2. “Praise the Lord, O My Soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Ps. 103.1)

3. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1Cor. 10.31) Praise of Yahweh is a response to the grace of Yahweh for his people

5. Form of Psalms of Praise

6. 2)Theme 1)Form

8. Two major themes are central to the psalms of praise:

9. Creation is an important subject of the psalms, for it demonstrates Yahweh is in charge Creation is an important subject of the psalms, for it demonstrates Yahweh is in charge Creation by the word (Ps. 148, 33) Creation by the word (Ps. 148, 33) Creation by action (Ps. 147; Gen. 2.19-20) Creation by action (Ps. 147; Gen. 2.19-20)

10. Creation by wisdom (Prov. 8.30, 3.19; Jer. 51.15; Pss. 136, 104) Creation by wisdom (Prov. 8.30, 3.19; Jer. 51.15; Pss. 136, 104) Creation by power (Pss. 65; 134) Creation by power (Pss. 65; 134) Beauty of creation (Ps. 8) Beauty of creation (Ps. 8) Universality of Yahweh’s presence (Pss. 19, 113, 117, 33, 65, 66; 47) Universality of Yahweh’s presence (Pss. 19, 113, 117, 33, 65, 66; 47) Creation by wisdom (Prov. 8.30, 3.19; Jer. 51.15; Pss. 136, 104) Creation by wisdom (Prov. 8.30, 3.19; Jer. 51.15; Pss. 136, 104) Creation by power (Pss. 65; 134) Creation by power (Pss. 65; 134) Beauty of creation (Ps. 8) Beauty of creation (Ps. 8) Universality of Yahweh’s presence (Pss. 19, 113, 117, 33, 65, 66; 47) Universality of Yahweh’s presence (Pss. 19, 113, 117, 33, 65, 66; 47)

11. The story of Joseph (Ps. 105.16-22) The story of Joseph (Ps. 105.16-22) Egyptian sojourn (vs. 23-27) Egyptian sojourn (vs. 23-27) The plagues (vs. 28-36) The plagues (vs. 28-36) The exodus (vs. 37-38, 43) The exodus (vs. 37-38, 43) The wilderness (vs. 49-42) The wilderness (vs. 49-42) The conquest (v. 44) The conquest (v. 44) Others history psalms (Pss. 106, 114, 136 Others history psalms (Pss. 106, 114, 136 Psalmists sometimes use generic terms (Pss. 65.5, 66.5, 105.1-2, 5; 106.2, 136.4, 145.4, 12) Psalmists sometimes use generic terms (Pss. 65.5, 66.5, 105.1-2, 5; 106.2, 136.4, 145.4, 12) The story of Joseph (Ps. 105.16-22) The story of Joseph (Ps. 105.16-22) Egyptian sojourn (vs. 23-27) Egyptian sojourn (vs. 23-27) The plagues (vs. 28-36) The plagues (vs. 28-36) The exodus (vs. 37-38, 43) The exodus (vs. 37-38, 43) The wilderness (vs. 49-42) The wilderness (vs. 49-42) The conquest (v. 44) The conquest (v. 44) Others history psalms (Pss. 106, 114, 136 Others history psalms (Pss. 106, 114, 136 Psalmists sometimes use generic terms (Pss. 65.5, 66.5, 105.1-2, 5; 106.2, 136.4, 145.4, 12) Psalmists sometimes use generic terms (Pss. 65.5, 66.5, 105.1-2, 5; 106.2, 136.4, 145.4, 12)

12. The psalms of praise dominate books 4 and 5 of the psalter (90-106, 107-150) The psalms of praise dominate books 4 and 5 of the psalter (90-106, 107-150) The psalms of praise extol the Lord for his great deeds in creation and in the history of his people The psalms of praise extol the Lord for his great deeds in creation and in the history of his people The psalms in this category praise the Lord and give reasons for it The psalms in this category praise the Lord and give reasons for it

13. “God the creator and his creation, the universality of God’s presence and reign, God’s awesome deeds in history, and the historical events in which God has shown himself to be faithful and powerful” (Bullock, Encountering, p. 133)

15. DefinitionDefinition Joy and sorrow, hope and despair are the emotions that represent the two extremes of life Joy and sorrow, hope and despair are the emotions that represent the two extremes of life The psalms of lament include the fact and the reasons The psalms of lament include the fact and the reasons Laments can be divided into laments of the people and laments of the individual Laments can be divided into laments of the people and laments of the individual In some of these psalms there is a strong trust component (Pss. 46, 123, 126) In some of these psalms there is a strong trust component (Pss. 46, 123, 126) The vow to praise rarely appears in the lament of the people, since individuals make vows The vow to praise rarely appears in the lament of the people, since individuals make vows

