02.19.2012 Introduction to The Psalms - from Lamenting to Intimacy with God

SermonAudio

Good morning! Pastor Mike is in Atlanta this weekend, helping his parents while his dad recovers from knee surgery. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday – which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts to become like Christ – to remember His sacrifice for us – to identify with Christ in His sufferings so that when Easter arrives, we can identify with Christ in His resurrection. This year, during the Lenten season, we are encouraging each of you to take a journey together through the Book of Psalms. If you start today and end on Easter, by reading 3 Psalms a day, you will have read through the entire book of Psalms. During these weeks, Mike and Dick and I will be preaching about and from the Psalms. Today, I am going to give you a general overview of the Psalms, and I am going to encourage you to join together on this journey as a community.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to worship You today and to experience You through Your Word. I pray You would teach us about Your character, and help us as we join together in this journey to read through the Psalms during this Lenten season. May we experience You in a fresh way. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Let me give you a bit of an overview of today’s message – It sounds scary and long but it actually goes quite quickly
First, I’ll give a bit of an overview and some history of the Psalms,
Next I'll talk about some things to look for as you read the Psalms -
The Journey of the Bible illustrated in the Psalms
How to view Lamentation in the Psalms
Some words to watch out for (vav, Hesed, Selah)
Messianic Prophecy (and The Great Commission) in the Psalms
How to Handle Difficult/Hard sayings in the Psalms
And finally, some exercises and applications as we journey together through the Psalms.
First, an overview and history:
The Psalms consist of 150 chapters (often divided into 5 books, parallel to the first 5 books of the Bible, the Torah). They provide instruction, inspiration, motivation, and consolation. As you study the Psalms, be aware of the images that are used and the thoughts and emotions that they are intended to evoke in us, the readers.
The Psalms were composed over a span of about one thousand years. The earliest was by Moses (Psalm 90) in the fifteenth century B.C., and a couple appear to be contemporary with the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century B.C. (Psalms 126 and 137).
Some of these poems are not assigned authors (almost a third of them). Other composers are identified:
73 by David,
12 by Asaph,
12 by the descendants of Korah,
one or two by Solomon, the son of David,
one by Moses,
one by Ethan,
and one by Heman.
Heman was a worship leader in the days of the Kings – not Heman, one of the Masters of the Universe.
BLACK
Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were contemporaries of David, so the majority of the Psalms were written about 1000 years before Jesus was born.
The Psalms were meant to be sung. They are like poems or lyrics to a song. Like a poem, some Psalms are acrostics, where certain sections start with a particular letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Hebrew Poetry doesn’t rhyme, but rather tends to follow a couple of forms – Some things to look for in a Psalm – as you read through the Psalms, look for thoughts building upon one another– where the second line is a rephrasing of the first, reinforcing each preceding thought –- let’s look at Psalm 1 for an example of this:
Psalm 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 And he will be like a tree [firmly] planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
That is called Synonymous Parallelism – where each phrase agrees with and builds on the previous. The opposite of this is Antithetic Parallelism – where the next line is in contrast to the preceding line (Hey, I just did that myself!) – and you will see this pattern throughout the Psalms – but an example of this is right here continuing in Psalm 1:
4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
Instead of Synonymous and Antithetic parallelism, a simpler way of saying this is to pay attention for comparisons and contrasts.
And that was Psalm 1 – only 149 more to go! We might be here a while…
Seriously though - Congratulations – you are 1/3 through the reading plan for the Psalms for today – regardless of whether you use Mike’s system of reading Psalms 1,51, 101 or simply reading them in order - Psalms 1,2 and 3!
God will take you on a journey through the Psalms – like the whole Bible is a journey – Psalm 1 talks about keeping The Law – this is Torah Law – The Bible starts with the Torah Law – and the Journey of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is the journey from The Law to God’s ultimate desire – Intimacy – to be with Him.
The formula for Torah Law is Obedience = Reward – and you see this in the Psalms - The Lord rewards the Righteous. The contrasting formula is Disobedience = Punishment – or as Psalm 1 says: “The way of the wicked will perish.”
That is the Law – but what is God’s ultimate desire? Intimacy. That we would be with Him. Leviticus 26: 3 'If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out… 11 'Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. 12 'I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. This is shown in the New Testament in the Incarnation – God With Us – The Word Made Flesh – Jesus. I’ll show this more shortly.
Another formula that you will see as you read through the Psalms is the Formula of Remembrance – This is to recall all of the amazing things that God did – and to ask Him to remember those things and to intervene like He did then. You’ll see this in Psalm 78. Many times it is asking God to put things right.
I have given you an overview and history of the Psalms – and a couple of forms and formulas that you will see as you read through them – and a picture of the Journey that we’ll be on as we go through the Psalms - now I’d like to spend some time looking at one of the most common types of Psalm – the Lamentation.
A large portion of the psalms are Lamentation – songs of complaint. If we are looking at the Journey – Lamentation fits into the Wilderness portion of the Journey. And let’s be honest – it is in the wilderness that we spend most of our Christian journey. In some of them, the psalmist is REALLY ANGRY. To me, this is God saying – it is okay to express your anger to God. It is okay to tell Him that you are really upset. It is okay to say, you know, God, this situation is not what I had hoped or prayed for, in fact, this situation is unsatisfactory, unacceptable, and I’m fed up! HOWEVER… The psalmist always comes back to - Yet You are God – You’re in control – I will trust You.

