The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. – Psalm 23: 1-4
INTRODUCTION:
The Book of Psalms is a significant part of the Wisdom Literature and best connects our hearts to the heart of God. David was the author of most of the psalms. Some were composed by other writers, and the writers of some are doubtful. David was characterized as “a man after God’s own heart.” Despite his major failings, he had a passion for intimacy with God and zeal to pursue after God with his whole heart. He had a supreme love for God’s Word with the longing to obey His commandments. He also had the heart of a shepherd and the creative gifts, both in terms of his musical ability and his poetic genius, to achieve this masterpiece of expression.
Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, whatever emotions your heart may be feeling, whatever struggles you may be going through, you will find a place in the Psalms that resonates and draws you closer to the Lord. Of all the books of the Old Testament, the Psalms are the most frequently quoted in the New Testament. Every psalm either points directly to Christ in his person, his character, and offices; or may lead the believer’s thoughts to Him. And the psalms are the language of the believer’s heart, whether mourning for sin, thirsting after God, or rejoicing in Him; whether admiring the Divine perfections, thanking God for His mercies, meditating on His truths, or delighting in His service, they form a divinely appointed standard of experience, by which we may judge ourselves. Their value is very great, and their use will enhance and deepen one’s relationship with the Triune God. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray through the psalms.
If we become familiar with the psalms they will help us with every expression of prayer whether it is confession, petition, or thanksgiving. Whatever devout affection we have, whatever holy desire, hope, sorrow or joy we experience, the Psalms will provide us with the words to clothe them. In the language of this Divine book, the prayers and praises of the church have been offered up to the Throne of Grace from age to age.
BASIC OUTLINE:
The Psalms are divided into five books, each ending with a doxology. They are
- Psalms 1 through 41;
- Psalms 2 through 72;
- Psalms 73 through 89;
- Psalms 90 through 106;
- Psalms 107 through 150.
TOPICAL GROUPINGS:
Another way of looking at the Psalms is to view them in various topical groupings:
- Righteous versus Wicked/Integrity/Godliness: Psalms 1; 7; 14; 15; 17; 26; 49; 64; 101; 120: 10 in all.
- Revelation/Word of God: Psalms 19; 119 (22 strophes): 2 in all.
- Messianic (could fit under other topics as well): Psalms 2; 8; 16; 22; 40; 45; 69; 72; 89; 102; 109; 110; 132: 13 in all.
- Kingship/Royal/Sovereignty: Psalms 21; 24; 47; 48; 85; 87; 93; 113; 122: 9 in all.
- Crisis/ Desperation: Psalms 55; 57; 70; 88; 142; 143: 6 in all.
- Reproach/Slander: Psalms 4; 86; 123: 3 in all.
- Answering the tough questions: Psalms 10; 13; 74; 77; 79: five in all.
- Protection/Deliverance/Victory: Psalms 3; 5; 12; 18; 20; 28; 44; 46; 59; 61; 62; 108; 118; 121; 124; 140; 141; 144; 147: 19 in all.
Judgment/Vindication/Imprecatory/Wrath of God: Psalms 7; 9; 35; 50; 54; 55; 58; 59; 68; 69; 75; 79; 82; 83; 94; 106; 129; 137; 139: 19 in all.
Penitential/Confession of Sin/Discipline of the Lord: Psalms 6; 32; 38; 39; 51; 53; 130; 137; 143: 9 in all.
Importance of Faith/Faithfulness of God: Psalms 11; 27; 56; 91; 105; 146: 6 in all.
Hope/Perseverance/Perspective: Psalms 31; 37; 38; 42; 43; 71; 78; 90; 125; 130; 131; 138: 12 in all.
God’s Providence/Goodness/Thanksgiving/Blessings/God’s Favor: Psalms 23; 65; 67; 73; 80; 81; 84; 95; 100; 103; 115; 126; 127; 133; 134; 135; 139: 17 in all.
God’s Loving Kindness/ Mercy: Psalms 36; 41; 52; 60; 63; 107; 116; 117; 136: 9 in all.
Fear of the Lord/Majesty/Worship: Psalms 25; 29; 34; 66; 68; 76; 104; 111; 112; 114; 128: 11 in all.
Praise/Joy: Psalms 30; 33; 92; 96; 98; 145; 148; 149; 150: 9 in all.
WHY STUDY THIS BOOK?
- The Psalms help us to enhance our Life of Prayer. They are an appropriate response to the disciples’ pleas, "Lord, teach us how to pray."
- The Psalms enhance our Praise and Worship. They are used extensively in the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours: "Lord, teach us to worship."
- The Psalms encourage us to be authentic and transparent before God and others.
- Through the Book of Psalms we learn more about the Character and Person of God: His Goodness, His Sovereignty, His Holiness, His Wrath, His Loving Kindness, His Mercy, His Power, His Majesty, His Transcendence balanced with His Immanence.
