BI 532 Psalms• Bro. Gary Spaeth• Hebrew Poetry found throughout the Old Testament• Brief extracts

– (Genesis 4:23-24; Num. 21:18; 1 Sam. 18:7) • Compositions like songs, hymns, and oracles

– (Gen. 49:2-27; Ex. 51:1-18; 1 Sam. 2:1-10). • Mostly poetical books

– Job, Ecclesiastes • Entirely poetic books

– Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations • What Challenges do we face interpreting Psalms?• Use of figures of speech• Use of symbols• Written in a different era• Historical context not always apparent• Idioms• Nature of Hebrew Poetry

• English poetry • Hebrew poetry

• rhyme and meter • rhyme of meaning

• Paul Revere's Ride• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow•• Listen my children and you shall hear

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;Hardly a man is now aliveWho remembers that famous day and year.

• 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

• Nor standeth in the way of sinners,• Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD;• and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

•• The Two Key Elements of to interpret Hebrew Poetry • Parallelism

– “The practice of balancing one thought or phrase by a corresponding thought or phrase containing approximately the same number of words, or at least a correspondence in ideas.”

• Figures of Speech– Any expressive use of language in which words are used in other than their literal sense,

or in other than their ordinary locutions, in order to suggest a picture, image, or for special effect.

• Synonymous Parallelism• The thought of the first line is basically repeated in different words in the second line.

Psalms 140:1 (KJV) Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

• Synonymous Parallelism• Identical -

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

• Similar – Psalms 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

• Antithetical Parallelism

• Psalms 15:4 • In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; • but he honoureth them that fear the LORD…

Psalms 20:7 • Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: • but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. • Antithetical Parallelism• Psalms 1:6

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

• Synthetic Parallelism• Psalms 1:3

– And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, – that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; – his leaf also shall not wither; and – whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

• Proverbs 26:4– Answer not a fool according to his folly, – lest thou also be like unto him.

• Climactic Parallelism• Psalms 29:1

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

• Psalms 29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

• Emblematic ParallelismPsalms 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

• Chiastic ParallelismPsalms 135:15-18 15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold,

the work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not;

eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not;neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

• Acrostic Psalm• Psalms 9,10,25,37,111,112,119,145• ה׀ 1 111 ללו י הוה אה ה י ה׃בוד ים ועד וד ישר ב בס כל־לב• 2 ה ג י יהו ם׃דדלים מעש ים לכל־חפציה רוש• 3 עלו ה ר פ ד׃ווד־והד דת לע ו עמ צדקת• 4 יו ז שה לנפלאת ה׃חכר ע נון ורחום יהו• 5 יו ט ירא ן ל ו׃ירף נת ם ברית ר לעול זכ• Figures of Speech• Simile: a comparison between two things that resemble each other in some way

– Psalms 1:3-4 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

– Figures of Speech• Metaphor: a comparison in which one thing is likened to another without the use of a word of

comparison as in “like” or “as.”• Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good

thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.• Figures of Speech• Hyperbole: The use of exaggeration or over statement to stress a point.• Psalms 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch

with my tears.• Figures of Speech• Metonymy: One noun is used in place of another because of some relationship or type of

resemblance that different objects might bear to one another (Ps. 73:9).• Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in

whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. • Figures of Speech• Rhetorical question: The use of a question to confirm or deny a fact.• Psalms 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy

book? • Figures of Speech• Anthropomorphism: The assigning of some part of the human anatomy to God’s Person to

convey some aspect of God’s being like the eyes or ears.• Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his

eyelids try, the children of men. • Figures of Speech• Zoomorphism: The assigning of some part of an animal to God’s Person to convey certain truths

about God (cf. Ps. 17:8; 91:4).

• Psalms 17:8 (KJV) Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, • Figures of Speech• Implication: an implied comparison between two things in which the name of one thing is used

in place of the other (cf. Ps. 22:16; Jer. 4:7).• Psalms 22:16 (KJV) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me:

they pierced my hands and my feet.• Title of the Book:• In the Hebrew, The Book of Psalms is titled, Tehillim (praise song) or Sepher Tehillim (book of

praises). A shortened form is Tillim. • The Septuagint gives the name Psalmoi (psalms), that is “songs or poems sung with musical

accompaniment.” Psalmos comes from psallein, “to pluck a stringed instrument” as an accompaniment to song.

