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lesson 16 PSALMS I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - according the titles: David (74 Psalms), Asaph (12), the sons of Korah (10), Solomon (2); Heman (1); Ethan (1); Moses (1); and (49) were of unknown authorship 2. Date - a wide range of time from Moses' day (1500 B.C.) to the time of the Babylonian exile (around 550 B.C.) 3. Setting - Different people wrote these songs and prayer-songs at various times and in many different situations. Each psalm expresses a different setting which must be examined along with the author and the situation that he faced. II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Psalms: Psalm 1; 23; 42; 51; 70; 100; 150 (These express the various sentiments of all the psalms.) 2. Purpose: The book of Psalms is a book of prayer and praise to help supply the devotional needs of the individual believers. It is also a type of hymnal used by many in the Temple and synagogue worship. Primarily, it is the feelings of many authors who sought God in praise of Him and in prayer to thank Him or seek His help. Emotions are abundant. 3. Types of Psalms (not every type is listed here): 1) Praises: 113; 117; 146; 148; 149; 150; *100* Praise to God for His works, love, protection, etc. 2) Teaching: 115; 133; 2; 15; 49; 90; *135* Teaching concerning God, riches, unity, idolatry, etc. 3) Thanksgiving: 9; 30; 100; 107; 116; 118; 125; 138; *136* Thanks to God for deliverance, supply, favor, etc. 4) Repentance: 25; 32; 38; 130; *51* Pleadings of the repentant sinner for God's forgiveness 5) Trust: 3; 4; 27; 32; 46; 86; 91; 119; 131; *23* Revealing the faith that was expressed in God 6) Supplications: 6; 7; 10; 13; 25; 35; 43; 57; 71; 123; *28* Asking God for help, deliverance, mercy, guidance, etc. III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. Psalm 2: This psalm talks about the anointed one who will be set up as king, revealing that he is God's son. Acts 13:23-39 shows Jesus to have fulfilled this prophecy. 2. Psalm 16: David speaks of the resurrection of the Messiah. Acts 2:22-36 points to Jesus as the fulfillment. 3. Psalm 22: David reveals the suffering of the Messiah using very specific descriptions. The last 3 chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John show Jesus suffering in each specific detail as described in this psalm. 4. Many other psalms, especially those written by David, speak directly or indirectly about the Messiah. IV. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS 1. Contrasts in the book of Psalms 1) The righteous and the wicked: 2; 50; 73; 75; 2) The glory of God and the position of man: 8; 90 3) The evil of man and the mercy of God: 36 4) Security of the faithful and insecurity of the wicked: 37 5) God's goodness and Israel's backsliding: 81; 106 6) The Lord Jehovah and heathen idols: 115; 135 2. Seeking after God 1) As the only quenching of our soul: 42; 63 2) As the refuge of our soul: 11; 46 3) As the restoring of our soul: 51; 38 4) As the rejoicing of our soul: 92; 96 3. The word of God: Psalm 119 1) Learn it: vs 7; 26-27; 33; 64; 68; 108; 124-125 2) Walk in it: vs. 1-4; 55-56; 60; 88; 129; 166; 168 3) Hold it within your heart: vs. 10-11; 40; 43; 47; 69; 97; 143 4) Meditate on it: vs. 15; 48; 78; 99 PSALMS QUESTIONS 1. On the topic of who wrote Psalms, what makes it different from most of the other Old Testament books? 2. Name three (3) of the authors of Psalms. 1) 2) 3) 3. Fill in the Blanks 1) Psalms is a book of _______________ and _____________ praise to God. 2) _________________, who delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt, and is supposed to have written Psalm 90? 3) The man who wrote the most Psalms was_______________________? 4) Many Psalms speak directly or indirectly about the _________________. 4. True or False _________ 1) Psalm 2 speaks of the Messiah as the anointed king and as God's son. _________ 2) Psalm 16 predicts the resurrection of the Messiah. _________3) Psalm 22 reveals the great suffering of the Messiah. _________4) Psalm 69 foretells that the Messiah will have no broken bones. 5. List four (4) types of Psalms" 1) 2) 3) 4) 6. Match the good with its bad contrast: (as revealed in the Psalms) _______ 1) the righteous a. insecurity of the wicked _______ 2) the Lord Jehovah b. heathen idols _______ 3) the mercy of God c. the wicked _______4) security of the faithful d. the evil man 7. What are some positive ways that you can use the book of Psalms? |