Author Topic: The Wisdom of the Books of the Bible (Read 5913 times)

AGelbert · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2019, 03:07:32 pm »

PSALMS

Agelbert NOTE: quoted from the Hebrew-Greek Study Bible (compiled and edited by Spiros Sodhiates) Introduction to the Hebrew Prayer and Praise Book, that we Christians know as the Psalms.

The name "Psalms" comes from the Greek Psalmoi which means "sangs." Sometimes the book is called the Psalter. It has been called the "Hebrew Prayer and Praise Book." It was the first book in the third division of the Old Testament which is called the Writings (see Luke 24:44).

Thr Book of Psalms may very well be the most beloved book of the Old Testament! It was the hymnbook and prayer book of Israel and later of the early Christians. It has provided people with so much comfort in times of trouble, as well as private and public worship.

The Psalms were written by different authors over a long period of time.

Of the 150 Psalms,
seventy-three were ascribed to David,
forty-nine are anonymous,
twelve were written by Asaph,
twelve by the sons of Korah,
two by Solomon,
one by Moses,
and one by Ethan.

The collection is arranged in five books:

֍ Book I (Ps 1-41)
֍ Book II (Ps 42-72)
֍ Book III(Ps 73-89)
֍ Book IV (Ps90-106)
֍ Book V (Ps 107-150)

There are sub-groups here and there within Psalms: the psalms of Korah's sons (Ps. 42-49); the michtam psalms (Ps. 56-60); the psalms of Asaph (Ps. 73-83); and the songs of degrees (Ps. 120-134). The longest psalm is Psalm 119 with 176 verses (it is also the longest chapter in the entire Bible). In this particular psalm, each character of the Hebrew alphabet (from aleph "א" to tav "ת") begins a verse in each section of eight versers. The shortest psalm is Psalm 117.

There was a wide variaety of purposes and occasions which prompted the writing of the various types of psalms. Some are national in scope and some are intimatelt oersonal. Some are exuberant and some are forkorn. There is a tremendous range of human emotion expressed in the Psalms (both collectively and individually) that it is no wonder that Psalms has been so popular thriugh the ages. There is something there for everyone: temple hymns, royal psalms which anticipated Christ as Messianic King, imprecatory wishes, aspirations, struggles, deep contrition, feelings of deliverance, outpourrings of prayer to God, worship, confession, inner conflicts, pleas for help and protection, and songs of thanksgiving for God's blessings.

In the New Tetament there are 283 quotations from the Old Testament: 116 of them are from the Book of Psalms alone! Jesus loved the Psalms. Even while dying on the cross, Jesus quoted from them (Matthew 27:46, Luke 23:46). Messianic predictions abound regarding His suffering, death, resurrection, and final victory in glory.

The Psalms are especially useful for all of us today. The book emphasizes the following things: There is only one God. He is ever-present, all-powerful, and infinitely wise.

We must all recognize the universality of God's Love, His providence, and His goodness. He is sovereign and we must obey Him unfalteringly with reverence. Idols are empty, false, and abominable. Sin is horrible and God hates it. He will execute judgement upon sinners. But God is also merciful and forgiving, if man is truly penitent and submissive. Great joy will result. Some psalms stress the beauty of God's holiness and a deep personal relationship with God.

Renewable Revolution

User

Stats ezBlock

Author Topic: The Wisdom of the Books of the Bible (Read 5913 times)

AGelbert

Re: The Wisdom of the Books of the Bible

Recent Topics