”An Introduction To The Book of Psalms”-Pt.I

The Kingdom Corner with Matt Geib

PSALMS

Introduction To The Psalms

PSALMS Bible Quiz….(08/29/22)

What BOOK of the Bible Is at the VERY CENTER of The Bible?________________________________

The Longest Chapter in the Bible Is________________________________

The Shortest Chapter of The Bible Is____________

List 3 authors of the Psalms______________________________

***EXTRA CREDIT*** Two Verses In a NT Gospel Mention ‘PSALMS’ as Prophetic of Christ what are the verses?_____________________________________________________________________________

What Passage In the NT mentioning Psalms is prophetic of Judas betrayal of Christ? _____________________________________________________________________________________

What Three passages In The Epistles mention the Psalms in operation in the church for edification?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Book at the Center of your Bible is PSALMS

The Chapter In The Very Center of Your Bible Is PSALM 118

The fact can be argued depending on what Bible version you are using, but by most reckoning, the very center of the Bible when measured by chapter count is Psalms 118.

. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.”

Some Scholars say PSALM 117 is the center chapter of the Bible

Notwithstanding, PSALM 117 IS the Shortest Chapter in God’s Word

1) Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! [a]Laud Him, all you peoples! 2 )For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord

Here are some other fun facts surrounding Psalms 117 & 118:

• The longest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter-- Psalm 119.
• The shortest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter-- Psalm 117.
• There are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118, and exactly 594 chapters after it. When you add the number of chapters before Psalms 118 and those after, the sum is 1,118. And the verse at the very center of the Bible is Psalms 118:8.

The Very Center Verse of God’s WORD Is….

Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." (NIV)

In following History this verse is 3500 years after creation & 3500 years until the close of the Millennium ( In the CENTER of All Time!!)

This center verse of the Bible reminds believers to ask the question, "Are you centered in your trust in God?" It is a particular verse that reminds Christians to trust in God over trusting in themselves or other people. As Christians understand, God consistently provides for us and His grace is given to us freely. Even in the most difficult times, we should center ourselves by trusting in God. He is there making us strong, giving us joy, and carrying us when life weighs heavily on us.

Miscellaneous Thoughts…

“The PSALMS” Refers to the 150 songs under that title in the English O.T., sometimes called “The Psalter”, from the Greek psalterion, or psalmi;1st used in the Greek translation & version of the O.T. known as the Septuagint, (so called for the 70 translations from the Hebrew to the Greek) designated often LXX , & dating from 300-200 BC.

The O.T. had 3 Main sections of Books …The Law, the Prophets, & the Psalms

Each Psalm is an individual song

The Psalms subject matter is without Limit

The Psalms are also greatly varying forms of Poetry

The Book of Psalms stands BETWEEN the Old & New Covenants

Some Psalms spanned 1000 year period as between Moses & Hezekiah

The Psalms show us the CENTRAL THEME of God’s Word…His SON

PSALMS is a ‘Spiritual Song Book’ ,standing between the Cherubim

PSALMS is LOADED With the Experiences of Jesus & His Church

PSALMS shows to us God’s Mercy, Love, & Judgment

PSALMS is for All Men, in All Times & All Seasons

In a ‘Nutshell’ The Psalms is a devotional, through which Jesus wants to speak to us

In The end each one of us is writing our own ‘Personal Psalm’

Psalms are are useful as:

• The Christian's "hymnal" to assist us in our praise to God

• The Christian's "prayer book" in which we learn how to approach God in prayer
• The Christian's "book of evidences" to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ
• The Christian's "training guide" for living holy and righteous lives before God

Reasons To Study The Psalms

As Christians, we are commanded to utilize the Psalms:

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (Ep 5:19)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. (Jm 5:13)

Thus the Psalms are useful for singing praises to God. They are also useful for teaching and confirming that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. Note the use Jesus made of them (Lk 24:44-47),

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [a]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Psa 2:1-12; Psa 16:9-11; Psa 22:1-31; Psa 40:6-8; Psa 69:1-36; Psa 72:1-20; Psa 88:1-18; Psa 109:4-20; Psa 110:1-7; Psa 118:22;)

and also Peter's use of them in his first gospel sermon (Ac 2:25-28,34-35).

25 For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’(Psalm 16:8-11, 73:23)

The Aim Of This Study

It is my prayer that as we study this book we will accomplish the following goals:

• Become more familiar with Old Testament poetry - This is essential to getting more out the Psalms, and important if we are to avoid misinterpreting them
• Develop an appreciation and working knowledge of the Psalms - So one may utilize them for his or her own comfort and encouragement, and in counseling and comforting others
• Glean a clearer picture of God's character - To better understand His love, mercy and deliverance towards the righteous, but also His wrath and judgment against the wicked
• Learn more of the Christ in prophecy - To note descriptions of His suffering and glorious reign found in the Psalms, some of which are not found elsewhere in Scripture
• Consider examples of fulfilled prophecies - To see in fulfilled prophecy irrefutable arguments for the inspiration of the Scriptures, and for the claim that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah
• We will do (STUDY)this in TWO WAYS…..a.) Individual Psalms b) Taking a ‘Theme’ (like Praise, fear etc…) & studying it throughout the Entire Book of Psalms

MORE Reasons To Study The Psalms…………….

