Skip to content The Psalms: Hymns, Laments, and God's Presence Jun 30 · 16 min ...more
The Psalms: Hymns, Laments, and God's Presence
June 30, 2026 · 16 min
Survey of Psalm types, authorship, and the fivefold structure; an invitation to spend the summer in the ancient hymnbook of our faith.
Series Stand on the Word - Video On Demand June 30, 2026 · 16 min · Stand on the Word - Video On Demand
Survey of Psalm types, authorship, and the fivefold structure; an invitation to spend the summer in the ancient hymnbook of our faith. ...more Show the full description Show less Survey of Psalm types, authorship, and the fivefold structure; an invitation to spend the summer in the ancient hymnbook of our faith.
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Introduction to the Book of Psalms 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to the oasis of praise. Our journey through the bible brings us now to the book of praises, which is how Psalms is described in the Hebrew0:22 bible. So today, we're gonna be looking at Psalm chapters 1 through 5, verse 1 of chapter 1. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners0:34 nor sits in the seat of the scornful. Now before we look at today's passage, let me provide some context for what we're going to be enjoying for the next 2 months. We're gonna spend the summer in0:46 the book of Psalms. And again, let me just remind you, there's still time to invite someone to join us in the book of Psalms. Just text the word Psalms to 6 7 7 4 2, Psalms to 6 7 7 4 2. And0:57 I'll send you a digital invite that you can forward to family and friends. Okay. The book of Psalms was the hymnal for the temple. Right? And by the way, it was the, actually the1:10 hymn book of the early church in America. And I'm sure this is not music to the ears of those who want to deny the influence of Christianity on the founding of moderation, but1:22 the Bay Psalm book is considered to be the oldest printed book in America. It was printed on the printing press of a Puritan minister, Joseph Glover, by his widow. Glover actually1:33 died on the voyage across the Atlantic in 16 30. The Glovers were a part of the great Puritan migration to America, and that printing press made it over. And it printed the 1st1:45 book in the United States, which was the the Bay Psalm book. I think about that for a moment in light of the 250th anniversary of our country. The 1st printed book on these1:57 shores was a book of praise to our creator. Now the groups, the Greek Septuagint entitled the collection of the book of Psalms. Now, there are a2:09 variety of Psalms that we're gonna encounter over the next hundred and 50 chapters. And borrowing from other biblical scholars, here are the major types of Psalms that we're going to read. You have the hymns. These are2:20 praising God and giving Him thanks. We have the laments, crying out to God in the midst of trial and challenging circumstances, but trusting Him. We have the imprecations. This is calling for2:32 judgment on one's enemies. Confessions, acknowledging one's sins. Wisdom, Psalms that talk about how life works and yielding to the word of God. There are2:44 the royal Psalms, talking about the king. And then the messianic Psalms, which, these look forward to the work of the Messiah. There are roughly 7 authors,2:55 depending on how many of the sons of Korah wrote the dozen Psalms attributed to them. The majority were written in the 10th century BC during the time of David and Solomon. There3:07 are 5 divisions or books within the book of Psalms. The structure of these divisions has been the subject of a lot of theological debate. Some scholars say that the 5 divisions rep rep3:19 represent the books, the 5 books of the Torah. I like the simple but helpful description of the, that, Apologia provides of the 5 divisions.3:31 They break it into 5. The the book 1 is Psalm 1 through 41, emphasizes God is beside us. Book 2 is Psalm 47 through 72, emphasizing how God3:43 goes before us. Book 3 is, Psalm 73 through 89, emphasizes how God is all around us. Book 4 is Psalm 90 through 1 0 6,3:55 emphasizing how God is above us. And then Psalm 1 0 7 to 1 50 emphasizes how God is among us. What I like about the Psalms is that they4:07 are real. There's 1 for almost every occasion in life. You know, David wrote almost half of the Psalms, 73 clearly written by him and possibly a couple4:18 more. We will see his heart revealed in times of, joyous celebration and in times of utter desperation and everything in between. You know, I have a few favorites that I have4:30 repeatedly turned to in times of trial and challenge. And I'll probably share some of those along the way. Now, unlike some of our other passages, the Psalms are easy to read.4:42 Alright? They're relatively short and there's not a lot of names. Okay? Our daily devotion in Psalms is gonna vary. Alright? The structure of it. Sometimes I'll just give an overview pointing out a passage and and its4:54 significance. At other times, I'll share a devotional thought from a particular passage from from our reading. It all depends on the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The 1st 2 Psalms are really the gateway to thePsalms 1-2: Blessedness and Rebellion 5:05 entire book. So let's begin. Verse 1, chapter 1. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful. Now the 1st5:17 word, blessed, is critical to our understanding of what we're going to encounter in Psalms. The word Hebrew, asher, is translated both blessedness and happiness. And we see5:29 we see that word in scripture, the same word. The meaning is not like the modern meaning of happiness, this fleeting emotion. Rather, this is an abiding joy and5:41 peace and well-being that transcends our circumstances. It's it's calm in the storm. It's peace in the valley. That's what we have when we're abiding in5:52 Christ in the word. Now notice that the blessed person notice it where they're not looking for counsel or affirmation from the world.6:04 Rather, verse 2, but his delight is in the law of God. And in his law, he meditates day and night. That's what this journey through the Bible is all about, delighting in and meditating6:16 upon the word of God. Now the Hebrew word here for, law is Torah, which is the 1st 5 books of the Bible, the law,6:28 the the books of law, the Pentateuch. That's what they're called. But but the word also means instruction. K. That's what Torah means. It means instruction, which the law is, but so are the prophets and everything6:40 else in the canon of scripture. For instance, in Psalm 1 19, which is all about the word of God, the following words are used. Law, testimonies, statutes,6:51 commandments, precepts, judgments, words, sayings, promises, all refer to the revealed word of God, which all of it is guidance for our lives. The bottom7:03 line, biblical scholars consistently interpret the law, this word, the law, that we just read here, in Psalms is not being limited to the 5 books of the law, but7:15 the entire word of God. Alright. Now look at the results of that of that 1 who dwells in, looks to, meditates upon the word of God. He shall7:27 be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters