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A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book

A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book. “ David … the sweet psalmist of Israel”. 2 Samuel 23:1. Book of Psalms. Psalms is the largest book in the Bible and the most quoted book in the New Testament The book was known among the Jews as Sepher Tehillim or “Book of Praises”

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A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book

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  1. A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book “ David … the sweet psalmist of Israel” 2 Samuel 23:1

  2. Book of Psalms • Psalms is the largest book in the Bible and the most quoted book in the New Testament • The book was known among the Jews as Sepher Tehillim or “Book of Praises” • The Septuagint (LXX = the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) uses the Greek word Psalmoi as its title, meaning a song of worship sung to musical instruments • The Latin title is Liber Psalmorum or “Book of Psalms”

  3. Book of Psalms • “Psalms” comes from the Heb. zamir meaning “song” 2 Sam. 23:1 – “the sweet psalmist of Israel” Job 35:10 – “who giveth songs in the night” Psalm 95:2 – “joyful noise unto him in psalms” Psalm 119:54 – “thy statutes have been my songs” Song of Solomon 2:12 – “time of the singing” Isaiah 24:16 – “we heard songs” Isaiah 25:5 – “the song of the terrible ones”

  4. The Division of Psalms

  5. Numbering of Psalms

  6. The Author of Psalms • 50 psalms are anonymous • 73 psalms are attributed to King David, 1011-971 B.C. (two more, Psa. 2 and 95 are attributed to him in the NT: Acts 4:25 and Heb. 4:7) • 12 psalms are attributed to Asaph, a priest who led the service of music (see Ezra 2:41) • 10 psalms are attributed to “the sons of Korah”, a guild of singers and composers

  7. The Author of Psalms • 2 psalms are attributed to King Solomon (Psa. 72; 127) • 1 psalm is attributed to each of the following: • Moses (Psa. 90) • Heman (Psa. 88; see 1 K. 4:31; 1 Chron. 15:19) • Ethan (Psa. 89)

  8. The Time of Psalms • The “book of Psalms” (Lk. 20:42; Acts 1:20) is a compilation of writings; it is not the work of one author, but many authors • The time period covered in the psalms extends over a period of about 1,000 years, from Moses (Psa. 90; c. 1500 B.C.) to the return from captivity (Psa. 126, 137; c. 500 B.C.) • The psalms were written to different audiences under different conditions; they reflect a multitude of moods, situations, problems, joys, etc.

  9. Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs

  10. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  11. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  12. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  13. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  14. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  15. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  16. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  17. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  18. Psalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:4

  19. Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism • The emphasis in Hebrew poetry is not on word rhyme • One of the most distinctive elements of Hebrew poetry is parallelism; saying something more than once for emphasis, clarification or contrast (“rhyming” of thought, not of sound, attributed to Robert Lowe in 1753) • Synonymous parallelism: the thought in the first line is repeated in the second line with different words for clarification (see Psa. 8:4; 24:1-3)

  20. Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism • Antithetic parallelism: the thought of one line is contrasted by a statement in the second line – “but” (see Psa. 1:6; 20:7; 37:9) • Synthetic parallelism: thought of one line is completed in the second (or third) line (see Psa. 1:2-3; 19:7) • Progressive (step) parallelism: the thought of one line is expanded in the lines that follow (see Psa. 1:1; 29:1) • Introverted parallelism: lines 1 and 4 are related; lines 2 and 3 are related (see Psa. 51:1; 91:14)

  21. Hebrew Poetry: Figures of Speech • Another distinctive feature of Hebrew poetry is the use of figures of speech (non-literal speech) to produce vivid imagery • Allegory: describing one thing under the image of something else; an extended metaphor (Psa. 80:8-16) • Apostrophe: when inanimate things are address as if they were living (Psa. 114:3-7) • Hyperbole: exaggeration for the sake of emphasis; not literally so (Psa. 6:6)

  22. Hebrew Poetry: Figures of Speech • Metaphor: describing one thing under the image of something else (Psa. 18:1-2; 23:1; 84:11) • Metonymy: one word is put for another on account of the actual relationship between the two (Psa. 128:2) • Personification: attributing characteristics of a person to inanimate objects (Psa. 114:3-4) • Simile: comparison using “like” or “as” (Psa. 1:3-4)

