Bible in one year 8/6/2022 The book of Psalm introduction & Psalm 1
By Rev. Katherine
Liu Bruce
Christian Arts
Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry &
Counseling
Introduction to the book of Psalms
Title The
variety of songs, laments, and praises in this book caused it to be left
unnamed in the O.T. The Jews referred to it as “ The Book of Praises, While the
Septuagint entitled it “The Book of Psalms” (from a Greek word indicating
songs sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments). The book was the
hymnal of the Jewish people.
Authorship and Date The titles to the various psalms relate
seventy-three of them to David, two to Solomon, twelve to the songs of Korah
(Num.16; Num.15:19), twelve to Asaph(Ezra2:41), one to Heman (1Kings4:31), one
of Ethan(1 Chron.15:19), and one to Moses. The majority of the psalms were
written during the times of David and Solomon tenth century B.C.
Nature of Hebrew Poetry Unlike
much Western poetry, Hebrew poetry is not based on rhyme or meter, but on
rhythm and parallelism. The rhythm is not achieved by balanced numbers of
accented and unaccented syllables, but by tonal stress or accent on important
words.
In parallelism, the poet states an idea in the first line, then
reinforces it by various means in the succeeding line or lines. The most common
type is synonymous parallelism in which the second line essentially repeats the
idea of the first (Ps.31). In antithetic parallelism the second line contains
an idea opposite to that in the first (Ps.16). In synthetic parallelism, the
second or succeeding lines add to or develop the idea of the first (Ps.1:1-2).
In emblematic parallelism, the second line elevates the thought of the first,
often by using a simile (Ps.42:1). Parallelism is not restricted to two lines,
but may extend to strophes (smaller units of a few lines) and stanzas (longer
units). The alphabetical acrostic is also used (Ps.119; introduction to Lamentations).
Classification of the
Psalms The most generally agreed upon categories
of the psalms are : (1) the lament or petition psalms, either individual (Ps.3)
or communal (Ps.44); (2) thanksgiving or praise psalms, either individual
(Ps.30) or communal (Ps.65); (3) psalms of trust in God (Ps.4); (4) hymns that
include psalms on the enthronement of Yahweh (Gen.2:4;Ps.47), psalms concerning
Jerusalem(Ps.48), and royal psalms (some of which are messianic; Pss.2,110);
and (5) didactic and wisdom psalms (Pss.1,37,119). Psalms may also be
classified according to themes; e.g., creation (Pss.8,19), the Exodus (Ps.78),
imprecation (Ps.7), penitence (Ps.6),psalms of pilgrims (Ps.120).Psalms that
include important prophecies concerning Messiah include 2,8,12,22,40,45,72,110,118.
Title and technical
terms All but thirty-four of the psalms have
titles or superscriptions that normally comprise the first verse of the Hebrew
text. They are editorial titles, added
after the psalms were written, but are historically accurate.
The two most
frequently used technical terms are (1) Selah (occurring seventy-one times in
the Psalms and three times in Hab. (3) which is probably a musical notation
signaling an interlude or change of musical accompaniment; and (2) for the director
of music which is attached to fifty-five psalms (and Hab.3:19), suggesting that
a collection of psalms existed for the choir director, possible for use on
special occasions. Other titles and terms are discussed at particular psalms.
Imprecatory Psalms These psalms
(7,35,55,58,59,69,79,109,137,139), which invoke judgment curses on one’s
enemies, perplex many. Consider, however, that the purposes of these
imprecatory and (1) to demonstrate God’s just and righteous judgment toward the
wicked (58:11). (2) to show the authority of God over the wicked (59:13); (3)
to lead the wicked to seek the Lord (83:16) and (4) to call the righteous to
praise God (7:7). Therefore, out of zeal for God and abhorrence of sin, the
psalmist calls on God to punish the wicked and to vindicate His righteousness.
Contents The psalms are divided into five books, each
ending with a doxology (1-41;42-72; 73-89;90-106;107-150).
Psalm 1 :1-6
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of
mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates
day and night. He is like a tree planted
by streams of water, which yield its fruit in season and whose leaf does not
wither. Whatever he does prospers. (vv.1-3)
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Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (vv.4-6).
Bibliography,
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