that bring forth brings forth its fruit in its season whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall7:39 prosper. See, a a tree planted by the river has a constant source of what? Water. When others are affect affected by global warming or more7:51 accurately, God's warning through the elements of nature, those connected to God continue on. And at the right time, they produce fruit. Notice it produce fruit in its8:02 season. And the fruit is a blessing to who? To those who partake of it. It's to others. It's a blessing to us because we fulfill our purpose but it's a8:14 blessing to others because they're blessed by the fruit that's produced in our lives. Verse 4, the ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the8:26 judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the lord knows the way of the righteous but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Alright. Now, with Psalm 2, we have the 1st of the8:37 messianic Psalms. Alright. These are the Psalms which the New Testament writers identified Jesus as the fulfillment. And we also see, in this Psalm8:50 number 2, the 2nd chapter, we see the timeliness of the word of God in this chapter. It reads like the headlines of today. Right? Why do the nations rage and the people9:02 plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the lord and against his anointed. Now, this has been happening since the beginning, since the revelation of the9:13 Messiah began, all the way back to the beginning. And then with the advent of Christ, Herod tried to kill him, the root the Romans crucified him but their efforts were for naught as the power of God9:25 raised him from the dead. Now you would think you would think that man would have gotten the message. God's plans will not be stopped. However, they've continued. Let us9:36 break the bonds in pieces cast away their cords from us. You know, it is the the the culmination. What we see here is the culmination of the spirit of lawlessness that Paul writes about in 2nd9:48 Thessalonians. They reject the word in the ways of god. While this effort to stop Christ in the church has, been present in every age, it would appear that we're seeing it move10:00 toward its zenith. Through most of history, these raging nations have been polytheistic, but in the and they've worshiped the emperors and others. But in10:12 this last century, with the rise of communism, which has its official has as its official religion, atheism, is a total rejection of God.10:24 Russia's venture into communism began with socialism, which under Marxist ideology is the precursor to communism. Just take note of that. And while the world is is still turbulent, I think10:36 we're, I I would say here in at least here in America, we're in the eye of the storm right now. At present, at least in this country, we're experiencing a reprieve, but we should not be fooled into thinking10:48 that the storm is past. But notice God is not in the situation room in heaven trying to figure out a response. He who sits in the heaven shall laugh. The Lord shall hold them in derision. Now, this is11:00 not a laughter of amusement or entertainment. He within he shall speak to them in his wrath and distress them in his deep displeasure. Yet I have set my king on my11:11 holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree the Lord has said to me, you are my son. Today, I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance11:24 and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. See, the nations, they scheme, but god has set. He has established.11:36 This speaks to what is still to come. Alright? All authority has been given, to god to Jesus on heaven, in heaven, and on earth. But the culmination of all11:48 of this will be when he returns to reign with a rod of iron, which is reflected here. Now, the Psalm continues and basically, if you have half a brain, you might12:00 wanna rethink your your opposition is Psalm says. Now, therefore, be wise, oh, kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be12:12 angry. And you perish in the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in him. Now, unfortunately, we're12:23 running short on time here. The next 3 Psalms are Psalms of David. Chapter 3 was when he was on the run from his son, Absalom. Look at verse 1 chapter 3. A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom, his son, Lord,Psalms 3-5: Trust, Peace, and Justice 12:35 how they have increased who trouble me? Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, there is no help for him in God. But you, oh Lord, are a shield for12:47 me, my glory, and the 1 who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice and he heard me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept. I awoke for the Lord sustained me. I12:59 will not be afraid of 10 thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. What a great Psalm. Look to the Lord in that moment of great distress. When we're in the13:10 valley, look up to the holy hill. Psalm 4 speaks to the blessedness of those who delight in the word of God. Verse 7, chapter 4. You have put my13:23 heart more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace and sleep for you alone, oh, Lord. Make me dwell in safety. This is the blessed man who13:35 despite all of the the the circumstances around his content. Psalm 5 is the 1st of the imprecatory Psalms where the psalmist is praying for God to judge the wicked.13:47 Look at verse 10. Pronounce them guilty, o lord, o god. Let them fall by their own councils. Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions for they have rebelled against you.13:58 But let all those who rejoice, who put their trust in you, let them ever shout for joy because you defend them. Let those also who14:10 love your name be joyful in you, for you, oh lord, will bless the righteous with favor. You shall surround him with a shield. Father, we thank14:22 you for that shield. We thank you for the shield of faith that quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked 1. Thank you that you are that shield for us and I pray father that14:34 you would continue to be with us on this journey through your word and I thank you lord for this book of and I pray my prayer is, Lord, for myself and for those who are with me on14:46 this journey, that over the 2 the next 2 months as we, dwell in your word in Psalms, that Lord, it would engender in us, that it would create in us a heart of14:58 thanksgiving and gratitude and praise to you. Thank you. Thank you for your word. May it continue to do the work that it was intended to transform us into the image15:09 more into the image of your son. For we pray and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning, and until next time, keep standing on the word.15:23 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at FRC dot org slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you15:35 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Introduction to the Book of Psalms5:02 Psalms 1-2: Blessedness and Rebellion12:25 Psalms 3-5: Trust, Peace, and Justice
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