1. The document provides an overview of Psalms, explaining that they are poetic songs intended for singing praise to God that express a wide range of human emotions.
2. Psalms use parallel structures and imagery rather than rhyme. The two main elements of Hebrew poetry are thought parallelism and imagery.
3. The Psalms were written by several authors including David, Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Solomon, and others whose names are unknown. Nearly half are attributed to David.
2. What Is a Psalm? Greek psalmos Hebrew noun mizm担r , "song, instrumental music verb zmar , "sing, sing praise, make music. he Book of Psalms was -- and is -- intended for singing the church's first song book
3. What is found in psalms? express the entire spectrum of human emotion -- fear, despair, longing, love, hope, joy, and exultation Made of prayers and praise to God Poems Songs Petitions
4. Psalms Hebrew Poetry Hebrew poetry differs from most Western poetry It doesnt rhyme two primary elements Thought parallelism Imagery western poetry we use both rhyme and rhythm Hebrew poetry the rhythm may be in terms of units per line
5. 1. Thought Parallelism Thought A and Thought B Synonymous Parallelism Same idea repeated twice parallelism in Jesus' teaching, too (Matt 5:43-45) Antithetic Parallelism A contrast to the first idea Contrast or Negation but to enforce the first idea
6. 2. Imagery Imagery has a way of fixing an idea in our minds with clarity There are two kinds of images 1. Simile is a comparison which is made explicit by the presence of the word "like" or "as." Ps 42:1 2. Metaphor is a comparison that is implicit, that is, a comparison without the mention of "like" or "as."Ps 23:1
7. Categories of Psalms The Hymn , The Lament Thanksgiving Psalms Psalms of Confidence Psalms of Remembrance Wisdom Psalms Kingship Psalms
8. Authors of Psalms 150 psalms 116 include an extended title or an ascription that is part of verse 1 in the Hebrew text Added by editors very early The titles at the beginning of many of the psalms carry the ideas "of, for, from, at, in reference to, belonging to.
9. Homework Psalm 34, 55, 85, 95, 135, and 40. read and Identify the genre. Identify the genre of Psalms 40 and 54. State why you get that from their structure.
10. Authors David Named as author of nearly half the collection Asaph Called "Asaph the Seer" (2 Chronicles 29:30), and was from a Levitical family. He founded the temple choir as chief musician (1 Chronicles 15;17-19; chapter 16). =73 psalms Psalms 50, 73-83 =12 psalms
11. Authors Sons of Korah A Levitical family, singers and musicians of the temple choir founded by Heman the Ezrahite (1 Chronicles 6:31-46). Ethan the Ezrahite = Juduthun From a Levitical family and founded one of the temple choirs (1 Chronicles 16:41; 25:1-6). Psalms 42-49, 84-85, 87-88= 12 Psalms Psalm 89, 39, 62, 77= 4 Psalms
12. Authors Heman the Ezrahite Called "Heman the Musician" (1 Chronicles 6:33) and was founder of a temple choir. Solomon Third king of Israel Moses Leader during the Exodus No title at all Psalm 88= 1Psalm Psalms 72, 127= 2Psalms Psalm 90= 1Psalm 34 Psalms
13. Origin and title The Title The title may give info about the author, the historical occasion, the function A Psalm without an author is generally called an Orphan Psalm (ex. Psalm 33) Many psalms gave a historical title ex. Psalm 3 14 of them/ Ps. 3, 7, 18, 30, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63, 142.
14. Groupings The Psalms are divided into 5 groups Psalm 1- 41 Group 1 Psalm 42-72 Group 2 Psalm 73-89 Group 3 Psalm 90-106 Group 4 Psalm 107-150 Group 5 The Book of Psalms is called in Hebrew: Tehillim which means songs of praise
15. Technical terms Selah, 71 times to lift up (rll) or to bend (Aramaic) Higgaion (Haga) quieter instrument- whispering Nasah is the choirmaster Hallel Psalms
16. Deeper in Hebrew Poetry Parallelism two thoughts A Complete parallelism is called a line A line may contain two, three (rarely four or more poetic phrases) Each line is a cola Two lines a bicolon, three lines tricolon Monocola- is a poetic line with only one phrase
17. More. Elipsis in parallelism It is to bind the two phrases more closely together Inclusio- A line that opens a closes a poem Acrostic poems The Hebrew Alphabet Acrostic psalms: 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145
18. Imagery Simile and metaphor Imagery is the fact that a picture is formed in ones mind by reading the psalm On many instances like a personification Images are not as precise as literal language/ but both are correct when you understand the context and the meaning of the image Ex. The ennemy is a lion The ennemy is ruthless and cruel
19. Incomprehensibility of God Why so many images in the Psalms? The answer lies in Gods own nature. Images, simile and metaphors help to communicate the fact that God is so great and powerful and mighty that He cant be exhaustively described. Images, may be accurate but less precise that literal language. Images preserve the mystery of Gods nature and being, while communicating to us about Him and His love for us
20. Homework due February 7 Psalm 47. Do you find any ellipsis? identify Psalm 2 Read identify the separate poetic lines. Identify the phrases within the lines and identify them as mono, bi or tri cola (colon) Identify the metaphors in Psalms 80 and 129 Read Psalm 124 . The great image in this poem is water , Meditate on this image and show how water illuminates the depths of the authors suffering Read Psalms 30 and 35 . List all the great images on God . Write how great, mighty and loving God is according to these psalms Due Tuesday either by email (or in person)/ or as you enter class Please cover page and indentify the questions as youre answering them. Thank you!
21. CLASS EXERCISE Psalm 46 Different lines (mono, bi, tri cola [colon]) Similes in Psalms 52, 83