PSALMS & PROVERBS: Life is Hard, How Do I Get Through It?

Introducing the Psalms

by Dennis Bratcher (http://www.crivoice.org/psalmsintro.html)

The Psalms are some of the most widely read portions of the Old Testament. They have a long history of popularity in the Christian tradition, so much so that often the Book of Psalms is bound with the New Testament in pocket editions. Such popularity reflects sensitivity to the fact that the psalms are about people, the struggle and joy of living life under God. While too often the psalms are seen as a sort of spiritual "pick-me-up," a view reflecting the distorted "feel-good" mentality of modern society, their message goes far deeper, addressing the entire range of human existence.

It is important to recognize that the psalms are not doctrinal statements, creeds, or history but that they are both poetry and prayer, poetry intended to be set to music and prayed in worship. In ancient Israel, no less than in the modern world, poetry and music were the means by which people expressed the deepest of human feelings and emotions, the most profound of insights, and the most tragic and joyous of human experiences.

Types of Psalms include:

· Lament Psalms – Expressions of sorrow, crisis, despair….moves to place of trust, hope and joy. Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 137, 143

· Thanksgiving Psalms – offering gratitude… Psalms 18, 21, 30, 32, 34, 40:1-11, 65, 66, 67, 75, 92, 107, 108, 116, 118, 124, 136, 138

· Trust Psalms…expressing trust in God…11, 16, 23, 27, 62, 63, 91, 121, 125, 131

· Royal Psalms… speaking of Israel’s Kings or God as King…2, 18, 20, 21, 29, 45, 47, 72, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 110, 144

· History Psalms…recounting God’s involvement in Israel’s History 8, 105-106, 135, 136

· Wisdom Psalms…reflecting human or divine wisdom and God’s Law 1*, 19, 36*, 37, 49, 73, 112, 119, 127, 128, 133\

· Creation Psalms…observing the divine wonders of creation…8, 19, 29, 33, 65, and 104

PSALMS WERE USED AS A HYMNBOOK IN THE WORSHIP OF ANCIENT ISRAEL. BUT THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN USED FOR CONTEMPLATION AND PRAYER THROUGHOUT CHRISTIAN HISTORY. PICK A PSALM AND READ IT SEVERAL TIMES AND LISTEN FOR THE VOICE OR INSIGHT OF GOD IN ITS WORDS.

Introducing the Proverbs:

The authorship of Proverbs has long been a matter of dispute. Solomon’s name appears in Proverbs 1:1, "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, King of Israel", although this does not necessarily mean that he was the author. There are references to Agur and Lamuel as authors distinct from Solomon that are missing in the Greek Septuagint, which regarded King Solomon as the author of the whole Book of Proverbs. Although medieval scholars had in the Vulgate a more faithful rendering of 30:1 and 31:1, in their eyes the words "Agur" and "Lamuel" were but symbolical names of Solomon. Solomon is often mentioned as someone who has extensive wisdom in the Bible as well as in extra-biblical literature.

The central theme to the book of Proverbs can be linked to Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction." This theme of centrality of the knowledge of God runs through the entirety of the book. The instructions that are given, although they are for everyday circumstances, allude to humankind’s uprightness before God. The thought pattern that the reverence and respect for God in all circumstances brings true knowledge is encouraged in this book. The book centers on the willingness to learn as important. God’s people were brought into the belief that God’s law is something that is part of life and is a duty, and this required obedience. Proverbs calls this kind of obedience the fear of the Lord. This obligation, which is similar to the knowledge of God that they had from the prophetic books, involves reverence, gratitude, and commitment to do the will of God in every circumstance. The main goal of Proverbs is to define clearly what it means to be fully devoted to God’s will and seeing his will accomplished in this world.

Proverbs is a part of the Wisdom literature. It is the genre of literature common in the Ancient Near East. This genre is characterized by sayings of wisdom intended to teach about God and about virtue. The key principle of wisdom literature is that whilst techniques of traditional story-telling are used, books also offer wisdom, insight and 'truths' about the nature of life and our reality.

In Proverbs Wisdom is personified as a lady in the first 8 chapters. This is echoed again in the final chapter (31). It is contrasted with the way of foolishness, personified as a prostitute. This aspect of Wisdom was later connected to the Holy Spirit and with Jesus Christ. (Compare Proverbs 8:22-31 with John 1:1-5)

Read Proverbs 1: 1-7

Read Proverbs 31

READ THROUGH PASSAGES AND FIND VERSES THAT SPEAK TO YOU. PROVERBS IS ANOTHER BOOK MEANT FOR DAILY READING AND REFLECTING. FIND A VERSE YOU LIKE EACH MORNING AND LET IT COME TO MIND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE DAY