PSALMS: WHAT ARE THEY? They are hymns, prayers, and poems. The Psalms are “the hymn book of ancient Israel” (I Chronicles 16:7-36)

They were quoted and sung by Jesus and the early Church (Matt. 26:30; 27:46; Luke 23:46; I Cor. 14:15-26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Acts 4:25ff)

PSALMS: THE COLLECTIONA gradual process over 600-700 yrs. (from David to after the exile)

Divided into 5 Books:Book 1 – Pss. 1-41Book 2 – Pss. 42-72Book 3 – Pss. 73-89Book 4 – Pss. 90-106Book 5 – Pss. 107-150

PSALMS: THE AUTHORS73 Psalms are attributed to David (Note: headings are not part of the Psalms themselves so accuracy is not certain).

Other authors to whom psalms are attributed: Asaph (I Chronicles 6:39; 9:32) Sons of Korah (Ex. 6:21; I Chronicles 9:19; II Chronicles 20:19)

Solomon Moses Heman Ethan

PSALMS: THE TYPES Wisdom – Ps. 1, 119Praise – Individual (40, 103) and communal (124, 113, 150)

Lament – Individual (13) and communal (80)Theodicy – Ps. 37, 73Penitential – Ps. 51Messianic – Ps. 2, 22, 110 Imprecatory – Ps. 58, 109, 137

PSALMS: KEY VERSE“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:6

PSALMS: LESSONS FOR TODAY They provide a _______ for believers about how to

____________ ourselves to God (i.e. Praise, Lament, Complaint, Confession, Thanksgiving).

They teach that we are ___________ to be open and _____________ with God. Prayer is not necessarily the language of people who are always good or spiritual.

They show us how _____________ may be expressed even in the most ____________ situations, as well as in good times.

They remind us that _________ alone is our King, and that He is in ___________ of our lives, both personally and _____________, and is concerned about all that happens to us.