  23. Hebrew Poetry: Figures of Speech • Synecdoche: a part of something is exchanged for the whole (Psa. 52:1, 2-4) • Theophany (God appearing): comparing God’s appearing to a great earthquake and storm (Psa. 18:7-19)

  24. Hebrew Poetry: Chiasm • Another feature of Hebrew poetry is chiasm

  25. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 1. The literary element – what poetic devises and figures of speech are being used in this psalm? Examples: Parallelism (see above) Figures of speech (see above)

  26. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 2. The historical element – what historical references (people, places, events, etc.) are mentioned in this psalm? Examples: Psalm titles (Psa. 3, 7, 18, etc.) Creation of man (8:4) Flood (29:10) Abraham (47:9) Melchizedek (110:4) Isaac (105:9) Jacob (46:7)

  27. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 2. Examples: Jacob (46:7) Joseph (77:15; 105:17-22) Jacob in Egypt (105:23-24) Israel’s bondage (105:25) Moses and Aaron (105:26) 10 Plagues (78:12, 43-51; 105:27-36) Crossing the Red Sea (74:13-14; 78:13; 81:6; 106:9-11; 136:13-15) Song of Moses (78:13, 53)

  28. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 2. Examples: Wilderness wandering (47:7) Cloud and fire (78:14) Water from the rock (78:15-16) Manna and quail (78:24-29) Waters of Meribah (81:7; 95:8-9) Israelite murmuring (78:40) Fire of Taberah (78:21) Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (106:16-18) Golden calf (106:19-20)

  29. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 2. Examples: Intercession of Moses (106:23) Sin of Baal-peor (106:28) Zeal of Phinehas (106:30) Defeat of Sihon and Og (136:19-20) Entrance to Canaan (105:44; 136:21-22) Israel’s disloyalty (78:55-58) Defeat of Sisera and Midian (83:9) Death of Eli’s sons (78:64) Appoint of King David (78:70-72)

  30. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 3. The ethical/religious element: what moral & religious requirements are taught in this psalm? Examples: the righteous (Psa. 1:1-3; 5:12; 7:9; etc) the wicked (Psa. 1:4-6; 3:7; 7:9; etc.) sin (32:1-5; 38:3, 18; etc) transgression (5:10; 25:7; etc) judgment (7:8; 9:7, 8, 16; etc) upright (7:3-5; 8-10; 15:1-5; 17:3, 15; 18:23-24; 26:1, 11) clean hands, pure heart (24:3-6) sacrifices (20:3; 43:4; 51:19; 66:13-15) broken heart (51:17)

  31. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 4. The prophetic element: what prophecies concerning the future of the Messiah (Christ), Israel, and the Gentiles are uttered in this psalm? Examples: All nations (Gentiles) – 2:1-5; 22:27; 65:2, 5; 66:4; 68:29-33; 86:9; 102:15, 22; 138:4 Israel – 126:1-6

  32. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 4. Examples concerning the Messiah (Jesus the Christ): His humanity (8:4-5; Heb. 2:6-8) His Sonship (2:7; 110:1; Mt. 22:42-45; Heb. 1:5) His deity (45:6, 11; Heb. 1:8) His holiness (45:7; 89:18-19; (Heb. 1:9) His priesthood (104:4; Heb. 5:6) His obedience (60:6-8; Heb. 10:5-7) His suffering (69:9; Rom. 15:3) His betrayal (61:9; Lk. 22:48) His resurrection (16:10; Acts 13:33-36) His ascension (63:18; Eph. 4:8)

  33. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 5. The theological element: what can be learned about God (names, characteristics, etc.) from this psalm? Examples: Adonai = Sovereign Lord (2:4; 8:1, 9; etc) Jehovah = Eternal One (1:2, 6; 2:2, 7, 11; etc) El = Mighty God (3:2, 7; 4:1; 5:2, 4, 10; etc) Elyon = Most High (7:17; 9:2; 18:13; etc) Shaddai = Provider Eternity (90:1, 2, 4) Omnipresent (139:1ff) Lovingkindness (136:1ff)

  34. Six Things to Look For in the Psalms 6. The devotional element: what practical help (comfort, courage, hope, help, etc.) can I gain from studying this psalm? Examples: Protection / Help (5; 7; 13; 17; 18; 20-21) Guidance (23) God’s word (19; 119) Forgiveness (32; 51) Worship (95; 96) Family (127; 128) Trouble (142) Praise (148 – 150)

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