• Author:• The superscriptions that preface 116 of the 150 psalms present specific information about the

writers and circumstances that produced the texts.Authorship of the Psalms

David 73 Most of Book 1 and Book 2

Asaph 12 Ps. 50; 73-83

Korahites 10 Ps. 42, 44-49; 84-85; 87

Solomon 2 Ps. 72; 127

Moses 1 Ps. 90

Ethan the Ezrahite 1 Ps. 89

Heman the Ezrahite

1Ps. 88

Dates of the Psalm

Date Author Psalms1405 B.C. Moses Ps. 901011-971 B.C. David Mostly in Book 1 and Book 2971-931 B.C. Solomon Ps. 72, 127950 B.C. Asaph Ps. 50, 73-83

Pre-exilicdescendants of Korah

Ps. 42, 44-49; 84-85; 87

Pre-exilic Ezrahites Ps. 88Post-exile Unknown Ps. 126 and 137

Book Psalms Author General Content

Book I Psalms 1-41 David Songs of worship

Book II Psalms 42-72 David & Korah Hymns of petition

Book III Psalms 73-89 Mainly Asaph Hymns of petition

Book IV Psalms 90-106Mainly Anonymous

Anthems of praise

Book V Psalms 107-150David and Anonymous

Anthems of praise

• Classification of the Psalms:Names Designating Types of Psalms

• ",mizmôr "Psalm מזמור– is the heading for fifty-seven psalms. The word is a technical term because it is only

used in the Psalter. The word seems to be related to the verb that means "pluck" strings. It may be defined, then, as a technical term designating a song that is accompanied by the plucking of a stringed instrument (cf. Mowinckel, 11:208).

• ",šiyrāh "Song שיר– is a common term for both cultic and secular songs. It may have carried some special

designation in cultic material. The term is used in some thirty titles, some of which are also labeled "Psalm" (65, 75, 76, 92).

• Classification of the Psalms:Names Designating Types of Psalms

• Maschil משכיל– "A Contemplative Poem," is found with thirteen psalms. (32,42,44,45,52-

55,74,78,77,142) There is little agreement concerning the translation of the term. It has been defined as "efficacious song" (Mowinckel). "meditation" (Delitzsch), "a skilful psalm" (Ewald). This latter view plays on the etymological connection to the verb "be wise, prudent."

• ,Michtam ,מכתם– a term found in six psalms (16, 56-60). The meaning of the term is disputed: later

Hebrew, LXX and modern Hebrew understand it to be "inscription poem," or "epigram," It’s a poem containing pithy sayings." Mowinckel says it is "a song of atonement," connecting the word with Akkadian katamu. "to atone" (11:209).

• Classification of the Psalms:Names Designating Types of Psalms

• te ,תפלה illāh p

– "Prayer," is the heading for Psalms 17,86,90, 102, and 142 (note also 72:20). In a technical sense it may denote more than prayer, a psalm of lamentation. See also Habakkuk 3:1 and Jonah 2:1.

• ,תהלה– "Praise," is found only with Psalm 145. a psalm which is at the beginning of the great

doxology to the Psalter, Psalms 145·150. • , שיר ידידות

– " a song of loves," is the heading of Psalm 45. It is appropriate to Psalm 45 which is a celebration of the royal wedding.

• Classification of the Psalms:Names Designating Types of Psalms

• ,Siggiiyon ,שגיון– is found only with Psalm 7. Mowinckel says it means a psalm of "lamentation" (II:209). It

may be connected with the root sgh, "to wander," and therefore characterizes a song with irregular structure or variation of feeling--but this is all conjecture.

• selāh: A verb - Its exact meaning is uncertain. It is used over seventy times in Psalms. It סלהmay give musical instructions or indicate a pause for various reasons (Hab. 3:3, 9, 13).

• Classification of Psalms• Gunkel

– Hymns (intended for communal worship)– Laments of the people (Community- Grief over some natural disaster)– Laments of the individual (Personal Tragedy)– Royal Psalms (Exalt the king as servant of Yahweh)– Songs of Thanksgiving of the individual – Spiritual Poems.

