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The Perspective of the Psalms
Book 1 (Psalms 1-41) – The just shall live by faith
- This section centers on themes of trust, guidance, and faithfulness as the basis for a relationship with the LORD.
- Psalm 2:12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
- Psalm 4:5 …put your trust in the LORD.
- Psalm 5:11 …put their trust in the LORD.
- Trust in the LORD implies he is a good guide, the shepherd (Psalm 23), and the heavenly King.
- Psalm 41:12-13 ends the book with upholding the faithful man.
Book 2 (Psalms 42-72) – The kingdom of God is over all nations
- This book explores themes of seeking God’s kingdom as Jesus said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
- Psalm 42:1 as the first Psalm in this book begins with the thirst of deer as the thirst of his soul for the LORD.
- Because of the spiritual nature of God’s kingdom, it means it isn’t limited by flesh and blood. Like Paul said, Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is not according to biology or bloodlines. The God of Jacob and his kingdom is not just the God of Israel, but the God of the whole earth.
- Psalm 72:17-19 all nations…
Book 3 (Psalms 73-89) – Judgment on Israel because of unfaithfulness
- This section grapples with questions of injustice and what would be called the reproach of Christ.
- It begins in Psalm 73 with Asaph wondering why the wealthy and wicked Jews prosper while the righteous Jews seem to suffer.
- The failures in the old covenant become very clear here. In Psalm 78, twice it’s said the covenant was forsaken by the people with whom God made it.
- There are many references to the failures of Israel leading to God’s anger. Psalm 78 gives a history of God’s anger with the nation.
- Psalm 80:3,7,19 says, “Turn us again” three times.
- The irony of the reproach of Christ is that it would come from the same nation that will produce Christ.
- This book ends with Psalm 89, particularly note verses 49-51. It is reminiscent of Paul in Romans 8 asking what shall separate God’s people from the love of God in Christ.
Book 4 (Psalms 90-106) – King of kings and LORD of lords
- Now we have the God of Israel as the Creator and also the Judge of the earth and all things. He is the Creator and universal lawgiver.
- It’s like Paul says it in 1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God
- Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
- Psalm 103:17-22 is a great summary of this fourth book.
- This book ends with Psalm 106:47-48 and the gathering in one all God’s people from the whole earth. Paul explains this as being gathered in Jesus Christ in Ephesians 4.
Book 5 (Psalms 107-150) – Let the redeemed say so
- The final book contains songs of praise and thanksgiving. It begins perfectly with Psalm 107:2 that the redeemed should sing the praise of God.
- Psalm 145 to the end concludes with the famous call to praise God in Psalm 150.
Now, let’s make a couple of applications to these scriptures being a divine work. This order of psalms has been around probably since the days of the Babylonian exile in the 6th century B.C. Whoever put these together had an understanding of some significant doctrines that would be made very clear in the New Testament.
- This person or people understood the nature of a relationship to God. Even to the point of indicting their own Jewish people for being wicked and not related to God.
- This person or people understood that a Messiah would come. Since there is some reproach associated with the righteous, this Messiah would probably suffer at the hands of wicked people.
- This person or people understood that God is not a God of the Jews only but of all nations. And the purpose of the nation of Israel would be to bring light to all nations.
