Biblical Poetry: The Book of Psalms

Biblical Poetry

• Biblical poets cleverly use design, metaphor, and symbolism to invite readers into an experience of pondering ideas from multiple angles.
• The largest collection of poetry in the Bible is the book of Psalms.

The Book of Psalms

• The book of Psalms is not a random collection of poems, but rather a carefully crafted storyline from beginning to end.
• It poetically retells the entire biblical story, inviting readers into a literary temple.
• The book is divided into 5 clear sections, with 150 poems in total.

The Design of the Book of Psalms

• The book begins with a short introduction, Psalms 1 and 2, which lay out the main themes of the whole book.
• Psalm 1 looks back to the Garden of Eden and its river of life, portraying a hopeful image of humanity living in harmony with God.
• Psalm 2 is about God's promise of a future king who will come from the line of David, known as the Son of God and the Messiah.

The Structure of the Book of Psalms

• The first two sections explore the complicated story of David and his royal family.
• The third section focuses on the tragedy of Israel's exile and the downfall of David's royal line.
• The fourth and fifth sections rekindle the hope for the Messiah, a new temple, and God's kingdom on the other side of the exile.
• The book ends with a 5-part conclusion praising God for his faithfulness.

King David and the Psalms

• Nearly half of the psalms are connected to King David, who trusted God with radical faith despite facing many hardships.
• David's story is crucial in the book, as he shares his fears, confesses his failures, and offers thanks to his redeemer.
• David's prayers and hopes for God's kingdom and a future temple resemble the hopes of the later generations of exiles.

The Purpose of the Book of Psalms

• The book of Psalms is designed as a virtual temple for all generations of God's people, especially for exiles.
• It is a prayer book meant to be read and reflected upon slowly, with prayers and laments becoming the reader's own.
• The book invites readers to live by God's wisdom, seek God's justice, and hope for the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of God.

Biblical Poetry

• Biblical poets use design, metaphor, and symbolism to invite readers to ponder ideas from multiple angles.

The Book of Psalms

• The book of Psalms is the largest collection of poetry in the Bible.
• It is a carefully crafted storyline from beginning to end, poetically retelling the entire biblical story.
• The book is divided into 5 clear sections, with 150 poems in total.

The Design of the Book of Psalms

• The book begins with a short introduction, Psalms 1 and 2, which lay out the main themes of the whole book.
• Psalm 1 portrays a hopeful image of humanity living in harmony with God, referencing the Garden of Eden and its river of life.
• Psalm 2 is about God's promise of a future king who will come from the line of David, known as the Son of God and the Messiah.

The Structure of the Book of Psalms

• The first two sections explore the complicated story of David and his royal family.
• The third section focuses on the tragedy of Israel's exile and the downfall of David's royal line.
• The fourth and fifth sections rekindle the hope for the Messiah, a new temple, and God's kingdom on the other side of the exile.
• The book ends with a 5-part conclusion praising God for his faithfulness.

King David and the Psalms

• Nearly half of the psalms are connected to King David, who trusted God with radical faith despite facing many hardships.
• David's story is crucial in the book, as he shares his fears, confesses his failures, and offers thanks to his redeemer.
• David's prayers and hopes for God's kingdom and a future temple resemble the hopes of the later generations of exiles.

The Purpose of the Book of Psalms

• The book of Psalms is designed as a virtual temple for all generations of God's people, especially for exiles.
• It is a prayer book meant to be read and reflected upon slowly, with prayers and laments becoming the reader's own.
• The book invites readers to live by God's wisdom, seek God's justice, and hope for the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of God.