• Classification of Psalms• Kittel

– The Hymn (Song of Praise)– The Prayer of Thanksgiving– The prayer of Petition– The Didactic Poem– The Spiritual Song

• Classification of Psalms• Westerman

– The Psalms Of Declarative Praise • Community• Individual

– The Psalm of Descriptive Praise (Hymn) – The Psalms Of Lament

• Community• Individual

– Creation Psalms

– Liturgical Psalms– Enthronement Psalms– Wisdom Psalms

• Classification of Psalms• Bullock

– Praise Psalms (41)– Individual and communal lament psalms (59)– Thanksgiving psalms (8)– Psalms of Trust (6)– Psalms of the Earthy King (10)– Psalms of the Heavenly King– Wisdom psalms (9)– The Psalms of Torah– Imprecatory psalms

• Psalms of Praise• These psalms thank God for the blessings he has bestowed and express confidence that he will

bestow further blessings. • 41 Psalms are classified as Psalms of Praise• Structure of Praise Psalms• Declarative praise

– Praise of God for specific acts – 18,21,30,32,34,40,41,66,106,116,138

• Descriptive (Hymns)– Praise to God for His gracious acts– 28,36,105,111,113,117,135,136,146,147

• Structure of Declarative Praise Psalms• Proclamation of Praise to God

– Clear intent to praise God - “I will Praise…”• Report of Deliverance

– Reason God should be Praised• Renewed Vow of Praise

– Offer of Praise to God• Descriptive praise or Instruction• Structure of Descriptive Praise Psalms• Prologue

– Hallelujah• Call to Praise

– Extended Call to Praise• Cause for Praise

– Reason and Substance to Praise God• Conclusion

– Renewed call to Praise

• Epilogue• Psalms of Praise• To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.• 1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the

heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

• Psalms of Lament• The psalms of lament consist of urgent and fervent cries to God from stressful and troubling

circumstances. These psalms speak to believers in moments of desperation and despair, when our need is for God’s deliverance.

• 59 Psalms are classified as Psalms of Lament • Structure of Lament Psalms• Individual Lament

– Cry to God of an individual for help in a distressful situation– 3–7; 12; 13; 22; 25–28; 35; 38–40; 42–44; 51; 54–57; 77.

• Community Lament– Cry to God of a community for help in times of calamity– 59–61; 63; 64; 69–71; 74; 79; 80; 83; 85; 86; 88; 90; 126.

• An Individual’s Lament• Address, with an introductory cry for help and/or of turning to God• Lament• Confession of Trust• Petition• Assurance of being heard• Wish or petition for God’s intervention• Vow of praise• Praise of God when petition has been heard• A Community’s Lament• Address & Introductory Petition

• Lament• Confession of Trust• Petition• Vow of Praise• Thanksgiving psalms• Thanks to God for deliverance out of crisis• Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving

– Psalm 30• Community Psalm of Thanksgiving

– Psalm 107– Thanksgiving psalms

• Structure– Introduction– Report of crisis– Problem– Deliverance from crisis– Conclusion– Vow to praise– Psalms of Trust

• Psalmist responds to God in trust due to unspoken trouble encountered. • Individual Psalms of Trust

– Psalm 16,23• Community Psalms of Trust

– Psalm 90• Psalms of Trust• Structure

– Declaration of trust– Invitation to trust– Basis for trust– Petition– Vow to Praise– Interior lament

• Psalms of the Earthy King• These Psalms refer to a kings or an anointed one.

– Psalm 20• Psalms of the Heavenly King• These psalms are also called enthronement psalms or Messianic psalms. They are linked

together by common subject matter. They contain the statement, “The Lord Reigns.”– Psalm 24

• Wisdom psalms• These Psalms offer guidance or wisdom on how to live godly.

– Psalm 1, 73

• The Psalms of Torah• The focus of these psalms is on the “Torah” or Law of God.

– Psalm 19, 119• Imprecatory psalms• These Psalms call out judgment on enemies.

– Psalm 35, 69• Psalm 3• Address – “Lord”• Lament – vs. 1-2• Confession of Trust – vs. 3-6• Petition – v.7a “O Lord save me”• Assurance of being heard – 7b “• Vow of praise• Praise of God• Declarative praise (Specific Acts)• This type of praise psalm responds to how God has ministered in the particular experience of

the psalmist• Structure of Declarative Praise Psalms• Proclamation of Praise to God

– Clear intent to praise God - “I will Praise…”• Report of Deliverance

– Reason God should be Praised• Renewed Vow of Praise

– Offer of Praise to God• Psalm 32• Proclamation of Praise to God vs. 1-2

– The blessing of forgiveness• Ps. 1:1 – Blessedness of one who leads an untarnished life. Ps. 32 1:1-2 Blessed is

one who has been forgiven. God’s forgiveness is complete! • Transgression – Forgiven (Ps. 103:12)• Sin – Covered (v. 5)

• Psalm 32• Report of Deliverance vs. 3-10

– The chastening of the unrepentant vs. 3-4• Silence – failure to acknowledge our sin before God.• Bones – refer to one’s whole physical structure• Waxed – wear out, waste away, grow old• Roaring – human crying in distress (Silent in confession but not in sorrow)• Moisture - freshness, vitality

– The Confession of Sin v. 5• Acknowledged - ידע yāḏaʿ: to know, to learn, to discern• Not hid – We disclose our sin so God can hide it.

