Why are we here WHY DO WE SING

Why are we here? WHY DO WE SING? THE HOW AND WHY OF THE PSALMS All scripture quotations from NASB

Overview HEBREW POETRY COMPOSITION OF THE COLLECTION LAMENTS PSALMS OF PRAISE LESSONS TO LEARN

Hebrew Poetry

Poetry – In General What is poetry? “writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm” (Merriam-Webster) Poetry’s form and rhythm help define or amplify the message contained in the words.

Poetry’s Purpose Used to convey ideas that are difficult or impossible to express through the meaning of words alone Increase the emphasis or power of the message Evoke a response in the listener Man God

Distinguishing Characteristics English poetry Rhythm (meter) and phonetic rhyme Hebrew poetry Parallelism Thought rhyme Types Synonymous Antithetic Stair-step Layers upon layers

Types of Parallelism Synonymous Prv 24: 17 “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles…. ” Antithetic Prv 24: 16 “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. ” Stair-step Prv 24: 32 “When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. ”

Parallellism Examples Parallelism in Psalm 1: 1 -3 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked Nor stand in the path of sinners, 3 x synonymous, or stair-step? Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, stair-step And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season synonymous And its leaf does not wither And in whatever he does, he prospers. ”

Parallellism Examples Parallelism in Psalm 1: 4 -6 “The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, synonymous Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. ” antithetic

Parallellism Examples Parallelism in Psalm 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! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 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. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, antithetic Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, antithetic, summary But the way of the wicked will perish. ”

Rhetoric – What is the Purpose of Psalms? Rhetoric (persuasive speaking): Poetic language can be beautiful and enjoyable to read, but what is the purpose? Consider the psalms as you would any other scripture Poetry, by its nature, is more than informative, it is motivating. Consider how poetic elements are used for a purpose in Psalm 103

Purpose of Divine Names Used LORD (v 1, 2, 6, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 x 2) Helper and helped (v 3 -5) Patient judge with the guilty (v 6 -12) Compassionate Father with children (v 13) Sovereign ruler over heavenly beings (v 19 -22)

Purpose of Repetition “Bless the LORD…” “… O my soul” (v 1, 2) “… all you His hosts” (v 21) “… all you works of His” (v 22) “… O my soul” (v 22) Returns to original theme, closes the loop “Who…” “… pardons all your iniquities” (v 3) “… heals all your diseases” (v 3) “… redeems your life from the pit” (v 4) “… crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion” (v 4) “… satisfies your years with good things” (v 5)

Purpose of Powerful Terms Related to God Pardons, heals, redeems, crowns, lovingkindness, compassion, satisfies, renewed, righteous deeds, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, not always strive, lovingkindness, removed, compassion, mindful, lovingkindness, everlasting to everlasting, righteousness, throne, sovereignty, mighty in strength, dominion Related to man Iniquities, diseases, the pit, oppressed, sins, iniquities, transgressions, fear, grass, flower, flourishes Note the relationship between these two sets

Purpose of Figures of Speech “ 5 So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. ” Highlights the effectiveness of God’s help. “ 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth…” Magnitude of God’s lovingkindness toward man – theme of this psalm. “ 12 As far as the east is from the west…” How far apart are East and West? Transgressions removed

Purpose of Figures of Speech “ 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children…” The LORD’s compassion on those who fear Him. “ 15 As for man his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. ” Futility and passing nature of man’s life Imagery also found in I Pet 1: 24 -25

Purpose of Parallelism All throughout (couplets) “ 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, [A line] And all that is within me, bless His holy name. [B line] [A couplet] 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, [A line] And forget none of His benefits; [B line] [B couplet] 3 Who pardons…” V 2 repeats v 1, but provides the reason for blessing the LORD, about to be enumerated in v 3 -5 V 2 may be considered climactic parallelism, where the second line expounds on, but does not repeat the first line http: //www. westminster. edu/staff/nak/courses/Bib. Poetry. ht m

Purpose of Parallelism Additional type of parallelism “ 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. ” May be considered formal or synthetic parallelism Formal parallelism contains parallel form, but not parallel thought, and contains one complete sentence Like accents form rhythm in English poetry, word groups are typically parallel in number in a couplet. (here 3 x 3) See also v 20 and 21

