Ministry through the Psalms – A Psalm Reading Guide

Posted by: Brian Hofmeister Posted date: January 29, 2010 In: Discussion Guides | comment : 1

The Psalms help us minister to a variety of emotions that surface during peoples’ spiritual journey. This survey of the Psalms content should help you navigate in and out of them as issues surface.

Survey of the Psalms Overview on How to Read the PsalmsPsalms are musical poetry. Don’t over exegete Psalms. They are designed to be emotive – reaches your mind by stirring your emotions. They contain doctrine, yet are not crafted for the sake of exposition. They are highly metaphorical – appreciate what the symbolism is designed to evoke rather than seek translation into reality. Use the Psalms to express the highs and lows of your emotions. Psalms by TypeKey to understanding/applying Psalms is starting with and understanding of which type of psalm you are reading.

LamentsExpress or presuppose deep trust in Yahweh in the midst of suffering/disappointment
Individual Laments	3; 22; 31; 39; 42; 57; 71; 88; 120; 139; 142
Corporate Laments	12; 44; 80; 94; 137
Thanksgiving PsalmsExpress joy to Yahweh because something has gone well
Individual Thanks	18; 30; 32; 34; 40; 66; 92; 116; 118; 138
Community Thanks	65; 67; 75; 107; 124; 136
Hymns of PraiseCelebrates Yahweh for who He is and what He has done
Praise for the Creator	8; 19; 104; 148
Praise for the Protector/Benefactor of Israel	66; 100; 111; 114; 149
Praise for the Lord of History	33; 103; 113; 117; 145-147
Salvation-History PsalmsReview the history of God’s saving work among the people of Israel
Salvation-History Psalms	78; 105; 106; 135; 136
Psalms of Celebration and AffirmationCelebrates the covenants, kings, and city that Yahweh has used to minister to Israel
Sinai Covenant Renewal Liturgies	50; 81
Davidic Covenant Psalms	89; 132
Royal (Kingship) Psalms	2; 18; 20; 21; 45; 72; 101; 110; 144
Enthronement Psalms	24; 29; 47; 93; 95-99
Songs of Zion (City of Jerusalem)	46; 48; 76; 84; 87; 122
Wisdom PsalmsSimilar to the Book of Proverbs
Wisdom Psalms	36; 37; 49; 73; 112; 127; 128; 133
Songs of TrustExpress trust God’s goodness in times of despair
Songs of Trust	11; 16; 23; 27; 62; 63; 91; 121; 125; 131

Psalms by Book/Canonical OrderPresent arrangement of the Psalms is in the form of the Jewish postexilic hymnbook. Ezra/Nehemiah reform may have been responsible for the final compiling. The first three books are primarily laments; the final two are primarily praise and thanksgiving. Each of the 5 books ends with a similar doxology – the first four doxologies were inserted by the final compiler.

Book 1	Psalms 1-41	All but 1,2, and 33 are “of David.”
Book 2	Psalms 42-72	Psalms 42-50 are “of the sons of Korah/Asaph,” Pslams 51-70 are “of David,” 71 is untitled, 72 is “of Solomon.”
Book 3	Psalms 73-89	All are titled, mostly titled “of the sons of Korah/Asaph.”
Book 4	Psalms 90-106	Mostly untitled except for 101 and 103 “of David.”
Book 5	Psalms 107-150	Mostly untitled, 15 are “of David” (including 138-145), 120-134 are “Psalms of Ascent,” 146-150 are “Hallelujah Psalms.”

Davidic Psalms	3-41, 51-70, 138-145
Asaph/sons of Korah Psalms	42-50, 73-88
God’s Kingship	93-100
Psalms of Praise	103-107
Songs of Ascent(Pilgrimage Psalms)	120-134
Hallelujah Psalms	111-113, 146-150

Psalm CollectionsEach Psalm stands alone with its own meaning, yet many gain additional meaning when compiled into clusters. Like a hymn book, they are to be sung when the context warrants one – using in successive order is not important.