Introducing the Psalms | July 6, 2025
Summer in the Psalms
~David Holzmann

The Book of Psalms
Book 1 (3-41)
Book 2 (42-72)
Book 3 (73-89)
Book 4 (90-106)
Book 5 (107-145)

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say “Amen!” Praise the Lord!

Types of Psalms
Praise
Lament
Thanksgiving
Royal
Wisdom
Imprecatory

Old Testament Poetry
Tresness
Structure

Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin. —Psalm 51: 2 NLT
Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. —Psalm 29: 1-2 NLT
A wise child brings joy to a father;
a foolish child brings grief to a mother. —Proverbs 10: 1 NLT
Figurative Language

Psalm 1
Contrasting Values

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. —Psalm 1: 1-2 NLT
But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal. —Job 5: 17-18 NLT

Contrasting Fruitfulness

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. —Psalm 1: 3-4 NLT

Contrasting Outcomes

They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. —Psalm 1: 5-6 NLT

Psalm 2
The Nations Conspire

Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” —Psalm 2: 1-3 NLT

God Responds

But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” —Psalm 2: 4-6 NLT

Christ Proclaims

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’” —Psalm 2: 7-9 NLT

The Rulers Warned

Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him! —Psalm 2: 10-12 NLT