MR. WILLIAMS

INTRODUCTION TO THE PSALMS

NUMBER OF PSALMS?

150(Or are there 151?)

EMOTICONS IN THE PSALMS

1. Love and adoration towards God 2. Sorrow over sin3. Dependence on God 4. Battle of Fear and Trust 5. Walking with God in dark times6. Thankfulness for God’s care7. Devotion to the Word of God 8. Confidence in God’s purposes

triumphing!!

WHAT DOES ‘PSALMS’ MEAN?

Psalmos! Mizmor!Song!

WHAT DOES PSALMS MEAN?

Psalms in NT: Luke 20:42 – “David himself declares in the Book of

Psalms…” Acts 1:20 – ““For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book

of Psalms…”

Tehillim = praises

WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF PSALMS?

Mark 12:36: “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared…”

Acts 2:25: “David said about him…”

Romans 4:6: “David says the same thing when he…”

Romans 11:9: “And David says…”

73 titles cite David as author.

Psalm 2 – Acts 4:25 & Psalm 95 – Hebrews 4:7

WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF PSALMS?

Sons of Korah (11 Psalms)Asaph (12 Psalms)Solomon (2 Psalms)Moses (1 Psalm)

Some Psalms have no author cited!!

WHEN WERE PSALMS WRITTEN?

Moses: 15th – 13th Century

David & Solomon:10th Century

Exilic and Post-Exilic:7th Century

PROCESS OF COLLECTING & EDITING

FIVE BOOKS I Pss. 1-41 II Pss. 42-72 III Pss. 73-89 IV Pss. 90-106 V Pss. 107-150

Ps. 14 & Ps. 53 almost identical 72:20 – End of David’s Psalms?

KEY THEMES

1. Monotheism: One true God, maker of heaven and earth.

2. Creation & Fall: Man made with dignity & purpose but full of sin & weakness.

3. Election & Covenant: God chose a people & made promises to them.

4. Covenant Membership: God offers grace & is willing to shape our lives to reflect His glory.

5. Eschatology: Our future is headed to a place where God is fully known and fully present.

PSALMS ORGANIZED INTO 3 THEMES

1. ORIENTATION

2. DISORIENTATION

3. NEW ORIENTATION