Proclaimer Blog
Preaching the psalms
Some basic but enormously helpful tips for preaching the psalms from David Gibb from our autumn ministers conference:
1. Remember their historical setting
Discern the original setting where possible.
2. Remember the post exile readership
They are compiled for people who are back in the land. What did they mean for those people, this wil help unlock the psalm. For example, we also live in the now and not yet.
3. Remember they all point to Jesus
Is this psalm quoted in the NT? Is the king or man anticipating Jesus in some way?
4. Remember they are Scripture to change us
This is why the psalms are given. Before they are my words to God they are God's word to us.
5. Remember the psalm in its context
In which of the five books does this psalm come? What's the flow?
6. Remember this is poetry?
It is right to ask "how does this feel?" We need to ask what emotion it stirs as well as what knowledge it conveys. This should be reflected in the way we preach. We should not preach Psalms the way we preach epistles.