Themes from the Psalms Class #15

Quote A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud. Ralph Waldo Emerson Our relationship to God is greater than that of friend.

Introduction –Types of Literature –Translation of Poetry –Parallelism –Expressing Ourselves –Religious Background (Mindset of the hearers) –About the Psalms Themes –Worship –Inner Struggle –Worthiness –Shared Strength –Protection –Prophecy* Conclusions Outline of the Class Let me know if you have a favorite psalm that you want us to study

The Psalms and Honest Worship From Psalms I have learned that I can rightfully bring to God whatever I feel about Him. Philip Yancey It is useful to have someone’s thoughts to guide us, but… True worship is worship from our heart, not just repetition by rote of someone else’s words. We should keep writing stories and songs, keep exploring, probing, and thinking. The psalms are not doctrinal statements, creeds, or history. The Psalms were not thundered from Sinai or received in a vision.

Expression! Don’t be afraid to express your feelings! Statement of Jesus’ feelings: Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." His Expression – Physically and Mentally: Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." His Expression to his Disciples: Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. Turning his disappointment into an opportunity to teach: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.“ Matthew 26:38-41

The Beauty of the Psalms Like a multifaceted jewel (facet – faces) Fascination with the word Turning it in your hand Gazing at it as it sparkles Not having all of the right answers, but enjoying the trip Is it better to be right about insignificant matters, or to keep thinking ? With the Psalms you can worship with feeling without getting ensnared by legalism and arguments.

Themes from the Psalms (hsl) Worship –Worship (creation)Ps 8, 19 –Worship (awesome deeds)Ps 78, (119) –Love of the Law (and His Goodness)Ps 119 Inner Struggle –DespairPs 13, 42-43, 69 –Betrayal / false accusation / enemiesPs 41, 55 Worthiness –Penitence / CleansingPs 51 –QualificationsPs 15, 24 –Unfailing (Steadfast) Love Ps 130, 136 Shared Strength –CouragePs –HealingPs 34, 147 Protection –Deliverance, Refuge, StrengthPs 18, 46, 52, 118 –Shepherd, GuardianPs 23, 121 Ps 1

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (7) I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (1-3) Turning the preamble of Psalm 18 into a poem Our God, he is my deliverer; He is my fortress strong! He will always be a shield to me, He is worthy of my song!

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (8) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah (1-3) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. (4-6) Psalm 46 (David) Selah: a pause, for weighing or considering Considerations of the end of the world? This could reflect the deliverance of Hezekiah from Sennacherib (2 Ki 18, 19) or Jehoshapat (2 Chr 20) Inner resources from God’s Spirit

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (9) The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (7) Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (8-10) The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (11) Psalm 46 (David) end of war SELAH Main Lesson: God is with us though the universe collapses Like the song we studied earlier: A Mighty Fortress is our God

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (10) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1) Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." (2-4) In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. (5-7) It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. (8-9) Psalm 118 (David)

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (11) All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (10-12) I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. (13-14) Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" (15-16) Psalm 118 (David) The church: The gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Mt 16:18)

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (12) I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. (17-18) Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. (19-21) The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (22-24) Psalm 118 (David)

Protection: Deliverance, Refuge, Strength (13) O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. (25-27) You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. (28) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (29) Psalm 118 (David) Jesus: Lo, I am with you always… (Mt 28:20) The relationship is eternal! No matter what!

Protection: Shepherd and Guardian (1) Faithful Shepherd: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Reliable Guide: He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (1-4) Loving Host: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (5-6) Psalm 23 (David) This is probably the best known, and most memorized Psalm of all Remember that sheep cannot be driven, only led. Restores: Revives

Comparison: Psalm 23 and the preamble of Psalm 18 shepherd no want lie down green pastures, quiet waters restores guides fear no evil presence (“you are with me”) rod and staff comfort table (banquet) anoint head with oil cup overflows goodness and love dwell forever Psalm 23 (David)Psalm 18 (David) Psalm 18 seems so much more dynamic! It also emphasizes Love: strength rock fortress deliverer rock refuge shield horn of salvation stronghold saved from enemies Compare the words used I love you O Lord, my strength! Do you know the Psalm, or the Shepherd?