”An Introduction To The Book of Psalms”-Pt.I

PSALMS Introduction To The Psalms PSALMS Bible Quiz….(08/29/22) What BOOK of the Bible Is at the VERY CENTER of The Bible?________________________________ The Longest Chapter in the Bible Is________________________________ The Shortest Chapter of The Bible Is____________ List 3 authors of the Psalms______________________________ ***EXTRA CREDIT***  Two Verses In  a NT Gospel Mention ‘PSALMS’ as Prophetic of Christ what are the verses?_____________________________________________________________________________ What Passage In the NT mentioning Psalms is prophetic of Judas betrayal of Christ? _____________________________________________________________________________________ What Three passages In The Epistles mention the Psalms in operation in the church for edification?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Book at the Center of your Bible is PSALMS The Chapter In The Very Center of Your Bible Is PSALM 118 The fact can be argued depending on what Bible version you are using, but by most reckoning, the very center of the Bible when measured by chapter count is Psalms 118. . Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.” Some Scholars say PSALM 117 is the center chapter of the Bible Notwithstanding, PSALM 117 IS the Shortest Chapter in God’s Word 1) Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! [a]Laud Him, all you peoples! 2 )For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord Here are some other fun facts surrounding Psalms 117 & 118: The longest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter-- Psalm 119. The shortest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter-- Psalm 117. There are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118, and exactly 594 chapters after it. When you add the number of chapters before Psalms 118 and those after, the sum is 1,118. And the verse at the very center of the Bible is Psalms 118:8. The Very Center Verse of God’s WORD Is…. Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." (NIV) In  following History this verse is 3500 years after creation & 3500 years until the close of the Millennium ( In the CENTER of All Time!!) This center verse of the Bible reminds believers to ask the question, "Are you centered in your trust in God?" It is a particular verse that reminds Christians to trust in God over trusting in themselves or other people. As Christians understand, God consistently provides for us and His grace is given to us freely. Even in the most difficult times, we should center ourselves by trusting in God. He is there making us strong, giving us joy, and carrying us when life weighs heavily on us. Miscellaneous Thoughts… “The PSALMS”  Refers to the 150 songs under that title in the English O.T., sometimes called “The Psalter”, from the Greek psalterion, or psalmi;1st used in the Greek translation & version of the O.T. known as the Septuagint, (so called for the 70 translations from the Hebrew to the Greek) designated often LXX , & dating from 300-200 BC. The O.T. had 3 Main sections of Books …The Law, the Prophets, & the Psalms Each Psalm is an individual song The Psalms subject matter is without Limit The Psalms are also greatly varying forms of Poetry The Book of Psalms stands  BETWEEN the Old & New Covenants Some Psalms spanned 1000 year period as between Moses & Hezekiah The Psalms show us the CENTRAL THEME of God’s Word…His SON PSALMS is a ‘Spiritual Song Book’ ,standing between the Cherubim PSALMS is LOADED With the Experiences of Jesus & His Church PSALMS shows  to us God’s Mercy, Love,  & Judgment PSALMS is for All Men, in All Times &  All Seasons In a ‘Nutshell’ The Psalms is a devotional, through which Jesus wants to speak to us In The end each one of us is writing our own ‘Personal Psalm’ Psalms are are useful as: The Christian's "hymnal" to assist us in our praise to God The Christian's "prayer book" in which we learn how to approach God in prayer The Christian's "book of evidences" to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ The Christian's "training guide" for living holy and righteous lives before God Reasons To Study The Psalms As Christians, we are commanded to utilize the Psalms: Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (Ep 5:19) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. (Jm 5:13) Thus the Psalms are useful for singing praises to God. They are also useful for teaching and confirming that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. Note the use Jesus made of them (Lk 24:44-47), 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [a]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Psa 2:1-12; Psa 16:9-11; Psa 22:1-31; Psa 40:6-8; Psa 69:1-36; Psa 72:1-20; Psa 88:1-18; Psa 109:4-20; Psa 110:1-7; Psa 118:22;) and also Peter's use of them in his first gospel sermon (Ac 2:25-28,34-35). 25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’ 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’(Psalm 16:8-11, 73:23) The Aim Of This Study It is my prayer that as we study this book we will accomplish the following goals: Become more familiar with Old Testament poetry - This is essential to getting more out the Psalms, and important if we are to avoid misinterpreting them Develop an appreciation and working knowledge of the Psalms - So one may utilize them for his or her own comfort and encouragement, and in counseling and comforting others Glean a clearer picture of God's character - To better understand His love, mercy and deliverance towards the righteous, but also His wrath and judgment against the wicked Learn more of the Christ in prophecy - To note descriptions of His suffering and glorious reign found in the Psalms, some of which are not found elsewhere in Scripture Consider examples of fulfilled prophecies - To see in fulfilled prophecy irrefutable arguments for the inspiration of the Scriptures, and for the claim that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah We will do (STUDY)this in TWO WAYS…..a.) Individual Psalms  b) Taking a ‘Theme’ (like Praise, fear etc…) & studying it throughout the Entire Book of Psalms MORE Reasons To Study The Psalms…………….  Shows Characteristics Of Hebrew Poetry(Psalms  is part of the poetic ‘BOOKS’—Job, Proverbs, Ecc. & SofS also) Before we get into the background of the Psalms themselves, it may prove beneficial to consider some things about Hebrew poetry. Not only will this help to better understand the nature of the Psalms, but it can also assist in proper interpretation of this portion of Scripture. NOTE: wherein the English language of poetry has a clear rhyme & meter there is not a clear consensus  on the REAL flavor of Hebraic poetry…Hebrew is a fluid language, & Poetry has 5 Hebrew meanings , with some words showing opposite meanings. One of the things that makes Hebrew poetry different is......