• Confess - yāḏāh: - to acknowledge, to praise, to give thanks• Psalm 32• Report of Deliverance vs. 3-10

– The advice of the forgiven vs. 6–10• When others see my suffering and repentance they will follow my example.• Floods of Great waters – God will keep those safe from disaster who look to him.• Hiding Place – A place where I can find safety• Compass – encircle, surround• V. 8 The Lord is the Speaker• V. 10 Trust in the Lord compared to wickedness

• Renewed Vow of Praise v. 11– Gladness and Rejoicing in the Lord’s forgiveness.

• Descriptive Praise (General)• Summarizes God’s activity in its fullness and praises God in the totality of his dealings with men

and of his being.• Structure of Descriptive Praise Psalms• Prologue

– Hallelujah• Call to Praise

– Extended Call to Praise• Cause for Praise

– Reason and Substance to Praise God• Conclusion

– Renewed call to Praise• Epilogue• Psalm 150

A. Praise the Lord in Heaven (v. 1)B. Praise the Greatness of God (v. 2)B. Praise the Lord With Great Intensity (vs. 3–5)

A. Praise the Lord on Earth (v. 6)• Psalm 150• Prologue v. 1a

– Praise ye the LORD – (ה ללו י Hallelujah (v.6 2x) (ה• Call to Praise v. 1b - Location

– Praise God - (ל ללו־א (ה• in his sanctuary – Earthly Temple• in the firmament of his power – Mighty Heavens (148:3-4)

• Cause for Praise v. 2 - Reason– for his mighty acts

• Creative acts• Sustaining Acts

– according to his excellent greatness

• Psalm 150• Custom of Praise vs. 3-5

– Wind instruments • Trumpet – Ram’s Horn• Organs – Pipe or Flute

– String Instruments• Psaltery• Harp

– Percussion• Timbrel - Drumb• Loud cymbals• High sounding cymbals

– Dance• Psalm 150• Conclusion – v. 6 (Conclusion to the Psalter)

– Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD– Praise ye the LORD – (ה ללו י Hallelujah (ה– Psalm 106

• Prologue 1a– Praise ye the LORD – (ה ללו י Hallelujah (ה

• Call to Praise 1b-5– His mercy endureth forever– The Mighty Acts of the Lord v. 2

• Cause for Praise 6-46– Review of Exodus Rebellions – We have sinned v. 6– He Remembered His covenant v. 45

• Conclusion– Praise ye the LORD

• Psalm 67• God be merciful unto us v. 1

– That thy way may be known upon earth v. 2• Call to Praise – “Let all the people praise you”

– O let the nations be glad and sing for joy– thou shalt judge the people and govern the nations

• Call to Praise – “Let all the people praise you”– Then shall the earth yield her increase

• God shall bless us v. 7• Psalm 100• Call to Praise & Service vs. 1-2

– Make a Joyful Noise all ye lands• Cause for praise v. 3- 4

– He is God– He made us– We are His people, His sheep

• Conclusion– Lord is Good, Mercy Everlasting, Truth endureth – Structure of Lament Psalms

• Individual Lament– Cry to God of an individual for help in a distressful situation– 3–7; 12; 13; 22; 25–28; 35; 38–40; 42–44; 51; 54–57; 77.

• Community Lament– Cry to God of a community for help in times of calamity– 59–61; 63; 64; 69–71; 74; 79; 80; 83; 85; 86; 88; 90; 126.

