OUTLINE OF THE PSALMS

The Triumph of Faith

Book I. Songs of Deliverance, Psalm 1-41

Book II. The Divine Judgments, Psalm 42-72

Book III. National Hymns of Judah, Psalm 73-89

Book IV. The Over-ruling Kingdom, Psalm 90-106

Book V. Anthems of Praise and Thanksgiving, Psalm 107-150

INTRODUCTION

“The Hebrew Psalms have furnished the bridal hymns, the battle songs, the pilgrim marches, the penitential prayers, and the public praises of every nation of Christendom since Christendom was born.”

“At the time of the Reformation,” says the great expositor Delitzsch, “the Psalter began to diffuse its odors as in the renewed freshness of a May morning.” Von Mueller says that the Psalms can make a life of trial to be a life of joy; while LeFevre calls them “the marrow of lions.”

The Psalter is found in the center of the Bible, and contains the heart of revelation. It is sometimes called “the Bible within the Bible,” because it summarizes what precedes and anticipates what follows. It is the one book of Scripture for which every other book has a marked affinity.

Most of the Psalms are prayers-not merely forms of devotion but the heart utterances of men who could not live without God. All of their experiences-whether unheard-of sufferings or unutterable joy-are viewed in relation to the divine will.

A number of the Psalms are songs which celebrate the history of the Hebrew people. While the leading events are depicted in broad outline, there is also a wealth of detail. About one-third are anonymous; 73 bear the name of David; 24 are attributed to the minstrels of his reign and subsequent singers, some of whom lived in the glorious period of Ezra’s restoration.

There are five books in the collection:

First, Psa_1:1-6; Psa_2:1-12; Psa_3:1-8; Psa_4:1-8; Psa_5:1-12; Psa_6:1-10; Psa_7:1-17; Psa_8:1-9; Psa_9:1-20; Psa_10:1-18; Psa_11:1-7; Psa_12:1-8; Psa_13:1-6; Psa_14:1-7; Psa_15:1-5; Psa_16:1-11; Psa_17:1-15; Psa_18:1-50; Psa_19:1-14; Psa_20:1-9; Psa_21:1-13; Psa_22:1-31; Psa_23:1-6; Psa_24:1-10; Psa_25:1-22; Psa_26:1-12; Psa_27:1-14; Psa_28:1-9; Psa_29:1-11; Psa_30:1-12; Psa_31:1-24; Psa_32:1-11; Psa_33:1-22; Psa_34:1-22; Psa_35:1-28; Psa_36:1-12; Psa_37:1-40; Psa_38:1-22; Psa_39:1-13; Psa_40:1-17; Psa_41:1-13;

Second. Psa_42:1-11; Psa_43:1-5; Psa_44:1-26; Psa_45:1-17; Psa_46:1-11; Psa_47:1-9; Psa_48:1-14; Psa_49:1-20; Psa_50:1-23; Psa_51:1-19; Psa_52:1-9; Psa_53:1-6; Psa_54:1-7; Psa_55:1-23; Psa_56:1-13; Psa_57:1-11; Psa_58:1-11; Psa_59:1-17; Psa_60:1-12; Psa_61:1-8; Psa_62:1-12; Psa_63:1-11; Psa_64:1-10; Psa_65:1-13; Psa_66:1-20; Psa_67:1-7; Psa_68:1-35; Psa_69:1-36; Psa_70:1-5; Psa_71:1-24; Psa_72:1-20;

Third, Psa_73:1-28; Psa_74:1-23; Psa_75:1-10; Psa_76:1-12; Psa_77:1-20; Psa_78:1-72; Psa_79:1-13; Psa_80:1-19; Psa_81:1-16; Psa_82:1-8; Psa_83:1-18; Psa_84:1-12; Psa_85:1-13; Psa_86:1-17; Psa_87:1-7; Psa_88:1-18; Psa_89:1-52;

Fourth, Psa_90:1-17; Psa_91:1-16; Psa_92:1-15; Psa_93:1-5; Psa_94:1-23; Psa_95:1-11; Psa_96:1-13; Psa_97:1-12; Psa_98:1-9; Psa_99:1-9; Psa_100:1-5; Psa_101:1-8; Psa_102:1-28; Psa_103:1-22; Psa_104:1-35; Psa_105:1-45; Psa_106:1-48;

