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Introduction:
- Verses one and two show where we were and where we moved to. Many believers do not see themselves as being righteous in the eyes of God, and many do not recognize the components that are deeply imbedded into their very being.
- The rulership of the Holy Spirit and the daily guidance by the Word are key factors.
- “And whatsoever, he doeth shall prosper.” This confidence that God has in us is foreign to many believers, and this should be implanted into the heart as early as possible.
The Investigator’s Research on Psalms
With the difference in culture, geography, and lifestyle described in the Hebrew writings, it takes a faithful Bible investigator to see Jesus as the coming Messiah like a faithful Israelite would have seen Jesus as the ideal Son of David, the one greater than David, and the Christ.
Key Reference book for research notes: From Creation to the Cross: Understanding the First Half of the Bible by Albert H. Baylis
Meaning - Psalm or Psalter
• Greek definition – a song accompanied by stringed instruments
• Hebrew definition (tehellim) – praises
Meaning of Ps. 23:1-3a
• God will take care of David’s needs like a good shepherd cares for his or her sheep.
• Like a sheep is restored through the shepherd’s provision so is the physical life of an individual who is cared for by God.
Type of Literature
• Poetry or books of poetry
• Additional examples of Hebrew poetry are also found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and some prophetic books.
Features of poetic literature
• Figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, imagery, and hyperbole
• Parallelism (Ps. 23:1-3a, Ps. 1:1, 1:3, 1:6)
Types of Psalms
• Penitential psalms – confessing one’s sins (Ps. 6, 32, 51)
• Hallel psalms – “praise the Lord” feature (Ps. 113-118)
• Songs of ascent – going up to Jerusalem or festival (Ps. 120) or looking to God for help (Ps. 121)
• Wisdom psalms – life contemplation – righteous vs. the wicked (Pss. 1, 37)
• Messianic psalms – expectation of the Messiah (anointed) King (Ps. 2:2, 6)
• Imprecatory psalms – a call upon God to judge the enemies (Ps. 35:4-8; 58:6-9)
• Lament or complaint psalms – crying to God for help (Ps. 3)
• Declarative praise or thanksgiving psalms – praise to God for deliverance and answering prayer (Ps. 34)
• The hymn or descriptive praise psalms – praise to God for who He is (Ps. 103)
Theology of the Psalms – What do the Psalms teach us about life and how we should live it in relationship to God?
• The Creator and King – God is in control (Ps. 33:6-17)
• The Redeemer – God delivers and brings justice (Ps. 140:11-12)
• The Presence of God – Joy of God’s presence and glory to deliver and dwell with His people (Ps. 42:1-5)
• The Life of Faith – Value of practical trust and confidence in God in good times and bad (Pss. 13:1-2; 62:12)
• The Value of Covenants:
o The Abrahamic covenant— God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant - God’s choice of Israel as His people and nation (Pss. 105 and 106)
o The Mosaic covenant—the king upholds this law ( Ps. 101)
o The Davidic covenant—The experiences of David (Ps. 51, 17:1-5), his choice to act for God, and the future expectation of the King of kings
The Fulfillment of the Psalms – Jesus as the King of Kings
• The New Testament has 92 direct quotes of Psalms and 200 clear allusions – Ps. 2:9 & Rev. 19:13-16
• The experiences of Jesus’ life mirrored the experiences of David – Ps. 22:17
• The faithful Israelite (someone who knew the Scripture and was in expectation of the Messiah) would have recognized the fulfillment of the psalms and David’s words in Jesus’ life – Ps. 110:1
With the difference in culture, geography, and lifestyle described in the Hebrew writings, it takes a faithful Bible investigator to see Jesus as the coming Messiah like a faithful Israelite would have seen Jesus as the ideal Son of David, the one greater than David, and the Christ.
Key Reference book for research notes: From Creation to the Cross: Understanding the First Half of the Bible by Albert H. Baylis
Meaning - Psalm or Psalter
• Greek definition – a song accompanied by stringed instruments
• Hebrew definition (tehellim) – praises
Meaning of Ps. 23:1-3a
• God will take care of David’s needs like a good shepherd cares for his or her sheep.
• Like a sheep is restored through the shepherd’s provision so is the physical life of an individual who is cared for by God.
Type of Literature
• Poetry or books of poetry
• Additional examples of Hebrew poetry are also found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and some prophetic books.
Features of poetic literature
• Figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, imagery, and hyperbole
• Parallelism (Ps. 23:1-3a, Ps. 1:1, 1:3, 1:6)
Types of Psalms
• Penitential psalms – confessing one’s sins (Ps. 6, 32, 51)
• Hallel psalms – “praise the Lord” feature (Ps. 113-118)
• Songs of ascent – going up to Jerusalem or festival (Ps. 120) or looking to God for help (Ps. 121)
• Wisdom psalms – life contemplation – righteous vs. the wicked (Pss. 1, 37)
• Messianic psalms – expectation of the Messiah (anointed) King (Ps. 2:2, 6)
• Imprecatory psalms – a call upon God to judge the enemies (Ps. 35:4-8; 58:6-9)
• Lament or complaint psalms – crying to God for help (Ps. 3)
• Declarative praise or thanksgiving psalms – praise to God for deliverance and answering prayer (Ps. 34)
• The hymn or descriptive praise psalms – praise to God for who He is (Ps. 103)
Theology of the Psalms – What do the Psalms teach us about life and how we should live it in relationship to God?
• The Creator and King – God is in control (Ps. 33:6-17)
• The Redeemer – God delivers and brings justice (Ps. 140:11-12)
• The Presence of God – Joy of God’s presence and glory to deliver and dwell with His people (Ps. 42:1-5)
• The Life of Faith – Value of practical trust and confidence in God in good times and bad (Pss. 13:1-2; 62:12)
• The Value of Covenants:
o The Abrahamic covenant— God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant - God’s choice of Israel as His people and nation (Pss. 105 and 106)
o The Mosaic covenant—the king upholds this law ( Ps. 101)
o The Davidic covenant—The experiences of David (Ps. 51, 17:1-5), his choice to act for God, and the future expectation of the King of kings
The Fulfillment of the Psalms – Jesus as the King of Kings
• The New Testament has 92 direct quotes of Psalms and 200 clear allusions – Ps. 2:9 & Rev. 19:13-16
• The experiences of Jesus’ life mirrored the experiences of David – Ps. 22:17
• The faithful Israelite (someone who knew the Scripture and was in expectation of the Messiah) would have recognized the fulfillment of the psalms and David’s words in Jesus’ life – Ps. 110:1