Heaven's Hymnbook: An Overview of the Psalms Vol. 1

HEAVEN'S HYMNBOOK

First Division:Genesis Psalms (1-41)

INTRODUCTION

The sweet psalmist of Israel (II Sam. 23:1), along with other designated writers, climbs high mountains and delves into deep canyons to bring us inspiring blossoms from the Garden of the Scriptures, a poetic name for the Book of Psalms.

The Book of Psalms is considered by many to be the best-loved book among the sixty-six books of the Bible. No doubt it is the most frequently and intensely read book in the divine library that we know as the Bible. As all other Scripture, it comes to us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16).

It was composed over a period of some one thousand years, beginning with Moses in the fourteenth century before Christ, and the present arrangement was probably made by Ezra sometime in the fifth century before Christ. Most authorities agree with this premise.

The word psalm is derived from the Greek psalmos, which is best defined as a poem written to be sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. The one hundred fifty chapters of the Psalms are classified in the Jewish Scriptures under the heading of The Writings.

Broadly classified, all one hundred fifty of the songs concern themselves with one or a combination of the following themes or topics:

1. PRAISE

2. PRAYER

3. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Jesus makes reference to the Book of Psalms in His resurrection discourse in Luke 24:44. Indeed, the importance of the Psalms is seen in the extensive quotation of them in the New Testament.

Following are some of the better-known quotes:

• The last word addressed to the city of Jerusalem by Jesus—Psalm 118:26

• During our Lord's triumphal entry—Psalm 118:21

• Hymn sung with the disciples before entering Gethsemane—Psalm 113-118

• In Jesus' cry from the cross: I thirst—Psalm 69:21

• In His cry from the cross: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?—Psalm 22:1

• Our Lord's entry into the presence of God as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek recorded in Hebrews 5:10 was prophesied in Psalm 110:4

On the day of Pentecost Peter quoted from these Psalms:

• Psalm 16:8-11 (Acts 2:25-28)

• Psalm 132:11 (Acts 2:30)

• Psalm 110:1 (Acts 2:34, 35)

The Book of Psalms was used by the Jews as a book of devotion and a book of worship. Any study of the book must keep in mind that the Psalms are Jewish in nature and therefore make no mention of God as Father, but as Jehovah (God of the Covenant) and Elohim (God of Power).

The one spiritual message to be found above all others is praise through prayer.

There are three main themes explored and enlarged upon:

1. The individual's personal encounter with God, which involves the principle of God's existence.

2. The importance of the natural order of things, which involves the principle of God's creative ability.

3. A consciousness of history, which involves the principle of God's choice of Israel for a special role among the nations of earth.

The keyword of the Psalms is worship, and the theme is God's prescribed manner of worship.

The reader should look for the following outstanding elements of worship:

1. Object of worship

2. People who worship

3. Places of worship

4. Attitude of worship

The object of our worship is Jehovah God, while those who are depicted as worshipers include kings, nations and, ultimately, all inhabitants of the whole earth. Places of worship located in the Psalms are the tabernacle, the temple and Mount Zion. The attitude of worship is seen as one of reverence and respect.

The two portraits of Christ most clearly seen are

1. The Suffering Saviour—Psalm 22.

2. The Reigning King—Psalm 2.

Christ in Psalms

A summary of the life of Christ and the various aspects of His ministry are interwoven throughout the Psalms.

1. His advent and its purpose—40:6-8

2. His sonship and birth—2:7

3. His deity and humanity—45:6, 7

4. His creatorship and eternal existence—102:25-28

5. His human descent—89:3, 4, 29, 36

6. His witness for God—22:22

7. His eternal priesthood—110:4

8. His preeminence over all kings of earth—72:11

9. His triumph acclaimed by children—8:2

10. His rejection—2:1; 22:6-8

11. His betrayal—41:9

12. His crucifixion—22:15-18

13. His garments parted—22:18

14. His thirst on the cross—22:15

15. His refusal of gall and vinegar—69:21

16. His bones not broken—34:20

17. His being cut off in the prime of life—89:45

18. His resurrection—16:8-10

19. His ascension—68:18

20. His intercession—110:1

21. His revelation—50:3-6

22. His universal rule—72:8

Scope of Psalms

The book is divided into five major divisions:

• Division One—GENESIS PSALMS (1-41)

As Genesis contains the whole Bible in a nutshell, so Psalms 1-41 contain the whole book in a concise form. Jehovah is the prevailing name in Genesis and likewise in Psalms 1-41.

