Old Testament Survey: The Book of Psalms “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” {Psalm 1:1,2}

Background The book draws its name from the title in the Septuagint (LXX) translation. The word means “praises.” Or “songs of praise.” 73 Psalms are attributed to David. 50 Psalms are anonymous. Total of 150 Psalms A few have been set to music, and we sing them today.

Background National songs of Israel. Largely the songs of the church in past centuries. Largely written for individual devotion. Book of prayer and praise. All emotions touched in the Psalms. Mainly written in Hebrew poetry style.

Divisions of Psalms Book I –Psalm 1—41 Corresponds with Genesis All but four written by David Subject: – Man – His state of blessedness – Fall and recovery

Book II –Psalm 42—72 Corresponds with Exodus 18 written by David Subject—nation of Israel – Her ruin (42-49) – Redeemer (50-60) – Redemption (61-72) – Righteous King (72) Divisions of Psalms

Book III – Psalm 73—89 Corresponds with Leviticus Centers on time of Hezekiah Subject—the sanctuary referred to in nearly every Psalm in Book III Divisions of Psalms

Book IV Book IV – Psalm 90—106 Corresponds with Numbers Corresponds with Numbers Two Psalms of David (101 and 103) Two Psalms of David (101 and 103) Other Psalms in time of exile Other Psalms in time of exile Subject: The earth Subject: The earth Psalm 90 written by Moses during wilderness wanderings Psalm 90 written by Moses during wilderness wanderings Divisions of Psalms

Book V Book V – Psalms 107—150 Corresponds with Deuteronomy Corresponds with Deuteronomy 15 Psalms of David 15 Psalms of David Compiled in time of Nehemiah and Ezra Compiled in time of Nehemiah and Ezra Subject: God’s word Subject: God’s word Psalm 119 greatest and longest Psalm Psalm 119 greatest and longest Psalm Divisions of Psalms

Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry Synonymous Parallelism Synonymous Parallelism – Verses in which the thought of line A is repeated in line B. “LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?” (94:3) “LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?” (94:3) “Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world.” (49:1) “Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world.” (49:1)

Antithetical Parallelism Antithetical Parallelism – Verses in which the opposite thought of line A is expressed in line B. “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (1:6) “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (1:6) “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (30:5) “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (30:5) Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

Synthetic parallelism Synthetic parallelism – Verses in which line B supplements or completes the thought in line A. “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” (2:6) “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” (2:6) “I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (13:6) “I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (13:6) Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

Climatic Parallelism Climatic Parallelism – Verses in which the first line is incomplete, so the second line takes up the words in it and completes the thought “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto the LORD glory and strength.” (29:1) “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto the LORD glory and strength.” (29:1) “The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” (24:1) “The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” (24:1) Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

Acrostic Poem – The opening words begin with the same letter of the alphabet, or each line begins with the succeeding letters of the alphabet. Psalm 119 – Opening letter of verses 1-8 is aleph – Opening letter of verses 9-16 is beth – Continues on through 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry

Topical Classification God’s Attributes God’s Attributes – No book more fully sets forth the qualities of God’s nature. Nine names are used to show His Divine attitudes and attributes. The Lord is our judge and defense (7:8-10) The Lord is our judge and defense (7:8-10) Refuge of the poor (14:6) Refuge of the poor (14:6) Rock and fortress (18:2) Rock and fortress (18:2) Light and salvation (27:1) Light and salvation (27:1) Shield (28:7) Shield (28:7)

Psalms That Praise God Psalms That Praise God – Psalms that give Him glory, honor, and praise… Extolling His goodness (85,95,100,136) Extolling His goodness (85,95,100,136) Praising His glory and wisdom (18,19,29,62…) Praising His glory and wisdom (18,19,29,62…) Creator and preserver (33,89,104) Creator and preserver (33,89,104) Infinite knowledge (139) Infinite knowledge (139) Divine providence (105) Divine providence (105) Topical Classification

