This was our first study of the Bible study group. The emails are not as in-depth as subsequent studies because I did not initially intend that teachings would take place in the emails. The study takes us through the Psalms topically with an emphasis on the liturgical season. For background, I used C. S. Lewis’s Reflections on the Psalms, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible, and Mike Aquilina’s Praying the Psalms with the Early Christians which provided a great resource of Patristic commentary. This study is for eleven weeks.
(Epiphany/Lent 2013)
The Psalms – An Outline
Here is an outline of our study of the Psalms.
The Psalms – An Overview
This week we are simply going to have a brief overview of the Psalms by looking at how to read and interpret the Psalms. We will end the study this week by having individuals share a particular Psalm that is dear to them (no participation required).
The Psalms – Compline
This week we will look at the Psalms of the Compline service, and not only the four Psalms explicitly mentioned in the service, but also other psalms which find their way into the service within the various prayers and responses.
The Psalms – The Messianic Psalms
This week, we will be looking at how the Psalms speak of the coming Messiah and the New Testament’s use of Psalms in describing who Jesus is.
The Psalms – Imprecatory Psalms
This week we will be looking at the imprecatory or cursing Psalms. Instead of doing a close reading of a sampling of these Psalms, this week we will look at how Lewis, Bonhoeffer, and Augustine handle these Psalms.
The Psalms – Psalms of Worship
This week we will look at the worship of God as set forth in the Psalms from Solomon’s Temple to the present day.
The Psalms – Psalms of Worship, pt.2
The great beauty of the Psalms lies in their universal application within the worship of the Church.
The Psalms – The Penitential Psalms
this Thursday we will be studying the seven great penitential Psalms (Psalms 51, 6, 32, 38, 130, 143, 102). This grouping goes back at least to a 6th-century Roman commentary on the Psalms.
Psalms – The Penitential Psalms, pt.2
As you read the penitential psalsms for tonight, look at the tone of the prayer being offered: Imperative, Hopeful, Hopeless, Joyful, or Distraught.
The Psalms – Psalms of Creation and Nature
This week we are looking at Creation and Nature in the Psalms. As you read through the creation Psalms this week, be aware of how the psalmist views the natural world and its appropriate place in our worship.
The Psalms – Psalms of Creation and Nature, pt.2
The first psalm we are going to look tonight is Psalm 104 which is the great Creation Psalm. Below are some points to consider in reading this psalm and how the psalm contributes to a deeper understanding of our faith.
The Psalms – Wisdom Psalms
This week we are going to read through a selection of the Wisdom Psalms. The psalms we will discuss are Psalms 1, 37, 49, and 139.
The Psalms – Psalm 119
Martin Luther read this Psalm every day and said that this Psalm lays out the three means by which anyone can become a great theologian: Prayer, Meditation, and Affliction
The Psalms – Psalm 119, pt.2
Last week we were reminded that the Psalms are meant to be sung, not simply read. Attached are two musical selections incorporating the words of Psalm 119.
The Psalms – Praises and Palm Sunday
This week we are looking at Praise in the Psalms and Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Please read Psalms 118:15-29, 100, 24, 148-50, and 136.
The Psalms – Praises and Palm Sunday, pt.2
Attached are commentaries from St. Methodius and Charles Spurgeon on our psalms for this week. These men provide us with different approaches in our reading and application of these psalms.
The Psalms – Praises and Palm Sunday, pt.3
As you read through and meditate on Psalms 118, think about what are the “gates” and “doors” of which these psalms speak.
The Psalms – Holy Week
This Week we are going to look at the Psalms of Holy Week – Psalm 22 (Passion (Palm) Sunday), Psalm 78 (Maundy Thursday), Psalm 69 (Good Friday), and Psalm 31 (Holy Saturday).