Exploring the Bible Every Sunday evening at Bible

Exploring the Bible Every Sunday evening at ‘Bible Explorer’ we will explore the question ‘what does this book mean for us today? ’ Sunday evenings: a major week by week exploration of the books of the Bible Tonight: Psalms

Psalms 150 psalms Poetry Praises

Psalms

Psalms When were they written? During exile Used in second Temple Solomon David Moses

Psalms “A Bible in minature” Martin Luther “The mirror of the soul” John Calvin Us talking to God

Psalms of Praise Linked with thanksgiving. . . or just for who God is. . .

Psalms of Lament Expressing raw emotions Individually. . . and corporately

Psalms of Lament • Address • Complaint/confession • Trust • Plea for deliverance • Assurance • Praise

Psalms of Lament Turn thy face from my sins and put out all my misdeeds Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit

Psalms of Thanksgiving Express praise/joy where: • things have gone or are going well • God has given protection or shown mercy/faithfulness Community or individual

Psalms of Thanksgiving: individual Psalms of David: • Ps 18 – victory (2 Sam 22) • Ps 30 – delivered from disaster (1 Chr 21) • Ps 32 – forgiveness (2 Sam 11 -12) • Ps 41 – confidence in the Lord (2 Sam 15) Psalm 116

Psalms of Thanksgiving: community Psalm 136 • Recounts the story of the Exodus • Praises God for the delivery of His people • Refrain: “His love endures for ever”

Poetry of the Psalms Balancing of ideas rather than rhyme

Poetry of the Psalms Repetition of same idea He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside quiet waters (Ps 23)

Poetry of the Psalms Opposites The Lord watches over the way of the righteous But the way of the wicked will perish (Ps 1)

Poetry of the Psalms Developing an idea The Lord is my Shepherd. . . (therefore) I shall not want (Ps 23)

Poetry of the Psalms Acrostics Each verse begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet

Psalms of Trust Express our trust in an unchanging God Ps 46. . . for a community experiencing disaster

Psalms of Trust He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91: 1

Psalms of Trust

Wisdom Psalms Making right decisions in accordance with God’s law

Wisdom Psalms Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Ps 119: 18

Wisdom Psalms Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head. . . It is like the dew of Hermon. . . For there the Lord promises his blessing and life for ever more. Ps 133

Messianic Psalms Pointing towards Jesus Hebrews 1: “in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son” – then quotes from Psalms 2, 45, 102 & 110

Messianic Psalms: Christ’s passion Divided clothing and cast lots Matt 27: 35 Ps 22: 18 The mocking of the crowd Matt 27: Ps 22: 7 -8 39, 43 “My God, my God, why have Matt 27: 46 Ps 22: 1 you forsaken me? ” Jesus is thirsty No bones broken Jesus’ body pierced Burial & resurrection John 19: 28 Ps 69: 3, 21 -29 John 19: 36 Ps 22: 17 & 34: 20 John 19: 37 Ps 22: 16 All gospels Ps 16: 10

Songs of Ascent Pilgrim songs on the way up to Jerusalem Psalms 120 - 134

Songs of Ascent

Songs of Ascent Ps 120 Lament against discouragement I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me. Ps 121 Song of trust in difficulties I lift my eyes to the hills. . . my help comes from the Lord

Songs of Ascent

Songs of Ascent Let us go to the house of the Lord. Ps 122

Psalms – what do they mean for us today?

Psalms – what do they mean for us today? Use them. . . individually and corporately. . . in praise that glorifies God Read them aloud Receive comfort. . . express anger Memorise. . . summarise. . . paraphrase. . . write your own