1. Exploring the Bible Sunday evenings: a major week by week exploration of the books of the Bible Tonight: Psalms Every Sunday evening at ‘Bible Explorer’ we will explore the question ‘what does this book mean for us today?’

2. Psalms 150 psalms Poetry Praises

3. Psalms

4. When were they written? During exile David Solomon Moses Used in second Temple

5. Psalms “A Bible in minature” Martin Luther “The mirror of the soul” John Calvin Us talking to God

6. Psalms of Praise Linked with thanksgiving... or just for who God is...

7. Psalms of Lament Expressing raw emotions Individually... and corporately

8. Psalms of Lament Address Complaint/confession Trust Plea for deliverance Assurance Praise

9. Psalms of Lament Turn thy face from my sins and put out all my misdeeds Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

10. Psalms of Thanksgiving Express praise/joy where: things have gone or are going well God has given protection or shown mercy/faithfulness Community or individual

11. Psalms of Thanksgiving: individual Psalms of David: Ps 18 – victory (2 Sam 22) Ps 30 – delivered from disaster (1 Chr 21) Ps 32 – forgiveness (2 Sam 11-12) Ps 41 – confidence in the Lord (2 Sam 15) Psalm 116

12. Psalms of Thanksgiving: community Psalm 136 Recounts the story of the Exodus Praises God for the delivery of His people Refrain: “His love endures for ever”

13. Poetry of the Psalms Balancing of ideas rather than rhyme

14. Poetry of the Psalms Repetition of same idea He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside quiet waters (Ps 23)

15. Poetry of the Psalms Opposites The Lord watches over the way of the righteous But the way of the wicked will perish (Ps 1)

16. Poetry of the Psalms Developing an idea The Lord is my Shepherd... (therefore) I shall not want (Ps 23)

17. Poetry of the Psalms Acrostics Each verse begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet

18. Psalms of Trust Express our trust in an unchanging God Ps 46... for a community experiencing disaster

19. Psalms of Trust He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91:1

20. Psalms of Trust

21. Wisdom Psalms Making right decisions in accordance with God’s law

22. Wisdom Psalms Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Ps 119:18

23. Wisdom Psalms Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head... It is like the dew of Hermon... For there the Lord promises his blessing and life for ever more. Ps 133

24. Messianic Psalms Pointing towards Jesus Hebrews 1: “in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son” – then quotes from Psalms 2, 45, 102 & 110

25. Messianic Psalms: Christ’s passion Divided clothing and cast lotsMatt 27:35Ps 22:18 The mocking of the crowdMatt 27: 39, 43 Ps 22:7-8 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matt 27:46Ps 22:1 Jesus is thirstyJohn 19:28-29 Ps 69:3, 21 No bones brokenJohn 19:36Ps 22:17 & 34:20 Jesus’ body piercedJohn 19:37Ps 22:16 Burial & resurrectionAll gospelsPs 16:10

26. Songs of Ascent Pilgrim songs on the way up to Jerusalem Psalms 120 - 134

27. Songs of Ascent

28. Ps 120 Lament against discouragement Ps 121 Song of trust in difficulties I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me. I lift my eyes to the hills... my help comes from the Lord

29. Songs of Ascent

30. Let us go to the house of the Lord. Ps 122

31. Psalms – what do they mean for us today?

32. Use them... individually and corporately... in praise that glorifies God Read them aloud Memorise... summarise... paraphrase... write your own Receive comfort... express anger