Psalms – Hymns and Prayers of God’s people
Book 1: Psalms 3 to 41
Introduction
Last month we looked at the opening two Psalms, which provide an introduction to the whole collection. Christopher Ash argues that we should always keep Psalms 1 and 2 beside us as we read the other psalms:
Psalms 1 and 2 have set before us a good rule and a good Ruler. The good rule is the Law of God and blessing comes to the man who loves both God and his Law (Psalm 1). But if the good rule of God’s Law is to be effective in the world, it needs a good Ruler – the Psalm 2 King who is the Psalm 1 Law-lover of God. These twin entrance markers will stay with us as we walk through the Psalter*.
Just about all the Psalms in this section are accredited to David, and we see him bring his joys and his sorrows to our Lord God. We see that, even in the tough times, our God is faithful, and he is with us – even if it doesn’t appear so. Psalm 23 is a good example of this (there is a reason this psalm is so well known!). These are psalms that are often quite personal and thus become prayers that we can echo or songs that we can enthusiastically sing.
As we continue to study the Psalms, always remember that this is the prayer book (music book) that Jesus used. Our Lord Jesus is the one who perfectly fulfills the roles laid out in Psalms 1 and 2. So a good practice when reading the Old Testament, is to ask: “What does this teach me about Jesus and what he has done?” Always come to these passages with your Jesus-coloured glasses on.
Rather than try to cover 39 psalms, for this study, let us look closer at Psalm 8 and Psalm 22.
Psalm 8
In your group read this psalm out loud. If possible, hear it read from several different versions. I always enjoy hearing the “Message” (by Eugene Peterson) version of the Psalms as it often gives good insight.
How would you classify this psalm?
Is this psalm an easy one to pray? Why?
Our prayer times should start with praise.
Check how the Lord’s Prayer starts (Matthew 6:9–13).
If you have difficulty with starting your prayer time (individually or in a group) then why not use this psalm. Perhaps consider using it as a base, where you expand on what is said for example using v3a:
When I consider the night sky or I walk along the beach listening to the surf, I see and feel the glory of your creation all around me. How can I find the words to say how great you are, my Lord and my God?
Each person is to choose a small section of Psalm 8 and expand it to become a couple of sentences like I have done above. Then share and discuss within the group (time will dictate how many do so).
What are your thoughts on vv4,5? Where can you see Jesus in this passage? Perhaps consider how Jesus’ words in John 17:22,23 fit in.
I realise we could easily have a whole study on that last question, and perhaps you could gather together and talk more about this at another time, but we will move on to our next psalm.
Psalm 22
Read this psalm out loud, preferably in a few different Bible versions.
What do you think of as soon as you start reading this psalm? (Examine Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
For me, I always hear the opening words of this psalm on the lips of my Lord as he hung on the cross. Just as I cannot read Isaiah 53 without seeing Christ crucified.
What are the problems that David is presenting to the Lord in this psalm? Do you ever feel overwhelmed?
Is the unfairness of events getting you down? Have you been in that place where you feel that God has abandoned you?
We see here in this passage that what David does with these feelings is that he presents them at the feet of the Lord God. We are encouraged to do likewise. We are to bring our complaints, and to be honest about our feelings, as we pray.
Do you bring complaints to God in your private prayers? What about in your group prayers? Does it make sense to hide our grievances from our God?
In many of the psalms that start with problems and complaint, you do see a change. Let us see what happens in this psalm.
What change do you notice in vv19–21? How would you describe the change as you continue to the end of Psalm? What has happened?
Notice how the relationship has changed as we go through this psalm. David goes from being forsaken (v1), acknowledging God as holy (v3), feeling worthless (v6), mocked (vv7,8), pleading with God (v11), destroyed (vv14,15), turning to God (v19), praising God (v22) and proclaiming how great God is (vv23–31). What a rollercoaster ride! Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have not only been justified, but we are welcomed into a wonderful relationship with our Creator. We are adopted as his children – and Jesus is our big brother. In our fallen world and as we continue to battle with our sinful natures, good and honest communication with our heavenly Father is essential – and it is what he wants!
Did you perchance notice v18 when you read this psalm? What comes to mind? Maybe check out Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34 and John 19:23,24.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes when someone quotes a line from a movie (or a book), you not only know where the reference is from, but you also are aware of the entire movie (or book)? For those brought up on the Psalms, as Jesus and his followers were, when he quotes the first verse of this psalm then this whole psalm would come to mind.
What aspects of the crucifixion do you see in this psalm? Do you see the resurrection in it?
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to stop and delight in your creation all around me – help me to rest in all that you have done. When I feel abandoned, lost and full of fear, help me to turn to you and share my pain with you. Thank you that our Lord Jesus knows what we go through, and we ask for your help in his mighty name. Amen.
* Ash, C. (2018). Teaching Psalms: A Christian Introduction to Each Psalm (J. Gemmell & D. Jackman, Eds.; Vol. 2, p. 32). Christian Focus; PT Resources.
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