Psalms
A study of the Psalms based upon the Liturgy of the Hours including canticles from outside the Book of Psalms
Introduction to The Psalms
May 17, 2018
In this study, we begin our introduction to the book of Psalms including structure, origin, editing, challenges in translation, and, very importantly, what does it mean when we say the Bible is the Word of God.
Psalm 18: David's Deliverance, Cherubim, Our Perceptions of God, and Humility - Part 1
June 14, 2018
We begin Psalm 18 with an emphasis on understanding specific events in David's life that shape the images in this Psalm along with references to the Exodus. We read about Cherubim, examine David's musings on how God treats us according to how we are and perceive God, and conclude by discussing the role of humility in exaltation.
Psalm 18: David's Conquests, God's Humility, Signs of a Living God, and Vengeance on the Wicked
June 21, 2018
We finish our exploration of Psalm 18 by examining how some of the colorful images of conquest are more than images but reflect events from David's life. We reflect on God's humility and how He makes us "sound" as He is "sound". We saw how David perceived the living God by observing God's actions in his life and how we do the same. We also mused on how Christians understand verses about vengeance upon the wicked.
Psalm 57: God Delivers
June 28, 2018
This study explores Psalm 57 which we will use when we pray the Morning Office from Thursday week I. We show the possible connection to David's early flight from Saul and the treachery of Doeg and David's trust in God's deliverance. We touch upon the constant spiritual threat to our lives.
Psalm 30 - God Rescues
August 16, 2018
We explore Psalm 30 in this study including its liturgical history, the story of David and the census and the altar in Jerusalem, the influence of Satan and the demons in our lives, and the experience of feeling abandoned by God.
Psalm 4: Recovering from Rebellion
September 20, 2018
This study explores Psalm 4 as a possible response of David to Absalom's rebellion. We branched into how we can and must find joy in our afflictions, digressed into one reason for intercessory prayer including prayer to Saints, and concluded with a discussion of complete trust in and surrender to the will of God.
Psalm 15 - Who Can Dwell With God? - Part 1
September 27, 2018
In this study, we begin by setting the context of Psalm 15 as David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion. To do so, we spend time exploring the history of the Ark and its journey including the abuse of religion while the Ark is in Shiloh, the capture and return of the Ark, and the disturbing incident of Uzzah being killed for steadying the Ark during transport. This leads to a discussion on conscience. We then expound the psalm itself including the issues of "despising the reprobate" and not lending money at interest.
Psalm 15 - Who Can Dwell With God? - Part 2
September 27, 2018
In this study, we begin by setting the context of Psalm 15 as David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion. To do so, we spend time exploring the history of the Ark and its journey including the abuse of religion while the Ark is in Shiloh, the capture and return of the Ark, and the disturbing incident of Uzzah being killed for steadying the Ark during transport. This leads to a discussion on conscience. We then expound the psalm itself including the issues of "despising the reprobate" and not lending money at interest.
Psalm 63: Your Love Is Better Than Life - Part 1
October 25, 2018
This study explores Psalm 63 including its possible context of Absalom's rebellion against David. We considered how we can still see God's power and glory in His sanctuary today. We dwelt upon what it means to value God's love even more than life itself. We spoke of spiritual delights and intimacy with God and challenged ourselves to see how close we are to Him gauged against this psalm.
Psalm 63: Your Love Is Better Than Life - Part 2
October 25, 2018
This study explores Psalm 63 including its possible context of Absalom's rebellion against David. We considered how we can still see God's power and glory in His sanctuary today. We dwelt upon what it means to value God's love even more than life itself. We spoke of spiritual delights and intimacy with God and challenged ourselves to see how close we are to Him gauged against this psalm.
Psalm 110: God Exalts His Christ - Part 1
January 3, 2019
We begin our study of this of this historically messianic psalm with thoughts on the love of the Father for the Son. We explore Christian and Jewish understandings of the "adoni", the lord to whom the LORD speaks. We explain some of the cultural allusions in the psalm and spend quite some time on Melchizedek, the priesthood of Jesus, and the references to Psalm 110 in the Letter to the Hebrews. We conclude examining the shift in perspective at the end of the Psalm and the somewhat enigmatic conclusion.
Psalm 110: God Exalts His Christ - Part 2
January 3, 2019
We begin our study of this of this historically messianic psalm with thoughts on the love of the Father for the Son. We explore Christian and Jewish understandings of the "adoni", the lord to whom the LORD speaks. We explain some of the cultural allusions in the psalm and spend quite some time on Melchizedek, the priesthood of Jesus, and the references to Psalm 110 in the Letter to the Hebrews. We conclude examining the shift in perspective at the end of the Psalm and the somewhat enigmatic conclusion.
