Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, January 6, 2024.

Main Theme: The Psalms have been written in Hebrew poetry by different authors from ancient Israel, and so, the Psalms reflect their particular world, however universal their messages. Accepting the Psalms as God’s Word and paying close attention to the Psalms’ poetic features, as well as their historical, theological, and liturgical contexts, is fundamental for understanding their messages, which reach across thousands of years to our time today.

Read in Class: Nehemiah 12:8, Psalm 18:1, Psalm 30:1-2 and James 5:13. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What were the occasions that prompted the writing of some psalms? When did God’s people use the Psalms?

Apply: Though we, of course, do not worship God in an earthly sanctuary like the temple, how can we use the Psalms in our own worship, whether in a private or in a corporate setting?

Share: Your friend says that the Psalms were written so long ago, and mostly about the authors own experiences about war and so forth. We are not warriors from ancient times so what do the Psalms have to do with us today? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 3:5-8, Psalm 33:1-3 and Psalm 109:6-15. Define the common thread in these passages.

Study: What different facets of human experience do these psalms convey?

Apply: What kind of psalms would you most likely be apt to use or write in your references to God in your life? 

Share: One of your friends says, “Why does David write so many psalms that seem to focus on destroying his enemies and bringing judgment on others? Where is Crist’s love for the erring and sinners in his heart?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Samuel 23:1-2 and Romans 8:26-27. What is the main thought of these passages?

Study: What do these texts teach us about prayer?

Apply: Jesus quoted the Psalms like Luke 20:42-43 for example. What should Jesus’ use of the Psalms tell us about the importance that they could play in our own faith experience?

Share: Your friend asks what it means that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 16:8, Psalm 44:8 and Psalm 46:1. What is the main idea of these passages?

Study: What place does God occupy in the psalmist’s life?

Apply: How can the Psalms help us understand that we cannot limit God to certain aspects of our existence only? What might be parts of your life in which you are seeking to keep the Lord at a distance?

Share: Can you share a time when Psalm 46:1 or one of the other passages in this section was a particular comfort to you?