Psalms Introduction Psalms Introduction The term psalm means

Psalms Introduction

Psalms Introduction ØThe term psalm means “melody” ØIt’s POERTY! ØIt’s MUSIC! Each psalm has order & structure just like other poems and songs.

Psalms Introduction ØTypes of music familiar to us: ØJazz, Rock, R&B, Soul ØGospel, Blues, Classical, Country ØReggae, Pop, Rap, Hip Hop, Latino

Psalms Introduction ØTypes of psalms: see handout ØIndividual (39%) ØHymns of Praise (21%) ØCommunal (18%) ØInstructional (15%) ØRoyal (7%)

Psalms Introduction ØParallelism: the key to understanding the psalms: see handout

Psalms Introduction Arrangement of Psalms ØIntroduction: 1 -2 ØBook One: 3 -41 ØBook Two: 42 -72 ØBook Three: 73 -89 ØBook Four: 90 -106 ØBook Five: 107 -145 ØConclusion: 146 -150

Psalms Introduction ØMusical terms throughout ØChief Musician ØArrangement; Lightly ØChoir, Soprano ØStrings; Octave ØCrescendo; Pause; Vibrate ØPsalm, Song, Poem, Praise, etc.

Psalms Introduction ØMusical instruments throughout ØTrumpet, harp, lyre ØTimbrel, stringed instruments, pipe ØLoud cymbals, resounding cymbals ØAll of these in Psalm 150 alone!

Psalms Introduction ØThe Psalms are an inspired collection of Hebrew poetry and songs that arise out of experiences with which we can all identify. ØPsalms arose from real people wishing to express themselves during times of prosperity, adversity, holiness, sinfulness, despair, joy, thanksgiving, praise, worship.

Psalms Introduction ØPraise and Worship are two major themes seen throughout the Psalter. ØPraise extols God’s actions & attributes ØWorship reminds us of our proper place under God (“to bow down”)

“In any area of life one naturally praises what one appreciates; in fact, the praise is part of the enjoyment. It does not matter whether it is sports, flowers, sunsets, children, cars, great books, or anything else. To enjoy something fully one must speak of it. ” C. S. Lewis

Psalms Introduction Psalms Importance to OT: ØInspired Backgrounds (Psalm 3, e. g. ) Ø“Richer” insights of life with the Lord

Psalms Introduction Psalms Importance to NT: Ø 50% of the OT quotes in the NT are from the Psalms Ø“Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5: 19)

And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…

Psalm 1 ØServes as the Introduction to the Psalms ØSets the “tone” by contrasting two major themes seen throughout the Psalms… Øthe way of the righteous who are guided by the Word of God Øthe way of the wicked (ungodly) that proves worthless, vain and

Psalm 1 ØWisdom Psalm ØCharacteristics of wisdom literature: ØContrasts righteous & wicked ØFear of the Lord/Love for the Law ØInevitability of retribution ØUse of simile (like or as) Ø“Blessed” formula ØTerms (way, know, righteous, wicked, Law, meditation, prosper, scorner, etc. )

Psalm 1 As a piece of wisdom literature Psalm 1 not only instructs people to obey the Word of God, but demonstrates the wisdom in doing so, and the utter folly of living a life apart from it.

Psalm 1 ØMessage: The psalmist describes the blessed one who leads an untarnished and prosperous life in accord with the word of the Lord, and contrasts the wicked who shall perish.

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe Way of the Wicked (4) ØThe Judgment (5 -6)

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who leads an untarnished life is blessed (1). ØAnnouncement of blessing (1 a) Ø 3 qualifications of the blessed (1 bd)

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who leads an untarnished life is blessed (1). ØAnnouncement of blessing (1 a) How blessed is the man…

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØAnnouncement of “blessing” (1 a) Ø“right, straight, spiritually joyful” Blessed (“asher”) = the conditions and situation of the one who is right with God and the pleasure and satisfaction that is derived from that.

