-What kind of a tree is a Psalm
-What is a Psalm
Music was important to Ancient Israel--it is important today.
So this might be called Our Music Lesson
READ Introduction: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
The Psalms teach us to trust the Lord.
Verse one serves to introduce the Book of Psalms as a whole.
READ Psalm 1:1
-What does this mean?
READ A modern day translation…in Additional Resources
READ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland…in Add’l Res
READ Psalm 1:2-6
-What will the righteous be like?
-What is meant by “the ungodly?” vs 4
-If you sin are you ungodly?
READ Brigham Young…in Add’l Res
-And what will the ungodly be like?
-What is chaff?
-How did the Ancients separate the chaff from the wheat?
-So, what happens to the ungodly?
-Who exists with the Lord after the judgment?
Introduction: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Jesus Himself quoted the book of Psalms more than any other Old Testament text. Beyond the Savior’s own use of these writings, the authors of the four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] drew heavily on the psalms as they strove to document His life and ministry, particularly those excruciating hours of His arrest, trial, and Crucifixion” (For Times of Trouble [2012], 7–8).
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
33-OT SS Lesson: Aug 8-14 Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46 “The Is My Shepherd”
The Psalms point our minds to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
SUMMARY of Psalms 2-7. David writes these. They are petitions to the Lord for protection and deliverance from enemies….he testifies that salvation comes from the Lord and that we can trust in God’s power. David is convinced of his innocence against the charges of those who oppose him and he pleads to the Lord for vindication and judgment.
Psalm 8:1-9 David writes that God created man and is mindful of him. He asks, what is man, that Thou art mindful of him?
READ verse 8:1
-What does “Lord our Lord” signify?
READ Lord our Lord…in Add’l Res
READ Psalm 8:3-5
-What is the place of God’s children among all of His creations?
-What does it mean that God is mindful of us?
READ verses 6-8
-What has God given us dominion over?
-What responsibility do we have for this dominion?
-What have you learned about becoming like God as you have had “dominion” over some earthly things?
The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 23 David declares, the Lord is my shepherd
*What is the difference between a sheepherder and a shepherd?
Psalm 8:1 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Psalm 8:3 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
SUMMARY of Psalms 28-30.David pleads with the Lord for himself and his people. He asks for judgment and retribution upon their enemies for their evil deeds. David praises the Lord as His strength and shield. He proclaims the majesty of the Lord and counsels Israel to worship the Lord God in beauty and holiness. Citin his own deliverance David instructs all to praise and give thanks to the Lord God.
Psalm 46: God--our refuge, strength and the Lord of Hosts, shall be with us on earth. He says:”Be still and know that I am God.”
READ The JST Emphasises the Prophetic Nature of Psalm 46…in Add’l Res
READ How can we be sustained during…in Add’l Res.
The Psalms point our minds to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. (Psalms 2; 22; 31:5)
READ SUMMARY of Psalms 2-7
READ Psalm 2:7
READ Acts 13:30, 33
READ Psalm 22:1
READ Psalm 22:16
-Is there any doubt that David foresaw the life of the Savior?
SUMMARY of Psalms 2-7 Written by David. He testifies that salvation comes from the Lord and that we can trust in God’s power. He prophecizes of Christ’s earthly experiences. Also, the word Selah begins to appear in some of the Psalms. It is likely “a pause in singing for narration, instructions on dynamics to the choir or to instrumental accompaniment.” Harper’s Bible Dictionary, 1985, 922.
Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Acts 13:30 But God raised him from the dead:
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Psalm 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
READ Psalm 22:18
READ Psalm 31:1-3
-What does it mean to put our trust in the Lord
-Why is it trust?
READ What does it mean to put our trust…in Add’l Res
Finally…
READ Psalm 31:5 and Luke 23:46
-How do we exhibit our trust in the Lord?
-David’s plea at the end of Psalm 31
READ Verses 23 & 24
-How can we be of good courage?
SUMMARY of Psalm 33 David sings Praises to the Lord for His Righteousness and Judgment.
READ Psalm 33:12
-What do we have to do as a nation to be be blessed by God?
READ How does a nation choose the Lord…in Add’l Res
Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Psalm 31:1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.
Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
READ PSALM 23 (below) David declares:
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Lord is My Shepherd (continued)
*What is the difference between a sheepherder and a shepherd?
READ Elder Renlund
-Verse 4--What is the difference between a rod and a staff?
-How is the Lord our shepherd?
-What is the significance of the imagery that is used?