Shows Characteristics Of Hebrew Poetry(Psalms is part of the poetic ‘BOOKS’—Job, Proverbs, Ecc. & SofS also)

Before we get into the background of the Psalms themselves, it may prove beneficial to consider some things about Hebrew poetry. Not only will this help to better understand the nature of the Psalms, but it can also assist in proper interpretation of this portion of Scripture. NOTE: wherein the English language of poetry has a clear rhyme & meter there is not a clear consensus on the REAL flavor of Hebraic poetry…Hebrew is a fluid language, & Poetry has 5 Hebrew meanings , with some words showing opposite meanings.

One of the things that makes Hebrew poetry different is...

1. The Use Of "Thought Rhyme"

Also known as "parallelism", thought rhyme involves arranging thoughts in relation to each other. This is done without a concern as to whether certain words rhyme with each other (as found in most modern poetry). In the Psalms, we find several different kinds of thought rhyme:

• Synonymous parallelism - The thought of first line is repeated in the second line, expressed in different words for the sake of emphasis. A good example is found in Ps 24:2...
  • For He has founded it upon the seas,
  • And established it upon the waters. (same idea, reworded)
  
  
• Antithetical parallelism - The truth presented in one line is strengthened by a contrasting statement in the next line. Consider this example from Ps 1:6...
  • For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
  • But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (note the contrast)
  
  
• Synthetic parallelism - The first and second lines bear some definite relation to each other (such as cause and effect, or proposition and conclusion). A good example is Ps 119:11...
  • Your word I have hidden in my heart, (cause)
  • That I might not sin against You! (effect)
  
  
• Progressive parallelism - There are several varieties of this form, the most common being:
  • Stair-like - Composed of several lines, each providing a complete element of the aggregate or composite thought. Notice Ps 1:1...
    • Blessed is the man...
    • Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    • Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    • Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (note the progression)
    
    
  • Climatic - Here the principal idea in the first line is repeated and expanded to complete the thought. An example is found in Ps 29:1...
    • Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones (give what?)
    • Give unto the LORD glory and strength. (the answer)
    
    
  
  
• Introverted parallelism - The first line is closely related in thought to the fourth, and the second to the third. For example, consider Psa 91:14...
  • Because he has set his love upon Me, (note line 4)
  • therefore I will deliver him; (note line 3)
  • I will set him on high, (note line 2)
  • because he has known My name. (note line 1)
  
  
• Contrasted parallelism –The 1st line is in contrast to the 2nd line (Ps. 1:6)

Blessed is the man…..But His delight

It is often fascinating to note how creative the Hebrew poets were as they composed their poetry using "thought rhyme" rather than "word rhyme". In some cases it even helps in interpreting difficult expressions or phrases. Another characteristic of Hebrew poetry is...

1. The Lack Of Poetic Rhythm

Much modern poetry has standard measures of identifiable rhythm, as in the poem "Mary Had A Little Lamb." With the Hebrews, however, the art of poetic rhythm was of secondary consideration. Some suggest that it is not likely that the Hebrew poets had standard measures, worked out and carefully defined. Again, their focus was on "thought rhyme," not "word rhyme."

Finally, an important characteristic of Hebrew poetry is...

1. The Use Of Figurative Expression

The Psalms are filled with figurative expressions, and as such it is important to keep certain principles of interpretation in mind...

1. The figure must be accepted and dealt with as a figure of speech, not as a literal statement For example, in Ps 18:31, the Lord is called "a rock." He is like a rock, but not one literally. In Ps 51:4, David says "Against You, You only, have I sinned." Yet he is confessing his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, in which he sinned not only against the Lord, but against his wife, against Uriah, and many others. David was speaking figuratively for the sake of expressing his deep grief in sinning against God, and we must allow for figurative expressions including hyperbole in poetic writings. One needs to be careful and not develop doctrinal beliefs upon what may be figurative expressions not intended to be taken literally.
2. The figure must be interpreted in light of its meaning in the setting in which it was used For example, in Ps 23:4, we find the well-known phrase: "the valley of the shadow of death." It is not uncommon to hear the phrase applied at funerals to the act of dying. In the setting of the psalm, however, it refers to a treacherous place (such as a steep valley, where deep shadows can easily cause a misstep resulting in death), where the guiding hand of a shepherd would be very helpful to sheep to avoid death. It is therefore applicable to any time one is in perilous straits and in need of God's guiding hand.
3. The Language of Similar sounds…(Psalm 132 …broad, guttural sounds, like a dirge)…words that sound like what they mean…cuckoo, splash, ping pong…kol-be-seder=Copacetic ….leviatin=Leviathan)………The Hebrew language is a language of SOUND that impacts our feelings & emotions………Emotion was part of the Hebrew communication, it should be likewise for us…Our communication IS 78% non-verbal.
4. Lyrical Poetry- Poetry based on lyrics…the language is a perfect fit for the actions , it gives great pictures, broad concepts, & distinct sounds….(Psalm 110)

Appreciating these characteristics of Hebrew poetry can help the Psalms become more meaningful, and understanding these characteristics can also help avoid misinterpreting the Psalms to teach doctrines the psalmist had no intention of teaching!