Fifth, Psa_107:1-43; Psa_108:1-13; Psa_109:1-31; Psa_110:1-7; Psa_111:1-10; Psa_112:1-10; Psa_113:1-9; Psa_114:1-8; Psa_115:1-18; Psa_116:1-19; Psa_117:1-2; Psa_118:1-29; Psa_119:1-176; Psa_120:1-7; Psa_121:1-8; Psa_122:1-9; Psa_123:1-4; Psa_124:1-8; Psa_125:1-5; Psa_126:1-6; Psa_127:1-5; Psa_128:1-6; Psa_129:1-8; Psa_130:1-8; Psa_131:1-3; Psa_132:1-18; Psa_133:1-3; Psa_134:1-3; Psa_135:1-21; Psa_136:1-26; Psa_137:1-9; Psa_138:1-8; Psa_139:1-24; Psa_140:1-13; Psa_141:1-10; Psa_142:1-7; Psa_143:1-12; Psa_144:1-15; Psa_145:1-21; Psa_146:1-10; Psa_147:1-20; Psa_148:1-14; Psa_149:1-9; Psa_150:1-6.

{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Genesis in the Psalms edition}



REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE PSALMS

Outline

(a) Into how many books is the Psalter divided?

(b) What marks the close of each book?

(c) How may the contents of the various books be characterized?



Introduction

(d) From what sources have the Psalms been derived?

(e) What is the world’s debt to this collection of songs and prayers?

(f) What is the Psalter sometimes called?



Psalm 1-41

Each question applies to the paragraph of the corresponding number in the Comments.

1. How are the godly and the wicked contrasted?

2. What prophecies regarding Christ are contained in Psa_2:1-12?

3. What verses in Psa_3:1-8; Psa_4:1-8 are alike?

4. Why do we often fail to receive the answer to our prayers?

5. What were some of the elements in the psalmist’s sorrow?

6. What is the natural penalty that comes to those who seek to injure others?

7. What is man’s place in creation?

8. What is the hope of the righteous?

9. What is the confidence of the oppressor? of the oppressed?

10. What penalty awaits the wicked?

11. What is the character of those who deny God?

12. What is the character of those who acknowledge God? In what terms does Psa_16:1-11 predict the resurrection of Christ?

13. What is the satisfaction of men of the world? of the righteous?

14. How did the psalmist find God revealed in a storm?

15. How was David raised to power and position?

16. In what two ways has God revealed Himself to men?

17. How does the name of the Lord represent His character?

18. What did the king ask and receive of the Lord?

19. Why are the opening words of the Psa_22:1-31 memorable?

20. How does the psalmist forecast the crucifixion of Jesus?

21. Why is Psa_23:1-6 the best known of all the Psalms?

22. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?”

