Proclaimer Blog
Introducing the psalms
Here are my notes from David Gibb's introduction to the psalms at our autumn ministers conference. By the way, he mentioned John Woodhouse's excellent sessions on the psalms from 2000. They are here, here and here.
Approaching the psalms
- 150 songs written over 800 years, i.e. a huge variety of authors and dates
- the psalms are poetry, so are supposed to affect the emotions. The styles are varied in mood and perspective, even within the psalm itself
- there is a unity with the New Testament. The psalms are quoted in the New Testament more than any other book. Jesus sings the psalms, prays the psalms, quotes the psalms and dares to say that the psalms are about him. We are meant therefore to ask in each psalm, how does it speak of Christ
- one editor has compiled the five books of the psalter, deliberately. These are not thrown together higgledy-piggledy. They tell a story:
- Psalms 1-41. The LORD in charge, with his king installed. The wise or blessed person is the one who takes refuge in him. Yet the king is under presure from without (enemies) and within (sin and sickness) but hoping in God's covenant love.
- Psalms 42-72. David's sinfulness becomes clearer and the book ends with him praying for his son to be THE King which he could never be.
- Psalms 73-89. As the kings get progressively worse, the nation despairs and exile looms large. What of the covenant promise?
- Psalms 90-106. Hope lies in the LORD, so look back and remember him! He is king over the nations and he will rescue.
- Psalms 107-150. Praise to the LORD whose love endures for ever and who reverses fortunes!