16. The laments of people have five components: The laments of people have five components: Address and petition Address and petition Lament Lament Confession of trust Confession of trust Petition Petition Vow of praise (rarely) Vow of praise (rarely) Not all laments include all the parts nor do they always follow the same order Not all laments include all the parts nor do they always follow the same order Psalms of lament deal with three dimension Psalms of lament deal with three dimension Complaint against God Complaint against God Against the enemy Against the enemy Against themselves/himself (see Ps. 22) Against themselves/himself (see Ps. 22)

17. Laments of individuals have these components: Laments of individuals have these components: Address with introductory cry for help and/or turning to God Address with introductory cry for help and/or turning to God Lament Lament Confession of trust Confession of trust Petition Petition Assurance of being heard Assurance of being heard Wish or petition for God’s intervention Wish or petition for God’s intervention Vow of praise Vow of praise Praise of God when petition has been heard Praise of God when petition has been heard The psalmists are completely honest with the Lord about their feelings toward him, toward their enemies, and about themselves. The psalmists are completely honest with the Lord about their feelings toward him, toward their enemies, and about themselves. They encourage us to be fully honest with the Lord about our situations without defiance to God and hatred for our fellows They encourage us to be fully honest with the Lord about our situations without defiance to God and hatred for our fellows Laments of individuals have these components: Laments of individuals have these components: Address with introductory cry for help and/or turning to God Address with introductory cry for help and/or turning to God Lament Lament Confession of trust Confession of trust Petition Petition Assurance of being heard Assurance of being heard Wish or petition for God’s intervention Wish or petition for God’s intervention Vow of praise Vow of praise Praise of God when petition has been heard Praise of God when petition has been heard The psalmists are completely honest with the Lord about their feelings toward him, toward their enemies, and about themselves. The psalmists are completely honest with the Lord about their feelings toward him, toward their enemies, and about themselves. They encourage us to be fully honest with the Lord about our situations without defiance to God and hatred for our fellows They encourage us to be fully honest with the Lord about our situations without defiance to God and hatred for our fellows

19. Prayer of the sick (Pss. 38, 41, 88) Prayer of the sick (Pss. 38, 41, 88) Prayer of the sick with modifications (Pss. 6, 13, 22, 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, 51 i69, 71, 91, 102, 103) Prayer of the sick with modifications (Pss. 6, 13, 22, 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, 51 i69, 71, 91, 102, 103) Prayer of the persecuted and accused (3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 17, 23, 26, 27, 57, 63) Prayer of the persecuted and accused (3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 17, 23, 26, 27, 57, 63) Prayer of a sinner (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143; these psalms are also known as penitential psalms) Prayer of a sinner (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143; these psalms are also known as penitential psalms) The thanksgiving prayer of the individual (18, 31, 32, 32, 66B, 92, 116, 118, 120) The thanksgiving prayer of the individual (18, 31, 32, 32, 66B, 92, 116, 118, 120) Prayer of the sick (Pss. 38, 41, 88) Prayer of the sick (Pss. 38, 41, 88) Prayer of the sick with modifications (Pss. 6, 13, 22, 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, 51 i69, 71, 91, 102, 103) Prayer of the sick with modifications (Pss. 6, 13, 22, 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, 51 i69, 71, 91, 102, 103) Prayer of the persecuted and accused (3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 17, 23, 26, 27, 57, 63) Prayer of the persecuted and accused (3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 17, 23, 26, 27, 57, 63) Prayer of a sinner (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143; these psalms are also known as penitential psalms) Prayer of a sinner (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143; these psalms are also known as penitential psalms) The thanksgiving prayer of the individual (18, 31, 32, 32, 66B, 92, 116, 118, 120) The thanksgiving prayer of the individual (18, 31, 32, 32, 66B, 92, 116, 118, 120)

20. These are the prayers of the people (Pss. 44, 60, 74, 77, 79, 80, 83, 85, 90, 94, 123, 126, 137) These are the prayers of the people (Pss. 44, 60, 74, 77, 79, 80, 83, 85, 90, 94, 123, 126, 137) The individual psalms of lament are concentrated in book 1, psalms 1-41, the core collection of the Davidic psalms The individual psalms of lament are concentrated in book 1, psalms 1-41, the core collection of the Davidic psalms The community laments occur in books 2-5 (Psalms 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) The community laments occur in books 2-5 (Psalms 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150)