23. Whom will God guide and teach?

24. For what does the psalmist declare his hate? his love?

25. What one thing does the psalmist seek after?

26. Why does God sometimes seem deaf to our prayers?

27. What does the heart of faith hear in the mighty storm?

28. What is the contrast between sorrow and joy?

29. With what prayer of David have many great men of God departed this life?

30. What did the psalmist declare in his haste? How was his error corrected?

31. How is life transformed by forgiveness?

32. How was the world created?

33. Why is God alone worthy of complete confidence?

34. How may we know the goodness of the Lord?

35. What awaits the contrite soul?

36. How are we to explain the psalmist’s attitude toward his enemies?

37. Who are the “quiet in the land”?

38. What is the key to the character of the wicked? What are the great attributes of God?

39. How does the psalmist regard the prosperity of the wicked?

40. What is the psalmist’s testimony concerning God’s care of the righteous?

41. What is the end of the wicked? of the righteous?

42. To what does the psalmist attribute his sufferings?

43. Why does human life appear vain?

44. What does God value above sacrifice?

45. Why does our sense of sin grow with our increasing knowledge of God?

46. With what beatitude does Psa_41:1-13 begin?



Psalms 42-72

47. What is the reproach of the psalmist’s enemies?

48. What verses in Psa_43:1-5 are the same as in Psa_42:1-11?

49. What assurances do God’s former deliverances give to us?

50. How is it possible for God’s people to feel forsaken?

51. What verses of Psa_45:1-17 are applied to Christ?

52. How are our deficiencies an opportunity for God?

53. To whom do the “shields of the earth” belong?

54. Why is Mount Zion the “joy of the whole earth”?

55. Why is it folly to trust in riches?

56. Why are sacrifices alone unavailing with God?

57. What are the two final conditions of a blessed life?

58. When only can God forgive?

59. What are the “sacrifices of God”?

60. What is the trust of the evil man? of the righteous?

61. Of what psalm is Psa_53:1-6 a repetition? What is the difference between the psalmist and his enemies?

62. How is the psalmist affected by the oppression of the wicked?

63. In what ways was Ahithophel a type of Judas?

64. What can “flesh” do against God’s servants?

65. What makes the songs of the psalmist possible?

66. How is God’s moral government vindicated?

67. Why will God have the nations in derision?

68. What was the psalmist’s consolation in the midst of national defeat?

69. What is the heritage of those who fear God’s name?

70. Why do power and loving-kindness belong to God?

71. Why is God’s loving-kindness better than life?

72. When will the “upright in heart” glory?

73. What do the beauty and order of the world teach us of God?

74. How is God terrible in His dealings with men?

75. When is prayer useless? What is the psalmist’s vision of the progress of faith?

76. For whom has God special care?

77. Why is Zion distinguished above all other mountains?

78. Why was Israel the head of the nations?

79. On what grounds can the sufferer base his plea for salvation?

80. What is more acceptable to God than sacrifice?

81. Of what previous psalm is Psa_70:1-5 a part?

82. Why was the psalmist “as a wonder unto many”?

83. What is the best occupation for the aged?

84. Of whom is Psa_72:1-20 a prophecy?

85. How is the conclusion of the second book of Psalms indicated?



Psalm 73-89

86. How was the psalmist affected by the prosperity of the wicked? Where did he find the answer to his problem?

87. Where is the true place to form a right estimate of life?

88. To what degradation was Zion subjected?

89. What hope was there for its restoration?

90. What do we realize in the high moments of life?

91. How can the wrath of man praise God?

92. Why should we give full expression of our grief to God?

93. How may we derive encouragement from the past?

94. How is the knowledge of God’s dealings preserved?

95. How did God deliver His people from Egypt?

96. How did they incur His displeasure in the Wilderness?

97. With what plagues had God smitten the Egyptians?

98. What was the conduct of the Israelites after entering the Promised Land?

99. Why did God forsake the Tabernacle at Shiloh? Whom did He choose to shepherd His people Israel?

100. What conditions prevailed after the fall of Jerusalem?

101. What is the refrain of Psa_80:1-19?

102. To what does the psalmist compare the growth of the Hebrew nation?

103. For what festival was Psa_81:1-16 written?

104. Why did God allow His people to walk in their own counsels?

105. To whom did God say, “Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High”?

106. Who are God’s “hidden ones”?

107. How do God’s people regard His sanctuary?

108. What will God speak to His people?

109. Upon what should we build our prayers?

110. Where are the springs of the true life to be found?

111. What marks Psa_88:1-18 as the saddest of all the Psalms?

112. What was God’s covenant with David?

113. Upon what was the fulfillment of the covenant conditioned?

114. Why is God said to have made void the covenant?



Psalms 90-106

115. How is Psa_90:1-17 distinguished from the rest? How is its melancholy strain to be explained?

