude 24–25 ESV
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 24–25 KJV 1900
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
;
Revelation 5:12 KJV 1900
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Revelation 12 ESV
1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” 13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
,
7:12
Revelation 7:12 ESV
12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 7:12 KJV 1900
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
).

Blessings

See ; ;
On slides and handouts; no comment
Philippians 4:20 KJV 1900
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Romans 9:5 KJV 1900
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
ESV5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
2 Timothy 4:18 KJV 1900
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Temple Prayers

;
ESV18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Peter and John traveled to the temple for mid-day prayer (lit. “ninth hour,” ; see ; ).

Christian Use and Adaptation of the Psalms

Acts 3:1 ESV
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
NLT1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.
Acts 2:46 NLT
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
;
Acts 5:12 NLT
12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade.
Christians continued to observe the set times for prayer (e.g., sixth and ninth hours, , ; ; see also ).
Acts 10:9 ESV
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
Acts 10:30 ESV
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing
)
Acts 11:5 ESV
5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.
Acts 10:3–4 ESV
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

The Psalter as a Pattern

An Authoritative/Canonical Pattern

As set prayers, the psalms put words in the worshiper’s mouth, thus encouraging each to reflect on and to incorporate healthy dependency on and acknowledgment of God. They thus implicitly have educative and behavior-modifying functions. (Broyles, “Prayer,” Lexham Bible Dictionary)

A Didactic Pattern

Patterns
A pattern for publishing the faith
Just read without comment; allow the next bullet list to carry the meaning
A pattern for meditating on the faith
A pattern for behavior-modification
This is authoritative source and intent, coupled with the believers’ meditation, is meant to change behavior.
Giving voice to confession, in both senses of the word:
Confession of the faith
Confession of sin, transgression, and guilt
Evoking repentance
This is authoritative source and content
Seeking forgiveness
Asking for empowerment to live a pure life

A Liturgical Pattern

For entering the temple area ()
Congregation asks, “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (, NLT)
,
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (, NLT)
A: Priests respond,
Priests respond, “Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (, NLT)
24
Liturgical voices, such as call/question/request and response (, )
Question/request and answer/response ()
,
Question and Answer—“Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.” (, NLT)
48
Request and Response—“Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory. Interlude” (, NLT)
Liturgical voices ()
One voice (or group) asks the question ().
Psalm 115:1–2 NLT
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. 2 Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Another voice answers ()
NLT3 Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. 4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. 8 And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.
Psalm 115:3–8 NLT
3 Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. 4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. 8 And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.
Three groups are exhorted to respond ()
Psalm 115:9–11 NLT
9 O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.
Conclusion ()
Psalm 115:14–18 NLT
14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 16 The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity. 17 The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord, for they have gone into the silence of the grave. 18 But we can praise the Lord both now and forever! Praise the Lord!
Conclusion ()
Blessing ()
NIV14 May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Praise ()
Psalm 115:14–15 NLT
14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
NLT16 The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity. 17 The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord, for they have gone into the silence of the grave. 18 But we can praise the Lord both now and forever! Praise the Lord!
A procession around Zion ()
A solemn procession of temple entry (, , , )
)
A solemn procession into the temple area (, esp. vv. 24-27)
No comment
Psalm 68:24–27 ESV
24 Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary— 25 the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines: 26 “Bless God in the great congregation, the Lord, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!” 27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
A hearing of the divine council ()—“God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:” (, NLT
Hearing location: “… in the divine council” (בַּעֲדַת־אֵ֑ל/ἐν συναγωγῇ θεῶν), in the “congregation/synagogue of God/the gods”)
Thy
“… in the divine council”—בַּעֲדַת־אֵ֑ל/ἐν συναγωγῇ θεῶν, in the “congregation” or “synagogue” of God/the gods.
“… in the midst of the gods”—בְּקֶ֖רֶב אֱלֹהִ֣ים/ἐν μέσῳ δὲ θεοὺς.
Purpose: God mandating that members of the heavenly council dispense equitable judgment
Theology: An OT “they will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
A responsive chant for entering the temple area ()
Purpose: God mandating that members of the heavenly council dispense equitable judgment.
Outside ()
Psalm 118:19–20 NLT
19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. 20 These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.
Psalm 118:19–20 NLT
19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. 20 These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.
Psalm 13 NLT
For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. 4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
Inside ()
Psalm 118:26–27 NLT
26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
Psalm 118:26–27 NLT
26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
Psalm 132:11 NLT
11 The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
A pilgrimage song ()
Pilgrims ()
Liturgical voices (Ps 121:
Psalm 121:1–2 NLT
1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
Priests ()
Psalm 121:3–8 NLT
3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
A royal procession (), perhaps reenacting David’s bringing the ark () to Jerusalem and thus celebrating the LORD’s choice of David (; cf. the Royal Psalms) and of Zion (, cf. the psalms that mention “Zion”)
, ,
Psalm 132:8 NLT
8 Arise, O Lord, and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power.
On slides and handouts; no comment
Psalm 132:8 NLT
8 Arise, O Lord, and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power.
Psalm 132:11 NLT
11 The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
Psalm 132:13 NLT
13 For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home.
A royal p