• An Individual’s Lament• Address, with an introductory cry for help and/or of turning to God• Lament• Confession of Trust• Petition• Assurance of being heard• Wish or petition for God’s intervention• Vow of praise• Praise of God when petition has been heard• Psalm 3

David, when he fled from Absalom his son (2 Samuel 15-18)• Lament (1-2)

– Increasing opposition• 2 Samuel 15:12

– Absalom – David’s Son– Ahithophel – David’s Counselor– Israel’s Army – warriors David collected

• “Trouble always comes in flocks”– Discouraging confrontations

• 2 Samuel 16:5-8• Confession of Trust• Wish or petition for God’s intervention.• Psalm 3

David, when he fled from Absalom his son (2 Samuel 15-18)• Confession of Trust (3)

– A Shield (metaphor- Protection)• Ps 28:7, 33:20, 84:9, 11

– Lifter up of my head (to be exalted)• Though I hang my head in sorrow, I shall very soon lift it up in joy and

thanksgiving

• restoration to dignity and position• Confidence in God (4-6)

– “I cried…He heard”• Voice – Verbalized prayer to God• Holy Hill - a synonym for the temple mount

– Dwelling place of God– “I slept…I awaked”

• Sleeping could be hazardous when being chased by enemy• He was confident in the Lords protection

• Psalm 3David, when he fled from Absalom his son (2 Samuel 15-18)

• Confidence in God (4-6)– Ten thousands of People (Ps. 20:7)– Round About - Surround

• Wish or petition for God’s intervention (7)– “Arise” – Call to action– “Save me” – (ישע yāšaʿ:) – save, help, deliver, defend– David was so sure that God would destroy his enemy that he wrote in the past tense as

if it had already happened.– Cheek bone, broken teeth – Enemy likened to a wild animal. They are not able to cause

any harm.• Vow of praise (8)

– God is the only one that can save us or deliver us from any and every situation we face.– We must do our part, but God is the only who delivers us from any enemy.

• A Community’s Lament• Address & Introductory Petition• Lament• Confession of Trust• Petition• Vow of Praise• Psalm 64• Address & Introductory Petition (1-2)

– Hear (שמע šāmaʿ אלהים ʾelōhiym) “Hear, O God”– My voice in my prayer (Heb. 14:6)– Preserve my life (Guard, keep)

• The word refers to people’s maintaining things entrusted to them.– Fear of the enemy v.9– Hide me

• To guard and protect oneself from perceived danger.– Secret Counsel of wicked – Hidden danger, unperceived threat.

• Lament (3-6)– Whet (Sharpen) Wicked men’s words are sharp and bitter

– Bend their bows (Made ready) – Shoot in secret and Sudden (Ps 90:8, Dan 2:22)– Encourage themselves – “Who shall see?”– Search out iniquities

• Psalm 64• Confession of Trust (7-8)

– God shoots them suddenly (Rom. 12:19)• A greater archer than they are shall take sure aim at their hearts (C. H.

Spurgeon)– Their words come back on them

• All their slander will be turned on them.– Result All who see them flee

• Vow of Praise (9-10)– All shall see and fear (ירא yārēʾ) to respect, to reverence– Declare – not in secret but publically– Righteous shall be glad, trust, glory

• Chiasm• Prayer for deliverance 1-2

– The Wicket Wet their tongue 3• The Wicked shoot suddenly 4

– The Wicked Plot 5-6• God shoots the wicked suddenly 7

– The tongue of the wicked confounds them 8• All Righteous men fear and praise God 9-10• Psalm 51• Appeal to for God’s Mercy and cleansing (1-2)• Confession of Sin (3-6)• Request for Cleansing (7-9)• Prayer for Restoration (10-12)• Promise of Service (13-15)• Conclusion (16-19)• Appeal to for God’s Mercy and cleansing (1-2)• Have mercy upon me, O God, • according to thy lovingkindness: • according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies • blot out my transgressions. • Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and • cleanse me from my sin.

• Appeal to for God’s Mercy and cleansing (1-2)– Mercy - חנן ḥānan

• To be gracious toward, to favor, to have mercy on

– Loving Kindness - חסד ḥeseḏ - (Psalm 136)• kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, acts of kindness

– Tender Mercies - רחמים (raḥămîm) • Deep Love• The form suggests the idea of the feelings of a mother toward her baby

– Appeal to for God’s Mercy and cleansing (1-2)– Blot Out - מחה māḥāh – (Isa. 43:25)

• To obliterate, Often connected with divine judgment (Gen. 7:23). God also wipes away tears (Isa. 25:8)

– Wash - כבס kāḇas• Derived from the domestic practice of washing clothes• Internal cleansing of the heart• Throughly - רבה rāḇāh

