Psalms: The Songbook of the Old Testament

Background There are 150 different psalms, with 101 being ascribed to specific authors –David – 74 –Asaph – 12 –Sons of Korah – 11 –Solomon – 2 –Moses – 1 –Ethan - 1

Psalms About the Righteous and the Wicked There are a number of psalms about the righteous and the wicked, including 1, 5, 7, 9-12, 14-15, 17, 24-25, 32, 34, 36-37, 50, 52-53, 58, 75, 79, 84, 91-92, 94, 112, 119, 121, 125, and 133

The Way of the Righteous Psalm 1 I. Avoid the three steps into evil (Psalm 1:1). A. Walk by a questionable place. 1. Rom. 12: Thes. 5:22 B. Stand or loiter around evil. 1. Heb. 5:11-14 Senses dull through disuse 2. Hebrews 6: Cor. 15:33 C. Sit down and become a part of evil. 1. Hebrews 6: Hebrews 10:26-27

The Way of the Righteous Psalm 1 II. Turn to God and be blessed. A. Read and study God’s law day & night. 1. Psalm 1:22. Psalm 119:97-100, 105 B. God will bless. 1. Psalm 1:3 Rooted like tree by water 2. Ephesians 4: Producing fruit. John 15:8 4. Evergreen. Psalm 34: Prosperous in his works. Matthew 19:29

Psalms of Praise and Adoration Psalms written to or express feelings of admiration for God include: 23, 34, 36, 91, 100, 103, 107, 117, 121, 145 and 146. The previous psalms acknowledge God’s goodness and mercy, while 8, 19, 24, 29, 33, 47, 50, 65, 66, 76-77, 93, 95-97, 99, 104, 111, , 134, 139, and 150 recognize God’s power, glory and attributes.

God Deserves Continual Praise Psalm 34:1-10 I. Because He is great. A. Psalm 34:1-2 Be humble before Him 1. Philippians 4:4 2. Romans 8:1 B. Psalm 34:3 Let others join in C. Psalm 107:1-3

God Deserves Continual Praise Psalm 34:1-10 II. Because He delivered me. A. Psalm 34: Romans 7:24-25a 2. Psalm 31:5 B. Psalm 34: Genesis 32: Hebrews 13:5-6

God Deserves Continual Praise Psalm 34:1-10 III. Because He is good. A. Psalm 34:8 B. Psalm 57:1-3 C. Psalm 34: Phil. 4:19 2. Psalm 23:1

Psalms of Thanksgiving Psalms 9, 18, 22, 30, 34, 75, 103, 108, 116, 118, 138 and 144 express gratitude to God for the mercy shown to individuals. Psalms 46, 48, 65-66, 68, 75, 81, 85, 98, 105, 124, 126, 129, and 149 are written to give thanks to God for the mercies shown to the nation of Israel.

Reasons to Love God Psalm 116 I. Because He hears my prayers. A. Psalm 116:1-4 B. Psalm 66:19-20 C. 1 Peter 3:12 D. John 14:12-14

Reasons to Love God Psalm 116 II. Because He is gracious, righteous and merciful. A. Psalm 116:5 B. Exodus 34:6-7 C. Psalm 86:15 D. Ephesians 2:8-9 E. Psalm 145:17

Reasons to Love God Psalm 116 III. Because He delivered me from the power of death. A. Psalm 116:6-9 B. Psalm 116:16-17 C. Rev. 1:17-18 D. Hebrews 2:14-15; 5:8-9

Devotional Psalms Numerous psalms express devotion to God or an attempt to renew or redouble one’s efforts at service. Psalms of repentance – 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143 Trust in time of affliction – 3, 16, 27, 31, 54, 56-57, 61-62, 71, 86 Extreme dejection or loss without hope – 4-5, 11, 28, 41, 55, 59, 64, 70, 109, 120, , 143 Prayers when deprived of public worship – 42-43, 63, 84 Prayers for help for a man walking uprightly – 7, 17, 26, 35 Prayers in time of affliction or persecution – 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 89, 94, 102, 129, 137 Prayers for God’s intercession – 20, 67, 122, 132, 144

Going To the Lord's House Psalm 122 I. Produces an inward joy. A. Psalm 122:1 "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" B. Poet returned to Jerusalem from exile. II. To be with God's people. A. Psalm 122:4a "Where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord," B. 3 feasts a year in Jerusalem--reunion C. Psalm 55:14

Going To the Lord's House Psalm 122 III. To give thanks to the Lord. A. Psalm 122:4c "To give thanks to the name of the Lord." B. 2 Corinthians 9:15 IV. To pray for the brethren to prosper. A. Psalm 122:6-8 B. Psalm 122:9 Father's house--family's good C. Zechariah 8:20-23 Invite all nations

Historical and Prophetical Psalms Three psalms are historical – 78, Several are prophetical – 2, 16, 22, 40, 45, 68-69, 72, 97, 110 and 118 –Psalm 2 is used by New Testament spokesmen to prove Jesus is the Christ –Psalm 16 includes a prophesy of the resurrection of Christ –Psalm 22 foresees many events in Christ’s final hours before death

A Song of Thanks Psalm 40 I. Because God hears our prayers and delivers us. A. Psalm 40:1 Literally, “waited and waited” B. Psalm 40:2-4 C. Romans 8:32

A Song of Thanks Psalm 40 II. Because God has blessed us in unnumbered ways. A. Psalm 40:5 B. How can we give thanks for them? 1. Psalm 40:6-8 Not with external expressions, but from the heart, as was fulfilled by Jesus Hebrews 10:4-10 (1 Samuel 15:22-23) 2. Psalm 40:9-10 Proclaim His loving-kindness

A Song of Thanks Psalm 40 III. Because we need God’s continued support. A. Psalm 40:11-12 We are sinners (1 John 1:8-10) B. Psalm 40:13-15 Deliver from enemies C. Psalm 40:16-17 Find joy in God’s blessings and give thanks for His deliverance