There is a Hebrew letter, vav- ו – which is sometimes complementary and is translated, AND, and at other times it is a REVERSAL – and is translated, BUT, YET, UNTIL. Look for this as you read the Psalms – because when there is the vav of reversal, the Lamentation transforms into a song of praise. Both the lamentation and the praise are equally valid expressions of worship.
Let’s look at one of the most famous Lamentation Psalms, Psalm 73 – (A Psalm of Asaph.) – these subheadings sometimes give more clues into who wrote it and what they are going through.
73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
Remember the formula for The Law I mentioned earlier – Obedience = Reward; Disobedience = Punishment? This begins with that thought in mind.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Asaph is struggling because The Law formula is not working – If disobedience = punishment, why are the wicked prosperous?
Something else to note here – Sometimes the Psalmist expresses truth in speaking forth the very words of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes not. This is one of those ‘Sometimes not’ moments. This isn’t true. The wicked are not free from the burdens common to man – so be careful not to take every word of the Psalms as what our attitudes are to be when we are speaking righteousness.
11 They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
They are mocking an omniscient God.
12 This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.
Are the wicked always carefree, increasing in wealth? Sometimes it might seem like it – but the answer is no, this is not Truth.
13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
Is it vain to keep our hearts pure? No. But here, for the Psalmist, Asaph, the formula is REALLY breaking down, because not only are the wicked being rewarded, but it seems that he is being punished for his righteousness.
14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. … 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
Here comes a VAV – a turning point for the Psalmist -
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny... 21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
At least he is being honest with God
And again – another big vav reversal -
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
This is the ultimate. This is what God desires most. This is the answer. We’ve been asking for the wrong thing – and God is giving us not what we ask for, but what we need most – Himself. Again – He is taking us on a journey from The Law to Intimacy.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
What is God’s deepest desire? It is to be with us – and for us to be with Him. We not only see this in Leviticus, but in the New Testament as well - What shall His name be called? Immanuel – God with us – Jesus – the Word made flesh – Incarnationally, God wants to be with us.
John 17: 24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
And ultimately – at the very end, God’s desire is to be among us – on this journey from the Law to Intimacy
Revelation 21: 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.
That is in the future – but even today He is with everyone who believes – in the person of The Holy Spirit.
He doesn’t give us answers – He gives us Himself. And note the Psalmist’s response – it is The Great Commission – I will tell of all Your deeds!
Interestingly – when Jesus gave The Great Commission in Matthew 28, what was the last thing He said? Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Again - Lamentation is our griefs and sorrows poured out from suffering – and in our Lamentation, God gives us what we need most – Himself – He is the answer to our suffering – because He used suffering to save the world. And we are called to weep with those who weep – to enter redemptively into the suffering of others.

