Poems of Lament and Poems of Praise

Question 1

What are the two main categories of poems in the Book of Psalms?

Answer 1

Poems of lament and poems of praise

Question 2

What is the main purpose of lament poems?

Answer 2

To express pain, confusion, and anger about the horrible things in the world and ask God to do something about it

Question 3

What message does the high number of lament poems in Psalms convey?

Answer 3

That lament is an appropriate response to evil in our world

Question 4

Where are lament poems most predominant in Psalms?

Answer 4

In Books 1 through 3

Question 5

What do praise poems focus on?

Answer 5

Joy, celebration, and drawing attention to what’s good in the world by retelling stories of God’s actions

Question 6

Where do praise poems become more numerous?

Answer 6

In Books 4 and 5

Question 7

How does the Book of Psalms end?

Answer 7

With a five-part hallelujah conclusion

Question 8

What does the shift from lament to praise throughout Psalms teach about Biblical faith?

Answer 8

That while we shouldn’t ignore life’s pain, Biblical faith looks forward to God’s promised Messianic Kingdom

Question 9

What tension does the Book of Psalms address?

Answer 9

The tension between hoping for the Messianic Kingdom while facing the tragic state of our world and lives

Question 10

What two pairs of concepts summarize the key themes of Psalms?

Answer 10

Torah and Messiah, lament and praise, faith and hope