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

2. Revisit Definition

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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"

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

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

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

11. VI. Doxology: blessings, praise