– To be many or to become many; to be abundant– Cleanse - טהור ṭāhôr –

• Physical cleansing• lean, pure, genuine

– Transgression - פשע pešaʿ• transgression, rebellion, willful, self-assertive defiance of God

– Iniquity - עון ʿāwōn• Sin that is particularly evil, since it strongly conveys the idea of twisting or

perverting deliberately– Sin - חטאת ḥaṭṭāʾṯ

• The root idea of “missing the mark”• Trespasses against God; a general state of sinfulness

• Confession of Sin (3-6)• 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and • my sin is ever before me. • 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and • done this evil in thy sight: • that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and • be clear when thou judgest. • 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and • in sin did my mother conceive me. • 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and • in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. • Request for Cleansing (7-9)

– 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:– wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. – 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; – that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. – 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and

– blot out all mine iniquities. • Prayer for Restoration (10-12)

– 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; – and renew a right spirit within me. – 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and – take not thy holy spirit from me. – 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and – uphold me with thy free spirit.

• Promise of Service (13-15)• 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and • sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, • thou God of my salvation: and • my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and • my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. • Conclusion (16-19)

– 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; – else would I give it: – thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: – a broken and a contrite heart, O God, – thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: – build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, – with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: – then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

• Thanksgiving Psalms• The literary form of the psalms of thanksgiving is “Not always clear and unambiguous”

– Kraus– There are two unique parts:– The psalmist report about his crisis– The declaration that the crisis has passed

• Thanksgiving Psalms• Thanks to God for deliverance out of crisis• Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving

– Psalm 30• Community Psalm of Thanksgiving

– Psalm 107– Structure of Psalms of Thanksgiving

• Introduction

• Report• Problem• Deliverance• Invitation to Praise• Vow to Praise• Psalm 30

(Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving)• Introduction – v. 1

– Extol - רום rûm – To raise, to lift up, to be exalted– Lifted - דלה dālāh – to draw up, to lift up (Water from a well) Fig. the Lord’s lifting a

person from despair.– “I will exalt thee, for thou hast exalted me.”

• Report – vs. 2-3– I Cried - שוע šāwaʿ- cry out for help, or of despair– Healed - רפא rā aʿ - to heal, make fresh, to restorep– Grave - שאול šeʾôl – World of the dead, death– Alive - חיה ḥāyāh – to be alive to keep alive– Pit - ירד yāraḏ - to go down, Fig. descend down to Sheol

• Psalm 30 (Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving)

• Invitation to praise – 4-5– Action - Sing – Give thanks – Participants - Saints – (חסיד ḥāsiyḏ) - kind, benevolent, merciful– Reason – God’s Anger ls short lived (Moment) His favor is life– Weeping – Night– Joy - Morning

• Problem – vs. 6-7– Prosperity - שלו šālû – security, abundance of Good health– Moved - מוט môṭ - to be moved, removed, to fall– God hid his face (סתר sāṯar: A verb meaning to hide, conceal)

• Health and prosperity came from the merciful hand of God. • Suffering a consequence of sinful self-confidence• Deut. 8:17-18

– The joy of the saint is dependent upon the presence of his Lord– Psalm 30

(Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving)• The Call for help – vs. 8-10

– No praise would be hear of the psalmist in death– Hear, Help

• Deliverance – vs. 11-12a– Mourning – Dancing– Sackcloth - Gladness

• Vow to Praise – v.12b– I will give thanks to thee forever

• Psalms of Trust• Psalmist with a deep confidence in God and His goodness. Our trust in God seems to be directly

proportional to the intensity of the distress or depth of trouble. • Individual Psalms of Trust

– Psalm 16,23,27,62,73• Community Psalms of Trust

– Psalm 90,115,123,124,126• Psalms of Trust• Structure

– Declaration of trust– Invitation to trust– Basis for trust– Petition– Vow to Praise– Interior lament

• Psalm 23 • Declaration of trust v. 1 (Protection and Provision)

– The LORD is my shepherd • Metaphor – comparison without “like” or “as”• Shepherds were looked down as a lowly profession• Jesus claimed this same title (John 10:14, Heb. 13:20, 1 Peter 5:4)• Personal Nature of the Relationship “My” (individual Trust)

– I shall not want • No want in the present or in the Future

– Want - חסר ḥāsēr – (to be lacking, to be needy)• The LORD provided all that Israel and David needed

– Deut. 2:7– Psalm 34:9 “for there is no want to them that fear him”

• Psalm 23 • Basis for trust vs. 2

1. He maketh me to lie down in Green pastures • God knows what is best for me – “Maketh me”• Green Pastures - Scriptures• Rest and Nourishment (Word of God – food for the soul)• Psalmist is fully fed or satisfied.