We’ve looked at The history and forms of the Psalms - The Journey of the Psalms – How to view Lamentations in the Psalms – I’ve introduced the Hebrew letter vav – which gives you some words to look out for as you read the Psalms – Yet, But, Until – The turning point of the Lamentation Psalms. Before moving to the Prophetic/Messianic Psalms, I’d like to point out a couple more words to look out for – the first of which is Selah. As you read through the Psalms, you will see Selah 71 times.
Selah may be a musical term meaning a musical interlude – an instrumental – which gives the concept of “Pause – stop and think about it – let it settle in.” Its root means to value or to weigh – so, value this – weigh it in your mind. Selah.
A word you will see indicated in the Psalms more than 125 times is Hesed. Or checed. It is usually translated lovingkindness, love, unfailing love, faithfulness, mercy, mercies – or covenant faithfulness – it is really the concept of grace. Some call it an undefinable word – so we may as well try to put a definition to it, right? Michael Card calls hesed - – “When the Person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything. It’s the only thing that makes covenant work. We keep breaking it and He keeps keeping it. Finally Jesus comes and keeps it fully.” So when you see the words ‘mercies, or lovingkindness, or faithfulness’ – think of Hesed -
Many of the Psalms are prophetic – and Messianic – that is to say there was multiple fulfillment – first in the Psalmists’ day – and then in the future in Christ, the Messiah. You’ll see it in Psalm 2. But let’s take a look at Psalm 22. When Jesus was on the cross, He quoted the beginning of a Lamentation Psalm, Psalm 22. My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?
There are SOOO many verses in Psalm 22 that accurately describe the scene at the cross – now keep in mind, this was written 1000 years before Jesus was born.
22:1 My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. 2 O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; And by night, but I have no rest. 3 Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 In Thee our fathers trusted; They trusted, and Thou didst deliver them
Did you pick up on the VAV reversal there? – Yet Thou art holy…
7 All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, [saying,] 8 "Commit [yourself] to the Lord; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him." 9 Yet Thou art He who didst bring me forth from the womb; Thou didst make me trust …
14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;... 16 For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.
Does this sound familiar?
19 But Thou, O Lord, be not far off; O Thou my help, hasten to my assistance. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, My only [life] from the power of the dog
31 They will come and will declare His righteousness To a people who will be born, that He has performed [it.]
Once again – even this prophetic psalm has a hint of The Great Commission in it.
Here, Jesus was used greatly by God when He was lamenting – on the cross. Might it be that God uses us greatly when we learn the value of lamenting in worship and suffering for Him? – Phil. 1: 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…
Embrace the suffering as the opportunity to pour your heart out to God – and when it seems like there is no answer – allow Him to give you the answer - Himself. Be with Him. Selah.
We’ve looked at the History, The Journey, The Vav, The Hesed, The Prophetic and Messianic Psalms – and even The Great Commission in the Psalms – but before we finish, we need to look at some of the hard or difficult sayings in the Psalms. These are referred to as Imprecatory or Psalms of Cursing.
As you go through the Psalms, you will come across some very tough sayings – a few examples are
Psalm 58:6 - O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
Psalm 69:28 - May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
Psalm 109:9 - May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
Some of them seem to be directly at odds with Jesus’ command to love our enemies. Some would say it is the Psalmist being brutally honest with God – thereby giving us permission to be brutally honest with God. Others would say, this is not inspired scripture, but the feelings of the Psalmist – kind of like when Asaph was ‘getting it wrong’ in Psalm 73 that I mentioned earlier.
A few things to understand –
First - some Psalms use hyperbole- exaggeration to make a point – like when David says that he makes his bed swim with tears in Psalm 6:6.
Second - Many of these ‘imprecatory psalms’ or ‘Psalms of curses’ are about ‘The Wicked’ – consider these to be people who will never repent and will never come to God – they are destined for destruction and are like those Pastor Mike spoke of when he talked about hell – Even if someone were to rise from the dead they still wouldn’t believe. Consider them to be like Hitler or Saddam Hussein – it would have been better if they’d never been born.
3rd – The Psalmist is not the one who will inflict the vengeance – but they have a righteous indignation for the righteousness of God and are asking God to execute His vengeance – to protect His name.
4th – These are not personal vendettas – but sometimes they do refer to a specific person – like Psalm 109 – which is a prophecy of Judas – and even Jesus Himself pronounced a ‘Woe unto him’ judgment against Judas.
With regard to the tough sayings above,
Psalm 58:6 - O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions.
In context – this says, “take away their ability to inflict damage” – even the next verse says, when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.
Psalm 69:28 - May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
Even in the New Testament, Paul says,
Galatians 1: 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
These are enemies of God – not just another sinner who needs to understand grace – and part of the character of God, like it or not, is to mete out justice to His enemies.
Nonetheless, on a personal level, we are to follow the instructions of Romans 12:
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath [of God,] for it is written, " Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
So in review - We’ve looked at the History, The Journey, Some words to watch for (The Vav, Hesed), The Prophetic and Messianic Psalms, The Great Commission in the Psalms, and finally the tough sayings in the Psalms.
As you go through the Psalms, you will experience these opportunities:
1. Marveling at God's Creation (Psalms 8, 19, 139)
2. Thirsting for God (Psalms 27, 42-43, 63)
3. Choosing the Right Path (Psalms 1, 15, 133)
4. Offering High Praises to God (Psalms 150, 95, 98)
5. Crying Out for Rescue (Psalms 40, 69, 80)
6. Trusting in God's Protection (Psalms 61, 91, and 121)
7. Resting in God's Care (Psalms 16, 23, 131, 3, 31, and 46)
8. Exulting in God (Psalms 57, 96, 126, and 24)
9. Rejoicing in God's Character (Psalms 103, 145, and 117)
10. Looking Forward to the Messiah (Psalms 2, 110, and 22)
11. Finding Forgiveness and Restoration (Psalms 32 and 51)
12. Giving Thanks to Our Faithful God (Psalms 100, 107, 118, and 34)
Epilogue (Psalms 46 and 119)

In conclusion – Here are some exercises to consider as you read through the Psalms
1) Pray the Psalm. Make it your own. After reading it – pray it and insert your own thoughts and concerns and lamentations and praises. People often pray the Scriptures – the Psalms are a great place to start this practice.
2) Write your own Psalm – it could be a Psalm of Praise – Or a Psalm of Remembrance – or a Lamentation. Pour your heart out to God and experience Intimacy!
3) Meditate on a Psalm – think deeply – Selah.
4) Memorize a Psalm – My advice here is to start with a short one – but seriously – memorized scripture comes back to help you in time of need. When Jesus was tempted in the Wilderness – how did He combat Satan’s temptations? By quoting memorized Scripture.
So I encourage you to join in this journey with us – to read 3 Psalms a day between now and Easter – and I am confident that you will experience the presence of God in a fresh way this Lenten season. Let’s pray:
May we be unusually aware of Your presence.