Interpreting OT Poetry pt 3: Types of Psalms to Application

Question 1

There are many distinct/different ______ of Psalms.

• The Israelites understood this and therefore different Psalms were used for different ________.

Answer 1

There are many distinct/different TYPES of Psalms.

• The Israelites understood this and therefore different Psalms were used for different
OCCASIONS.

Question 2

What are the different types of Psalms? (there are 14!)

Answer 2

1. Psalms of Lament/Complaint 2. Thanksgiving Psalms
2. Hymns of Praise
3. Royal Psalms
4. Psalms of Enthronement
5. Wisdom Psalms
6. Historical/Salvation Psalms 8. Psalms of Confidence/Trust 9. Pilgrimage Psalms
7. Zion Psalms
8. Covenant Renewal Psalms
9. Liturgy Psalms
10. Penitential Psalms
11. Imprecatory Psalms

check pp. 88-89 for descriptions and Psalm references

Question 3

Types of Psalms

Elements of Lament
1. ________: to whom the psalm is prayed.
2. ________: identifying the problem that is being faced.
3. ________: calls upon God for help, deliverance, often including reasons why
God should help.
4. ________: expressing a sense of confidence that God will here & answer.

Answer 3

1. INVOCATION: to whom the psalm is prayed.
2. COMPLAINT: identifying the problem that is being faced.
3. PETITION: calls upon God for help, deliverance, often including reasons why
   God should help.
4. CONCLUSION: expressing a sense of confidence that God will here & answer.

Question 4

Types of Psalms

Elements of Thanksgiving
1. ________ & ______: intentional about giving God thanks and praise.
2. _______/____: tells the story of crisis and yet how when they looked to
God, He was faithful to help.
3. ________ : a renewed vow to continue to trust in God.

Answer 4

1. INTRODUCTION & INTENT: intentional about giving God thanks and praise.
2. NARRATIVE/BODY: tells the story of crisis and yet how when they looked to
   God, He was faithful to help.
3. CONCLUSION: a renewed vow to continue to trust in God.

Question 5

Types of Psalms

Elements of Praise
1. _______ & ___ __ ____: this is a direct call to the audience to
respond.
2. ____/______: time is taken to list or review the many reasons for praise.
3. _________: repeating the call to praise God

Answer 5

1. INTRODUCTION & CALL TO PRAISE: this is a direct call to the audience to
   respond.
2. BODY/REASONS: time is taken to list or review the many reasons for praise.
3. CONCLUSION: repeating the call to praise God

Question 6

The Spiritual Playlist of Israel

It must be understood that the Psalms of the Bible are not generally _______ poems such as a modern
person might compose to express ______ thought or feeling.

Answer 6

It must be understood that the Psalms of the Bible are not generally INDIVIDUALISTIC poems such as a modern
person might compose to express PERSONAL thought of feeling.

Question 7

The Spiritual Playlist of Israel

The _____ of Psalms do revolve around the _____ traditions and rituals established in the Old Testament.

Answer 7

The SPIRITUALITY of Psalms do revolve around the WORSHIP traditions and rituals established in the Old Testament.

Question 8

The Spiritual Playlist of Israel

The Psalms need to be understood and ____ in the corporate worship of the church today.

Answer 8

The Psalms need to be understood and USED in the corporate worship of the church today.

Question 9

Other Poetic Features

• ______ [bookends]
• ______ or _____ structure [a, b, c, c’, b’, a’]
• ______ [lost in translation]
• ______[repeated verse or phrase]
• _____ __ ______ [swords in their lips]

Answer 9

• Inclusio [bookends]
• Chiasm or chiastic structure [a, b, c, c’, b’, a’]
• Acrostic [lost in translation]
• Refrain [repeated verse or phrase]
• Figures of Speech [swords in their lips]

Question 10

Guidelines for Psalms

• Step #1: Determine the ___ of psalm.
• Step #2: _____ the details and literary
devices. [metaphors, similes, personifications, chiastic structure]
• Step #3: Look for the ________ context.
• Step #4: Summarize the ____ theme(s).
• Step #5: Articulate the ________.

Answer 10

• Step #1: Determine the TYPE of psalm.
• Step #2: ANALYZE the details and literary
devices. [metaphors, similes, personifications, chiastic structure]
• Step #3: Look for the HISTORICAL context.
• Step #4: Summarize the MAIN theme(s).
• Step #5: Articulate the APPLICATION.

Question 11

Application!
The Psalms:

are a guide to _______.

They demonstrate how to relate _______ to God.

Answer 11

The Psalms are a guide to WORSHIP.

They demonstrate how to relate HONESTLY to God.

Question 12

Application!

• Model the _______ of reflection and meditation on who God is and what has done.

• While they do not guarantee an easy or pleasant life, they do ____ us to God as the
______ reality in all of life.

Answer 12

• Model the IMPORTANCE of reflection and meditation on who God is and what has done.

• While they do not guarantee an easy or pleasant life, they do POINT us to God as the
CENTRAL reality in all of life.

Question 13

Just keep swimming

Answer 13

• dory