1. What book in the Bible has the most chapters? The Book of Psalms.
  2. What can the book of Psalms somewhat be describe like? It is like a modern hymnbook.
  3. How is the book of Psalms like a modern hymnbook? Both are a collection of songs and prayers written by several people over a period of time.
  4. What do both the book of Psalms and the modern hymnbook describe?

a.      The worshippers’ response of praise because of God’s power and love.

b.      The worshippers’ words of hope based on God’s promises for the future.

c.       The worshippers’ cries for God to rescue from the troubles of life.

  1. How were both the book of Psalms and the modern hymnbook commonly used by believers? They were both used in private devotion and public worship. 
  2. When a Psalm was sung what was the singer testifying about?  The singer was testifying to God’s greatness. (“Great is the Lord” from Psalms 48).
  3. When a Psalm was sung what was the listener hearing about God?  The listener was hearing how God had worked in another person’s life, and everyone was encouraged to trust in God’s power.

8.                  What are some of the things that Psalms were filled with?

a.      Psalms were filled with Emotions of fear and anguish (because of persecution).

b.      Psalms were filled with trust and love (because of God’s protection in the past).

  1. What do these Prayers describe?  These Prayers describe the personal relationship that can exist between God and each of us.
  2. Were Psalms sometimes written to music? Yes. Many of the Psalms were written to music:

a.      Psalms 4 in the heading includes direction “for the choir director”, (to be played) on stringed instruments (To the chief Musician on Neginoth)

b.      Psalms 5 in heading includes directions “for the choir director, for flute accompaniment.” (To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth)

c.       Psalms 3 has the word “Selah” at the end of verses 2,4, and 8. This word means “to lift up,” but it is not clear whether it refers to increasing the volume of the instruments or some sort of musical interlude.

d.      Some Psalms that encouraged singing:  Psalms 95: 1,2; 96: 1,2; 98: 1, 4-6.

e.       Some Psalms that promoted the playing of instruments while singing:  Psalms 98: 5-6; 108: 1,2; 150: 3-5.

  1. In the original Hebrew manuscripts how many sections were the Psalms arranged or divided into?  They are arranged into five subdivisions (book set)

a.      Books     1 --  41

b.      Books   42 --  72

c.       Books   73 –   89

d.      Books   90 – 106

e.       Books 107 – 150

  1. What does each of these five major sections (a –e) close with at the end of each section? Each section closes with a brief prayer of praise.
  2. What does this divided Psalms arrangement follow according to theory?

a.       It was divided into five sections as a sort of parallel to the Pentateuch.

b.      Another theory believes the five sections  were different collections of psalms that circulated at different times in Israel’s history.  

  1. Who or how are these subdivision books of Psalms attributed?

·         David: Most of the Psalms in the first two book sets (a & b) were from David (3 - 41; 51-71).

·         Asaph:  Many of the Psalms in book three (c ) were written by Asaph ( 73 – 83).

·         Songs of Ascent ( 120 – 134)  and Hallelujah (146 – 150) were group in book five  (e).

·         Moses wrote Psalms 90.

  1. The book of Psalms is very diverse and deals with a variety of subjects.  List some of the subjects? God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.
  2.  What is the earliest psalm of praise and who is it attributed? The earliest psalm of praise is not included in the Book of Psalms. It is Exodus 15 and it is attributed to Moses.
  3. Who did Peter claim wrote Psalms 16 and 110?  Peter says that David wrote Psalms 16 and 110 (in Acts 2:25-35). Read and ties them together with understanding.
  4. Who does the Book of Hebrews Chapter 4 verse 7 credit Psalms 95? It is credit to David. Read and ties them together with understanding.
  5. Approximately how many Psalms are accredited to David?  Approximately 72 -73 Psalms are accredited to David.
  6. Approximately how many Psalms are accredited to Solomon?  Approximately 2 Psalms are accredited to Solomon.
  7.  Name Levitical singers that are accredited for a large group of Psalms and were appointed by David to sing and play instruments at the temple worship services?  Asaph, Heman, Ethan, and Koran (1 Chronicles 15: 16-24;  25: 1-8).
  8.  Name a Psalm that was written while Israel was in exile by the rivers of Babylon?  Psalms 137.  Explain this chapter.
  9. Who is credited for (thought to) collecting the first two set of Psalm books (a & b)?  David.
  10. Who is credited for (thought to) collecting the third and fourth set of Psalm books (c & d)? Solomon or Hezekiah.
  11. Who is credited for (thought to) collecting the fifth set of Psalm books (e)?  Ezra.
  12. What is meant by the Historical Setting as related to a psalm?  Many of the psalms have two settings:

a.      The original historical experience of the author who wrote the psalm (Example David out on a hill taking care of his sheep).

b.      The later setting of the psalm has it was sung in the temple in Jerusalem on a feast day.