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who leads an untarnished life is blessed (1). ØAnnouncement of blessing (1 a) Ø 3 qualifications of the blessing (1 bd) How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) Ø 3 qualifications of the blessed” (1 bd) ØNot walk in the counsel of the wicked ØNor stand in the path of sinners ØNor sit in the seat of scoffers Note the trilogy of connections between the ØPeople: wicked/sinners/scoffers ØActions: walk/stand/sit

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) Ø 3 qualifications of the blessed” (1 bd) ØNote the increased intensity in each WALK COUNSEL WICKED STAND PATH SINNERS

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) Ø 3 qualifications of the blessed” (1 bd) ØNot walk in the counsel of the wicked ØNor stand in the path of sinners ØNor sit in the seat of scoffers WARNING: the point of the trilogy is to show that if one begins by taking the advice of the unbeliever, he will move to consider that way, and after a while be

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who leads an untarnished life is blessed (1). ØThe person who lives an untarnished life follows God’s instructions (2).

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who lives an untarnished life follows God’s instructions (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who lives an untarnished life follows God’s instructions (2) ØStrong contrast Ø 1: 1= FLEE Ø 1: 2 = PURSUIT

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who lives an untarnished life follows God’s instructions (2). ØFocus = Word of God (Torah) Ø“Delight” = not burdensome; desire Ø“Meditates” = deep inner thoughts Ø“Hagah” sounds like muttering

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who leads an untarnished life is blessed (1). ØThe person who lives an untarnished life follows God’s instructions (2). ØThe person who follows God’s word will have success in this life

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who follows God’s word will have success in this life (3). And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who follows God’s word will have success in this life (3). ØSimile of the tree (3) ØCharacteristics of the tree (3 a-d) ØFirmly planted (3 a) ØWell watered = Growth (3 b) ØRegularly fruitful = Productive (3 c)

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe person who follows God’s word will have success in this life (3). ØStatement of fact: Prosperity (3 e) ØNo more simile = reality Ø“Prospers” = living in accord with God’s word and will…. Ø“thrive, advance, success”

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe Way of the Wicked (4) ØThe Judgment (5 -6)

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Wicked (4) ØThe life of the ungodly is worthless (4) The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Wicked (4) ØThe life of the ungodly is worthless (4) ØStrong contrast with 1: 4 Ø 1: 4 a – ungodly: not like the righteous ØGrowing/Producing/Persisting Ø 1: 4 b – ungodly: like chaff Øcontrasts with the firm tree in 3 a

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Wicked (4) ØThe life of the ungodly is worthless (4) ØContrasts between Righteous/Wicked ØSolid – Impermanent ØProductive – Unproductive Life is lived in futility if its fundamental purpose is never

Psalm 1 ØThe Way of the Righteous (1 -3) ØThe Way of the Wicked (4) ØThe Judgment (5 -6)

Psalm 1 ØThe Judgment (5 -6) ØThe wicked (ungodly) will not survive the judgment (5). Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Psalm 1 ØThe Judgment (5 -6) ØThe wicked (ungodly) will not survive the judgment (5). ØThis is why the wicked “will not stand” ØContrasted with “firmly planted” in 3 a ØBecause the ungodly do not draw from the Word of God and flourish like the righteous, the ungodly will not be left standing at the judgment (they will not

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

Psalm 1 ØThe Judgment (5 -6) ØThe righteous will be saved (6 a) ØThe wicked will perish (6 b) For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 ØThe Judgment (5 -6) ØThe righteous will be saved (6 a) ØWhy? ØBecause YHWH knows their “way” ØTheir faith & course of life

Psalm 1 ØThe Judgment (5 -6) ØThe way of the wicked will be their ruination (6 b). For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 Two Types of People Two Ways Two Destinies

And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…

Psalms Bible Study: Evening June 10 June 17 June 24 July 1 July 8 July 15 Intro & Psalm 1 Psalm 2 NO CLASS Psalm 63 Psalm 23 Psalms of Ascent Hallel Psalms Psalm 150 Praise & Worship