Bible Reading Challenge: Six Weeks in the Psalms Facts About The Book of Psalms ! It is the 19th Book of the Old Testament ((tay-la-eem Theillim תהילים or תְּהִלִּים ”“Praises means Psalms Hebrew In ! ! Psalms is collection of 150 praises wrapped inside of songs, prayers and poems that help us unlock the wisdom and revelation of God. ! People often go to the Psalms to find words to express their heart cry in both the worst of times and the best of times. Who wrote the Psalms? ! We immediately think of David, the worshipping shepherd king. He wrote 73 Psalms. ! Asaph wrote 12 (David’s choir director) ! The sons of Korah wrote 12 ! King Solomon wrote at least 2 (72 & 127) ! Moses wrote 1 or 2 (90 & 91) ! Ezra the scribe most likely wrote the masterpiece of Psalm 119 ! Isaiah was possibly the author of 3 ! Jeremiah may have written 2 ! Other unknown writers, which Jewish scholars refer to as “orphan Psalms” Five Books in One The Psalms can be thought of as five books in one. In a way, you could say that Moses gave us the Pentateuch (the five books of the law), and David gave us the Psalms (five books of Praises). The book of Psalms is divided into five collections with each ending with a kind of special doxology that marks the end of each book. The First, Second, and Third Books end with Amen and Amen; the Fourth, with Amen and Hallelujah; the Fifth, with Hallelujah. ! Book ONE: Psalms 1-41 “Genesis” psalms about man and creation (Amen and Amen) ! Book TWO: Psalms 42-72 “Exodus” about suffering and redemption (Amen and Amen) ! Book THREE: Psalms 73-89 “Leviticus” about worship and house of God (Amen and Amen) ! Book FOUR: Psalms 90-106 “Numbers” about our pilgrimage on earth (Amen and Hallelujah) ! Book FIVE: Psalms 107-150 “Deuteronomy” about praise & the Word of God (Amen and Amen) The Psalms reveal a special and unique perspective that foreshadows the coming of Jesus as Messiah. Jesus said, (Luke 24:44) “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.” (NLT) The Passion Translation: Psalms Poetry on Fire You might consider reading The NEW Passion Translation for a fresh look at the Psalms. Dr. Brian Simmons who is the founding pastor of Gateway Christian Fellowship in West Haven, Connecticut translated it from the Hebrew & Aramaic: "The Psalms have been my comfort and joy, leading me to the place where worship flows. When discouraged or downcast, I have never failed to take new strength from reading the Psalms. They charge my batteries and fill my sails. In fact, they seem to become more powerful as I grow older. Their thunder stirs us; their sweet melodies move me into the sacred emotions of a heart on fire. The dark rain clouds of grief turn to bright rainbows of hope, just from meditating on David’s soul-subduing songs. Reading the Psalms will turn sighing into singing and trouble into triumph." Dr. Brian Simmons, Translator of The Passion Translation: Poetry on Fire Look for a wide array of emotions: One of the reasons the Psalms are deeply loved is that they give expression to an amazing array of emotions. The Psalms don't present a sterile theological accent to understanding the divine, but rather an unvarnished view into the human condition, yet wants to know God. We find the writers wrestling through various limitations and struggles to find significance, meaning and to know Jehovah God (both Creator and Redeemer). Here are some examples: ! Loneliness: “I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalms 25:16). ! Love: “I love you, O Lord, my strength” (Psalms 18:1). ! Awe: “Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him” (Psalms 33:8). ! Sorrow: “My life is spent with