“ 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And its place acknowledges it no longer. And forget none of His benefits; 17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, Who heals all your diseases; And His righteousness to children's children, 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, 18 To those who keep His covenant Who crowns you with lovingkindness and And remember His precepts to do them. compassion; 19 The LORD has established His throne in the 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, heavens, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. And His sovereignty rules over all. 6 The LORD performs righteous deeds 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, And judgments for all who are oppressed. Mighty in strength, who perform His word, 7 He made known His ways to Moses, Obeying the voice of His word! His acts to the sons of Israel. 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, You who serve Him, doing His will. Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, 9 He will not always strive with us, In all places of His dominion; Nor will He keep His anger forever. Bless the LORD, O my soul!” 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, Note the symmetry of themes: So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear ABCDCBA Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, Transition: The LORD’s So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows our frame; mercy to our weakness He is mindful that we are but dust.

Purpose of Psalm 103 Encourage self and others to respond in thankfulness to God for his lovingkindness toward the sinful But it accomplishes this in such a more effective way than the sentence above.

Types and Composition of the Collection

Types Lament 67 Praise 61 Royal Psalms 11 Wisdom Psalms 11

Progression Through the Collection I 80 II IV V Praise Laments Royal Wisdom 70 60 50 40 Books I-III: 30 20 Lament: 52 Praise: 24 Books IV-V 10 0 0 Lament: 15 Praise: 37 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150

Divisions of the Collection The book of Psalms is broken down into 5 books. How does each book end? Book 1: Psalms 1 -41 (Psa 41: 13) “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. ” Book 2: Psalms 42 -72 (Psa 72: 18 -20) “Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. ”

Divisions of the Collection Book 3: Psalms 73 -89 (Psa 89: 52) “Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen. ” Book 4: Psalms 90 -106 (Psa 106: 48) “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, ‘Amen. ’ Praise the LORD!”

Divisions of the Collection Book 5: Psalms 107 -150 (Psa 150) “Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. “Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!”

Psalm Types Laments Individual Psalms (50): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 77, 86, 88, 94, 102, 109, 120, 130, 141, 142, 143 Community Psalms (17): 12, 14, 44, 53, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 90, 106, 108, 123, 126, 137

Psalm Types Praise General Hymns (19): 29, 33, 68, 100, 103, 105, 111, 113, 114, 115, 117, 134, 135, 139, 145, 146, 147, 149, 150 Creation Psalms (5): 8, 19, 65, 104, 148 Enthronement Psalms (7): 47, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 Zion Psalms (5): 48, 76, 84, 87, 122 Entrance Liturgies (2): 15, 24 Hymns with Prophetic Warnings (3): 50, 81, 82 Trust Psalms (5): 23, 91, 125, 131 Thanksgiving Psalms (14): Individual Psalms (8): 30, 34, 41, 66, 92, 116, 118, 138 Community Psalms (6): 67, 75, 107, 124, 129, 136

Psalm Types Royal Psalms (11) 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, 144 Wisdom Psalms (11) 1, 32, 37, 49, 73, 78, 112, 119, 127, 128, 133

Collections Davidic (3 -41, 51 -72, 138 -145) Korahite (42 -49, 84 -85, 87 -88) Elohistic (42 -83) Asaphite (73 -83) Psalms on Kingship of God (93 -100) Psalms of Praise (103 -107) Songs of Ascents (120 -134) Hallelujah Psalms (111 -118, 146 -150)

Laments

Purpose of the Laments As noted already, the psalms provide motivation, not just information Laments are no exception Their target audience is God, and their intent is to persuade Him to act on behalf of the speaker, the righteous, and/or the nation of Israel. The structure and key features of the laments will bear this out.

Structure of the Laments Lament psalms contain most or all of four distinct elements, often in the same order. Element 1: Invocation Element 2: Complaint Element 3: Petition Element 4: Conclusion Laments often describe the passing of events in the life of a believer – tribulation, followed by bringing the problem to God, followed by rejoicing and “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension” The book of Psalms roughly mirrors a lament.

