Wisdom Class 8: Psalms 1-7 and Introduction to Psalms

The required reading for Wednesday, May 26 is Psalms chapters 1-7 reading this blog post

Bible Reading Assignment
For Wednesday, we'll go through an introduction to Psalms and review the first eight Psalms:

1. Reading included below
2. Psalm 1: The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly (Delight in God's Word)
3. Psalm 2: The Messiah's Triumph and Kingdom (A Hymn of the Coming Messiah)
4. Psalm 3: The Lord Helps His Troubled People (David's Trust in God)
5. Psalm 4: The Safety of the Faithful (An Evening Prayer)
6. Psalm 5: A Prayer for Guidance (A Morning Prayer)
7. Psalm 6: A Prayer of Faith in Time of Distress (Cry of a Broken Heart)
8. Psalm 7: Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies (Another Prayer for Protection)

The book of Psalms is often referred to as the Jewish Hymnal, or Israel’s Hymn Book and Prayer Book. It is a collection of songs and poems that tell history, that praise God, that confess guilt, that call upon God for help in time of trial, that express thanksgiving to God, or teach some great lesson. The word psalm comes from the Greek word psalmos, which was originally a song sung to the accompaniment of a lyre, or other stringed instrument. Of 283 New Testament quotations from the Old Testament, 116 are from Psalms.

The Psalms are divided into five groups or “Books”:
Book I – Psalms 1-41
Book II – Psalms 42-72
Book III – Psalms 73-89
Book IV – Psalms 90-106
Book V – Psalms 107-150

There are many ways to classify the Psalms. These classifications can make it easier to place the Psalm in the context of the life of the author, or a pattern within the Psalm, or simply to find a collection of Psalms with the same emotion. Listed below are a few typical classifications.

Classification by Authors
 
In the titles, 73 Psalms are ascribed to David; 12 to Asaph; 11 to the sons of Korah; 2 to Solomon, 1 to Moses; 1 to Ethan; and, 50 are anonymous.

• Psalms of David: 2-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108, 109, 110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145
• Psalms of Asaph: 50, 73-83
• Songs of the Sons of Korah: 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88, 89
• Psalms of Solomon: 72 and 127
• Psalm of Moses: 90
• Psalm of Ethan: 89

Classification by Style or Purpose

• Songs of Ascent: 120-134
• Alphabetic (Acrostic) Psalms: 9-19, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145
• Hallel Psalms:
• Egyptian Hallel: 113-118
• Great Hallel: 118-136
• Greek Hallel: 146-150
• Begin and end with “Praise ye the Lord”: 106, 113, 117, 135
• Begin with “Praise ye the Lord”: 111, 112
• End withHallelujah: 104, 105

Classification by Subject Matter

• Psalms that cry to God for help
• Individual facing a specific trial: 3, 7, 34, 52, 54, 56, 59, 142, and others
• Help for the nation: 60
• Cry for help/petition for forgiveness from sin: 25
• Cry for help/describe trouble/thanksgiving for deliverance: 54
• Thanksgiving for deliverance/describe trouble/ describe deliverance: 18
• Psalms of thanksgiving and praise for God's deliveranc
• Expressions of thanksgiving: 9, 30, 116, 118, 126, and 138
• Praise God for deliverance: 18, 21, 27, 28, 31, 34, 40, 61, 77, 106, 107, 108, 112, 121, 124, and 144
  
• Psalms that praise God as the Creator and Sustainer: 8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 74, and 104
• Praise for God's mighty works for Israel: 44, 66, 68, 77, 78, 79, 81, 83, 105, 106, 114, 135, and 136
• Psalms that praise God for who He is
• For His nature and character: 36, 66, 67, 76, 92, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 111, 117, 118, 134, 139, and 145
• Praise Him as our King: 24, 47, 48, and 93
• Praise our Judge: 50
• Worthy of our praise: 84, 148, 149, and 150
• Contrast our Mighty God with idols: 115
• Contrast between righteous and wicked
• The wickedness of men: 14 and 53
• The character of the righteous: 1, 37, and 73
• Kings and judges should rule righteously before God: 72
• Grief for sin:6, 38, 51, and 137
• Forgiveness for sin: 25, 32, 85, and 130
• Judgment for sin: 75
• Messianic Psalms (foretelling the coming of Christ): 2, 8, 16, 22, 45, 69, 72, 89, 110, 118, and 132

Notes on each Psalm below are provided as additional background to help you understand the context or classification of each as you read the Psalm. For class on Wednesday, choose one or two of these Psalms and be prepared to describe what the message of the Psalm is and any interesting details.

Psalm 1: The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly (Delight in God's Word)

Blessedness of those who derive their ideas of life from God's word, rather than from their worldly neighbors. Happiness and prosperity are theirs. Not so the wicked. Over and over the godly and the wicked are contrasted. Thus the Book of Psalms opens with an exaltation of God's word. Note too that Psalms' first word is blessed: a beatitude: like the sermon on the mount in Mt. 5. We will note additional beatitude Psalms that correspond with each beatitude of Christ.

Psalm 2: The Messiah's Triumph and Kingdom (A Hymn of the Coming Messiah)

This is the first of the Messianic Psalms, referring to His Deity (7) and Universal Reign (8).

There is a divine commentary on this Psalm in Acts 4:25-28. In verses 27-28, the Lord's Anointed is identified as Jesus; Herod is representative of the kings of the earth; Pilate is representative of the rulers; the Romans are the nations (the heathen, or Gentiles); and the Jews are the people. As the apostles stated: O Lord, you "by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant, did say" these things. It is futile for man to try to keep God from accomplishing His will.

Paul quotes Psalm 2:7 in Acts 13:33 and applies the statement to the resurrection of Christ. It was at the resurrection of Jesus that God affirmed His Fatherhood of Jesus, and that is the meaning of the statement, "This day have I begotten thee."

Psalm 3: The Lord Helps His Troubled People (David's Trust in God)

At the time of Absolom's rebellion (II Sam. 15). A most remarkable example of peaceful trust at a very trying time. He could sleep because "God's hand was his pillow."

Psalm 4: The Safety of the Faithful (An Evening Prayer)

Another hymn of trust, as David retired, to sleep, so to speak, on the bosom of God. Trust in God (5). Gladness of heart (7), peace of mind (8), communion with God in our bed time meditations (4). Confidence that God is watching (8).

Psalm 5: A Prayer for Guidance (A Morning Prayer)

Beset by treacherous enemies, David prays, and shouts for joy, in confidence that God will protect him. David must have had many enemies.

Psalm 6: A Prayer of Faith in Time of Distress (Cry of a Broken Heart)

In time of sickness, bitter grief, tears, humiliation, shame, and reproach by enemies, possibly on account of David' sin with Bathsheba. First of the Penitential Psalms.

Psalm 7: Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies (Another Prayer for Protection)

In grave danger, David protests his own righteousness. Cush, named in the title, possibly may have been on of Saul's officers in pursuit of David.

Questions to prepare you for class
1. Who is the author(s) of the book of Psalms?
2. How is the book of Psalms organized?
3. What are a couple ways we organize the Psalms to help us understand them better?
4-10. Describe Psalms 1-7 individually.

Note:  Haley's Bible Handbook, 24th Edition; Give Us A King, The United Kingdom, by Bob and Sandra Waldron; and The Holy Bible, new King James Version, Reference Edition, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.were used in preparing the comments in this post.