Questions as we read the Psalms

Bonus! Today's post is also available on Youtube if you'd read watch/listen than read.

Earlier this week we began our summer study on the Psalms. On Sunday I was honored to give an introductory sermon focusing around the question "What are the Psalms?", you can click here to view that worship service and sermon. On Monday I gave some sermon leftovers with some examples of how important the Psalms were to Jesus during his earthly ministry, you can click here to read about Jesus and the Psalms. On Tuesday I gave some suggestions for reading Psalms throughout the summer with the length of each Psalm taken into consideration, you can click here to grab a copy of those suggestions. 

Today I want to equip you with some questions to ask while you read the Psalms. The format of these questions is simply a question, then some explanation. At the end of the post today there is a listing of just the questions if you'd like to print these off and keep them close to wherever you do your Bible reading. Sometimes we may read a Psalm and it may have an effect on us simply through plainly reading the text. Sometimes we may read a passage and be completely stumped as to what is going on in the Psalm. These questions are not meant to be "rules" that you need to ask all the time, but instead are more like guidelines. 

These guidelines will in some Psalms be more beneficial, and others be less so. My hope and prayer is that by beginning to ask questions as you read the Psalms, and after you've read the Psalm and think back upon them, the Psalms will become a source of encouragement and spiritual nourishment in your faith. You may even find yourself asking different questions or whole new questions! I welcome you to share your experiences and questions you find helpful as you read through and ponder the Psalms this summer. 

Question 1: Are there words, phrases, or concepts that are repeated in the Psalm? 

Example: Repetition is one of the most frequently used means of emphasis in the Psalms. Sometimes repetition comes with the same word, and sometimes it comes with a similar concept. In Psalm 32:1-2 we read: 

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

We see in this example that both words and concepts are repeated. "Blessed is the one" being the repeated words and phrase. Conceptually we see sin being referred to as transgressions, sin, something which the Lord may count against someone, and deceit. Forgiveness is a concept described as a covering, and as a charge no longer being pressed. This is just one of many examples of words, phrases, or concepts repeated in the Psalms. When we see repetition in the Psalms it helps act as an emphasizer. When a Psalm wants to call specific, focused attention to something, repetition is one of the most commonly used tools.

Question 2: Is there a progression within the Psalm itself?

Example: Sometimes the book of Psalms can catch us off guard or startle us with sudden changes or with a form and structure that is absent from other Psalms. In Psalm 78:1-4 we are given a progression  of lyrics which tell a story of an ancient people long gone:

My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old - things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders he has done. 

Psalm 78 then recounts throughout the Psalm different instances of God's majesty on display such as in verses 12-14:

He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.

This progression continues with many instances of foolish unfaithfulness on the part of the Psalmist's ancestors. Unfaithfulness to God's Word and a mistrust of God are two primary charges (v8, 17-20) against previous generations which had witnessed so much of God's power on display. The progression and Psalm ends with a few lyrics regarding David's anointing and eventual kingship. In Psalm 78 we see a poetic expression of history from the time of Egypt to the time of David's reign (a range of between 400-200 years). 

Progression in a Psalm is somewhat easy to see when it's recounting history, but there are also thematic progressions which occur throughout the Psalms. Psalm 13 is an example of a Psalm with progression from one theme to another. Four times in the first theme of Psalm 13 a question is put forward. These questions take on different forms in Hebrew but are repeated "How long" in English. 

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? (Psalm 13:1-2)

The first section focuses on the question, plight, and waiting of the Psalmist. The first section lays out the problem and the nature of the Psalmist's need, the second section turns towards the one who has the power of resolve and alleviate the Psalmist's dire situation:

Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. (Psalm 13:3-4)

The Psalmist provides a hypothetical scenario, a "what if" scenario if the Lord does not look, if the Lord does not answer. The situation of the Psalmist is laid out as a mortal struggle. This is no pithy complaint of an inconvenience. The progression goes from the Psalmist's own questions to the potential future of the Psalmist if the situation goes unresolved by the Lord. The enemy of the Psalmist will have reason to rejoice and make merriment if the Lord ignores the cry of the Psalmist. 

