School of Bible Study – Book of PSALMS Book of PSALMS Weekly, Tuesdays, 30 March to 6 July 2021, 15 sessions by Revd. Dr. Joshua YJ Su Course Structure Session Topic 1 Overview of the Book of Psalms 2 Ps 1 & 2 – each introduces a Key Theme of the Psalms 3 Book 1 – Ps 8 & 14 4 Book 1 – Ps 19 & 23 5 Book 1 – Ps 34 & 37 6 Book 1 – Ps 38 & 41 7 Book 2 – Ps 45, 47, 49 8 Book 2 – Ps 57, 61, 65 9 Book 2 – Ps 69 & 71 10 Book 3 – Ps 73, 81, 87 11 Book 4 – Ps 90, 100, 105 12 Book 5 – Ps 113, 119 13 Book 5 – Ps 120, 133, 134, 136, 137 14 Book 5 – Ps 138, 139, 145 15 Book 5 – Ps 146-15 Introduction to the Psalms Authorship & Dates The Book of Psalms is a Collection of poems which are songs or prayers from Israel's OT history. Therefore different psalms may be from different periods which may be centuries apart and written for different purposes. It is the longest book of the Bible with the most complex structure and great range and depth in expression of thoughts and feelings, reflecting the whole of human experience. Generally attributed to David but there are also the • Sons of Korah (Psalms 42-49; 84-85; 87-88) • Songs of Asaph (Psalms 50; 73-83) • Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134) • Orphan Psalms – those with no superscription – Ps 1 & 2, 10, 33, 43, 71, 91, 93-97, 99, 104-107, 111-119, 135-137,146-150 Book Organisation This is very complex as all the 150 psalms are set into an overall structure, although there may be some variation in view as to the exact pattern of this overall structure. The Book of Psalms is itself divided into 5 books. Each psalm has a structure, each book has a structure, and the whole Book has a structure. 1 School of Bible Study – Book of PSALMS Types of Psalms Historical In historical & Hebrew structure we can identify the following types: 1. mizmor (psalm) 2. shiggaion – meaning unknown – only used of Psalm 7 3. miktam – meaning unknown – used for Psalm 16 4. shir (song) 5. maskil – meaning unknown – used for Psalm 32 6. tephillah (prayer) 7. tehillah (praise) 8. lehazkir (to be remembered – a petition before God) 9. letodah (to praise or give thanks) 10. lelammed (for teaching) 11. shir yedidoth (songs of love, wedding songs) Some of these, especially mizmor & shir, are used together, suggesting that these terms have overlapping meaning. Through Analysis There are many ways by which the psalms are grouped. All of these use a criterion, like content, pattern, purpose or who is speaking, as a way of classification. Some examples are By who is speaking - prayers of the individual, prayers of the community By type of prayer - praise, petition, confession of sin, confession of faith By content or occasion for use - royal psalms, celebration psalms, lamentation By purpose - teaching psalms, liturgical psalms, pilgrim songs You can see that these classifications overlap each other so that a psalm may belong to more than one group or a psalm may be a combination of these features. Hebrew Poetry A Few Key Features Parallelisms – Two or three or more lines express similar thought in different ways - they may be synonymous (same) expressing similar thoughts - they may be antithetical (opposite) expressing thoughts from the other point of view - they may be emblematic – subsequent verses expands or adds to main verse This is a very notable and widespread feature that is easy to see once identified. A common phrase – e.g. a blessing, a statement, a declaration – is used to mark the beginning and the end of a section. 1st verse of Psalm 1 and last verse of Psalm 2 forms such a bracket. Other features are more subtle and may require knowledge of ancient Hebrew in order to be able to identify. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 School of Bible Study – Book of PSALMS Structure of the Book of PSALMS (from NIV Study Bible, by Zondervan) BOOK I Psalms 1 to 2 – Introduction to the entire Book of Psalms Psalm 1 points to the teachings of the Law and the Wisdom Literature Psalm 2 points to all the prophets and is messianic in thrust These two themes run through all of the psalms. The phrase “Blessed are all (or those)” which starts the 1st verse of Psalm 1 and the last verse of Psalm 2 sets these two psalms as one introductory section. Psalms 3 to 14 – Psalms of Plea before God 64 lines 64 lines Ps 3 – Plea for deliverance from foes Ps 9 – Plea for deliverance from hostile nations Ps 4 – Plea for relief in drought Ps 10 – Plea for deliverance from the wicked Ps 5 - Plea for deliverance from foes Ps 11 – Trust in Yahweh's righteous rule Ps 6 – Plea for healing Ps 12 – Plea for help in ungodly time Ps 7 – Plea for deliverance from foes Ps 13 – Plea for deliverance from illness & enemies Ps 8 – Praise of God the Creator Ps 14 – The folly of humankind Psalms 15 to 24 – Steps to Worship Ps 15 – Who has access to