• Psalm 23 • Structure

– Basis for trust vs. 22. He leadeth me beside the Still waters

– We could not find these waters ourselves

– Still waters –Denote places where peace, quiet, and trust are present, resting place (Spirit of God)

– Holy Spirit attends us in various operations, like waters—in the plural—to cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize.

– Spiritual Refreshment• Psalm 23 • Structure

– Basis for trust vs. 23. He restoreth my soul

– Restoreth – שוב šûḇ: A verb meaning to turn, to return, to go back– When the soul grows sorrowful he revives it; when it is sinful he

sanctifies it; when it is weak he strengthens it4. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

– The Christian delights to be obedient, but it is the obedience of love, to which he is constrained by the example of his Master.

– God does not suffer me to wander in ways that would lead to ruin• For his name's sake

– It is to the honor of our great Shepherd that we should be a holy people, walking in the narrow way of righteousness.

• Psalm 23 • Structure

– Declaration of trust v. 4a • I walk through

– There is no need to run; God may have lessons from me to learn on this journey.

– Not walking in but through (It may have been through foolish actions I wandered into this path).

– With the aid of my Shepherd, I will come out on the other side.• The valley of the shadow of death

– Notice it is not valley of death - death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains.

– Where there is a shadow there must be light somewhere.– No one is afraid of a shadow – The shadow of death cannot kill us.

• I will fear no evil– 1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. • Psalm 23 • Basis for trust vs. 4b

– Thou art with me; • Hebrews 13:5-6 … I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.• God lovingly guides us through the darkest of times. Are we listening to his

voice? Do we trust that he knows the way through?

– Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. • The Palestinian shepherd normally carried two implements, a club (or rod) to

fend off wild beasts and a crook (or staff) to guide and control the sheep.• Comfort comes from knowing the Lord is leading me and Protecting me.

• Psalm 23 • Structure

– Blessings of trust vs. 5• Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies

– Table - לחן Aש šulḥān - God’s provision for man’s needs– The enemy is at the door and yet God prepares a table, and the

Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace.• Thou anointest my head with oil

– Anoint - דשן dāšēn – to grow fat, to satisfy, – Anointed (made fat) with oil – blessings of God

• My cup runneth over– It is not merely full; it runs over.– The banquet was a celebration of God’s provision and protection; the

psalmist’s experience of life had been so bountiful, that it was life itself which was full of blessing, overflowing with thanksgiving

• Psalm 23 • Structure

– Blessings of trust vs. 6• Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and • I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

• Psalms of the Earthly King• Even though these psalms could be categorized as another type, the subject of all these Psalms

is kingship.– Refer to a king (2:6, 18:50, 20:9, 21:1, 45:14, 72:1, 89:18)– Mention the anointed (2:2, 18:50, 20:6, 45:7, 89:9, 132:10)– Refer to David by name (89:3, 132:1, 144:10)

• Psalm 2• The Heathen’s Rage v. 1

– The Acts of Disobedience vs. 2-3• The Judgment of God vs. 4-5

– The Establishment of the Son v. 6– The Declaration of the son v. 7

• The Son’s Judgment vs. 8-9– The Acts of Obedience vs. 10-12

– Psalm 89Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite – 1 Chron. 15:17-181 Kings 4:31

• The Covenant - vs. 1-4

– mercies - חסד ḥeseḏ - lovingkindness, mercy, Covenant faithfulness– 2 Samuel 7:8-16

• The Glory of the Lord – vs. 5-18– No one can be compared to the LORD– God is greatly to be feared

• The Response of the Lord – vs. 19-37– Covenant Confirmed – vs. 19-29– Punishment for Disobedience - vs. 30-32– God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant – vs. 33-37

• The Plea to the Remnant – vs. 38-52– V. 46 - How long, LORD wilt thou hide thyself?– V. 49 – Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses?

• Psalms of a Heavenly King(Enthronement)

• This group of psalms all contain a reference to “The LORD reigns” or “The LORD has become king”.