Christian Usage

New Testament Examples

Jesus and his disciples (; )
Matthew 26:30 NLT
30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mark 14:26 NLT
26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
;
Paul
Paul’s practice, with Silas ()
Acts 16:25 NLT
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Paul’s description he church in Corinth ()
)
1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
More Anglican than we are
More Pentecostal than we are
Paul’s injunction (; )
Ephesians 5:18–20 NLT
18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
;
Colossians 3:16 NLT
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
)

Patristic Examples

Odes of Solomon
Mixed Jewish-Christian, but primarily Christian origin
Late first-century—early second century AD
Pliny the Younger’s Letter to Trajan about former Christians who had returned to the Imperial cult.
AD 61—ca. 113
A Roman lawyer and imperial magistrate writing from Bithynia recounting their description of the new religion.
They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food—but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. — Pliny, Letters, Vols. 1 & 2, ed. T. E. Page et al., trans. William Melmoth, vol. 2, The Loeb Classical Library (London; New York: William Heinemann; The Macmillan Co., 1931), 403–5.

The Fullest Meaning of “the Lord Jesus Christ”

Conclusion

Seeing the Lord Jesus Christ as the “LORD” of the Psalter

Everything the Psalter ascribes or addresses to יהוה the NT can ascribe or address to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Seeing the Lord Jesus Christ as the “LORD” of the Psalter

On slides and handouts; no comment
We join the angels in worshiping the LORD/Jesus Christ ( = , cf. )
We acknowledge the LORD/Jesus Christ is the founder of the cosmos, is eternal, and is unchanging ( = )
=
We praise and trust the LORD/Jesus Christ as the divine warrior who saved his people in the past, is king in the present, and will conquer in the future ()
The Greek noun πόλεμος (polemos, “war”) occurs 18 times in the New Testament, nine of which are in Revelation. The verb πολεμέω (polemeō, “to make war”) appears seven times, six of which are in Revelation. Each reference in Revelation is highly symbolic (see ; , ; ; , ; , ; ; ; , ; ). — David A. Kaden, “War in the New Testament,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
;
9:7
,
9
;
11:7
;
12:7
,
17
;
13:4
; יהוה, the divine warrior (cf. military imagery of the consummation in the book of Revelation)
We thank God that the LORD/Jesus Christ ascended with captives, giving gifts ( = )
,
7
Ephesians 4:8 NLT
8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”
;
—Christ is the founder of the cosmos, is eternal, and is unchanging.
=
16:14
;
Psalm 68:18 NLT
18 When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there.
17:12–17
;

Seeing Christ Jesus the Lord the “Anointed One” of the Psalter

19:11
,
19
Messianic Typology
— ascended with captives, giving gifts
;
Type: David is the Old Testament “anointed one” (meshiach)
20:8
Antitype: Jesus is the Christos, the “Anointed One”
Rationale behind New Testament use of Psalms.
). — avid A. Kaden, “War in the New Testament,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
See , , , as Davidic psalms about an anointed king, a “David” or a “son of David.”
Davidic covenant ( ; ; 110 ) is ful­filled in Christ ( ), the “Son who will rule forever.”
Davidic covenant (; ; ) is ful­filled in Christ (), the “Son who will rule forever.”

Seeing Jesus Christ the Lord as the Ultimate Psalm Singer

Jesus is our brother in suffering and our brother in singing the praises of God in the midst of the congrega­tion ( = )
Hebrews 2:12 NLT
12 For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”
Psalm 22:22 NLT
22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.
=
Christ uses the psalms himself—see E. P. Clowney, “Singing Savior” on https://dabrueggemann.co/documents/
)
It is appropriate for him to sing the laments in his humil­iation (cf. “My God... why have you forsaken me?”). See ; .
It is appropriate for him to sing the laments in his humil­iation (cf. “My God... why have you forsaken me?”). See ; 22 .
)
It is appropriate for him to sing the hymns and victory shouts in exalta­tion at his resurrection.
It is appropriate for him to sing the hymns and victory shouts in exalta­tion at his resurrection.

Genre-Oriented Approach

Psalm Types

Graphic and statistical distribution on PowerPoint and statistical distribution asks fill-in the blanks on handout; so just reading three while they fill in their blanks
59 Laments/Petitions
41 Praise Psalms
12 Hymns
10 Royal Psalms
9 Wisdom Psalms
8 Thanksgiving Psalms
6 Trust Psalms

Christological Readings

Hymns: Christ our brother sings them and we sing them to him as LORD (; cf. ; 8).
Laments: Because of his humiliation, Christ sings the laments (; ), and we sing them to him as we experience our own grief and pain and present it to Christ, who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities ( KJV).
Thanksgiving Psalms: and others should be an example of our own prayers to Christ.
Historical Psalms: Just as Israel remembered the crossing of the Red Sea in many of the psalms, we remember Calvary as the decisive redemptive event for us and sing those psalms to Christ.
Wisdom Psalms: Christ is the Wisdom of God, so we can sing these psalm to him (e.g., ; 119).
Royal Psalms: We sing them to the Christ, who is the king of kings.

Conclusion

We can do no better than to use the Old Testament and the earliest church’s practices as a pattern of corporate prayer
Let’s resolve to search out and employ this pattern everywhere possible during our corporate—and individual—prayers
In the next three weeks, we’ll do that with…
Corporate confession
Corporate petition
Corporate praise
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