Psalms – Hymns and Prayers of God’s People
Book 5 (Psalms 107–145)
Introduction
Many see this collection of psalms as having the theme of “return from exile”. When compiled, they would have been of great comfort to those during the Babylonian/Persian captivity and to those who returned to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem. However, this is also a common theme in Scripture. The Exodus can be seen as a return to the land after an “exile” (initially due to famine) in Egypt.
Can you think of other examples of returning from exile in the Bible? What about in the life of Jesus?
We can be taken into exile, as Israel was by Babylon, or we can take ourselves into exile due to circumstances. Look at the Prodigal Son. In the parable that Jesus told, the son’s foolishness has resulted in his self-imposed exile from his Father – and how wonderful is that “return from exile” story! We often separate ourselves from God’s Word and from his good purposes for us. What joy we encounter as we return to the foot of the Cross.
Do be aware that the psalms in Book 5 don’t just come from the time of (and after) the Babylonian Exile.
Psalm 107
In your group, read this psalm out loud. If it is too long for the time you have, read vv1–3, 17–22, 43. If possible, hear vv17–22 read from several versions.
How would you classify this psalm?
Summary: Following the opening verse (v1) which gives thanks to the Lord, we hear about the redeemed (vv2,3). We then have four examples of people being redeemed: vv4–9, vv10–16, vv17–22, vv23–32. Then vv33–43 examine the goodness of God and the troubles of this fallen world. We conclude with the wonderful v43.
Why does the psalmist refer to the people he looks at as “the redeemed”?
Throughout the Bible, we see God as the Redeemer – the one who rescues people and restores them; the one who is prepared to pay the price for our redemption. The redemption seen in this psalm also looks ahead to the redemption from sin we receive through the death of our Lord Jesus.
Read Ephesians 1:7 (then if time permits read the whole paragraph 1:3–10). How do Paul’s words relate to this psalm?
What happens in the middle of each of the four examples (v6, v13, v19, v28)? How does this apply to us?
Psalm 110
This is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament, with v1 being the most quoted Old Testament verse! There is some debate about how often this psalm is referenced or alluded to. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.
Read this psalm aloud in a few different versions.
Given that this is a psalm of David, what is so important about v1?
Back in 1539, Luther devoted eight sermons to this psalm and stated: Surely it is marvellously enlightening that the holy prophet David is able to speak with superb certainty about matters which were to happen much later. *
How is our Lord Jesus the subject of this psalm?
Not only does David talk about a “lord” whom God honours and is greater than David – but he also refers to him as a priest (v4b). In Israel, the offices of king and priest were kept separate, but here they are joined in the one David writes about.
After being introduced through his meeting with Abraham (Genesis 14:18–20), Melchizedek is then mentioned only here in the Old Testament. The writer of Hebrews then takes v5 of our psalm, and the passage in Genesis, and expands on it quite a bit – see Hebrews chapters 4 through 10.
Why is the priesthood of Jesus so important? Check out Hebrews 7:16,17 and 7:24,25. Is the word “forever” important in v4 of our psalm?
Could David have been talking about Solomon in this psalm?
An Extra Bit: Psalm 119
This is the longest of the psalms – in fact, this is the longest chapter in the Bible, which is handy to know for Quiz Nights! The psalm is an acrostic – meaning that it has 22 sections (eight verses each) which is one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Plus, every verse in each section begins with the Hebrew letter of that verse.
Private Challenge: Read Psalm 119 in its entirety. It takes about 20 minutes to read aloud, and it is good to do so. Then, each day, read one of the 22 sections and dwell upon what it says.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Redeemer! Thank you for all that you have done for us through the life, death and resurrection of your dear Son. Thank you that he is continuing to intercede for us. Thank you for all that we find out about him through the Psalms. In his name we pray. Amen.
*Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 13: Selected Psalms II (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.; Vol. 13, pp. 228–229). Concordia Publishing House.
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