sorrow” (Psalms 31:10). ! Regret: “I am sorry for my sin” (Psalms 38:18). ! Contrition: “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalms 51:17). ! Discouragement and turmoil: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me” (Psalms 42:5)? ! Shame: “Shame has covered my face” (Psalms 44:15). ! Exultation: “In your salvation how greatly he exults” (Psalms 21:1). ! Marveling: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalms 118:23). ! Delight: “His delight is in the law of the Lord” (Psalms 1:2). ! Joy: “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (Psalms 4:7). ! Gladness: “I will be glad and exult in you” (Psalms 9:2). ! Fear: “Serve the Lord with fear” (Psalms 2:11). ! Anger: “Be angry, and do not sin” (Psalms 4:4). ! Peace: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep” (Psalms 4:8). ! Grief: “My eye wastes away because of grief” (Psalms 6:7). ! Desire: “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted” (Psalms 10:17). ! Hope: “Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you” (Psalms 33:22). ! Broken heartedness: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalms 34:18). ! Gratitude: “I will thank you in the great congregation” (Psalms 35:18). ! Zeal: “Zeal for your house has consumed me” (Psalms 69:9). ! Pain: “I am afflicted and in pain” (Psalms 69:29). ! Confidence: “Though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” (Psalms 27:3). Things To Consider As You Read The Psalms: 1. What emotions are being expressed by the writer? 2. What truth is being expressed about God? 3. What verse or verses stand out or is significant to you? 4. Is there a verse that might be good for you to memorize? 5. What is your response to God as you look to Him today? 6. Extra Credit: Consider using the SOAP Journaling Method with your reading: a. Scripture - write out any verse(s) that capture your attention b. Observation - write down anything you find interesting or noteworthy c. Application - write down any ways this verse applies to your life right now d. Prayer - write a brief prayer that expresses your heart toward God Bible Reading Challenge: Six Weeks in the Psalms Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Oct. 10-16 Oct. 17-23 Oct. 24-30 Oct. 31-Nov.6 Nov. 7-13 Nov. 14-20 Psalm 1 Psalm 27 Psalm 52 Psalm 77 Psalm 102 Psalm 127 Psalm 3 Psalm 28 Psalm 53 Psalm 78 Psalm 103 Psalm 128 Psalm 4 Psalm 29 Psalm 54 Psalm 79 Psalm 104 Psalm 129 Psalm 5 Psalm 30 Psalm 55 Psalm 80 Psalm 105 Psalm 130 Psalm 6 Psalm 31 Psalm 56 Psalm 81 Psalm 106 Psalm 131 Psalm 7 Psalm 32 Psalm 57 Psalm 82 Psalm 107 Psalm 132 Psalm 8 Psalm 33 Psalm 58 Psalm 83 Psalm 108 Psalm 133 Psalm 9 Psalm 34 Psalm 59 Psalm 84 Psalm 109 Psalm 134 Psalm 10 Psalm 35 Psalm 60 Psalm 85 Psalm 110 Psalm 135 Psalm 11 Psalm 36 Psalm 61 Psalm 86 Psalm 111 Psalm 136 Psalm 12 Psalm 37 Psalm 62 Psalm 87 Psalm 112 Psalm 137 Psalm 13 Psalm 38 Psalm 63 Psalm 88 Psalm 113 Psalm 138 Psalm 14 Psalm 39 Psalm 64 Psalm 89 Psalm 114 Psalm 139 Psalm 15 Psalm 40 Psalm 65 Psalm 90 Psalm 115 Psalm 140 Psalm 16 Psalm 41 Psalm 66 Psalm 91 Psalm 116 Psalm 141 Psalm 17 Psalm 42 Psalm 67 Psalm 92 Psalm 117 Psalm 142 Psalm 18 Psalm 43 Psalm 68 Psalm 93 Psalm 118 Psalm 143 Psalm 19 Psalm 44 Psalm 69 Psalm 94 Psalm 119 Psalm 144 Psalm 20 Psalm 45 Psalm 70 Psalm 95 Psalm 120 Psalm 145 Psalm 21 Psalm 46 Psalm 71 Psalm 96 Psalm 121 Psalm 146 Psalm 22 Psalm 47 Psalm 72 Psalm 97 Psalm 122 Psalm 147 Psalm 23 Psalm 48 Psalm 73 Psalm 98 Psalm 123 Psalm 148 Psalm 24 Psalm 49 Psalm 74 Psalm 99 Psalm 124 Psalm 149 Psalm 25 Psalm 50 Psalm 75 Psalm 100 Psalm 125 Psalm 150 Psalm 26 Psalm 51 Psalm 76 Psalm 101 Psalm 126 .