POETRY and WISDOM: WEEK 2 PSALMS

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Start with talking about Poetry & Wisdom.

We are looking at poetry in the Bible and one of the large collections of poetry is found in the book of Psalms. The goal with this video is to challenge our audience to read, meditate, and pray through the book of Psalms.

Written to join the Hebrew Torah, or the first five books of the Old Testament, the Book of Psalms is a remarkable collection of poems from David, Moses, and other Jewish writers. But one look at Psalms makes it clear that it is much more than enlightening literature: it too is God’s Word with equal importance like the Torah.

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Watch the video from us.

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Review the notes below.

Contemporary readers look at Psalms as words in a book, but originally the Psalms were written to be sung individually or in group worship. The book of Psalms is the largest book in the Bible and is made up of five smaller books or collections. In the Psalms, people sing about all their experiences, both good and bad, to God. The book is filled not only with joyful songs but songs that reflect a whole range of human emotions. There are three basic types:

Hymns of praise:

These songs glorify God for who He is.

  • Psalm 47 praises God because of His might, power, and majesty as ruler of everything.
  • Psalm 47:1-2 “Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great king of all the earth.”

Lament:

These songs express the sorrow of the singer along with a petition for God to act,

  • Psalm 74 expresses sorrow due to the success of the singer’s enemies, followed by a request for God to deliver him or her. Psalms express raw emotion, both good and bad. Thus the thoughts expressed are not necessarily all true. But God is big enough to hear all of our emotions and invites us to share them with him.
  • Psalm 74:1,9-10 “O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture? We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever?”

Songs of Thanksgiving:

These songs worship God for something he has done, not simply for who He is.

  • Psalm 116 expresses thanks to God for restoring the singer to health from a serious illness.
  • Psalm 116:3-4, 7-8 “Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!” Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.”

Key Points

  • The Psalms carry an excellent order throughout its chapters and is separated into five main books.
  • Each book carries a specific theme complete with its own introduction, key points, and endnotes.
  • Through the Psalms, we learn about the importance of prayer and the acknowledgment of pain, as well as the power of praise and fulfillment of prophecy.
  • Note how the Psalms correspond particularly well with Isaiah, Zechariah, and God’s covenant with David in Chapter 7 of 2 Samuel.

Talk About It

  • Identify each of these types of Psalms: Psalm 40, Psalm 50, Psalm 93.
  • Why is it hard to share your sorrows and frustrations with God? How can doing so empower your faith?
  • In your life right now, would your psalm to God be a hymn of praise, lament, or a song of thanksgiving?
  • How honest are you with God in your own life? How can you become more honest in your worship, prayer, and daily walk with God?
  • What are some ways that you can encourage others in your life to be more honest with God?

Helpful Resources