68
THE PSALMS: ISRAEL’S PRAYERS AND OURS
Video: Overview: Psalms (Bible Project)
Video: How to Read the Psalms (Bible Project)
Video: Seedbed: Lament in the Psalms (John Oswalt)
(Dead Sea Scroll (dated c. 150
BC) text of Psalm 138)
• The Psalms are a collection of inspired (= life-giving) Hebrew prayers and hymns.
• Due to its pan-cultural and pan-geographic value it is often the most loved portion of the OT for
many Christians.
• The emotive appeal of the Psalms.
• Despite this prominence they are often misunderstood and misused. All psalms are not as easy to
be understood and applied, as say Psalm 23.
• These writings were expertly crafted into “5 books” and put together after the traumatic
Babylonian exile. This now would be a prayer book for exiles, designed to serve as “a literary
temple.” One entered this temple to meet with God and be reminded of the biblical story of Israel.
• Psalms are mostly words of people to God and about God.
• So how do they function as the Word of God to us? How do American, Indian, Iraqi, and a
Palestinian Christians use a psalm that speaks of God’s blessings to Israel?
Biblical Interpretation | JC |2025
69
SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
A. The Psalms as Poetry
1. Hebrew poetry – much of the language is emotive. The poems are addressed to the mind through
the heart. Thus, we see synonymous parallelism in Psalm 19:1 as the inspired poet glorifies God
as Creator.
2. They are musical poems. The intention is different than that of a narrative, law code etc. It is to
appeal to the emotions and stimulate a response. Hence we don’t look for major doctrinal
exposition in the psalms.
3. Metaphorical language is used – look for the intent of the metaphor. Don’t make an analogy “walk
on all four” – don’t press it beyond its original intent.
B. The Psalms as Literature
1. There are several different types of Psalms.
2. They are characterized by their own forms.
3. They are intended for a given function in the life of Israel.
4. Recognize various patterns within Psalms; e.g. acrostic (Ps 119).
Biblical Interpretation | JC |2025
70
5. Read them as a literary unit – don’t atomize them (e.g. Ps 81:10c).
THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK(S) OF PSALMS
• The Book of Psalms is divided into five sections, each closing with a doxology (i.e., a benediction)
which reads something like this; “May the Lord, the God of Israel be blessed forever and ever, amen
and amen”. (See Psalm 41:13; 72:18-20; etc.)
• David is generally important in these psalms; his life and experiences serves as a significant model
(as “a prayer coach”). There are 73 poems connected to David (though all of these may not have
been written by him). This portrait of David, hoping and praying for God’s future kingdom / temple
resembles the hope of the later exiles – for the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of God.
• Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction; and psalms 146-150 conclude with praise to the God of
Israel.
• These 5 divisions were probably introduced to imitate the five-fold division (the five books) of
the Torah:
o Book 1 (Psalms 1–41)
o Book 2 (Psalms 42–72)
o Book 3 (Psalms 73–89)
o Book 4 (Psalms 90–106)
o Book 5 (Psalms 107–150)
Biblical Interpretation | JC |2025
71
THE USE OF PSALMS IN ANCIENT ISRAEL
1. They functioned as an instrument of worship; making a connection between the worshiper and
God.
2. They were collected over the years/centuries into 5 “books” – becoming a “temple hymnal” after
the exile (around the 5th century BCE). The Jews (and Jesus) knew the Psalms well.
3. Paul encourages the early Christians to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19;
Col 3:16).
THE TYPES OF PSALMS
The psalms may be classified into seven different categories:
1. Laments: the largest group, 60 + individual and corporate laments (e.g. 3, 22 & 12, 44). (Listen to
the video of John Oswalt)
2. Thanksgiving psalms: community (e.g. 65, 67) and individual psalms (e.g. 18, 30).
3. Hymns of Praise: Center on God for who he is, for his greatness and grace toward all, as well as
his own people (e.g. 8, 19, 66, 100, 145-147).
4. Salvation History Psalms: review the history of God’s saving works among Israel (78,105).
5. Psalms of Celebration & Affirmation: including covenant renewal liturgies (50, 81), royal psalms
(2,18), enthronement psalms (24, 29), songs of Zion (46, 48).
6. Wisdom Psalms: e.g. 36, 37, 49; compare Proverbs 8.
7. Songs of Trust: God can be trusted at all times (e.g. 11, 16, 23).
[For examples of studies of Psalm 3 and 138, see pages 215 -220 in Fee - Stuart]
Biblical Interpretation | JC |2025
72
WHAT ABOUT (for example) PSALM 137?
);89+
The “Imprecatory Psalms” (or imprecatory sections in some psalms) = psalms / texts that verbalize
to God anger towards others. These are parts of Lament psalms.
What can we learn from (or how do we use) these psalms?
1. Don’t deny your negative feelings of sadness, anger, bitterness, etc.
2. It is possible to be “angry and yet not sin” (Ps 4:4; Eph 4:25-26).
3. The imprecatory psalms / or such portions of some lament psalms (like Ps 137:7-9) help us to be
totally and brutally honest before God.
4. Express your anger to God – he knows it anyway!
5. In Ps 137:7-9, the composer of this lament calls for judgment of Edom and Babylon according to
the covenant curses. The psalmist expresses to God the feelings of the suffering Israelites. Only
God is the hearer of these angry words!
6. Jesus taught us that harbouring and displaying anger against others must be avoided (Mt 5:22).
These psalms do not contradict Jesus’ teachings to love our enemies. Love is not a warm mushy
feeling – it is an act of the will! What you do (not feel) shows love! We can overcome evil with
good (Rom 12:21).
Some Final Words:
• Psalms also serve as a Christian guide to worship.
• They help us to relate honestly to God.
• Reflection and meditation upon God and his acts are important. This leads to genuine and
meaningful prayer, at all times.
• Caution: The Psalms do not guarantee a trouble-free life for believers!
Biblical Interpretation | JC |2025
