Themes from the Psalms Class #9

Quote It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reason can be found. attributed to John Nash in the movie: A Beautiful Mind

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! David dancing before the Lord with all of his might when the temple was returned to Jerusalem, 2 Sam 6:14 It didn’t appeal to everybody, but it was only meant for God. Peanuts Cartoon

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.

… and all of the Bible Like working a jigsaw puzzle Individual pieces can’t always be immediately appreciated But sometimes you see how two fit together! Of course, some people try to force pieces or trim them to fit. People don’t read the Bible because they only see judgment. We need to open their eyes to its grace and unfailing love.

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, 32 –QualificationsPs 15, 24 –Unfailing (Steadfast) Love Ps 130, 136 Shared Strength –CouragePs –HealingPs 34, 147 Protection –Deliverance, Refuge, StrengthPs 18, 46, 118 –Shepherd, GuardianPs 23, 121 Ps 1

Worthiness: Penitence and Cleansing (1) Preface: When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Plea for mercy: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (1-2) Confession: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (3-6) Psalm 51 (David) David’s power had promoted self-delusion Nathan causes David to condemn himself David asks God to look deep within him David now can’t put it out of his mind Comparison by Significance (God vs man) Grace! Many others were hurt by David’s sin

Worthiness: Penitence and Cleansing (2) Cleansing: Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. (7-9) Renewal: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (10-12) Wider scope: Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51 (David) We all need a spiritual heart transplant the verb might should be SCRUB! constant, enduring

Worthiness: Penitence and Cleansing (3) Praise and True Worship: Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. (13-16) Brokenness: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (17) The New Jerusalem: In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (18-19) Psalm 51 (David) We must let God into our heart so he can clean.