WHAT ARE PSALMS?

While there are various types of Psalms, all have several characteristics in common. A PSALM IS A POEM Christian scholar and writer C.S. Lewis said that psalms must be read as poems if they are to be understood; no less than French must be read as French or English as English. Otherwise we shall miss what is in them and think we see what is not. Poems are not usually meant to be taken word for word: rather they convey ideas to be interpreted. The Old Testament Psalms are not just poetry; they are Hebrew poetry. It has a unique style and structure of its own, very different from the poetry of our time. The poetry with which we are most familiar is based on rhyme and rhythm. Hebrew poetry is very different. In Hebrew poetry it is not the rhyming nor the rhythm of the words, but the relationship of two lines (most often) that matters.. In this relationship, the rst line of poetry is expanded upon in the second, either by clarication, completion, or contrast. Since the Psalms are poetry, we must expect gures of speech, imagery, simile and metaphor. For example, in Psalm 23 the Lord is portrayed as a shepherd, caring for us as His sheep (a metaphor). These poetic images and devices stimulate meditation and encourage the reader to ponder the meaning of the passage. A PSALM IS A SONG If a Psalm is a poem, it is also a song. In the Hebrew Bible the title of the Psalms is Tehillim, which means songs of praise. The music that went with the original psalms is long lost, however there are many well known musical arrangements of psalms that have been popular over the years, and new arrangements being created all the time. The Psalms were compiled primarily for use in public worship, not private, although people do also use psalms for private reection, prayer and praise. The feelings and experiences that are reected on in a psalm may have been
Adapted from Bob Defnbaugh, What is a Psalm? Bible.org, 2004 <https://bible.org/seriespage/what-psalm> 17 February 2014.

personal to the psalms author; however, even when writing, the author would have assumed that the psalm would be used publicly. The psalms show us the beginnings of music as an important way of helping people worship God. Music can transport us, make us feel emotions, stir memories, bring communities together and help us to meditate and reect.

PSALMS ARE HUMANS RESPONSES TO GOD. Sometimes this response is excited and exuberant as people delight in Gods power and glory. At other times, they are sorrowful, despairing and angry at God for Gods perceived distance.

THE PSALMS ARE PRAYERS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES Psalms guide us in praising, worshipping and thanking God, as well as in asking God for help, strength and guidance. They can be a useful tool for people in communicating with God. Often when we pray, we focus on our own troubles and our own experiences, and not on God and His goodness and grace. We need to become much less conscious of ourselves, and even of others, and more conscious of God, who is the object and the audience of our worship. Psalms make prayers public, and join communities together in praising and worshipping God. this magnies the praise, just as a choir magnies a song.

Adapted from Bob Defnbaugh, What is a Psalm? Bible.org, 2004 <https://bible.org/seriespage/what-psalm> 17 February 2014.