An Introduction to the Psalms May 1, 2016 Through the Bible in a Year Xavier Reyna, Director Ben Compere, Editor Wayman Lim, Choir Director Susan Turner, Prayer Warrior “… there is not an emotion of which any one can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror.” John Calvin “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

The Lesson of the Psalms The Psalms resonate with us because we see that their authors underwent the same experiences that we encounter. No matter what our situation there is at least one Psalm that speaks to it. Lesson “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

Psalms Contains More Verses Than Any Other Book in the Bible “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Importance

Solomon – 10 th Century BC: Wright Quotes “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 N. T. Wright, born 1948 “The Psalms, which form the staple diet of Jewish worship throughout this period, continually celebrated the fact that Israel’s god was Lord of the whole earth, and that he had chosen to dwell in the Temple in Jerusalem, where he would hear his people’s prayers and come to their aid.” “Jesus and the Victory of God” Importance

From the 4th Century: Athanasius Quotes “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Saint Athanasius, “It is my view that in the words of this book [Psalms] the whole of human life, its basic spiritual conduct and as well its occasional movements and thoughts, is comprehended and contained. Nothing found in human life is omitted.” “Ad Marcellinum” Importance

From the 16 th Century: Luther Quotes “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Martin Luther, “[The Psalter] might well be called a little Bible. In it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible.” “Luther’s Works, 35:254” Importance

From the 20 th Century: Bohnhoeffer Quotes “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Dietrich Bohnhoeffer, “The Psalter occupies a unique place in the Holy Scripture. It is God’s Word and, with few exceptions, the prayer of men as well.” “Life Together” Importance

There Are Three Main Types of Psalms 1.Praise 2.Lament 3.Wisdom “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Types

David “Wrote” Almost Half of the Psalms Authors “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Of the 150 Psalms 73 are attributed to David.

The Psalms are Poetry: the Heart of Hebrew Poetry Is a Device Called Parallelism “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Hebrew Poetry Parallelism is simply “rhyming with thoughts” Three common types of parallelism –Synonymous Parallelism –Antithetic Parallelism –Repetitive

New Testament Authors Frequently Quote the Psalms New Testament authors quote Psalms more than any other Old Testament book - 79 times in 11 New Testament books Jesus quoted Psalms to give authority to his teaching and actions Gospel writers quoted Psalms to show how Jesus’ life fulfilled Scripture Quotes “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Psalms & NT

Psalms Speak to the Circumstances of Life Praising God Longing for God When God is silent In trouble, distress or illness Comfort and assurance Sin, confession and forgiveness “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Psalms & Me “It is very difficult to find any circumstance in life that does not find expression in some psalm or other.” Thomas Constable

Psalms and Missions 18 Psalms speak about the “nations” worshipping the Lord Psalm 67 appears to be based on Abraham’s promise that “ all the peoples of the earth will be blessed through him”. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 Missionary Psalms “ The Psalms is one of the greatest missionary books in the world, though seldom seen from that point of view.” George Peters, “A Biblical Theology of Missions”