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Psalms Lesson 1

Introduction to the Psalms

The book of Psalms, also known as the Psalter, is a collection of poems, songs, and prayers inspired by the Holy
Spirit. Each psalm expresses the highs and lows of life for the Israelites. Even today, they put words to the
emotions God’s people experience as they try to live for Him in the world. The word Psalms in Hebrew means
“praises” or “praise songs.” These songs, often sung in community, have been the hymnbook of the faithful
through the ages.
History and Authors
The 150 psalms were put into their present form late in Israel’s history. Some were written during the Israelites’
Babylonian exile. David wrote his psalms between 1010–971 BC. Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses, who lived
centuries earlier. The collection is organized in five “books”: Psalms 1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; and 107–150.
David wrote almost half the psalms, but there were many other psalm writers, also. Asaph, one of Israel’s
worship leaders, wrote Psalms 50 and 73–83. The sons of Korah, who were Levites, authored Psalms 42; 44–49;
84–85; and 87–88. Psalms 72 and 127 are attributed to David’s son Solomon.
The psalms cover many different themes. Some are laments. Although most of the Psalms express praise to God
many are also cries to God during times of struggle. Scattered throughout the psalter are songs of trust,
thanksgiving, and wisdom. And there are also some jarring imprecatory psalms, which curse God’s enemies.
Several of the psalms foreshadow the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus.
This study groups the psalms topically rather than from start to finish. This approach allows us to explore the
main themes and learn how to use them in our own prayers.
Gateway into the Psalms
The first two psalms are a gateway into the Psalter. They have a common theme: everyone must choose between
two very different paths in life. One leads to blessing and the other to destruction.
Psalm 1. This psalm is a wisdom psalm, which gives advice for living well. The opening presents two distinct
ways of life which the rest of the psalm explains the results of. Ultimately, a person who chooses right will be
blessed. Those who are blessed do not decide their life path based on advice from unbelievers. They do not
choose the same ways that people who persist in sin do. They do not spend time with those who mock God and
His law. They know there is a better way, which comes from delighting in God’s instruction.
“Law” here is the word torah, which means “instruction.” Though it can refer to the Pentateuch, the five books
of Moses, it is not limited to that. It describes all God’s instruction, meaning all of Scripture. As we read the
Bible, we come to know the very mind and will of God. We learn how to experience intimate relationship with
Him. That relationship brings delight. Yet we may resist having our way of life assessed and corrected by God’s
instruction. So if we wish to experience this delight, we must cultivate faith.
One way to cultivate faith is to meditate on God’s word “day and night.” This constant meditation should be a
way of life (see Deut. 6:6-9). All of life should be guided by God’s word. The result will be a stable, fruitful life.
The psalmist compared it to a tree planted by “streams of water” that enable it to grow deep roots. God’s counsel
is like life-giving water. It provides the nourishment that keeps people healthy and fruitful through life’s various
seasons.

Think about this water source that keeps the leaf of the tree from withering. Psalm 1 does
not imply that righteous people will never endure life’s difficulties. But it does show us that
even though the righteous face difficult seasons, the Scriptures bring refreshment.
Meditating on them “plants” us by a spiritually flowing stream of living water. The Scriptures
point us to Jesus, who gives “living water” that sustains life (Jn. 4:10). He invites anyone who is
thirsty to come to Him and drink (see Jn. 7:37).

When the psalmist said that the righteous person prospers in all that he does, he had in mind this thriving tree.
Following God’s word is not about living like the rich and famous. A healthy tree does not produce fruit for
itself but for others to enjoy. The prosperity this psalm talks about is confidence and trust in God that allows His
Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV®.
Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ESV® Text Edition:
2016.
Psalms – Lesson 1 2
people to delight in Him and with Him. God blesses such people with His favor, presence, and friendship. That
is what true prosperity is all about.
The image of those who follow the wicked path is unpleasant. Their lives produce no fruit for others. Instead,
they produce chaff. Chaff is the useless by-product of the grain harvest. It is separated from the edible grain and
blown away by the wind or thrown away. Though the paths of the righteous and wicked intersect at times, one
day they will separate. God will condemn those who choose their own path. They will not be able to withstand
His judgment.

Think about the two paths in Psalm 1. There are only two choices: relationship with God or
separation from Him. Some people want to follow Him halfway, when it seems convenient.
The rest of the time they want to follow their own paths. God does not make that an option,
though. Christ’s sacrifice demands a choice. We either follow Him wholeheartedly or we do
not.