  1.  Where might we get information about the Historical setting or situation of the Psalm?

a.      Some heading suggest the original historical situation which caused the author to write the psalm: see Psalm 3 in relation to 2 Samuel 13:34 through 18:33.   See Psalms 18 as related  2 Samuel 21 through 22.  See Psalms 30 as related to 2 Samuel 24. See Psalms 51 David’s prayer after his sin with Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11-12.

b.      Other psalms contain no historical information about the situation of the author in the heading, but have clues within the psalm itself. See psalms 45 which is connected to a wedding. See psalms 27:1-3  pictures the author surrounded by evildoers, adversaries, and a host of enemies.

  1. How could the people who sang these songs (psalms) many years later in the temple services or in the early church identify with the songs? Even though they may not have known the original author’s situation, the could identify with the feelings of hopelessness portrayed in these songs because they had experienced similar emotions in their own lives.
  2. What is meant by universal or common psalms?  Some psalms were written to sing the praise of God in the temple or at a feast day. These psalms frequently deal with universal problems or common reasons for joy that affect people in all cultures.
  3.  The psalms can be put into several different groups that have similar topics, structure, or use. What are some of the categorizations?

a.      Lament psalms. (Ex. Ps 44: 1-16; 142; 51; 142; 130; 6).

b.      Psalms of Praise. (Hymns of Praise).

c.       Messianic psalms. (Ex. Ps 2; 110).

d.      Wisdom psalms. (Ex. Ps 1;73).

e.       Royal psalms. (Ex. Ps 96 - 99).

f.       Zion psalms. (Ex. Ps 46; 48).

g.      Historical psalms. (Ex. Ps 105; 106).

h.      Psalms of Confession (Ex. Ps 51; 32).

i.        Imprecatory Psalms (Ex. Ps 139: 19-22; 35;69;109).

j.        Psalms of Penitence (Ex. Ps 51:16-17).

  1. Approximately how many community laments and individual laments does the book of psalms contain?   The book of Psalms includes six or seven community laments and about fifty individual laments.
  2. When the people (Israel) lamented what did they tend to do?  When people lamented, they frequently wept, fasted, and put on sackcloth and ashes.
  3. Most laments have the same general structure, although there is a good deal of individual freedom within these broad patterns. Listed five structures that the lament structure usually includes:

1)            An invocation, a call for God to help. (Ex. Ps 13:1).God is the only source of strength for those having difficulty.

2)            A lament or complaint.  (Ex. Ps 13: 1-2). These psalms encourage believers to be open with God. They do not blame God, but believe that God can solve their problems.

3)            A petition or request for God’s help. (Ex. Ps 13: 3-4).  By calling on God for help and asking him to hear our petition, we confess our dependence on God and by faith rest in His strong arm.

4)            Confession of trust or statement of confidence. (Ex. Ps 13: 5).  Once the petition has been stated, the worshipper were to turn  their attention from their problem to God, the solution to the petition. There is no time to wallow in despair or depression.

5)            A vow of praise. (Ex. Ps 13: 6). What began as a burdensome lament, ends with a note of hope and victory, with expectation of glorifying God and proclaiming His grace to others in song.

  1. Do all laments include the five lament structures mentioned? No. Some laments do not contain all theses structure parts and others may contain two sections of petition or two statements of confidence.
  2. Are the lament prayers different or unique or both? Each prayer is an individual expression that follows a somewhat unique series of building blocks. The people were different, the situations were different, and their sense of hope varied based on the seriousness of the problem.
  3. Listed some of the sub-categories that Hymns of Praise can fell into according to the structure, topic, or reason for praising God?

a.      Descriptive Hymn of Praise

b.      Declarative Hymn of Praise

c.       Narrative Hymn of Praise

  1. Describe a declarative or Narrative type of Hymn? This type of hymn declares God’s praise for answering the lament of a believer. At the end of the lament the worshipper usually promises to praise God for the answer to the lament. (See Ps 9 for example) God is praised (9:1-3, 7-11,14) because the worshipper remembers how his enemies were destroyed by God ( 9: 4-6, 12-13,15-16).
  2. Describe a descriptive Hymn of praise?  These type of hymns proclaim the glory of God and lists a series of reasons why God should receive praise.
  3. Describe a descriptive Hymn of praise’s structure?  The structure of these  descriptive hymns is quite simple:

a.      A call to praise God

b.      Reasons for praising God

The above pattern may be partially or fully repeated in this simple formula (see Ps 100).  Psalms 100 begins with a call to praise God (100:1-2) . It is followed with a reason for praising God (100:3). The pattern is repeated with another call to praise God (100:4). A second reason for praising God (100:5)

  1. What should a prayer for help focus on besides just the problem and/or what is needed? It should also focus on God’s ability to answer prayer, the believer’s commitment to trust God, and the ultimate desire to glorify God  for His grace and goodness.
  2. What is meant by Historical Psalms? Historical Psalms review Israel’s history in order to remind the listener: (See Ps 78:5-8, 9-20, 21-39, 40-53, 54-72)

a.      of the nations (Israel) past sins.

b.      to praise God for His gracious deeds on their behalf.

c.       or to encourage the people to trust God because He has been faithful in the past.

