English

Book of Psalms Bible Commentary

There are three principle types of Psalms: praise psalms — characterized by starting with an imperative such as "praise the Lord," "sing unto the Lord," etc. lament psalms — characterized by starting with a vocative such as "O Lord," followed by a complaint or petition wisdom psalms — similar to categories of wisdom literature (i.e., how to live happy, successful, godly lives) PURPOSE OF PSALMS Israel believed that all of life was related to God by covenant. The Psalms are humanity's release to God of the deepest emotions of life (awe and intimacy). They functioned in corporate worship as well as individual devotions. They were a liturgical way to recount and accent Israel's history and theology. Israel believed in one and only one personal, caring God and that they were the special object of His love. Faith was not liturgical or creedal but personal and daily. The poetic form of the Psalms helps us express our religious self to God. The chief character of the OT is God! All of the Psalms may have begun as individual expressions of personal faith, which were later used by the community of faith (cf. Psalm 23; 139, etc). From the NT use of quotes from the Psalms it is obvious that t

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