All Scriptures are from The Bible by Jesus
A. INTRODUCTION
1. The word Psalm in Hebrew, Tehillum means “to make jubilant music.” It comes from the root halal to yell a greeting. It is the word from which you get hello. So pray hello Lord.
2. Why Psalms were written.
a. Prayers.
b. Devotional thoughts.
c. Instructional.
d. Complaints about an enemy.
e. Some teach the law.
3. They are translated into the first person, spoken by Jesus.
a. Modern language.
b. The purpose of Psalms – to touch God and be touched by Him.
B. THE MANY WAYS TO PRAY
1. Worship, to compliment or magnify Me. “Come singing to Me, your Lord; shout joyfully to Me, the Rock of your salvation.” (95:1). Worship is giving God worthship.
2. Forgiveness, to come back into a prayer relationship with Me. “If you had not confessed the sin, of your hearts I would not have listened to you” (66:18). “I will have compassionate on you. And blot out the stain on your sin” (51:1). “I the Lord, forgive iniquities’” (103:3). “But there is forgiveness with Me, so the you will fear Me” (130:4).
3. Surrender, to give yourself completely to Me. “My will be done” (Matthew 6:10). “I will find a place for you to lie down” (Ps. 23:2). “Come into My gates with thanksgiving” (100:4), “By giving thanks for all I done for you” (100:4).
4. Protection, to ask Me your Lord to care for you. “When you were scared, you cried to Me for help; I heard you and delivered you from all your troubles” (34:6). The word trouble is plural.
5. Guidance, to get help with decisions and problems. “I promise I will guide you so you don’t make mistakes” (32:8).
6. Victory, to overcome sin, habits, or weaknesses. To overcome sin (Psalm 51), an enemy (Ps. 7). “You shall win battles through Me, because I will tread down your enemies” (60:12). “My home is in heaven, you will live there forever” (23:6).
7. Provision, praying for things, money, and provisions. “I hear your prayers when you plead with Me, when you stretch out your hand toward My presence . . . I will give you the ability to overcome difficulties” (28:3, 6).
8. Blessing, to ask Me to add value to all you do. “You will wait courageously for Me because I will deliver you . . . I will come to you” (27:13-14).
C. SELAH: PAUSE AND MEDITATE
1. Selah comes from two roots, “to praise” and “to lift up.” Therefore, it means to lift Me up in praise.
2. Selah is a musical note, not tone, but truth. Think of the content, i.e., what you are saying, “You recognized your sin that made you a wreck. You could no longer hide your faults from Me. Selah! Then I forgave your terrible sin” (32:5).
3. Selah is a thought-link.
a. Look back at what you have just read as a basis for praise.
b. Look forward to the next thought. “I am you King and your God. I make you victorious. My power can push back your enemies. Selah!” (44:8).
4. Selah means to pause. Not in singing, but in thinking. “I will bless those who linger in My house because they worship and praise Me. Selah!” (84:4).
5. Selah means to “lift up,” get louder, i.e., crescendo. “Glorious things are spoken of My city; Zion is My city, I am the Lord God. Selah!” (87:3).
6. Jerome said translate it forever. Many early Christians translated it Amen.
D. KINDS OF PSALMS
1. Each Psalm is a worship event. “I want you to enjoy coming into My presence in the tabernacle; express your deep passion for the courts of My house. I want you to rest near My presence because I am your King and your God” (84:1, 3).
2. Not English poetry that rhyme words and meter. Hebrew poetry matches phrases or content. It repeats a thought with different emphasis and application.
3. Synonymous poetry, the thought on the first verse is repeated in the second. “You don’t have to fear when facing trouble, nor should enemies scare you” (49:5).
4. Antithetic poetry, the thought of the first phrase is the opposite in the second line. “The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous to others” (37:21).
5. Synthetic poetry, the idea in the first phrase is the basis for the second line and completes it. “My Scripture, like the universe, is perfect; converting the soul when applied. My principles never change, making the ignorant wise when learned” (19:7).
6. Climactic poetry, the idea of the first line builds to a conclusion in the second and third line. “Your life will be happier if you don’t follow the advice of sinners, if you don’t loiter with the wicked, if you don’t become a part of an evil group” (1:1).
E. HOW TO PRAY THE PSALMS
1. As you read the Psalms each day, talk to Me with the words as you read.
2. Focus on Me and talk with Me. Don’t just focus on the content to understand or interpret, but let the Psalms express your feelings to Me.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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