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Psalms

Psalms. The title ‘Psalms’ comes from the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translations of the OT ) Originally referred to stringed instruments Then to songs sung with their accompaniment

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Psalms

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  1. Psalms • The title ‘Psalms’ comes from the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translations of the OT) • Originally referred to stringed instruments • Then to songs sung with their accompaniment • The traditional Hebrew title is tehillim (meaning praises), although many of the psalms are tephillot(meaning prayers) • The final edition of Psalms represent the final stage in a process that spanned centuries. • The formation of psalms probably goes back to the time of David when the temple liturgy began to take shape • One of the first compilation thought to be done around 1000 BC, used as part of liturgy in the Solomon’s temple • When Jews returned from the exile to Babylon (around 500 BC) and built a new temple, they compiled compositions written by David, Moses, and Isaiah, and wrote new compositions to use in the liturgy • Psalms was put into its final form by postexilic temple personnel, who completed it probably in the third century BC

  2. Structure • In its final edition, it has 150 psalms and was divided into five books, after the analogy of Pentateuch: • The first book comprises the first 41 Psalms. All of these are ascribed to David except Psalms 1, 2, 10, and 33, which, though untitled in the Hebrew, were also traditionally ascribed to David. While Davidic authorship cannot be confirmed, this probably is the oldest section of the Psalms. • The second book consists of the next 31 Psalms (42–72). Eighteen of these are ascribed to David. Psalm 72 begins "For Solomon", but is traditionally understood as being written by David as a prayer for his son. The rest are anonymous. • The third book contains seventeen Psalms (73–89), of which Psalm 86 is ascribed to David, Psalm 88 to Heman the Ezrahite, and Psalm 89 to Ethan the Ezrahite • The fourth book also contains seventeen Psalms (90–106), of which Psalm 90 is ascribed to Moses, and Psalms 101 and 103 to David. • The fifth book contains the remaining 44 Psalms. Of these, 15 are ascribed to David, one (Psalm 127) as a charge to Solomon. • Each book is closed with a doxology • See Psalms 41:13, 72:18-19, 89:52, 106:48, and 150) • What do you think a doxology is?

  3. Titles / Superscriptions • The titles of psalms vary but fall into a few broad categories: • Author • Name of collection • Type of psalm • Musical notations • Liturgical notations • Brief indications of occasion for composition • Which category can you recognize from the titles of Psalm 1-10? • 34 psalms do not have titles of any kind. These are called ‘orphan’ psalms: • Mainly in Books III-IV • In Books I-II only Psalms 1-2, 10, 33, 43, 71 do not have superscriptions (Psalms 10 and 43 are continuation of the preceding psalms.

  4. Main Genre • The main genres are : • Hymns – describe the relationship between the Israel and God and recognize God’s power and majesty • Hymns of Divine Kingship • Creation hymns • Hymns celebrating divine action • Lament / complaint psalms • Royal psalms • Thanksgiving psalms • Wisdom psalms • Can you recognize the genre of the following psalms?: • Psalm 10 • Psalm 21 • Psalm 29

  5. Psalm 119 - Introduction • Psalm 119 has 176 verses, is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible • Located right in the middle of the Bible • Perhaps one of the new psalms written after the exile to Babylon (400-500 BC) • Most likely was composed in writing and intended to be read than sung or recited • Some people thought Psalm 119 was written by 176 different people, some thought it was written by Ezra, a Jews leader who lived around 450 BC • The author: • Was passionately devoted to the word of God as the word of life • Acknowledge the errant ways of his heart and life • Knew the pain and the fruits of God’s corrective discipline • Had suffered much at the hands of those who disregarded God’s word and made him the target of hostility • Can you identify how Psalm 119 is organized? How many parts do you identify in this chapter?

  6. Psalm 119 - Structure • Psalm 119 has 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, • Eight verses in each stanza, hence 22 x 8 verses = 176 verses. This style is called poetic acrostic. • In the original Hebrew version, each verse in a stanza begins with a word starting with the same letter of the alphabet • Dominant theme of Psalm 119: devotion to the word of God (and the God of the word). The author highlights two aspects of the word: • God’s directive for life • God’s promises • In referring to these, he makes use of the following Hebrew terms which are distributed throughout the 22 stanzas: • Law (Torah) • Statutes (Chukkim) • Precepts (Pikkudim) • Commandments (Mitsvoth) • Testimonies (Edoth) • Judgments (Mishpatim) • Truth (Emunah) • Word (Dabar) • Way (Debech) • Righteousness (Tsedakah)

  7. Psalm 119 – Main terms • Main words: • The law (torah), to direct, guide , teach in the way of righteousness • Statutes (chukkim), to describe the line of conduct we are to pursue • Precepts (pikkudim), to take notice of our way • Commandments (mitsvoth), to show us what we should do, and what we should leave undone, and exact our obedience • Testimonies (edoth), to bear witness or testimony • Judgments (mishpatim), to judge our words and works; cause us to discern what is right and wrong, and decide accordingly. • Truth (emunah), to make steady, constant, to believe. The law that is established is steady and ordered all things that should be believed in the authority of God • Word (dabar), to speak consecutively and intelligibly; On the same ground we call the whole old and new testament THE WORD OF THE LORD. In his revelation God speaks to man; shows him, in a clear, concise, intelligible, and rational way the reasonable service that he requires of him. • Way (debech), to go on. The way in which man must tread in order to be safe and holy. • Righteousness (tsedakah), to do justice: to give to all their due and require what is due from every one

  8. Psalm 119 • Many Bible scholars believe that the arrangement of Psalm 119 according to the Hebrew alphabet is no coincidence, especially in the light of its emphasis on the Word of God • They believe it points to Jesus as the Living Word, Jesus as the Alpha and Omega (Aleph and Tau) (Revelation 1:8, 17, 21:6, 22:13)

  9. Psalm 119: 1-8 (Aleph) • Discuss in a mini group what each verse tells the readers • Each group to discuss 2 verses

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