Lament Element 1 - Invocation Examples: Psa 22: 1 “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? ” Psa 28: 1 “To You, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me…” Psa 31: 2 “Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me. ”

Lament Element 2 - Complaint Examples Psa 3: 1 – human enemies Psa 6: 2, 5 – physical distress and enemies (7, 8) – which is cause, which is result? Compare Psa 22: 14 -17, also Psa 31: 9 -13 Physical and emotional/spiritual distress often go hand-in-hand Psa 109: 2 -5 – false accusation Psa 31: 13, 17 -18 – slander Psa 31: 10 – guilt of sin Most laments fall generally under these topics

Lament Element 2 - Complaint When the Israelites complained in the wilderness (Num 11: 1; 16: 41, 49)? Fire of the LORD burned among them Plague killed 14, 700

Lament Element 2 - Complaint Does God want us to tell Him about our worries? Consider I Pet 5: 17; I Pet 3: 12; Lk 18: 1 -8; Philp 4: 6. Yes! I Pet 5: 17 “Casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ” I Pet 3: 12 “For the eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer…. ” Note this is quoted from Psa 34: 15 Lk 18: 1 -8 – persistent widow Php 4: 6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ”

Lament Element 2 - Complaint Contradiction? What is the difference in the asker? Psa 106: 24 -25 “ 24 Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe in His word, 25 But grumbled in their tents; They did not listen to the voice of the LORD. ” Those who died in the wilderness did not voice their concern because they trusted in God to provide, but because they did not trust Him.

Lament Element 3 - Petition Psalm 7: 10 -11 and Psalm 109: 26, 29 show both types of petitions Psa 7: 10 -11 “ 10 My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day. ”

Lament Element 3 - Petition Psalm 109: 26, 29 “ 26 Help me, O LORD my God; Save me according to Your lovingkindness. … 29 Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. ”

Lament Element 3 - Petition The superscription of Psa 57 says the psalm described a specific occasion. David had the power to fulfill his own request (I Sam 24), but he did not. Why not? Psa 57: 3 “He reproaches him who tramples upon me. ” I Sam 24: 6 “Far be it from me … to stretch out my hand against … the LORD’s anointed. ” I Sam 26: 10 -11 “ 10 David also said, “As the LORD lives, surely the LORD will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’S anointed…. ”

Lament Element 3 - Petition Reconciling petitions for judgment with loving enemies Psa 109, 137 – curses upon the enemy Matt 5: 44 – love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you II Tim 4: 14 “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ” Rom 12: 19 -20 – Give place to God for vengeance

Lament Element 3 - Petition Attitudes or traits required in order to make an acceptable request I Peter 3: 12 – righteousness James 1: 6 – ask in faith I John 5: 14 – ask according His will

Lament Element 4 - Conclusion Note the strength of faith in the outcome Psa 22: 29 -31 “ 29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive. 30 Posterity will serve Him; It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation. 31 They will come and will declare His righteousness To a people who will be born, that He has performed it. ”

Lament Element 4 - Conclusion Faith expressed Psa 3: 7 -8 “ 7 Arise, O LORD; save me O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people!” Psa 6: 8 -10 “ 8 Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed. ”

Lament Element 4 - Conclusion Psa 31: 22 -24 “ 22 As for me, I said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from before Your eyes’; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried to You. 23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. 24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD. ” Psa 109: 30 -31 “ 30 With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. 31 For He stands at the right hand of needy, To save him from those who judge his soul. ”

Psalm 22 Structure v 1 -2 Invocation v 3 -5 Statement of trust v 6 -8 Complaint v 9 -10 Statement of trust v 11 Petition v 12 -18 Complaint v 19 -20 Petition echoing complaint v 22 Vow to praise v 23 -24 National call to praise v 25 Vow to praise v 26 -31 Global call to praise (keep prophetic context in mind here)

Psalm 22 Identity of the speaker and addressee Individual Po. V to God (v 1) Note the increase in scope near the end – the speaker’s deliverance will be the experience of other seekers of God (v 23 -24) General declaration (refers to God in 3 rd person) (v 26 -31) Events under consideration Specific not in context Severe oppression by enemies In prophecy, the crucifixion Setting of the psalm in Hebrew worship In assemblies – superscription, v 25 may also suggest this What resolution is sought? Deliverance. Note retribution is not mentioned – similar to Jesus’ statement on the cross “forgive them” (Lk 23: 34)

Psalm 22 What reasons does the speaker give for God to intercede? Delivered in the past (v 4 -5) Contradict the mockers (v 8) Trusted since birth (v 9 -10) Vow of praise (v 22, 25) Does/how does the speaker show confidence in God’s help? Recalling past deliverance (v 4, 5, 24) Positive statement of God’s future satisfaction of the faithful (v 26) and resulting praise by the speaker and others in the earth