• Psalms 47, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99– These can also be categorized as Praise Psalms

• What do we learn about the heavenly King?• Psalm 47

– Powers of God, Attributes, mighty, reigns over all• Psalm 93

– Reigns over all, Over all the waters, majesty and power of God• Psalm 96

– Praise Him daily, witness of him, Above all,Sacrifice to him, He is righteous, Creation rejoice, He is coming again, Righteous judge, Worthy of worship, above all other gods

• Psalm 97– Power over all, Reward to all righteous, bring judgment on wicked

• Psalm 98– Worthy of praise, Merciful

• Psalm 99• Wisdom Psalms• These Psalms offer guidance or wisdom on how to live godly.• No distinctive structural characteristics• Features of Wisdom Psalms

– Reads much life a string of proverbs– Wisdom Admonition or teaching– Use of Similes (Compared with nature)

• Psalm 1, 37, 49, 112– Also 32, 34, 78, 119

• Psalms of the Torah• Focus is on the Torah or Law of God, which God gave to Israel through Moses

• No literary pattern present• Three Psalms fall under this classification

– 1, 19, 119• Other Psalms dealing with the Torah

18, 25, 33, 68, 78, 81, 89, 93, 94, 99, 103, 105, 111, 112, 147, 148 ה׃ 1 119 ת יהו ים בתור הלכ רך ה ימי־ד י תמ אשר

2 ב ידרשוהו׃ יו בכל־ל י עדת שרי נצר א3 כו׃ יו הל ה בדרכ ף לא־פעלו עול א4 ד׃ ר מא יך לשמ ד Aיתה פק תה צו א

5 קיך׃ Aר ח י לשמ נו דרכ חלי יכ א6 יך׃ י אל־כל־מצות הביט וש ב ז לא־אב א

7 י צדקך׃ י משפט למד ב ב שר לב ודך בי א8 ד׃ ני עד־מא ל־תעזב ר א קיך אשמ Aאת־ח

9 ך׃ ר כדבר שמ ו ל ער את־ארח ה יזכה־נ במ10 יך׃ ני ממצות שג יך אל־ת י דרשת בכל־לב

11 ך׃ חטא־ל ען לא א מ ך ל נתי אמרת לבי צפ ב12 קיך׃ Aני ח ה למד ה יהו ברוך את

13 יך׃ ל משפטי־פ רתי כ י ספ בשפת14 ון׃ ל כל־ה שתי כע יך ש רך עדות בד

15 יך׃ יטה ארחת אב יחה ו יך אש ד Aבפק16 ך׃ ח דבר ע לא אשכ שתעש יך א קת Aבח

• Word used in Psalm 119 for Scriptures• “Law” (tôrâh),

– denotes direction or instruction.• “Word” (dāḇār)

– It is a general term for God’s revelation, the “Ten Commandments” are called “Ten Words” (literal Heb., Deut. 4:13).

• “Saying” (’imrâh,) – It is often a poetical synonym for dāḇār.

• “Commandment” (miṣwâh) – It signifies a definite, authoritative command.

• “Statutes” (ḥūqqîm) – Literally it means “things inscribed.” So it refers to enacted Laws

• “Judgment” (mišpoṭ) – It represents a judicial decision that constitutes a precedence, a binding law.

• “Precepts” (piqqûḏîm) – It is a poetical word for injunctions,

• “Testimony” (‘ēḏâh) – It is a solemn attestation, a declaration of the will of God.

• “Way” (derek)– a metaphorical term describing the pattern of life marked out by God’s Law.

• “Path” (’ōraḥ)

– is parallel to “way.”• Structure of God’s Word• A. Blessings of obedience (119:1–8)• B. Cleansing by God’s Word (119:9–16)• C. Appreciation of God’s Word (119:17–24)• D. Prayer for understanding (119:25–32)• E. Loyalty to God’s Word (119:33–40)• F. Salvation through God’s Word (119:41–48)• G. Hope from God’s Word (119:49–56)• H. Obedience to God’s Word (119:57–64)• I. Trust in God’s Word (119:65–72)• J. Hope in God’s Word (119:73–80)• K. God’s Word is faithful (119:81–88)• L. God’s Word is sure (119:89–96)• Imprecatory Psalms• Imprecatory means “Curses”• Psalms containing extremely harsh judgments upon the psalmists enemies.

– “let the angel of the LORD chase them”– “let them be clothed with shame and dishonour”

• Psalms of anger or wrath against an enemy• Psalm 35, 55, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137

– Psalm 35, 69, 109 are the most intense