Experiencing the Psalms
a 12-week Bible study exploring the richness of the
Psalter
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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on Jesus and the Kingdom of God
Marc Chagall, "David with His Harp" (1956)
Color lithograph. |
The Book of Psalms represents a rich tapestry of prayer and
praise. Some psalms reflect a texture of deep despair, other glow
with a deep peace in the Lord's strength, still others bubble
with an exuberant exaltation of the Most High God. They cover the
range of human emotion and experience. What they all have in
common is prayer, a reaching out to God from every imaginable
experience. In this 12-week study we'll attempt to enter into the
experience of the psalms. Yes, we'll explore the meanings of
words and learn to appreciate the high art of these poetic
masterpieces. We will study thoughtfully, carefully. But more
than that we will find out how to pray. We will know how to find
peace in the midst of turmoil. We will learn to be thankful. We
will begin to follow the pattern of the psalmists as we begin to
praise. In short, with the psalms that we study as our guide, we
will grow deeper in our walk with the Lord and more able to offer
worthy praise to the King. We will experience the Psalms.
I must say that narrowing down the psalms we'll study to just
a few has been difficult. For more than forty years I have been
reading the Psalms through at least twice a year. So many of the
psalms have become my friends, my companions. When I come to them
in my reading I am delighted to read their faith-filled words
once again. As I surveyed the Psalms in preparation for this
study I listed 70 psalms as my "favorites," and even that list of
nearly half of the total of 150 psalms had to leave out some that
I loved. But how can I narrow down the number to perhaps three
dozen without leaving out some of the gems of the Psalter? I
can't. At best the 12 lessons in this study can serve only as an
introduction to the rich collection of psalms that speak to us so
profoundly.
My prayer is that you will purpose in this study to grow in your
heart even more than you grow in your mind. That you will embrace
these psalms and make them your own. That as you journey through
this life you walk with these psalms as your guides and
companions as you travel to your final destination -- an eternity
in fellowship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Psalms: Marveling at God's Majesty in
Creation (Psalms 8, 19, and 139)
These are three
psalms that marvel at the wonder of God's creation, but in the
meditation go three different directions in applying that
knowledge. Full of awe in God's greatness and minuteness of
care.
- Psalms: Thirsting for God (Psalms 27, 42-43, and 63)
Some of the psalms are intensely intimate. They express the
personal longing of the soul for God. These psalms are models
of personal devotion and prayer to God from a hungering heart.
- Psalms: Choosing the Right Path (Psalms 1, 15, 133)
A theme of several psalms is the blessing of a life well
lived, exhortations to faithful and righteous living. These
are Wisdom Psalms with similarities to Proverbs and
Ecclesiastes. (Psalms 1, 15, and 133)
- Psalms: Offering High Praises to God (Psalms 95, 98,
and 150)
There's a place for quiet appreciation of God's
love. But these psalms shout the praises of God to the highest
heavens. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"
- Psalms: Crying Out for Rescue (Psalms 40, 69,
and 80)
Many of the psalms come out of times of great
distress and trouble. They are cries for help, for salvation,
for rescue. When we are tested, we come to know and rely on God
in ways that we can't experience when all is going well.
- Psalms: Trusting in God's Protection (Psalms 61, 91, and 121)
When trouble is all around we can either panic or find strength
in faith. In these psalms the writer sees God as his ultimate
Protector.
-
Now all the lessons are available
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Psalms: Resting in God's Care (Psalms 16, 23,
131, 3, 31, and 46)
"There is a place of quiet rest, near to
the heart of God." These are psalms of abiding, resting in God
even though the storms of life are raging outside this quiet
place.
- Psalms: Exulting in God
(Psalms 57, 96, 126, and 24)
Life is difficult during the trial, but even during the
test there is a place for praise and exultation in the God who
has saves us. These are psalms of confidence
- Psalms: Rejoicing in God's Character (Psalms 103, 145,
and 117)
One of the joys of the believer is to revel in the strong,
solid character of our unchanging Father. These psalms explore
the nature and attributes of our God.
- Psalms: Looking Forward to the Messiah (Psalms 2, 110,
and 22)
An expectancy of
God's deliverance through the coming Messiah is interwoven
through a number of psalms. These psalms in particular find
their ultimate fulfillment in Christ Jesus our Savior.
- Psalms: Finding Forgiveness
and Restoration (Psalms 32 and
51).
We can come away from the defeat and shame of sin feeling
like a prizefighter who has been battered and humiliated. These
psalms deal with repentance and God's forgiveness and
restoration.
- Psalms: Giving Thanks to
Our Faithful God (Psalms 100, 107, 118 and 34)
There is a joy to be found in thanksgiving, offering songs of
appreciation to our God who stands by us without wavering.
Psalms: Epilogue (Psalms 46 and 199)
This is our 25th online Bible study since
1996. If you've participated in one before, you know how God
can use them in your life. If not, then you have a treat in
store for you. I am an ordained American Baptist pastor,
currently ministering in a Covenant congregation. I'm here
to serve you as your guide to the book of Psalms. --. Dr.
Ralph F. Wilson.
About the leader.
|
I invite you to journey with me and thousands of brothers and
sisters world-wide through a study of the Book of Psalms. Here's
how we'll study together.
- Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week
.
Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you
understand it better.
- On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday you'll receive a question
from that week's
lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a "total
immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants
to use it to work real and permanent change in your life. (You
can opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and
just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking about
these passages constantly over these weeks -- long enough
for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
- Each week you'll have an exercise
to complete that will
help you experience the Psalms for yourself.
Of course, you can skip this, but you'll find it will stretch
you spiritually in some very healthy ways.- You can respond to the questions
and exercises
using the Joyful Heart
Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your
own understanding.
- With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20- to
30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage you've
been studying that week. Some who learn better from hearing
than from reading really appreciate this.
- Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's
lesson.
 As
of November 17, 2007, we've had more than 3,982 sign-ups from more
than 117 countries, including: United Arab
Emirates, Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, Netherlands
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Zimbabwe. 16% specify text
format, 84% HTML format. 27% selected the weekly format, 73% the
daily format. |
Why don't you sign up today -- and then encourage some of your
friends to sign up and study along with you.
You'll receive your first lesson the Friday after you
subscribe.
There is no cost to participate in the study,
though
donations are encouraged so we can create more studies
and reach more people. We respect your
privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves.
Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible
studies at one time. Each of them is pretty intensive. Also,
please don't sign up for your friends; let them decide for
themselves.
| One big favor you
can do for me: Please link to this Bible study
in your online bookmarks, blog, personal webpage,
ministry or church website, as follows:
Psalms Bible Study
www.jesuswalk.com/psalms/ The number of
people who will find this on the Internet is directly related
to the number of links you and other place. If you can't
link, that's okay, too. I understand. It would be a big
help if you would place a bookmark on your favorite online
system. Please do this right now before you forget. Thanks.
Pastor Ralph  |
Experiencing
the Psalms
Copyright © 1985-2010 Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries
JesusWalk®
Publications
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Director
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