Psalm 2. This is the first “royal psalm” in the psalter. Royal psalms highlight Israel’s king and coming Messiah.
Psalm 2 describes the rebellious nations that refused to submit to the Lord and His anointed king. God’s people
had endured the rage of nations against Israel and its kings. But they still believed that God would fulfill His
promises to His people. The end had not come, and God would remain faithful. The New Testament writers saw
the fulfillment of this psalm in Jesus, the Messiah (see Acts 4:25; Rev. 2:27).
The psalm opens with the picture of a meeting attended by the world’s power brokers, men who oppose God.
They call for war against God and His Anointed—not just Israel’s king, but the King of kings, Jesus Christ.
Unlike the righteous in Psalm 1 who delight in God’s law, these rulers consider His law oppressive. They want
to break what they consider to be chains of bondage. This is the essence of the “counsel of the wicked” that
Psalm 1 describes.
Psalm 2 portrays people throughout the ages who challenge the rule of God and His Anointed. They find His law
offensive and want to live by their own rules instead. In Acts 4:25-27, Luke, author of the New Testament books
Luke and Acts, referenced Psalm 2. He correlated Herod and Pilate with “the kings of the earth” and the Gentiles
and Israelites with “the nations ... and the peoples.” In putting Jesus to death, they played out the roles of Psalm
2. They showed that they would rather kill the Anointed one than obey Him.
But God mocks their arrogance. He laughs at the tiny, temporary, finite kings who dare to attack the Almighty.
Their efforts are vain and futile. God holds in derision and ridicules those who reject Him. But instead of
responding with cosmic thunder, God pours all His authority into His chosen King. God gave His Son dominion
over all the earth. No Israelite king could have dreamed of such an empire. Centuries later, the New Testament
writers recognized that these verses refer to Jesus. But Jesus was always God’s Son! How did He become the
Son? This reference points back to the covenant God had made with David (see 2 Sam. 7:12-16). God promised
He would establish an eternal kingdom through David’s offspring. Jesus is that prophesied offspring.
But the wrath of God, seen in 2:5, was poured out not on guilty rebels but on innocent Jesus. Jesus gave His life
on the cross for arrogant sinners who rebelled against Him. Then at His resurrection, Jesus defeated sin and
death, making Him King forever. And now God has given Him authority over all things, including the nations.
Jesus is the King of Psalm 2. The only wise response to this King, the psalm writer warned in 2:11, is to serve
Him and rejoice with trembling. If we submit to the King, we experience joy. What we receive from Him is
much more than anything we give up for Him.
The kings of the earth should submit to the true King with a kiss as one might kiss a signet ring to show loyalty.
One day God’s patience will end, and His wrath will kindle against those who refuse to honor His Son. When
that time comes, we do not want to be found walking the path of the wicked. We want to be found taking refuge
in Him.

Personalize the TRUTH!

Consider what the way of righteousness and the way of sinners looks like today. What do
you notice about each path? Which path are you drawn to, and why?
 Psalms – Lesson 2 2

DAY 3: Psalm 63—Satisfied in God

8. What deep longing did David express in this Psalm, and what words convey it?

9. Have you ever had this kind of longing? If so, what was that like? If not, why do you think that is?

10. Read Matthew 5:6 and John 4:13-14. What did Jesus promise to those who feel a longing similar to David’s?

DAY 4: Psalm 73—New Perspectives

11. Why did the psalm writer, Asaph, nearly stumble, and can you relate to his experience in any way?

12. What caused Asaph’s perspective to change?

13. How could you use this psalm to encourage yourself or someone else who struggles to trust God with injustices in
their life or in the world?

DAY 5: Psalm 91—A Safe Dwelling Place

14. What images did the writer of Psalm 91 use to portray God’s protection? Choose a favorite and say why you chose
it.

15. Psalm 91 does not mean that God’s people will never have trouble. What insights do these verses give about this?
a. John 16:33

b. Romans 8:35-39

16. How can we reconcile the suffering that believers face in this life with the truth of Psalm 91?

Apply the TRUTH!

Psalm 91 describes the way our souls can rest secure. When we make God our home,
our shelter, our refuge, our dwelling place, nothing can harm us in any ultimate sense.
Ask God to show you if you are trusting something other than Him for your security. Then express in
prayer your desire to find refuge in Him alone.

DAY 6: Participate in Class

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Psalms Lesson 2—Psalms 4; 11; 16; 63; 73; 91

Psalms to Deepen Our Trust

Memorize the TRUTH!
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2
DAY 1: Psalms 4; 11—Relief in Distress
1. What circumstances caused David to seek God in Psalm 4? In Psalm 11?

2. What did David believe about God that gave him hope in Psalm 4? In Psalm 11?

3. From Psalm 4, how would you say that David’s trust in God affect the way he lived? Is there anything you learn
from him that you would like to apply to your life?

4. Read Psalm 11:5 alongside James 1:2-4 and 1:12. When the Lord tests the righteous, what outcome is He seeking? If
you have experienced this in your life, share what happened.

Learn the TRUTH!

In Psalm 11:1-2 we see that David was tempted to flee from what threatened him. But
instead, he chose to trust the Lord. When you experience stress or fear, what is your first
thought? Do you automatically look for a way to escape? Or do you instinctively choose to trust
God? Ask God to help you make a habit of turning to Him first in trust.

DAY 2: Psalm 16—Secure Forevermore

5. David’s trust in God was active and intentional. What parts of this prayer show this?

6. Read 16:5-6 with Numbers 18:20. What did David mean when he wrote about his beautiful inheritance?

7. Read 16:8-11 again.

a. How did David show that he trusted God not just with his life, but also with his death?

b. Peter referenced these verses in his sermon recorded in Acts 2:22-28. About whom did Peter say David was
prophetically writing these words? And why is this so significant?

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV®. Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.