Rev 4:11, 5:9-10,12: Praise the Lamb Who Makes Us a Kingdom and Priests
January 17, 2019
In this study, we look at a canticle of praise comprised of several verses in Revelation 4 and 5 used as the last of the psalms in the Evening Office for the Solemnity of All Saints. We also examine the verses in between to gain context. This leads us primarily to a discussion of how great Jesus is, how He is the bridge between the Creator and creation, the Mediator, the Way, how He Himself is the Gospel, and why we would burst into such praise of Him. We explore some of the Old Testament images and themes used by John in Revelation. We digress a bit about how our prayers and lives can be a pleasing aroma to God as well as on the Millennium and possible answers to the question of over whom the Saints reign in the Kingdom. We then stopped the cameras and prayed the Evening Office together.
Psalm 91: God Protects Through All Trials - Part 1
February 14, 2019
In this study, God seems to draw us repeatedly to the theme that He does not save us FROM trials but rather saves us IN trials both in the sense of saving us in the trial itself and saving us by means of the trial as we explore Psalm 91. We discuss much of the imagery — fowlers, pinions, eagles, bucklers — as well as possible ties to the Exodus. We take a brief look at the role of angels and our need to not only be protected from evil but to be given the strength to battle against evil. We look at what it means to cleave to God in love but we keep returning to the theme that, to love Him as He loves us, we must learn love through experience, not just knowledge and that experience is often given to us as the way to salvation by means of trials.
Psalm 91: God Protects Through All Trials - Part 2
February 14, 2019
In this study, God seems to draw us repeatedly to the theme that He does not save us FROM trials but rather saves us IN trials both in the sense of saving us in the trial itself and saving us by means of the trial as we explore Psalm 91. We discuss much of the imagery — fowlers, pinions, eagles, bucklers — as well as possible ties to the Exodus. We take a brief look at the role of angels and our need to not only be protected from evil but to be given the strength to battle against evil. We look at what it means to cleave to God in love but we keep returning to the theme that, to love Him as He loves us, we must learn love through experience, not just knowledge and that experience is often given to us as the way to salvation by means of trials.
Psalm 40:2-14,17-18: Many Shall See and Trust - Part 1
February 28, 2019
We cover quite a number of topics in this involved Psalm. We discuss its background, why certain imprecatory verses are omitted in the Breviary, and how to view those imprecatory verses and psalms. We examine possible contexts and how new and alive God's presence was to David and should be to us. We examine evangelization through our example in difficulties and how this is a reason for embracing trials with joy. We point out the important differences between the Masoretic Text and Septuagint in this psalm and its messianic nature. We digress into the account of Saul and the Amalekites and the subject of loving obedience being more important than sacrifice. We spend considerable time looking at the reference to this psalm in Hebrews 10 and its relationship to the New Covenant. We touch on sharing our faith but also doing so discretely. We look at examples of how sin can blind us and conclude with the importance of seeing our neediness before God can do great things in us.
Psalm 40:2-14,17-18: Many Shall See and Trust - Part 2
February 28, 2019
We cover quite a number of topics in this involved Psalm. We discuss its background, why certain imprecatory verses are omitted in the Breviary, and how to view those imprecatory verses and psalms. We examine possible contexts and how new and alive God's presence was to David and should be to us. We examine evangelization through our example in difficulties and how this is a reason for embracing trials with joy. We point out the important differences between the Masoretic Text and Septuagint in this psalm and its messianic nature. We digress into the account of Saul and the Amalekites and the subject of loving obedience being more important than sacrifice. We spend considerable time looking at the reference to this psalm in Hebrews 10 and its relationship to the New Covenant. We touch on sharing our faith but also doing so discretely. We look at examples of how sin can blind us and conclude with the importance of seeing our neediness before God can do great things in us.
Psalm 51 - Part 1: Background
March 28, 2019
In this study of the great penitential psalm, we review the account of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. We spend a great deal of time discussing sin, its progression, and its consequences both eternal and temporal and our sometimes distorted view of sin and punishment.
Psalm 51 - Part 2: Consequences of Sin and Mercy
March 28, 2019
In this study, we launch into the first few verses of Psalm 51 with topics such as God's graciousness and its potential abuse through presumption, dealing with both sin and its causes, and our being aware of our sins.
Psalm 86: Trusting God Who Delivers and Sustains Us
July 11, 2019
Our study of Psalm 86 returns us repeatedly to the idea of recognizing our neediness and God's loving willingness to always sustain us. We discuss Mary's need for a Savior even though she did not sin and our complete dependence on God for our very existence as well as our spiritual perfection. We touch briefly on consecration to God and the difference between sin as a way of life and individual sins. We focus on Bible Study as a means rather than an end and some of the messianic inferences in this psalm.