Chapter 11: The Psalms

1. Chapter 11: The Psalms Religion 9 Mrs. Kenny May 2013

2. Introduction Throughout our textbook there have been Psalms that connected with the life and history of the Israelites. Many psalms refer to specific people or events in biblical history. Chapter 11 focuses on what the psalms can teach us about how to pray – either using the psalms or beautiful poetry to talk to God, or through our own words and experiences.

3. What is a psalm? A sacred song or hymn, in particular any of those contained in the biblical Book of Psalms and used in Christian and Jewish worship. A book of the Bible comprising a collection of religious verses, sung or recited in both Jewish and Christian worship.

4. What is the psalter? A psalter is a volume containing the Book of Psalms, often with other devotional material bound in as well, such as a liturgical calendar and litany of the Saints.

5. Who is the psalmist? The author or composer of a psalm

6. Three major types of prayers in Psalms: • Lament – express grief and complaint to God for suffering and beg for help. (e.g. Psalms 86) • Thanks – which express gratitude for God’s good deeds (e.g. Psalms 30) • Praise – which celebrate the wonder and majesty of God (e.g. Psalms 104)

7. Developed over Centuries • Psalms can be a combination of more than one sentiment. • There are 150 psalms. • They apply to situations in any place or time. • They are central to Jewish and Christian prayer/worship.

8. Over centuries… • Scholars believe that the psalms were composed from about 1000-300 B.C. • Half-of them are attributed to King David – BUT it is likely he only wrote a few, if any. • Psalms are written in the spirit of King David, and there are taglines at the beginning of many to illustrate who and what the psalm is attributed to (e.g. 63, 51, etc.)

9. Psalms is Five Smaller Books • Catholics see the Book of Psalms divided into 5 smaller books: • Book I = Ps 1–41 • Book II = 42–72 • Book III = 73–89 • Book IV = 90–106 • Book V = 107–150 • The books are divided into 5 to imitate the books devoted to Moses: the Pentateuch!

10. In Christian Liturgy The Liturgy of the Word…

11. Liturgy of the Word • In the 1st century, Christianity and Judaism split. Christians were no longer allowed in the synagogues, but modeled their service of the word on Jewish services with readings followed by psalms. • Catholics have this now as the 1st part of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Word (i.e. First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, etc.) • Responsorial Psalm – the people’s response to the gift of God’s word – therefore an important role in the Mass

12. Liturgy of the Hours • Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office = official daily prayer of the Catholic Church, designed to be prayed at specific times of the day, ideally by a community • Psalms major part of the Liturgy of the Hours (along with other readings, hymns, and seasonal prayers) • Over 4 weeks, the Psalter is prayed during the Liturgy of the Hours

13. Poetry • Psalms are intended to be prayed from memory, not read. Therefore, some are structured in a poetic way that helps them to be remembered. • Psalms use concrete, not abstract, language. • Full of similes and metaphors • Full of action – God moves in the world – he is active and at work making things happen!

14. Psalms of Lament • express grief and complaint to God for suffering and beg for help. (e.g. Psalms 86) • 5 elements to identify psalms of lament: • An address to God • A complaint or account of the misery suffered • A plea for help • An affirmation of trust in God • A statement praising God

15. Psalms of Lament • Moves from pouring out woes to turning over problems to God • Recall God’s goodness and justice, mercy and kindness, power and awe • By entrusting yourself to God’s care, those who pray the psalms are consoled and gradually transformed • Some convey shocking emotions, but psalms of lament “let it all hang out”…it includes raw emotions. It is honest.

16. “The greatest gift one can bring to God is the gift of one’s whole self – honest, true, uncensored, even flawed with sin.” – textbook page 271

17. Enemies • God doesn’t want to smash out enemies but transform them with love • God doesn’t want to smash out sinful tendencies within us but transform them with love • The gist = BE SINCERE.

18. Psalms of Thanks • which express gratitude for God’s good deeds (e.g. Psalms 30) • WE are not the centers of our universe….GOD is. •  Many overlap with psalms of praise •  Often express gratitude to God for answering some specific prayer or lament

19. Psalms of Praise • tend to be more general, and celebrate the wonder and majesty of God, rather than on a particular request that he answered

20. Thanks and Praise Both psalms have similar elements: An introductory word or statement of praise The reason for the praise or what the person is praying for Another statement of praise

21. Psalm 30 • Refers to “Sheol” (shadowy underworld) or “The Pit”(a void) – place from which the psalmist is rescued. • Sheol = formless, lifeless, completely removed from God’s presence, nonexistence • To us, Sheol can represent rejection, humiliation, failure, loss, etc. • God brings us through those ‘deaths’ into new life and hope

22. In Conclusion • Let your prayer grow out of your everyday experiences. The stuff of your life is what God wants to hear. • Don’t be afraid to share what is on your heart with God, no matter how negative you feel. Pouring yourself out in all honesty to Him is the beginning of a real relationship – and God can handle it.

23. Conclusion • Give your burdens over to God in trust that He will know what to do with them. In trusting Him you will be transformed because you will become centered in Him. • See God’s hand at work in your life, now and in your past. Talk about how grateful you are for the ways God has been loving you.

24. Conclusion • Cultivate a sense of wonder and awe. Be amazed by things. Resist becoming jaded. Let the mystery of God spark your imagination. • Celebrate with your whole mind, body, and soul.