  1. How do Historical Psalms differ from other psalms?  Historical Psalms do not relate to a specific event in the life of the believer.
  2. What is meant be Imprecatory Psalms?  These type of psalms contains curses or imprecations against the enemies of God’s people (Israel). IMPRECATORY PSALMS — individual psalms in the Book of Psalms in which the authors call for misfortune and disaster to strike their enemies. The writers of the psalms were often persecuted by ungodly people, so they prayed that God would pour out His wrath and righteous judgment upon their foes. Only by doing so, they believed, could God’s love and justice strike a proper balance. Some examples of imprecatory psalms are Psalms 5, 11, 17, 35, 55, 59, 69, 109, 137, and 140.(see Ps 139: 19-22; 35; 69; 109).
  3. Did Imprecatory Psalms promote personal vengeance?  No, a careful study of these psalms suggests that they were not motivated by desires for sinful or personal revenge. Example: In Psalms 139:19-22, David is not speaking of personal vengeance. In the next verses (23-24) he asks God to search him. David is identifying with God hated of sin and wants it removed.
  4. What does the O.T and the N.T. teach us about personal vengeance? It warns us against personal vengeance and teaches us to hate and to ran from sin because God hates sin (Deut. 32:35; Heb. 10:30).
  5. What does the O.T. and the N.T have in common about a curse?  See Malachi 4: 1- 6; Galatians 1: 6 – 10; 1 Corinthians 5.
  6. What is meant be Wisdom Psalms?
  7. What is meant be Royal Psalms?
  8. What is meant be Messianic Psalms?
  9. What does wisdom writing encourage? Wisdom writing encourages a rational understanding of life.
  10. What does wisdom writing recognize? Wisdom writings recognize the limitations of human wisdom and cause us to fear God and to put our faith in God.
  11. What was Satan argument against Job?   Satan argue that Job do not fear God out of pure motive. He said it was because God had blessed Job with wealth.
  12. What is the purpose of suffering? Suffering is not all ways for the punishment of evil, but sometimes it can be to demonstrate our dedication to God and His will for our lives and the power f God. See John 9:1 -3
  13. According to the Bible how many proverbs did Solomon spoke and how many songs did he write?  1 Kings 4: 32 He spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.  This means that the Bible only has a contains a small percentage of the sayings (Proverbs)and writings (Songs of Solomon).
  14. What was the purpose of Proverbs? The purpose of Proverbs was to help the reader develop the following characteristics:  wisdom, understanding, knowledge, wise behavior, justice, honesty, prudence, discernment. See Proverbs 1:1-6.
  15. What can be concluded from the Instructions to be Wise? We can conclude that God made the world and every thing that is in it. He is Sovereignly in control of all, so a wise person would recognize and fear God and accept his guidelines for life. See Proverbs 1:7-9;18.
  16. What can be concluded from the Proverbs of Solomon? We can conclude that true wisdom brings us into a right theological relationship with God and a right social relationship with others.  See Proverbs 10: 1- 22; 16.
  17. What do we learn from the Admonitions and warnings of Proverbs?  We learn that a wise person will trust in God(22:19), desirer to follow the way of wisdom (24:3-7), respect those who have authority(24:21), show no partiality in judgment (24:23), and work hard (24:30-34).  See Proverbs 22:17 - 24:34.
  18. What are some of the diverse Proverbs collect by Hezekiah?  These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. Proverbs 25:1 indicates that some of the sayings were not collected into a book unto the time of Hezekiah. See Proverb 25:1 – 29:27.

a.       “ As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly” 26:11

b.       “ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver”  25:11

c.        “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be  wise in his owe conconceit” 26:5

d.       “ If thine enemy be hungry, give him brad to eat;…For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head” 25:21-22

  1. Name to other men sayings that were included in the book of Proverbs? Agur and King Lemuel. The introductions to 30;1 and 31:1 reveals that sayings from Agur and King Lemuel were included within this collection. See Proverbs 30:1  - 31:9.

a.      Proverbs 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

b.      Proverbs 31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

  1. List the characteristics of a virtuous wife?   Virtue, diligence,  skill, wisdom, piety, generosity, and the inner beauty of a woman  who is wise and fears God. See Proverbs 31: 10-30.