Psalm 22 Repeated terms or phrases “My God, my God…” (v 1) Deliver (v 1, 4, 5, 8, 20) “Loaded” or powerful terms Predicament – Forsaken (v 1), groaning (v 1), cry(v 2), reproach, despised (v 6), afflicted (v 26) Request – deliverance, trust (v 4, 5), rescue, delights (v 8) God – Holy (v 3), fear, awe (v 23), kingdom, rule (v 27, 28), righteousness (v 31) Hope in outcome – Praise, glorify (v 22, 23, 25, 26), worship (v 27, 29), told, declare (v 30, 31) Use of divine names and descriptions of the relationship between the speaker and God (v 1, 2) LORD (v 19, 23, 26, 27, 28) Lord (v 31) Deliverer of the afflicted (v 4 -5, 20)

Psalm 22 Figures of speech “enthroned upon the praises of Israel” (v 3) “I am a worm and not a man” (v 6) Enemies – Strong bulls (v 12), ravening and roaring lion (v 13, 21), dogs (v 16, 20), wild oxen (v 21) Physical suffering Poured out like water (v 14) Heart melted like wax (v 14) Strength dried up like potsherd (v 15) Tongue cleaves to jaws (v 15) Pierced hands and feet (v 16) Count all bones (v 17) Divided garments, cast lots for clothing (v 18)

Psalm 22 Parallelism Couplets throughout Note v 2 A – v 12 -13 enemy imagery B – v 14 -15 effect on speaker A – v 16 enemy imagery B – v 17 -18 effect on speaker Figures for enemies (v 11 -16) mirrored in plea (v 20 -21) and start with “be not far” Word play “Upon you I was cast from birth” (v 10) Total dependency on God, roughly discarded by man Understatement: “They will declare… that He has performed it. ” (v 31)

Psalms of Praise

Keeping a Promise Thanksgiving psalms of praise fulfill the promise to praise made in laments Psalm 7: 17 “I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. ” Psalm 14: 7 “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad. ”

Keeping a Promise Psalm 53: 6 “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His captive people, Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. ” Psalm 22: 22 “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. ”

Keeping a Promise Psalm 57: 7 -9 “ 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! 8 Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. ” Psalm 58: 10 “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. ”

The Answer to Laments Compare Psalm 116 (Praise) to Psalm 88 (Lament) Trouble faced in Psalm 88 “ 3… my life has drawn near to Sheol. ” “ 5 Forsaken among the dead…” “ 17… They have encompassed me altogether. ” Trouble recalled in Psalm 116 “ 3 The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; ” “ 9 I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living. ”

The Answer to Laments Despair in Psalm 88: “ 9 My eye has wasted away because of affliction” “ 14 O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? ” Rejoicing in Psalm 116: “ 8 For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling. ” This type of Psalm: Psalm 116: 17 “To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD. ”

Purpose of Hymns Laments give reason for God to deliver Hymns give reason for us to praise Him Psalm 146: 6 “Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them” Psalm 146: 4, 6 “ 4 [Man’s] spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish. ” “ 6 b [God] keeps faith forever; ” Psalm 146: 7 “Who executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free. ”

Structure of Psalms of Praise Psalms of praise generally have a similar, simple structure. This is even true in the short Psalm 117. Another example is Psalm 113. Can you divide either one into three distinct segments? Psalm 117 Call to praise “ 1 Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples!” Body – Reason for praise “ 2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. ” Renewed call to praise “ 2 b Praise the LORD!” (Hallelujah!)

Structure of Psalms of Praise Psalm 113 Call to praise Reason for praise (v 1 -4) (v 5 -9 a) Call to praise (v 9 b)

Psalms of Praise – Key Features We noted that laments called God to act to deliver the speaker or the nation from distress. Read or scan through Psalms 146 -150. What is the call to action? Who is called to action? Especially note the first and last phrase of each of these psalms. Call to action Praise the LORD! Hallelujah! Who is called Self (Psalm 146: 1) Jerusalem (Psalm 147: 12) Every created thing (Psalm 148: 2 -4, 7 -12) The people of God (Psalm 149: 2, 4) Everything that has breath (Psalm 150: 6)

Psalms of Praise – Key Features Not only do psalms of praise call upon the speaker or others to praise, they also give reasons for it. Looking more deeply at Psalm 116 and the psalms in question 5, find at least three different reasons given for praising God. Psalm 116 The LORD is gracious, righteous, and compassionate (v 5) The LORD cares for the lowly (v 6) The LORD has rescued (v 8) The LORD views the death of his godly ones as precious (v 15)

