Series: Epic Journey: The Bible in 99 Days

Message Outline

The Psalms: Daily Prayer and Worship for an Eternal King

Introduction

This week we will not have a typical sermon. Instead, we will do with the Psalms what God intended, and what Jesus modeled in His amazing life and ministry! We will pray and sing through them together! We will see that the Psalms are much more than 150 beautiful individual compositions that tap into the full range of human emotions, needs, prayers, and even requests for enemy destruction! They also reveal an unbridled passion for God's presence, His Glory and His worthiness to be worshiped as our true King. We'll also learn about the Psalms' "five book" structure - making it like the books of Moses - and closely following the major patterns of redemptive history. Each "book" ends with a "doxology" - a verse or climax of praise! (See 41:13, 72:19, 89:52, 106:48, 145:21)
 
Here is the structure of the book of Psalms:

Introduction: Psalms 1-2 - Notice the "blessed" bookends 1:1 and 2:12 (and see Matthew 5!)  God's promise of the ultimate victory of the righteous and of their King: God's son!
 
Book I - Psalms 3-41 - These portray David's ascendancy and enemy conflicts with Saul
Book II - Psalms 42-72 - These reflect David's Kingship and conclude with Solomon's
Book III - Psalms 73-89 - These reflect the Assyrian crisis and fall of Samaria
Book IV- Psalms 90-106 - These reflect about the temple destruction and exile
Book V- Psalms 107-145 - Praises for return from exile and renewal of the Davidic promise
 
Conclusion - Psalms 146-150 - A climactic crescendo of praise to God for His greatness and goodness and total mastery over heaven and earth and all that have breath! The Kingdom!

Book I - Cliff Notes
The first book of Psalms is filled with David's personal passion for God's greatness like in Psalms 8,  9, 19 and 24. Yet amidst the reverence, we also see a tremendous intimacy with God, and the classic example of that is Psalm 23. We also see David crying out to God about problems in his life and even getting impatient with God, like in Psalms 3,4 and 10. May this encourage you to seek God with all your heart - and not fear in bringing Him all your questions, complaints, doubts, and frustrations....He knows them anyway! David also seeks God's direction often, which is something He wants from His followers: dependence! Notice in Psalms 32-38 how much is about seeking God's direction. Pray these verses to Him!

By looking at the frequency of use and selections of specific words and synonyms, we can see the way God weaves themes through each book. In Book I, David calls on Yahweh 272 times! The righteous (50) are contrasted with the wicked (47) and enemies (36) and there is a recurring theme of sharing his heart (44) and his praises (29) and love (28). His life (23) seeks God's refuge (19) and that is the basis for blessing (16). This is the open-hearted and plain dependency that David models.....there is nothing he will not bring to His King!

Application: Did you notice how the basis for blessing in Psalms 1-2 and Psalm 23 is such a total opposite of the typical rugged individualism of life in our culture? It is also unsettling that the references to wickedness reflect qualities prized today: self-made, autonomous, never asking for help or showing weakness, self pursuit leading to isolation. How is your concept of the Kingdom of God shaped by these Psalms?

Book II - Cliff Notes
The second book begins with Psalm 42/43 revealing a desperate thirst for God, and a longing to understand why there is such opposition and suffering for God's people. It is a reflection of the reality that God's people throughout history have been opposed. In Psalm 45, David's coronation is celebrated, followed by many victories in Psalms 46-48. However, "rot" sets into the land in Psalms 49-50 and then culminate with David's sin and the beautiful Psalm of confession, forgiveness and freedom of Psalm 51. Psalm 63 is a wonderful tribute from David to His God, where he declares that God's love is better than life! Psalms 65-71 show the peace of Zion given by God, and the growth of the prestige of the Kingdom, culminating with Solomon's coronation prayer in Psalm 72.

The themes of Book II are reflected in the vocabulary. God is still the first topic, but rather than using Yahweh (33) the name Elohim (172) is used. There is a focus on the nations and peoples (45) around Israel often in the context of wicked enemies and foes (32). The people long for God and ask "why?" (16). The solution is salvation and refuge (39), given by the deliverer, the fortress, the Rock (27).

Application:
Can you see what kind of dependency and frequent communication God desires? Ask God to give you this kind of thirst for Him!