21. Individual lament of the sick: Problem (38.7, 11, 17-18; 41.3-5; 88.3-5) Problem (38.7, 11, 17-18; 41.3-5; 88.3-5) Complaint against God (38.2-3; 88.6-9, 14-18) Complaint against God (38.2-3; 88.6-9, 14-18) Complaint against self (38.4-5; 41.4) Complaint against self (38.4-5; 41.4) Complaint against enemies (38.11-12, 19-20; 41.5-9) Complaint against enemies (38.11-12, 19-20; 41.5-9) Petition (38.1, 16, 21-22; 41. 4, 10; 88.1-2, 9b, 13-14) Petition (38.1, 16, 21-22; 41. 4, 10; 88.1-2, 9b, 13-14) Solution (38.18; 41.4, 10-12) Solution (38.18; 41.4, 10-12) In these psalms physical illness, spiritual anguish, and sin cannot be separated In these psalms physical illness, spiritual anguish, and sin cannot be separated Individual lament of the sick: Problem (38.7, 11, 17-18; 41.3-5; 88.3-5) Problem (38.7, 11, 17-18; 41.3-5; 88.3-5) Complaint against God (38.2-3; 88.6-9, 14-18) Complaint against God (38.2-3; 88.6-9, 14-18) Complaint against self (38.4-5; 41.4) Complaint against self (38.4-5; 41.4) Complaint against enemies (38.11-12, 19-20; 41.5-9) Complaint against enemies (38.11-12, 19-20; 41.5-9) Petition (38.1, 16, 21-22; 41. 4, 10; 88.1-2, 9b, 13-14) Petition (38.1, 16, 21-22; 41. 4, 10; 88.1-2, 9b, 13-14) Solution (38.18; 41.4, 10-12) Solution (38.18; 41.4, 10-12) In these psalms physical illness, spiritual anguish, and sin cannot be separated In these psalms physical illness, spiritual anguish, and sin cannot be separated

22. In ten out of the fifteen psalms the psalmist considers God as the cause of his suffering In ten out of the fifteen psalms the psalmist considers God as the cause of his suffering In as many times he blames his enemies as causing the problems In as many times he blames his enemies as causing the problems In the midst of their troubles the psalmists point out that trust in Yahweh’s unfailing character was the solution to their problems In the midst of their troubles the psalmists point out that trust in Yahweh’s unfailing character was the solution to their problems

23. We must note the importance of confession, but especially that of forgiveness We must note the importance of confession, but especially that of forgiveness A vow to praise Yahweh occurs in ten out of the fifteen psalms. A vow to praise Yahweh occurs in ten out of the fifteen psalms. In three of the psalms there is an answer from Yahweh In three of the psalms there is an answer from Yahweh Thirteen of these psalms are psalms of David Thirteen of these psalms are psalms of David

24. Community Psalms Community psalms present the laments of the people The community appeals to the Yahweh’s work in history

25. Community Psalms continued The solution to their problem is divine intervention The solution to their problem is divine intervention His intervention is an expression of his character; he is a God of mercy and grace His intervention is an expression of his character; he is a God of mercy and grace In three cases the community vows to praise Yahweh for his aid to his people In three cases the community vows to praise Yahweh for his aid to his people

27. Foreign powers who threaten Israel (more true of the community rather than individuals: Ps. 83.4-12) Foreign powers who threaten Israel (more true of the community rather than individuals: Ps. 83.4-12) The language is metaphorical, inviting readers to identify with the psalmist (the enemies are an open category, which readers can fill with their own enemies) The language is metaphorical, inviting readers to identify with the psalmist (the enemies are an open category, which readers can fill with their own enemies)

28. The psalms of lament as the largest category in the book of psalms express the extremes of the human situation The psalms of lament as the largest category in the book of psalms express the extremes of the human situation At the same time there is also praise in these psalms at the point of help At the same time there is also praise in these psalms at the point of help While sickness is sometimes the crisis, spiritual and psychological anguish are usually present caused by personal failures and enemies While sickness is sometimes the crisis, spiritual and psychological anguish are usually present caused by personal failures and enemies The faith of the OT believers encompassed also personal and communal complaint The faith of the OT believers encompassed also personal and communal complaint Lament in not separated from praise; they are the two ends of the relationship with Yahweh Lament in not separated from praise; they are the two ends of the relationship with Yahweh