Psalms of Praise – Key Features Psalm 146 Psalm 19 God’s worshipers are pure (v 4) God is present with His worshipers (v 7) Psalm 50 God’s holy city is majestic (v 2, 4 -5) Psalm 24 God is a king with ultimate authority and power (v 7) Psalm 48 God created the heavens and sun (v 1, 4) God created His perfect law (v 7) Psalm 47 God created heaven and earth (v 6) God keeps faith forever (unlike man who perishes) (v 4, 6) God gives the oppressed, hungry, and prisoner what they need (v 7) God’s judgment is righteous, yet patient (v 3 -6, 22 -23) Psalm 91: 2 God’s protection of his faithful ones cannot be defeated (v 9 -10) God’s army is powerful (v 11)

FOR: Reasons for Praise Now consider Psalm 147: 1 and Psalm 145: 2 -3. Besides the fact that the Bible is the word of God, what in the context of these verses indicates they are an? (Hint: Question 8)

FOR: Reasons for Praise The Psalms use dramatic language in expressions of praise. What is the difference between expressions of deep faith and expressions of fleeting emotions Psalm 147: 1 “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming. ” Psalm 145: 2 -3 “ 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. ”

FOR: Reasons for Praise Psalm 147: 2 -6 “The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He  gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The Lord  supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground. ” Psalm 145: 11 -12 “They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And talk of Your power; To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom. ”

FOR: Reasons for Praise Emotional praise in the Psalms The reasons for praise are known This expression of praise is an outpouring of faith in who God is and what He has done, is doing, and will do Faith is based on understanding of God in His word True praise is not just an outpouring of an emotional high Emotion will be present if we are truly thankful, though!

Psalm 116 Structure Declaration: “I love the LORD” (v 1) Why? Reason for praise/recollection of deliverance (v 1 -11) Response of praise (v 12 -19) Parallels in v 12 -14/16 -18 Call/expression of praise Future trust (v 2) God’s blessings demand a response from us (v 12) Promise to pay vows and give thanks publicly (v 13 -14, 17 -18) “Praise the LORD!” (v 19) Reasons for praise Declarative/Thanksgiving Psalm God hears (v 1, 2) God is gracious, righteous and compassionate (v 5) God preserves the simple (v 6) God rescued the speaker from death (v 8) God has freed the speaker from his bonds (v 16)

Psalm 146 Structure Call to praise (v 1 -2) Reason for praise (v 3 -9) Call/expression of praise “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!” (v 1) Promise to praise in song entire life (v 2) “Praise the LORD!” (v 10)

Psalm 146 �Reasons for praise God helps and gives hope (v 5) God created heaven, earth, sea, and contents God keeps faith forever God executes justice for the oppressed God gives food to the hungry God frees prisoners God heals the blind God strengthens the burdened or crippled God loves the righteous God protects strangers God supports fatherless and widow God defeats the wicked God reigns forever Reminds me of a child’s prayer Summary: God helps

Psalm 19 Structure Creation’s justification of praise (v 1 -6) Law’s justification of praise (v 7 -11) Desire/request to follow the law in a pleasing way (v 12 -14) Call/expression of praise Heavens tell of God’s glory (v 1) To describe God’s law is to praise it (v 7 -11) The LORD is the speaker’s rock and redeemer (v 14) Reasons for praise Creation psalm The heavens follow God’s natural laws with inescapable glory (v 2, 4) God’s law is good and profitable to the one who follows it (v 11)

Psalm 47 Structure Call to praise (v 1) Reason for praise (v 2 -5) Call to praise (v 6) Reason for praise (v 7 -9) Call/expression of praise Peoples to clap their hands and shout with voice of joy (v 1) Sing praises to God our King (v 6 -7) Reasons for praise Enthronement psalm God as King is fearsome and above all (v 2, 7) God subdues nations for His people (v 3)

Psalm 48 Structure Call to praise, identification of Zion as God’s city (v 1) Description of Zion (v 2 -8) Call to praise (v 9 -11) Description of Zion and her God (v 12 -14) Call/expression of praise “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised” (v 1) Thinking on God’s lovingkindness in the midst of the temple (v 9) Praise is to the ends of the earth, according to God’s name (v 10) Inhabitants of Zion should rejoice (v 11) The story of Zion is worth sharing with generations to come (v 13) Reasons for praise Zion hymn (note follows an enthronement psalm – God is king on His throne, in His city) Zion has “world-class” beauty (v 2) Zion is strong against attack (v 3) Zion terrifies her rivals (v 4 -7) Zion lives up to her reputation (v 8) God will cause Zion to endure forever (v 8)