• Division Two—EXODUS PSALMS (42-72)

The Book of Exodus, written by Moses in the fifteenth century B.C., depicts the sufferings, enslavement and deliverance of God's people. Much in the same way, Psalms 42-72 portray the experiences of God's people in this age.

• Division Three—LEVITICUS PSALMS (73-89)

Holiness unto the Lord is the keynote of the Book of Leviticus. The same attribute of God is pictured in Psalms 73-89 as He develops for Himself a holy people.

• Division Four—NUMBERS PSALMS (90-106)

The highlight of the Book of Numbers is the portrayal of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness, with the promise of a land of rest. So it is that Psalms 90-106 describe the restlessness of the people of God with the hope and, indeed, assurance of a land of rest.

• Division Five—DEUTERONOMY PSALMS (107-150)

In Deuteronomy, Israel is prepared for their entry into the Land of Promise. Preparation for God's people to enter the rest of the kingdom age is clearly set forth in Psalms 107-150.

Psalm 1 serves as an introduction to the entire book, while Psalm 150 is the doxology. Even the most casual reader can discern that the Holy Spirit brings together the pattern unfolded in the garden of the Scriptures.

Read it and rejoice that the divine author of Psalms is the one who paints us the picture of the author and finisher of our faith. To Him be glory both now and ever. So may it be!

Those Who Wrote

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the following persons contributed to the Book of Psalms:

• David (73)

• Asaph (12)

• Sons of Korah (10)

• Moses (1)

• Solomon (2)

All other Psalms are referred to as orphan Psalms.

Psalm 1

The Happy Man

Overview:

The first psalm, which serves as an introduction to the Genesis Psalms (1-41), also introduces us to the entire book of one hundred fifty psalms (songs).

The happy man portrayed here is the man who has a grip on life because of his faith in God and belief in the principles of righteousness. His keen sense of right and wrong gives him the proper perspective of life, death, time and eternity. Firmly established on the bedrock of truth, he is able to face uncertainties and imponderables without being moved. And so can you!

Commentary:

Verses 1-3: The Way and the Walk of the Righteous

Verse 1: Two opposing world views are presented in the context of this verse. The culture of the world system is contrary to the Christian faith. Anti-Christian forces are at war with scriptural principles and precepts.

Every man has to choose the philosophy by which he will live and by which he will govern his life. The man depicted in Psalm 1 is the happy man, and his happiness stems from the fact that he does not allow his values to be dictated to him by ungodly associates. He refuses the advice of those who are players in the Babylonian world system which surrounds him (and us) on every hand.

Verse 2: The righteous man finds his delight in the Word of God. Because he delights in it, he does intense study (meditates) in it. He sets his mind to memorize the Word. He is in agreement with what God says. This leads to obedience, and obedience to the Word of God is the only true basis for an intimate relationship to Christ.

His meditation is not a momentary thing, but rather a continuous occupation with Scripture—day and night! Such intense study is the source of the righteous man's happiness. He loves the Word (Psalm 119:97, 103, 105, 128, 129, 147, 148). See also Joshua 1:8 and John 8:31, 32.

Verse 3: The blessed man is here pictured as a tree whose roots go deeply into soil that is watered by rivers of water—an inexhaustible supply. This spiritual irrigation enables him to bring forth fruit. Fruit-bearing Christians are those who abide in Christ (John 15:1-5). This fruit is not produced in our time or on our watch, but in His season. God is in control of the happy man's life, and He formulates the timetable.

The man who so produces will maintain a record of service that will not 'wither or fade,' but will continue production for a lifetime. God's Word stands forever (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8), and he whose life is anchored in the Scripture lives on in time and for eternity.

Verses 4, 5: The Destiny of the Wicked

Verse 4: The ungodly (unrighteous man) leads a life that is completely and totally opposite to that of the man whose life is anchored to the Word. The ungodly has no root and no fruit because he walks in a pathway of ungodliness and stays at a distance from the only Source of love, life, light and liberty: THE WORD OF GOD! (Hebrews 4:12; I Peter 1:23-25).

Verse 5: As a result of his sinful, unholy lifestyle, the ungodly man has a tarnished past and a gloomy future. He will not be able to face the judgment with confidence, and he will be unable to pass the test meted out at the bar of God's justice. The unrighteous man has no place in the congregation of the righteous. Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart will secure for themselves a place among God's holy people (Psalm 24:3, 4).