Christ in the Psalms – Psalms that elevate and prophesy about the coming Messiah and Christ… His crucifixion (22) His crucifixion (22) His resurrection (16) His resurrection (16) Reign of a righteous King (45,72,110) Reign of a righteous King (45,72,110) The rejected Stone (118) The rejected Stone (118) His eternity (61) His eternity (61) Topical Classification

Historical Psalms Historical Psalms – Psalms that remind of past events Exodus and crossing the Red Sea (136:10-15) Exodus and crossing the Red Sea (136:10-15) Period of wandering (114) Period of wandering (114) Period of judges (106:34- 46) Period of judges (106:34- 46) David fleeing from Saul (7,11,34) David fleeing from Saul (7,11,34) David’s sin with Bathsheba (24,30,51) David’s sin with Bathsheba (24,30,51) Topical Classification

Psalms Concerning Man Psalms Concerning Man – Psalms that elevate and tell about mankind Man’s exaltation (8) Man’s exaltation (8) Man’s sinfulness (10,14,36) Man’s sinfulness (10,14,36) Wicked contrasted with godly (1,4,5) Wicked contrasted with godly (1,4,5) Folly of wicked who trust in riches (37,49,53) Folly of wicked who trust in riches (37,49,53) Fate of ungodly (9,11,73) Fate of ungodly (9,11,73) Topical Classification

Psalms of Trust and Thanksgiving Psalms of Trust and Thanksgiving – Psalms that express man’s gratitude and trust in His God Trust (3,16,20,27,31…) Shepherd Psalm (23) God is our Refuge (46) Gates of thanksgiving (100) Pay vows to God (50) Help from God (121) Topical Classification

Prayer Psalms Prayer Psalms – Psalms that express prayers offered up to God Mercy in time of trouble (6) Mercy in time of trouble (6) Prayers of assurance (27 and 116) Prayers of assurance (27 and 116) Penitence (51) Penitence (51) Destruction of the deceitful (55) Destruction of the deceitful (55) Deliverance (70) Deliverance (70) Mercy (86) Mercy (86) Topical Classification

The Lord’s Church (typical) The Lord’s Church (typical) – Psalms about the coming of the Lord’s church Safety (46) Safety (46) Zion’s beauty and glory (48,87) Zion’s beauty and glory (48,87) Love for God’s house (84, 122) Love for God’s house (84, 122) Unity among brethren (133) Unity among brethren (133) Topical Classification

Psalms Concerning Experiences and Religion in Life Psalms Concerning Experiences and Religion in Life – Psalms about religious experiences Magnifying God’s word (19,119) Magnifying God’s word (19,119) Worship (43,84,100,122,132) Worship (43,84,100,122,132) Vanity of life (39,49, 90) Vanity of life (39,49, 90) The home (127) The home (127) Topical Classification

Great Lessons From the Psalms Adoration of God Adoration of God – Rich in expressing admiration for God and the soul’s longing to be near Him (8:1) The Sanctuary The Sanctuary – The Psalmist had in mind the tabernacle and temple (77:13 and 122:1 ) – The heart yearns for His Divine presence (42:1) – Understanding and seeing things more fully ( 73:3,17 )

Blessings in the Psalms – The splendor of happiness and contentment shines with the luster of diamonds (1:1,2; 2:12; 128:1,2; 32:1; 84:4; 119:1; 94:12; 144:15) The Lord is our help – He looks down from heaven (14:2) – He provides and helps in trouble (46:1) – He hears our voices ( 116:1 ) – Knows every word and thought ( 139:1-7 ) – If we call in time of trouble, He will deliver (50:15) Great Lessons From the Psalms

Forgiveness of sins – All have sinned, and God forgives the penitent (53:1-3; 51:3,4; 119:11) Seven great subjects in the Psalms – Recognizing the all-powerful God (90:1,2 ) – Praise for His infinite love and providence ( 103,136 ) – Rebukes all forms of idolatry ( 96:4,5; 97:7 ) – Prophetic glimpses of Christ ( 110:1-4 ) – The terrible nature of sin ( 143 ) – God’s Divine mercy and forgiveness ( 32, 130 ) – Emphasizing duties to repent and obey ( 29:1,2; 51; 96 ) Great Lessons From the Psalms