-Still waters, green pastures,, valley of the shadow of death, rod and staff, prepared table?
-What do you find comforting about this Psalm?
-How about verse 6?
Elder Renlund: “The Lord’s mortal ministry was indeed characterized by love, compassion and empathy. He helped and blessed, lifted and edified, and replaced fear and despair with hope and joy. Like the true shepherd that He is, He seeks us and finds us to offer relief and hope. Understanding his compassion and love helps us to exercise faith in Him, to repent and be saved.” Our Good Shepherd, 30.
My Thoughts: Music adds so much to our life. In our meetings it gives us an opportunity to say(sing) and feel things that can bring us closer to the Lord. Familiar hymns evoke familiar sentiments. Singing together brings a uniting feeling. That was true of the Psalms sung and recited by Ancient Israel. Many of those Psalms are incorporated into our hymns that we sing today. Even without the words the familiar music evokes strong spiritual feelings within us. I believe that sometimes the words of a song can express a stronger feeling than we might be able to express on our own. There is protection in the words of hymns. That is why it is suggested that we resort to a hymn when we are challenged by the adversary. Even if it is just in our mind.
I have favorite hymns and there are ones that are less favorite. When I was growing up the lady who played the piano in our branch had a favorite hymn that she would play when the meeting ended to soon and they would ask for a song. It was ‘Joseph, the Seer’, which is no longer in our hymnals, thank goodness. It was four pages and four verses and we would sing every one. I use to think the meeting would never end. On the other hand I was happy when the newer hymnals included “Rock of Ages” and ‘Amazing Grace’.
I appreciate the musicians in my family and also those in our ward who share their talents. I am grateful for my family and for you who I consider my church family. I am happy when I have the opportunity to share meetings with you.
I hope that you have a good week. That you find benefit in studying Psalms. May you have a song in your heart.
Stay healthy.
Greg
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
A modern day translation: “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of the scoffers.” NRSV, Psalm 1:1
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “[Psalm 1] is intended to be something of a backdrop against which all the psalms that follow are considered. It is the reminder that in the quest for a peaceful and productive life, we shouldn’t be so foolish as to choose trouble. Life is difficult enough without our adding stupidity to our list of mistakes. How frustrating it must be to God when, wanting to help us and knowing full well the dangers along the way, He sees us willingly, willfully choose to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, and sit in the seat of the scornful.” For Times of Trouble, 16-17
Brigham Young said: A person to be ungodly must have known godliness, and must have a knowledge of what the Lord requires concerning him. There are many in the midst of this people who believe the Gospel with all their hearts, but yet do wickedly; this makes them ungodly. Journal of Discourses, 2:258
Lord our Lord: The name or title Lord “is one of the most frequently used titles for Jesus in the scriptures….Its most common synonym is Master, suggesting governance and authority over possessions, property, and people, such as medieval “lord of the manor’ or “master of the house.’ Holland, Witness for His Names, 101.
What Does It Mean to Put Our Trust in the Lord?
“To trust means to obey willingly without knowing the end from the beginning. To produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience. To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it.” Elder Richard G. Scott, “Trust in the Lord.”
How does a nation choose the Lord as their ‘God?
President Gordon B. Hinckley noted: “Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever tat duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared,’Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’ Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God..” “Times in Which We Live,” 74
The JST Emphasises the Prophetic Nature of Psalm 46
The following are samples of the JST changes in Psalm 46. Underlined words are removed, and the bold words are added or restored. The Prophet did not make any change to verse 10.
5. For Zion shall come, and God is shall be in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early.
6.The Heathen shall be enraged raged, and their kingdoms were shall be moved, he uttered and the Lord shall utter his voice, and the earth shall be melted.
7. The Lord of hosts is who shall be with us,; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8. Come, behold the works of the Lord what deslations he hath made shall make in the earth in the latter days.
9. He maketh wars to ease unto the end of the ear; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire, and saith unto the nations,
10. Be, still and know that I am God: i will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11. The Lord of hosts is shall be with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Hite, et al., Old Testament with the Joseph Smith Translation, 277
How Can We be Sustained During Commotions and Calamities?
“The first stanza of the psalm is a triumphant confession of fearless trust in God and portrays the Lord as a refuge and strength in the midst of natural disaster. God’s people have no need to frea, even if an earthquake breaks up the continents and causes them to sink beneath the resurging waters of the seas. God provides security even if the creation itself seems to become uncreated and all appears to be going down into the primeval deepl” Zondervan KJV Commentary, 767.