Psalm 24 Structure Introduction (v 1 -2) Description of worshipers of God (v 3 -6) Description of the God who is entering His city (v 7 -10) Call/expression of praise Lift up your heads, O gates (v 7, 9) “The King of glory” (v 7 -10, 4 times) Focuses more on the praise than the call to praise Reasons for praise Entrance psalm The LORD founded the earth upon seas and rivers (v 1 -2) The LORD’s worshipers are pure, note deceitful (v 3 -4) God saves, blesses, and gives righteousness to those who seek Him (v 5 -6) What a king! The King of glory is worthy of note as He enters His city (v 7, 9) The LORD is strong and mighty in battle (v 8) The King is the LORD of hosts (v 10)

Psalm 50 Structure Introduction – God speaks (v 1 -6) God speaks to His people, reminding of them of the sacrifice He desires (v 7 -15) God speaks to the wicked, condemning them, even in their worship (v 16 -21) God calls the wicked to repent and act like His people (v 22 -23) Call/expression of praise 3 descriptions used in a row: “The Mighty One, God, the LORD” (v 1)

Psalm 50 Reasons for praise Hymn with prophetic warning God commands nature and it obeys (v 1) Zion is “the perfection of beauty” and God shines forth when He speaks (v 2) God punishes with great power (v 3) God is a righteous judge (v 6) All things belong to God, whether we give them to Him or not (v 9 -11) God needs no help from us (v 12) God wants our hearts and loyalty (v 14) God will help those who call on him (v 15) God cannot be worshiped by hypocrites (v 16 -19) God is not like the wicked (v 21) God is merciful, providing salvation to the penitent (v 23)

Psalm 91 Structure Speaker states the premise of the psalm (v 1) The effectiveness of God’s protection is depicted (v 1 -13) God states His promise to help (v 14 -16) Call/expression of praise Note unique Point-of-View As one who has experienced God’s protection and is reassuring another. (v 2 -3, 9) V 1 seems like an invitation Confidence in God’s protection is exuded Reasons for praise Trust psalm God delivers from harm (v 3) God shields (v 4) Those under God’s protection have no need to fear (v 5 -6) Even when others fall near us, we will not be touched (v 7) The wicked are repaid (v 8) God’s angels will protect (v 11 -12) God’s help is proactive/offensive – we will tread down the lion and cobra (v 13) God, Himself, promises to do this (v 14 -16)

Lessons to Learn

Persuading God? Since laments address God, you might call them prayers. When you pray, how often do you offer persuasive reasons for God to fulfill your requests? Personally - very rare without conscious decision, but have tried to incorporate Is it appropriate to try to “reason” with God to convince Him to do something? Yes, if according to His will

Reasoning with God “FOR” – Reasons in the Psalms God’s character – Psalm 5: 4 -6, 10 God’s past actions – Psalm 3: 7; 107: 44 -46 Actions of evil ones – Psalm 10: 3 -4 Vindication of the righteous - Psalm 26 “Lest” – Consequences of God not responding – Psalm 6: 4 -5; 35: 24 -25 “That” – Positive outcome of God responding – Psalm 9: 13 -14; 35: 9 -10, 27 -28; 107: 47 (In a sense, this vow to praise is fulfilled in the psalms of praise)

How does my worship compare? A few thoughts Are we too reserved in our praise of God? Are we stuffy, cold, or self-reliant? Do we see examples around us of emotion without substance and let it push us away from any display of emotion? Have we forgotten that God seeks those who worship Him in truth and spirit? On the other hand, great, eloquent expressions of praise or emotion are not better than simple ones, if both come from sincere hearts full of faith.

How does my worship compare? Let us worship God uninhibited by fear or error. Matthew 10: 32 -33 “ 32 Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. ” Do we want Jesus to confess us with His head tucked, mumbling, hinting around at it, or do we want Him to SHOUT: “THIS ONE is Mine!”

Why Do I Sing? Because I’m supposed to? or Because I can’t help it? To ask for help To thank God for deliverance To praise Him for who He is

How do I sing? Like I have to? To glorify self? or As an outpouring of sincere faith, full of emotion because I have been cut to the heart?