Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Keys To The Psalms

The history of the nation of Israel from the beginning of time unto their return from exile in Babylon is documented in the songs of the psalms. Knowing the time-frame context of when the psalm was com- posed adds to the richness of its meaning. Though the Psalms are focused upon the Jews and their piv- otal role in history, they do invite the nations of the world to trust in God on an equal basis. These ‘Holy Spirit inspired songs’ give birth to the wisdom literature of the Proverbs as well as the age of the Prophets. Psalms becomes the great sea into which the rivers of the Old Testament flow forward and the New Testament Scriptures flow backward into a songbook of worship for all ages. The ‘Names of God’ Key “ The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet. ’” (Ps. 110:1) The psalms are resplendent with the various names and titles of God. Although the writers did not have the New Testament revelation of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, they were concealed in the psalms and woven into the language of the poetry. ‘In the Old Testament, they experienced the Trinity as One God; in the New Testament they experienced the One God as Trinity.’ Understanding the names increases the light of our understanding and draws us closer to the incredible God of the psalmists. In the psalm text above, Yahweh “The Lord” is addressing Adonai “My Lord”…God is speaking within himself, the mystery of the Trinity is incubating in the Psalms.

‘Adon and Adonai’– Sovereign Lord El- the strong and mighty one. Elohim- Supreme and adorable God, a plural name for God. Elyon- The Most High God Yahweh, (Jahve,) Jehovah and Jah- He who is,

the Covenant God of Israel Shaddai- Israel’s provider

The Key of Creation “ He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. ” (Ps. 95:4,5) Psalms celebrates the creator and his creation. Each of the created things animate and inanimate be- comes a language to explain his redemption and love for us. The mountains display his righteousness, the heavens explain his mercy, the waves of the seas are like the ceaseless praise of the nations, the trees clap their hands, we are likened to the sheep of his pasture, the devil is like a roaring lion, the sun and moon display His faithful covenant of mercy and the rivers of His grace will never run dry. Even the birds of the sky find a place in his temple singing praise to the God of Israel!

The Key of the Jewish People “ Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Israel. ” (Ps. 81:1)

Psalms cannot be properly understood apart from the Jews being the chosen race to bring the Messiah and his words to the world. From the deliverance of Israel from Egypt at the Red Sea, the conquering of the Land of Canaan, the establishment of the Kingdom, the exile and return from Babylon, the entire book of Psalms finds its truth and imagery from the heart of Judaism. The customs, laws and culture of the Jews flavor the book and fill it with the richest treasures. The gift of worship and prayer that the Jews have given the world will one day return to the holy city of Jerusalem as they embrace the Mes- siah and sing; ‘ Hosanna to the Son of David. ’ (Mt. 21:9)

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