The third and final theme of Psalm 13 closes out the Psalm and it is filled with hope:

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:5-6)

The progression of the Psalm ends with a concluding hope and decision by the Psalmist. Trust in the Lord is what the Psalmist will do. Even in dire circumstances, when all the things around the Psalmist seem to cause them to question their patience, question their purpose, question their current challenges, the Psalmist resolves with steadfast dedication to trust in the Lord. The rejoicing in this Psalm will not be the hypothetical rejoicing of the enemy, but rather the real and present rejoicing in the Lord's salvation. The final line calls upon the reader to remember the Lord's goodness. 

Progression in the Psalms can be like a story (as we saw in Psalm 78) or with thematic advances through multiple situations or poetic word pictures (as we saw in Psalm 13).  

Question 3: Is there a sudden change in the subject, topic, or direction of the Psalm? 

Sometimes a Psalm will make a startling change that may disrupt our reading or rhythm of mental engagement. These jarring moves can serve as a sudden call to action, call to attention, or show a stark contrast between two distinctly different things. In Psalm 63 we see all three of these sudden changes in action. 

At least two major contrasts appear in Psalm 63. The first is seen in the first two verses:

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. (Psalm 63:1-2)

A stark contrast shows up as the Psalmist compares their seeking of God to intense thirst in a desert. A desert is a place of death, a place of dryness, it is not a place of wonder or majesty. It is a place of abandonment and loneliness. Yet from this line about a parched land with no water, the Psalmist suddenly turns towards the most glorious reality they know. The words of the Psalmist force our minds eye to move from a place of sand and emptiness, to the place of fullness and awe. The Psalmist recounts "I have seen you in the sanctuary" the place of God's dwelling among his people. The rich fullness of God's power and glory were something overwhelming for the Psalmist to behold. This contrast serves to compare the dredges of existence apart from God, to the abundant life found beholding God. 

A call to action is then declared by the Psalmist in the next verses:

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (Psalm 63:3-5)

This is a resolute declaration of intent by the Psalmist. It is because of God's wonderful love that the lips of the Psalmist will give glory to God. The Psalmist will use their hands in praise and the songs of praise that will be sung by this Psalmist are dedicated to God's satisfying love. Everything we do in our lives is because we think its worth doing. For this Psalmist it's worth speaking the glory of God, it's worth singing praise to God, it's worth praising God while still living. The love of God to this Psalmist was important enough to inspire life long praise. What a call to action! 

Lastly Psalm 63 uses a sudden shift to call attention:

Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced. (Psalm 63:9-11)

 Shifting from the dedicated praise of verses 3-8, the Psalmist turns attention towards their enemies. This sudden shift calls attention and acts as a warning. Those who seek to destroy the one who rejoices in the love of the Lord will themselves go "down to the depths of the earth". Their end will not be pleasant as they die by the sword and become roadkill. This is a warning and might as well have large flashing lights like a traffic alert over a highway. It's as though the Psalmist says to their enemies "do you want to end up with silent mouths? If not, stop your lies and speak the truth in praising God". The ruin of those who oppose the beloved of God serves as a warning and as a comfort. A warning to those enemies to repent, and a comfort to God's beloved that their suffering at the hands of their enemies shall not last forever. 

As you read through the Psalms, start with these three questions and maybe we will add some more throughout the summer. I try to remember these three questions as "Repeats", "Progression" and "Changes". Let me know if these are helpful, confusing, obtuse, or otherwise encouraging. 

Question 1: Are there words, phrases, or concepts that are repeated in the Psalm? (Repeats)

Question 2: Is there a progression within the Psalm itself? (Progression)

Question 3: Is there a sudden change in the subject, topic, or direction of the Psalm? (Changes)