Proverbs Psalms: Singing the Sounds of Real Life OT222 Lesson 02 of 03 Psalms: Ancient Prayers for Modern People Listening Guide I. Introduction [1] What is the double direction of communication in the Psalms? [2] How many psalms are in the book of Psalms? [3] How were the psalms intended to be expressed? [4] What is the other name Dr. Stuart uses for the five books of the Psalms? [5] What did Dr. Stuart say is really important about the psalms? [6] Why is it important to know the categories of psalms contained in the Psalter? [7] What does Dr. Stuart mean when he says that the psalms are intended to be as all-purpose as possible? II. Ten Types of Psalms [8] Given what Dr. Stuart said about how important it is to know the categories or types of psalms, how important do you think this next section of the lesson is? OT222 Listening Guide 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Lesson 02 1
A. Lament Psalms [9] When do we use a lament psalm? [10] Why is it important to take the time to look at the structure of the laments? [11] Briefly summarize each of the ingredients in a typical lament psalm. [12] In addition to the large number of lament psalms contained in the Psalter, why are these psalms so important to people? [13] How many ingredients are in a lament psalm? [14] What is in the lament psalm s address? [15] What does the complaint element of a lament psalm include? [16] What four types of situation does the lament psalm deal with? [17] What criterion did the psalmist use when selecting themes to address in the lament psalms? [18] What graphic illustration did Dr. Stuart use to help us understand what a lament deals with? [19] What did the psalmist s use of more general types of lament situations allow the reader to do? OT222 Listening Guide 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Lesson 02 2
[20] How extreme were the cases the psalmist addressed in these laments? Why? How do you resonate with the decision to use these kinds of cases? [21] What comes after the address and complaint in a lament psalm, and what is its purpose? [22] What comes after the expression of trust? [23] If the expression of trust and the plea for deliverance are spoken in faith, what is the next movement in the lament psalm and what is true of that movement? [24] What finished off the lament psalm? [25] Should we expect each lament to be constructed in this lock-step manner? [26] How did Dr. Stuart explain the seemingly inappropriate request in Psalm 3 that God would...strike all my enemies on the jaw and break their teeth? [27] Finally, in the element of praise, what balance do we find in the illustration in Psalm 3? B. Thanksgiving Psalms [28] When does one pray this type of psalm? [29] What is the most basic thing any believer can do? OT222 Listening Guide 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Lesson 02 3
C. Hymns [30] What is the more technical meaning of the word hymn? [31] What are the three types of hymn psalms? [32] What do history hymns emphasize? [33] Dr. Stuart suggests the SRR model to help remember the structure of the history hymns. What does each letter stand for? [34] Try writing your own simple SRR psalm. D. Enthronement Psalms [35] What do enthronement psalms emphasize? E. Royal Psalms [36] Royal psalms were used to focus people s attention on what? [37] As a royal psalm unfolds, what does it always point the reader/listener to? F. Psalms of Zion [38] For what, besides Jerusalem, did the Zion psalms praise God? G. Wisdom Psalms [39] What characterizes a wisdom psalm? OT222 Listening Guide 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Lesson 02 4
[40] What does it mean that many of the wisdom psalms are acrostic? H. Trust Psalms [41] What is the most famous of the trust psalms? [42] What are the two parts of a trust psalm? I. Liturgy Psalms [43] What does liturgy mean? [44] What were liturgy psalms used for? J. Torah Psalms [45] What do Torah psalms emphasize? III. Conclusion [46] What two ways did Dr. Stuart say we can use the psalms? Reflection Record one new fact or insight you discovered in this lesson. OT222 Listening Guide 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Lesson 02 5
Application At the end of the lesson, Dr. Stuart made a profound observation that is easy to overlook. He said the psalms are to be our word to God as well. Think about it. All Scripture is God s words from God to us. But in the psalms, God is teaching us how we may speak to Him. Read each psalm as a prayer God wants you to use when you are grateful or want to worship or complain or are terrified by life. Speak a thanksgiving psalm to your heavenly Father for these marvelous literary gifts. OT222 Listening Guide 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Lesson 02 6