Bible Study West Hyattsville Baptist Church May 15, 2019 Psalms of Lament

Revisit Definition

Purpose: The function of a Lament or Psalm of Petitionary Praise (Westermann), is to provide a structure for crisis, hurt, grief, or despair; to move a worshipper from hurt to joy, from darkness to light, from desperation to hope.

Two Primary Categories: Individual psalms of Lament Corporate psalms of Lament

Individual psalms of Lament include: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9- 10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 89, 120, 139, 141, 142. Corporate psalms of Lament include: 12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129.

Structure a) first person address to God (I, you) b) an initial plea I. Address to God, Invocation a) first person address to God (I, you) b) an initial plea

II. Complaint to God a) description of problem, questions asked of God b) crisis of any kind; in penitential psalms it is sin c) claim of innocence d) often includes an initial plea for help e) condemnation of "wicked" or "enemy"

III. Affirmation of Trust a) "But as for me" or "Nevertheless" b) turning point of the psalm; theological focus

IV. Petition a) plea for God’s intervention b) often uses the words "save" or "deliver"

V. Acknowledgment of Response a) assurance of hearing b) vow of praise, worship

VI. Doxology: blessings, praise