Verse 6: Blessed Assurance

Only the righteous are known of God, and to know Him is to have an intimate spiritual relationship which is assured to the righteous whose faith is anchored in the Holy One.

Jesus assures the sheep (true believers) that He knows them, and they are eternally secure in His heavenly based fold. The ear of the Almighty is open to the righteous, and His eye is constantly upon them (Psalm 34:15; I Peter 3:12). God is not only in the future of the righteous—He is the future of the righteous.

Key Verse:

Verse 2—But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Outline: Teaching/Preaching

I. THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE HAPPY MAN—Verse 2

A. He delights in the Word of God.

B. He meditates in the Word of God.

ATTENDANT SCRIPTURES: Joshua 1:8; Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16; Hebrews 4:12; II Timothy 2:15; II Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:9-11, 89, 97, 103, 105, 130

Bring Back The Bible

Bring back the Bible,

O, ye sons of men.

Bring back the Bible

And begin again.

Bring back the Bible;

Shout it far and wide.

Bring back the Bible

And wait for the tide.

Bring back the Bible;

Let it be heard.

Bring back the Bible,

God's holy Word.

—Raymond Barber

II. THE PUBLIC LIFE OF THE HAPPY MAN—Verse 1

A. He rejects the advice of wicked men.

B. He refuses to stand in the way of sinners.

C. He refrains from scornfully judging others (Romans 2:1, 2).

III. THE POSITION OF THE HAPPY MAN—Verse 3

A. A position of steadfastness (I Corinthians 15:58)

B. A position of nourishment (Jeremiah 15:16)

IV. THE PRODUCTION OF THE HAPPY MAN—Verse 3

A. He produces as a soul winner (Psalm 126:6; Proverbs 11:30).

B. He produces a consistent testimony (Galatians 2:20).

C. He produces in prosperity (III John 2).

V. THE HAPPY MAN'S PROMISE OF LIFE—Verse 6

A. He is promised God's care (I Peter 5:7).

B. He is promised eternal life in the world to come (Psalm 37:18).

Summary:

It is evident that the happy man turns to God for counsel (James 1:5-8) rather than seeking advice from unbelievers. As a result, he is preserved, productive and prosperous.

A Concluding Thought:

He who delights in the Word discovers the way.

Psalm 2

A Psalm of Our Great King

Overview:

This is one of the several messianic Psalms. It pictures the rejection, the exaltation and the glorious reign of our Great King, Jesus Christ.

References to this psalm are prominent in the New Testament: Acts 4:25-27; 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; Revelation 2:27, 28; 12:5; 19:15.

A careful study sheds light on the person and ministry of our Lord.

Commentary:

Verses 1-3: Nations in Rebellion

The people (heathen nations) are pictured as being in a rage (tumultuous posture). This rage, along with the vain things that are imagined, is designed to distance them from the God of the universe. Their rebellious spirit is indicative of their determination not to submit themselves to the righteous rule and divine authority of the Almighty.

Not only are the people in opposition to God, the heathen rulers are as well. They connive to break any bonds with God. They are determined to break their bands...and cast away their cords that would keep them in subjection to the laws of God. Vain is any such attempt to dethrone the King of Kings, Jesus, the Anointed One (Messiah).

Verses 4, 5: The Messiah in His Kingdom

Enter God! The scene changes when God comes into view. He will laugh at the failed attempts to demean, destroy or dethrone His Son. From His seat of authority in Heaven, God derides the nations and their leaders for their foolish imaginations of throwing off His control over them.

God is not surprised, startled or stunned at anything man does, nor does He have to watch the cable news to know what's happening on His footstool (Planet Earth). The power of the nations is nothing in comparison to His power, wisdom and authority (Isaiah 40:15, 17, 22, 23).

The temporal (nations and peoples of earth) are no match for the Eternal, and finite man cannot outwit, outdo or overpower the infinite God. We can keep things in perspective when we know who's in control!

Verses 6-9: A Foretaste of the Messianic Kingdom

Verse 6: God will set His King upon His holy hill in Jerusalem, from which point Jesus will rule in His messianic kingdom to the ends of the earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-6).

Verse 7: God identifies Christ as His "begotten (only begotten Son"—John 3:16). He (Jesus) is declared to be the Son of God with power (to rule the nations) by His resurrection, which opens the door