Book III - Cliff Notes
The third book of Psalms reflects the attack of the Assyrians on the Northern Kingdom in the time of the divided monarchy. The collection by Asaph brings out many imprecatory psalms, those in which the believers pray for the destruction of their enemies. In the New Testament, Jesus and Paul teach us that other people are not the enemy, but rather that it is the powers of darkness in the spiritual realm. These are enemies we are to pray against with these words! In Psalm 78, Samaria falls, and while God promises to judge the nations, He starts with His own people. In the collection by Korah, we begin with a celebration of praise from the Temple in Psalm 84, and a temporary peace under some of the good kings like Hezekiah, until the bleak moment of Psalm 89 when Jerusalem comes under siege and falls. The promise of the Messiah is repeated in 89:27-29, and the people ask God: How long?
 
The themes of book III shift a bit, as God is still the dominant thought (124), but not in His intimate covenant name. The concern about enemies and nations (59) is dealt with by remembering God's saving deeds in history (27) and the Jews' call in despair for His help (16) according to His covenant with David (14).

Application: We all tend to find it easier to seek God when there are trails and problems. This is very much the opposite of what God hopes for: He wants us always after Him! How can these psalms lead you into a deeper prayer and conversation with God?

Book IV - Cliff Notes
It is a time of Exile, and the Psalms bring reflection. In response to the Israelites' question in Psalm 89, God takes them back to Moses, the author of Psalm 90. Back then, even before then, Israel had a King, a Great King and only One King! Let's get back to basics: Psalm 92 is a reminder of the Sabbath and the reality of our need to get out of "normal time" (chronos) into "God's Time" (kairos). Then Psalms 93-99 remind us of the Lord's Kingship and His Kingdom - they are known as "enthronement psalms". God is reminding Israel (and us!) that He is King! Psalms 103 and 104 do this beautifully, with the phrase "Bless the Lord, O my soul." The first of many "Hallelujah's" in the Psalms comes in 104:35. The book ends with two Psalms - 105 and 106 - recounting His mighty acts in history and asking to be saved.
 
The vocabulary of book IV returns to the use of Yahweh (115) and the theme of praise (30) for His mighty works (16), greatness (15), love (13) and glory (11) rings out. He is the Holy (10) King (10) who will rule generations (9).

Application: This section of the Psalms has birthed many great hymns and worship songs about the Lord's greatness - have you meditated on His greatness today? Will you ask Him to bring you to the next step on your salvation trek?

Book V - Cliff Notes
The last book of Psalms is a set of reflections of the post-exilic community and also a look forward. After giving thanks (107) and praise (108) and asking for justice for enemies (109) we come to the most-quoted Psalm of the New Testament (110). This Psalm declares the return of a victorious King and has a clear perspective of the end times! Then we have 7 "Hallelujah" Psalms (111-117), the "cornerstone" Psalm 118, the longest Psalm 119 - a beautiful case for God's Law and instruction being the foundation of life. Psalms 120-134 are known as the "songs of ascent"- the songs sung by the throng of believers as they walk up the hills towards Jerusalem at the time of the mandatory feasts! Psalm 136 is the reminder of God's enduring, unconditional, faithful love. Psalms 138-145 are the final Davidic series, reminding us of the Ruler Jesus who will sit on the throne as our True King. The Psalter closes with a crescendo of praises from 146-150 declaring Yahweh's permanent Kingship and worth.
 
The vocabulary of Book V celebrates Yahweh (261): His praises (91) His enduring love (71), and His word and instruction (194). This brings us full circle to Psalm 1-2, where we are enjoined to make His Word and His Kingship the central realities of our lives!

Application: May you be transformed by the Word of God - will you join for the rest of the journey? maybe you can commit to read the New Testament?

Closing Reflections and Personal Application

The Psalms are there to guide our daily prayer and worship. Consider reading a Psalm every day and just pray it to God as you worship Him! As you go deeper into the Psalms, you will see why it is such a profound truth that the book you read will "insist on reading you."

May you be more deeply aware, through these compositions, of God's presence, His unending love for you, a love that gave everything He had to win your affection. As a result, may you "cry out" to Jesus, in prayer and worship. May Jesus be your King in radical new ways!