116. What is the reward of those who make the Most High their habitation?

117. How do the blessings of the righteous exceed the prosperity of the wicked?

118. To whom does vengeance belong?

119. How may we be assured that God knows all that takes place?

120. When is the best time to heed God’s Word?

121. How is God to be revered and honored?

122. How are God’s power and majesty manifested?

123. How will God judge the world?

124. Why is God’s holiness terrible to sinners?

125. What establishes God’s claim to our devotion and gratitude?

126. What were David’s resolutions at the beginning of his reign?

127. What is the most bitter element in affliction?

128. How is God’s unchanging character expressed?

129. How far has God removed our transgressions from us?

130. What is God’s attitude toward those that fear Him?

131. How is God’s care for His creation manifested?

132. What is man’s place in nature?

133. What is “natural law”?

134. When were Psa_105:1-45; Psa_106:1-48 probably written?

135. What lesson does the psalmist draw from the story of Joseph and the sojourn in Egypt?

136. In what different ways was God’s providence made known in the escape from Egypt?

137. How does Psa_106:1-48 express God’s attitude toward the ungrateful and the sinful?

138. What early leaders of the nation intervened to save them from destruction?

139. What were some evil results of intermingling with the Canaanite tribes?



Psalms 107-150

140. What peculiarly oriental picture of distress is suggested in the first verses of Psa_107:1-43?

141. How does a voyage at sea, with its storms and tempests, suggest human life?

142. How are the strange contrasts and uncertainties of human life to be explained?

143. In Psa_108:1-13 what ancient and persistent enemies of Israel are pictured as about to be overthrown?

144. How might we fairly read Psa_109:1-31 so as to remove the vindictive element?

145. In what respect does this psalm fall short of the Christian ideal? How is this to be explained?

146. Where and how did Jesus use the words of Psa_110:1-7?

147. By whom are the “works of the Lord” sought out?

148. What are some of the sure rewards of faith?

149. What familiar Old Testament story might we associate with Psa_113:1-9? What great event is celebrated in Psa_114:1-8?

150. What contrasts between the heathen gods and Jehovah are brought out by the psalmist?

151. What experience led to the writing of Psa_116:1-19?

152. In what respect is Psa_117:1-2 unique?

153. How did the Hebrews probably use Psa_118:1-29? What historical associations has it?

154. How was the “rejected stone” used as a parable by Jesus and His followers?

155. What might we substitute for the “word” of Jehovah as used in Psa_119:1-176?

156. What custom shows the Hebrews’ admiration for the teaching of this great psalm? Why does the psalmist’s soul “break” and “melt”?

157. Why do we need to meditate on God’s Word?

158. Name some of the ways in which the psalmist found comfort.

159. What lesson had he learned from affliction?

160. What is our surest test for the truth of God’s Word?

161. Why does the psalmist declare himself wiser than his enemies or teachers?

162. What counsel is here suggested to us when wickedness seems triumphant?

163. How may we explain the humility of the psalmist?

164. How must we pray if we desire to know God’s presence?

165. From what sources does praise spring?

166. What use was probably made of the “Songs of Degrees”? How is God’s “keeping” emphasized in Psa_121:1-8?

167. Why were the pilgrims bidden to pray for the peace of Jerusalem?

168. By what figures does the psalmist illustrate his deliverance from threatened destruction? What comforting thought was suggested by the situation of Jerusalem?

169. Why did the return from exile suggest “sowing in tears”? What conditions the success of all undertakings?

170. What blessings attend a godly household? What was the general character of Israel’s history?

171. Why is Israel exhorted, to hope in the Lord? How does the psalmist compare himself to a fretful child?

172. What was God’s great promise to David?

173. With what prayer do the “Songs of Degrees” close?

174. Upon what three reasons does the psalmist base his exhortation to praise God?

175. How does Jehovah differ from idols?

176. What is the refrain of Psa_136:1-26?

177. How is God’s loving-kindness shown in Israel’s history?

178. Why did the exiled Israelites refuse to sing for their captors?

179. What is God’s promise to the lowly?

180. What knowledge does the psalmist declare to be “too wonderful” for him?

181. What does he say of the beginnings of our human life?

182. How shall the violent be overthrown?

183. How does the psalmist receive the reproof of the righteous?

184. What was his prayer when lonely, persecuted, and discouraged?

185. Why did he entreat God not to enter into judgment with him?

186. How is the life of a happy, peaceful people described in Psa_144:1-15?

187. Why is God greatly to be praised?

188. To whom is the Lord nigh?

189. What opening words mark the last five psalms?

190. In whom does the Lord take pleasure?

191. How do the different seasons suggest God’s power?

192. What voices are summoned to join in Creation’s song of praise?

193. How will the Lord “beautify the meek”? Compare the endings of the five books of the Psalter.