30. Psalms of lament and thanksgiving seem to be on opposite ends Psalms of lament and thanksgiving seem to be on opposite ends The distance can be traversed quickly; when the psalmist experiences a response to his lament, he breaks out in praise The distance can be traversed quickly; when the psalmist experiences a response to his lament, he breaks out in praise Praise grows out of Yahweh’s response to the needs of the psalmist Praise grows out of Yahweh’s response to the needs of the psalmist

31. Our experiences as human beings range between these two poles Our experiences as human beings range between these two poles In psalms of lament, the crisis is ongoing; in psalms of thanksgiving, the crisis is past (Pss. 31.9-13; 40.2) In psalms of lament, the crisis is ongoing; in psalms of thanksgiving, the crisis is past (Pss. 31.9-13; 40.2)

32. Though ambiguity exists, some essentials mark this category: Though ambiguity exists, some essentials mark this category: The psalmist reports about his crisis that cause his difficulty The psalmist reports about his crisis that cause his difficulty He states that the crisis has passed and he experienced Yahweh’s deliverance He states that the crisis has passed and he experienced Yahweh’s deliverance The experience of deliverance differentiates these psalms from others The experience of deliverance differentiates these psalms from others

34. The ritual accompanying the psalms of thanksgiving are somewhat unclear The ritual accompanying the psalms of thanksgiving are somewhat unclear What is clear, a personal or national crisis initiated the psalm What is clear, a personal or national crisis initiated the psalm Worshippers performed some kind of ritual in the temple before the congregation (Pss. 63.13, 116.19) Worshippers performed some kind of ritual in the temple before the congregation (Pss. 63.13, 116.19) Origin of psalms of thanksgiving (Ps. 107.4-9) Origin of psalms of thanksgiving (Ps. 107.4-9)

35. Psalms of thanksgiving may have been recited in connection with the sacrifice (Pss. 66.13-15, 40.5-8) in the presence of worshipers (Pss. 30.4, 31.23, 32.11) Psalms of thanksgiving may have been recited in connection with the sacrifice (Pss. 66.13-15, 40.5-8) in the presence of worshipers (Pss. 30.4, 31.23, 32.11) Psalms are samples of accomplished composers: David (18, 21, 30, 32, 40); anonymous (66, 92, 116, 118, 120) Psalms are samples of accomplished composers: David (18, 21, 30, 32, 40); anonymous (66, 92, 116, 118, 120)

36. Same two criteria: crisis and crisis passed with community emphasis (Pss. 65.3, 124.1, 129.1) Same two criteria: crisis and crisis passed with community emphasis (Pss. 65.3, 124.1, 129.1) Individuals at times drew strength from Yahweh’s deliverance of his people (Ps. 66.5-7, 8-12) Individuals at times drew strength from Yahweh’s deliverance of his people (Ps. 66.5-7, 8-12) This deliverance demonstrated Yahweh’s character (Pss. 30.10, 31.19, 32.5, 10; 40.11, 66.20, 92.2, 116.5, 7, 12; 118.1, 29) This deliverance demonstrated Yahweh’s character (Pss. 30.10, 31.19, 32.5, 10; 40.11, 66.20, 92.2, 116.5, 7, 12; 118.1, 29) Community psalms of thanksgiving are: 65, 66, 107, 118, 124, 129 Community psalms of thanksgiving are: 65, 66, 107, 118, 124, 129

37. Yahweh’s mighty deliverance of his people became the basis for the psalmist’s confidence of Yahweh’s deliverance of him (Ps. 66.5-12, 16) Yahweh’s mighty deliverance of his people became the basis for the psalmist’s confidence of Yahweh’s deliverance of him (Ps. 66.5-12, 16) The psalms indicate a double movement, from the community to the individual (Ps. 66.5-16) and from the individual to the community (Pss. 25.22, 51.18-19, 130.7-8) The psalms indicate a double movement, from the community to the individual (Ps. 66.5-16) and from the individual to the community (Pss. 25.22, 51.18-19, 130.7-8) The psalmists stress both the vertical and horizontal dimension of Yahweh’s grace; it radiates down and outward The psalmists stress both the vertical and horizontal dimension of Yahweh’s grace; it radiates down and outward Individual and community are codependent; gratitude frees both, but usually begins with individuals Individual and community are codependent; gratitude frees both, but usually begins with individuals