the temple? Ps 24 – Who may ascend the holy hills? Ps 16 – Confession of trust in Yahweh Ps 23 – Confession of trust in Yahweh Ps 17 – Plea for deliverance from foes Ps 22 – Plea for deliverance from foes Ps 18 – Royal praise for obedience Ps 20-21 – Prayer for king's victory Ps 19 – Yahweh's glory in Creation & Torah Psalms 25 to 33 – Acrostic Psalms Ps 25 – Alphabetical Acrostic Ps 33 – Alphabetical Acrostic Prayer for Covenant Mercies Praise for God's Good Rule Ps 26 – Prayer for a “blameless” one Ps 32 – Blessedness of a penitent Ps 27 – Appeal against false accusers Ps 31 - Appeal against false accusers “be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD” “be strong and take heart, all who hope in the LORD” Ps 28 – prayer of one going down to the pit Ps 30 – prayer of one spared from the pit Ps 29 – Praise to the King of Creation (the winter thunderstorm moving across the face of the sky from east to west) Psalms 34 to 37 – Prayer for Godly Wisdom – Acrostic Psalms Ps 34 – Alphabetical Acrostic Ps 37 – Alphabetical Acrostic Instruction in Godly Wisdom Instruction in Godly Wisdom Ps 35 – Appeal against malicious slanders Ps 36 – Appeal against threats of godless wicked Psalm 38 to 41 – Prayers for Relief Ps 38 – Prayer for relief from illness and enemies; a confession of sin Ps 39 – Prayer for relief from illness and enemies; a confession of sin Ps 40 – Prayer for relief from troubles and enemies; a confession of sin Ps 41 - Prayer for relief from illness and enemies; a confession of sin 3 School of Bible Study – Book of PSALMS BOOK II Psalm 42 to 45 Ps 42 – Prayer of the Individual (why have You forgotten me?) Ps 43 – continuation of Ps 42 Ps 44 – Prayer of the Community (why do You hide Your face from our oppression?) Ps 45 – Song of Praise to the king for wedding a (foreign) princess (Royal Psalm) Psalm 46 to 48 Ps 46 – Zion's Security Ps 48 – Zion's Security Ps 47 – Zion's King triumph over all nations Psalm 49 to 53 Ps 49 – Folly of those who trust in wealth and riches Ps 50 – God calls His People to account Ps 51 – Humble prayer for forgiveness Ps 52 – Folly of those who trust in wealth and evil Ps 53 – Folly of those who live as if there is no God (repeat of Ps 14) Psalm 54 to 60 Set of 7 Psalms at Centre of Book II Ps 54 – Individual cry for help against enemies (cf Ps 44) Ps 60 Community cry for help after defeat Ps 55 – Prayer for help against enemies Ps 59 – Prayer for help against enemies “words … are drawn swords” “spew out swords from their lips” Ps 56 – Prayer for help against enemies Ps 58 Prayer for heavenly Judge to set right Ps 57 – Prayer for God's deliverance from enemies “tongues are sharp swords” Psalm 61 to 64 Four Royal Prayers Ps 61 – Appeal for restoration to God's presence (rock, refuge, strong tower, shelter of your wings) Ps 62 – Appeal for deliverance from arrogant foes (rock, fortress, mighty rock, refuge) Ps 63 – Appeal for God's refreshing presence when threatened by enemies (shelter of your wings) Ps 64 – Appeal for God's protection against conspirators (shoot suddenly) Psalm 65 to 68 God's awesome deeds brings praise from all the earth Ps 65 – God's blessings on the earth Ps 66 – God's acts of saving Israel Ps 67 – God's blessing the earth to be fruitful Ps 68 – God's acts of saving Israel Psalm 69 to 72 Ps 69 – Prayer for Deliverance Ps 70 – repeat of Ps 40 Ps 71 – Prayer for God's help in old age Ps 72 – Prayer for the king to rule justly (Royal Psalm) Layout of Book II 4 School of Bible Study – Book of PSALMS Ps 42 to 45 (3 ps) Ps 69 to 72 (3 ps) Ps 46 to 48 (3 ps) Ps 65 to 68 (4 ps) Ps 49 to 53 (5 ps but 50-51 joined) Ps 61 to 64 (4 ps) Ps 54 to 60 Ps 54 Ps 60 Ps 55 Ps 59 Ps 56 Ps 58 Ps 57 BOOK III Psalm 73 to 78 1st Group of 6 Psalms Ps 73 – Instruction from Individual Experience Ps 78 – Instruction from Communal Experience Ps 74 – Communal Prayer – Ps 77 – Individual Prayer – God rejected His People God rejected him Ps 75 – Thanks to God – Ps 76 – Celebrate God – His Name is great in Israel His Name is near breaks the spirit of rulers cuts off the wick, lifts up the righteous Psalm 79 to 83 2nd Group of 5 Psalms Ps 79 – Communal Prayer – facing fierce enemies Ps 83 – Communal Prayer – facing fierce enemies Ps 80 – Prayer for God to restore the people Ps 82 – Prayer for God to judge the wicked Ps 81- Exhortation to Israel to follow God He will subdue their enemies Psalm 84 to 89 3rd Group of 6 Psalms Ps 84 – Yearning for the Courts of the LORD Ps 85 – Prayer for God to restore His people Ps 89 – Prayer for God to rescue His people Ps 86 – Individual Prayer for God Ps 88 – Individual Prayer for God to help against enemies to remove His wrath Ps 87 – Song Celebrating God's Special Love for Zion 5 School of Bible Study – Book of PSALMS BOOK IV (Ps 90 to 106) & BOOK V (Ps 107 to 150) Psalm 90 to 100