The Basics: A Brief Overview of Psalms
The Basics course is designed to help brothers and sisters in Christ, who have a desire for a brief study over each of the books of the Bible. While being more than just a timeline, it is designed to give a person a more realistic overview of the entire Bible. As well as pointing out different highlights along the way. Imagine riding in a car and seeing exit signs for a town. Each sign gives a brief glimpse of what is inside, while if you wanted to thoroughly investigate the town you would have to take the exit. This series is a collected work of the books of the Bible while continuing to drive past each of the exits. I would encourage you to take any exit and allow the Lord God to direct your path to where He would guide.
The Bible is written into 66 different books. Each one unique on its own but designed to be with its other collected works.
Cautionary Note: This work is not to argue for the authenticity of the Bible nor is it to argue over the mechanics of how God used man to write His Words. This is designed as an overview for someone to review the book in passing. Nevertheless, we here at Mill House Ministries believe that the Bible is without error and was written by God, through His divine attributes, through man.
These overviews are sequenced in the below fashion. Each overview is designed to flow in unison.
Introduction
Who wrote it
When did they write it
Key topics
Key sections
Books that interact with each other
Analysis of the Book
As previously stated, if you find yourself drawn to one of these books, please take the time and see what God is wanting to show you in that book.
BASICS COURSE:
Psalm
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever wondered about the very thoughts of God? Considered the world? Why and how it was made? Examined God’s actions and even been inspired to see what man is capable of? Then the book of Psalm is the book for you. This book is so diverse in topics it can only be described as multi topical with each chapter being able to stand alone as a perfect ornament. Together they declare the majesty of God and His plan from Creation to Revelation.
WHO WROTE IT:
There are several authors from shepherds, Kings, and royal officials. The book of Psalm is a collection of individual work at moments in time.
WHEN DID THEY WRITE IT:
Due to the multitude of authors all contributing work to the book of Psalms, we cannot with precision give one date. However, we can conclude that the lists of chapters and Psalms were collected as a whole by the end of the captivity in Babylon roughly around 515 B.C.
KEY TOPICS:
The book of Psalm shows the reader several topics. Including, society, government, religion, prophecy, Prophets, man, woman, children, family issues, promises, war, God, love, sex, femininity, single parenthood, antisemitism, the right to self defense, Jesus Christ, Revelation, Satan, and judgment.
KEY SECTIONS:
Due to each chapter is in itself its own unique and separate study, the book of Psalm should not be sectioned as other books but rather in chapters.
BOOKS THAT INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER:
Psalm could possibly be one of the greatest books of the Bible, when you compare its impact on the rest of scripture and on the individuals who wrote the Bible under the guide of the Holy Spirit. There is not one book that does not have a connection to at least a verse found within the chapters of Psalm. With that said, a reader should read seriously the Psalms when corresponding it with other books of the Bible.
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK:
You would be gravelly mistaken if you would pass by Psalms with the belief it is musical only. As a child I was led to believe the books of Psalm were more for the emotionally dependent people, those who needed constant reminders that God loved them. What I did not realize was that the book of Psalm was so much more. The Old Testament can be divided into three parts, the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Jesus Christ confirms this division of His Word in Luke 24:44, “Then He said to them, “These [are] the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and [the] Prophets and [the] Psalms concerning Me.” The Psalms is not merely musical, but God’s Word orchestrated to reveal God’s plan and actions in only such a way that He is capable of. Arno C. Gaebelein in his book The Book of Psalms: A Devotional and Prophetic Commentary stated, “In our Bibles the book of Psalms occupies the central part, preceding the prophetic scriptures. It may be compared to a great mountain peak from whose summit we have a magnificent sweep in all directions. The book contains 150 songs of praise, prayers and descriptions of every possible kind of human experience.”[1] Since coming to this realization I have found a deep desire and fulfillment in understanding the Psalms. There are prophetic implications from Christ’s first coming to His second, there are reflections of Christ’s thoughts while on the cross, and even the step by step remorseful approach a man who chased after God’s own heart had with the Maker of the universe. The book of Psalms is uniquely and uncharacteristically one of the hardest books to briefly describe, but one which we cannot stress enough should be valued and read by all. In short, the book of Psalms will be rewarding for the new or old believer in whatever stage of their life, study, and topic they find themselves desiring to know about God.
Hold until relieved our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL
[1] Arno C. Gaebelein in his book The Book of Psalms a devotional and prophetic commentary Pg. Introduction