Preparing for the Psalms

Introduction

The Psalms are arranged into five books: Book 1 (); Book 2 (); Book 3 (); Book 4 (); and, Book 5 (). Each of the five books concludes with a doxology, signifying the completion of the collection. For example, ends Book 1: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” The entire serves as the final doxology to the entire Psalter.

No one knows for sure what theme was followed in arranging the five books. They seem to have been compiled somewhat independently and then brought together into one collection at a later date. There is some duplication: in Book 1 is repeated as in Book 2; a portion of in Book 1 is repeated as in Book 2; and the latter halves of and 60 in Book 2 are combined as in Book 5.

The Book of Psalms as we have it today was the result of a process spanning about 1000 years. It began with individual psalms, the earliest being by Moses (ca. 1400 B.C.). More than half were written by David (ca. 1000 B.C.). Then the individual psalms were grouped into collections of books for corporate worship, and finally the books were arranged into the final book, probably around 444 B.C. (Ezra’s time).

the Book of Psalms as we have it today was the result of a process spanning about 1000 years. It began with individual psalms, the earliest being by Moses (ca. 1400 B.C.). More than half were written by David (ca. 1000 B.C.). Then the individual psalms were grouped into collections of books for corporate worship, and finally the books were arranged into the final book, probably around 444 B.C. (Ezra’s time).

Elements of the Psalms

A response to an experience

A praise for what God has done

A plea for God to act

A commentary on God’s revealed character

Commentary on the character of man

A reminder of what God has revealed in the past

A prayer of dependance on God

A themed song for a specific day or activity of worship

A memorial for remembrance in the future

The Psalms are mostly a meditative response from man to God’s actions, instructions, promises, and prohibitions.

Psalm 3:1–2 CSB

1 Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. 2 Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah

ps

What are the two things happening to David that cause him to write this psalm?

Absolom and Shimel ()

David has no spoken word from God, but he does have access to what God has said and done in the past. Many Psalms are written by God’s people who are searching for answers to inform their present circumstance. They are looking into what was written before to find instruction from God. Sometimes they are looking into their own past to draw wisdom from what they have personally encountered with the Lord.

Psalm 3:3–4 CSB

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 4 I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah

psalm

What events in David’s past may have produced these two verses?

Psalm 3:5–6 CSB

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.

p

In light of the truth David has reminded himself, what does he determine to do?

Can you see how David is drawing on his past experiences to help him appropriate faith presently?

Psalm 3:7–8 CSB

7 Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people. Selah

What is David’s request from the Lord?

The beauty of understanding the Bible Chronologically is that we not only get to see David’s prayer, but also how God responded to his prayer.

2 Samuel 16:14 CSB

14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.

2 sam 16

and were probably written during the time period of this verse.

How do these Psalms help us understand what is happening in better?

Psalm 63:1–8 CSB

1 God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. 2 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. 3 My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. 5 You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. 6 When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches 7 because you are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. 8 I follow close to you; your right hand holds on to me.

1-8

In the middle of David’s crisis, what decision has he made that these verses reveal?

Psalm 63:9–11 CSB

9 But those who intend to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the power of the sword; they will become a meal for jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by him will boast, for the mouths of liars will be shut.

psalm 63

Why would David be so confident that he could write 63:9?

Pay attention to 63:11. Notice that this Psalm was probably meant to encourage David’s army during this trying time. They were weary and needing refreshment. Spiritually, they needed a reminder that God had made promises to David that could not be revoked.

David responds to the rebellion of Sheba. Sheba was leading Israel to rebel against David and split from Judah. He was probably making an effort to be loyal to the throne of Saul, and he was probably trying to succeed Saul’s throne as a Benjamite.

Sheba’s accusation against David was that David was unjust to ten tribes of Israel—that David was not providing justice for them.

is a prayer of David for God to intervene and choose between David and those who have accused him. In many psalms we learn about the character of God. These are not new revelations, but meditations on all the stories of faith that have already been recorded.

Psalm 7:9–11 CSB

9 Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The one who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God. 10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge and a God who shows his wrath every day.

What does 7:9 teach us about God?

What does 7:10 teach us about God?

psalm 7 9-

What does 7:11 teach us about God?

I want to stop here and point out a helpful aspect of the Psalms. If we only read them without knowing the rest of Scripture, we can make some wrong conclusions about the Lord or our appropriate responses of faith. This is where I shamelessly continue to explain why Bible Literacy is the primary issue of our day.

In the Psalms there is often a harsh tone toward the enemies of God’s people. Out of context, we can be misguided as the Jews were. Look at

Matthew 5:44–48 CSB

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

David is praying that God destroy his enemies, but how did David treat Saul in the cave? When David was planning to kill Nabal, what did Abigail tell him?

moving on in Psalm 7

Psalm 7:12–13 CSB

12 If anyone does not repent, he will sharpen his sword; he has strung his bow and made it ready. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he tips his arrows with fire.

Why are the words that are recorded from David not exactly the same?

David could have added the words in a revision later in life.

Clerical error. (Though improbable)

The nature of Scripture is that of meaning. Word for word studies are dangerous. There is no such thing as a word for word translation, and attempting to dive too deeply into one word’s range of meaning can lead to misunderstanding. It is better to understand that God intended meaning to be preserved in His word.

As you prepare to study the Psalms, understand that you are reading prayer journals, meditations and reflections, and the work of worship leaders preparing the people for worship. It is one of the most critical books of the Bible. The Psalmists are often times looking back to find answers for the present. The Prophets often look back to the Psalms in order to interpret their present.