The Psalms: Song Book and Much More

The Psalms: Song Book and Much More

The Law The Prophets The Writings Poetical Books The Five Rolls Historical Books Psalms Proverbs Job Songs of Solomon Ruth Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra Nehemiah Chronicles 2

There is need of prayer, most earnest, fervent, agonizing prayer, such prayer as David offered when he exclaimed: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God [Psalm 42]. I have longed after Thy precepts; I have longed for Thy salvation [Psalm 119]. My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God [Psalm 84]. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 534) 3

Christ s hearers could not misunderstand the application of His words. David had sung of Israel as the vine brought out of Egypt. (Christ s Object Lessons, p. 214) 4

5

6

Genesis Section 7

Exodus Section 8

Leviticus Section 9

Numbers Section 10

Deuteronomy Section 11

ttributed to David in the Psalms 12

Worship Theme 13

Faith Theme 14

Thanksgiving Theme 15

Righteousness Theme 16

By Structure 17

Synonymous Parallelism The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (Psalm 19:1, 2) 18

Synthetic Parallelism Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3, 4) 19

Antithetic Parallelism My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26) 20

Such is the value of men for whom Christ died that the Father is satisfied with the infinite price which He pays for the salvation of man in yielding up His own Son to die for their redemption. What wisdom, mercy, and love in its fullness are here manifested! The worth of man is known only by going to Calvary. In the mystery of the cross of Christ we can place an estimate upon man. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 634) 21

After Saul s atrocious slaughter of the priests of the Lord, one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.... At this time, when there were so few bright spots in the path of David, he was rejoiced to receive an unexpected visit from Jonathan, who had learned the place of his refuge.... After the visit of Jonathan, David encouraged his soul with songs of praise, accompanying his voice with his harp as he sang: [Psalm 11 quoted] (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 660) 22

We would do well to read often the nineteenth psalm, that we may understand how the Lord binds up His law with His created works. (Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, p. 260) 23

A marvelous change has come over those who have held fast their integrity in the very face of death. They have been suddenly delivered from the dark and terrible tyranny of men transformed to demons. Their faces, so lately pale, anxious, and haggard, are now aglow with wonder, faith, and love. Their voices rise in triumphant song: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Psalm 46:1-3. (The Great Controversy, p. 638) 24

The 90th Psalm might be cited perhaps as the most sublime of human compositions, the deepest in feeling, the loftiest in theological conceptions, the most magnificent in its imagery. Isaac Taylor 25

Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father s acceptance heretofore given Him. He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor. (The Desire of Ages, p. 756) 26

All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train. As they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels, Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond, Who is this King of glory? 27

This they say, not because they know not who He is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise, The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. 28

Again is heard the challenge, Who is this King of glory? for the angels never weary of hearing His name exalted. The escorting angels make reply, The Lord of hosts; He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10. (The Desire of Ages, p. 832) 29

He followed the Saviour to Gethsemane, and beheld the agony in the garden, the betrayal, the mockery and scourging the crucifixion. Moses saw that as he had lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of God must be lifted up, that whosoever would believe on Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15. Grief, indignation, and horror filled the heart of Moses as he viewed the hypocrisy and satanic hatred manifested by the Jewish nation against their Redeemer, the mighty Angel who had gone before their fathers. He heard Christ s agonizing cry, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Mark 15:34. (Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 475, 476) 30

He saw Him lying in Joseph s new tomb. The darkness of hopeless despair seemed to enshroud the world. But he looked again, and beheld Him coming forth a conqueror, and ascending to heaven escorted by adoring angels and leading a multitude of captives. He saw the shining gates open to receive Him, and the host of heaven with songs of triumph welcoming their Commander. And it was there revealed to him that he himself would be one who should attend the Saviour, and open to Him the everlasting gates. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 476) 31

As he looked upon the scene, his countenance shone with a holy radiance. How small appeared the trials and sacrifices of his life when compared with those of the Son of God! how light in contrast with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! 2 Corinthians 4:17. He rejoiced that he had been permitted, even in a small measure, to be a partaker in the sufferings of Christ. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 476) 32