Psalms

The Psalms are written to God. So, they are not intended to teach theology or morals. They are written as worship, and they serve to help us worship. We discussed a while back that narratives are not intended to teach theology, either. Narratives show how theology works in the real world. If God is most powerful and all good, then Moses, Joshua and David could trust God to keep his promises. The Psalms show how theology is reflected in our worship of God. If God is most powerful and all good, then we should celebrate him more than we celebrate our favorite sports teams. Rule #1 for interpreting Psalms: Each Psalm is meant to be read as a whole. Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. (Ps 51:16, NET) You will accept the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings; then bulls will be sacrificed on your altar. (Ps 51:19, NET) Read Psalm 51. 1. What was David asking for in verses 1-12? 2. What do verses 13-15 say will be the result of God answering David's prayer? 3. Based on the context of the entire Psalm, so far, what is sacrifice unable to do for David? 4. How can David obtain what he needs? 5. What changes between verses 16 and 19? 6. How do those changes lead to a change in God's attitude toward sacrifice? 7. We've already discussed what sacrifice cannot do. So, what can it do? Psalms are poetry. So, they use poetic styles. Metaphors and similies Describing one thing by comparing it to another thing The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. (Ps 114:4) Hyperbole An exaggeration to make a point My tears have been my food day and night.... (Ps 42:3a)

Personification Using human traits to describe something that is not human. My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, Where is your God? (Ps 42:3) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.... Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Ps 19:1,4) Apostrophe A sudden change in who the narrator is speaking to. In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? (Ps 120:1-3) Imagery A visual image that brings to mind something bigger; especially something physical that brings to mind emotions. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Ps 3:4) For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. (Ps 3:7)

Read Psalm 8 8. What quality of God is praised in this Psalm? 9. What writing devices are used? 10. How do the writing devices help us praise God?