An intro to Psalms – Hebrew Poetry • Poetic prayer, petitions, praise and prophecy • Liturgies, laments, lessons, life and love! Based on parallels of ideas, pictures, images 1. Completive: Ps19:7, 92:12, 1:1 2. Contrastive: Ps 30:5, 32:10, Pr 14:11 3. Constructive: Pr 30:17, Ps 20:7-8, Ps 135:15-18 Psalm 135 15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. 16They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 17They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. 18Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. Psalms Overview • Written between 1400 and (roughly!) 440BC • David (73), Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses, Ethan, Ezra, about 48 anonymous • 150 chapters in 5 Books: – Book I 1-41 (Mostly David) – Book II 42-72 (David, Asaph and Sons of Korah) – Book III 73-89 (Sons of Korah and Asaph) – Book IV 90-106 (Mostly untitled) – Book V 107-150 (Mostly untitled or David) Some groups of Psalms • 22-24 – Cross, Crook, Crown • 42-49 – Sons of Korah (also 84-85, 87-88) • 73-83 – Sons of Asaph • 93-99 – God is King! • 113-118, 136 – Paschal Psalms • 119 – Mega Psalm! The word of God • 120-134 – Songs of ascent • 146-150 – Praise the LORD! Psalms with a story

• 9 – David defeats Goliath (1 Sam 17) • 7, 52, 56 – David flees Saul (1 Sam 21) • 142 – Cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22) • 51 – David repents (2 Sam 11-12) • 3 – David flees Absalom (2 Sam 15) • 118, 136 – Dedication of Temple (2 Chron 5) Psalms about Jesus’ life

• His rejection by His own people – 69:8 • Declared son of God and king – 2:6-7 • Speaking in parables – 78:2-4 • Praised by children – 8:2 • His betrayal – 41:9 • False accusations – 35:11 Psalms about Jesus’ death

• Given vinegar to drink – 69:21 • Pierced hands and feet – 22:16 • Mockery and ridicule – 22:7-8 • Soldiers gamble for clothes – 22:18 • Foresaken by God – 22:1 • Prayer for His enemies – 109:4 Psalms about Jesus’ victory!

• Resurrection! – 16:10, 49:15 • His ascension to heaven – 24:7-10 • Seated at Father’s right hand – 68:18, 110:1 • His rule and authority – 110:2-3, 2:8 • In order of Melchizedek – 110:4 • His throne is eternal – 45:6-7

Read through the Psalm a few times, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you from it before you read: • Who is the Psalm about? • What is the Psalmist’s message? • What does God want me to learn and take from this Psalm today?