- Finally, through the Psalms we learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ as we see the Messiah in the Psalms.
NOTABLE QUOTES:
Spurgeon: "More and more is the conviction forced upon my heart that every man must traverse the territory of the Psalms himself if he would know what a goodly land they are. They flow with milk and honey, but not to strangers; they are only fertile to lovers of their hills and vales. None but the Holy Spirit can give a man the key to the Treasury of David; and even he gives it rather to experience than to study. Happy is he who for himself knows the secret of the Psalms."
Baxter: "This Book of Psalms is a limpid lake which reflects every mood of man's changeful sky. It is a river of consolation which, though swollen with many tears, never fails to gladden the fainting. It is a garden of flowers which never lose their fragrance, though some of the roses have sharp thorns. It is a stringed instrument which registers every note of praise and prayer, of triumph and trouble, of gladness and sadness, of hope and fear, and unites them all in the full multi-chord of human experience."
St. Ambrose of Milan: "Although all Scripture breathes the grace of God, yet sweet beyond all others is the Book of Psalms. History instructs, the Law teaches, Prophecy announces, rebukes, chastens, Morality persuades; but in the Book of Psalms we have the fruit of all these, and a kind of medicine for the salvation of men."
HELPFUL ATTITUDES FOR PRAYER:
· Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, whatever emotions your heart may be feeling, whatever struggles you may be going through, you will find a place in the Psalms that resonates and draws you closer to the Lord.
· No part of the Old Testament is more frequently quoted or referred to in the New than the Book of Psalms. Every psalm either points directly to Christ in his person, his character, and offices; or may lead the believer’s thoughts to Him.
· The psalms are the language of the believer’s heart, whether mourning for sin, thirsting after God, or rejoicing in Him. Whether admiring the Divine perfections, thanking God for His mercies, meditating on his truths, or delighting in His service, they form a divinely appointed standard of experience, by which we may judge ourselves.
· Whatever devout affection is working in us, holy desire or hope, sorrow or joy, we may here find words to clothe it; sound speech which cannot be condemned.
· In the language of this Divine book, the prayers and praises of the church have been offered up to the Throne of Grace from age to age.
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER:
· Be faithful to your time of prayer, and make it between 20 and 30 minutes daily.
· Begin every prayer session with an earnest prayer to the Holy Spirit like the one I have composed for you: Come, Holy Spirit, and overshadow me with your gentle wisdom and power as I endeavor to sit at the feet of Jesus during this period of prayer. Purify my mind and heart as I seek to make the teachings of Jesus my priority in life, thinking, speaking and doing as He desires. You are the keeper of my soul, leading me into God’s heart. May I be docile and submissive to your wisdom and guidance. May my life be a pleasing offering in your sight. Amen.
· Take one of the passages suggested for prayer. During the week you might want to ponder the question, “How prominent have the Psalms become in your prayer?”
· Lastly, during your prayer make sure you also address God directly and listen for the Holy Spirit’s responses.
· You can end your prayer with the following: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank you for your gracious companionship. I praise you for being my Creator, Savior and Lord. May I take your blessings to my day, and may your presence envelop and permeate all my thoughts and actions. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASSAGES FOR PRAYER:
Psalm 2: The Universal Reign of the Messiah
Psalm 8: The Majesty of God and the Dignity of Man
Psalm 23: The Lord, Shepherd and Host
Psalm 42: Desire for God and His Temple
Psalm 51: Prayer of Repentance
Psalm 63: Ardent Longing for God
Psalm 118: Hymn of Thanksgiving to the Savior of Israel
Psalm 139: The All-knowing and Ever-present God
SPIRITUAL READING:
The Imitation of Christ:
After the Bible, this classic is the most widely read. There are four books and 114 chapters in all. You could savor this book three times over if you read a single chapter each day of the retreat. For this week the following chapters might be useful:
The Bible:
It would be even more important for you to become familiar with the Bible, especially with the New Testament. Similarly, beginning with the New Testament you can choose to read a few chapters on a daily basis, and/or the ones recommended during this week.
Old Testament:
Psalms 23; 65; 67; 73; 80; 81; 84; 95; 100; 103; 115; 126; 127; 133; 134; 135; 139: God’s Providence/Goodness/Thanksgiving/Blessings/God’s Favor.
Psalms 36; 41; 52; 60; 63; 107; 116; 117; 136: God’s Loving Kindness/ Mercy.
JOURNALING:
- Journal for a few minutes daily about your experience with God in prayer and during the day.
- Your journal will help you with your sharing in spiritual direction
- Gradually patterns of insights, themes, consolations, and resistance to God’s promptings will emerge.
Your journal will help you appreciate the Holy Spirit’s action in your being.
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