Originally posted 7/16/24
The women’s Bible study at my church has been working through the Psalms. We are learning nine different types of Psalms. The Psalms teach us so many things. I have learned that God wants all of us. He wants us to come to Him when we are experiencing all emotions.
Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Let the richness of that passage sink in. The Lord wants me to know that I can come to Him boldly and with confidence. Do we fully grasp what that means? The Psalms show us that we can bring every emotion to the Lord and we will find grace and mercy to help. Why do I try to do it on my own? Do you struggle with that like I do?
Let’s talk about the different types of Psalms.
Psalms of Confession
Christians are very familiar with confession. Confession requires that we express our sorrow for committing our sins and appealing for God’s forgiveness. It includes an element of worship individually and corporately. If you attend a more liturgical church, you may do these as a congregation.
Historical Psalms
Historical Psalms do exactly what you imagine they might. They tell a story with historical facts and details. These Psalms reflect the history of Israel. They help us to apply the history of God’s faithfulness to our own lives. They also provide warnings about unfaithfulness toward God.
Imprecetary Psalms
When I heard “imprecatory”, I had no idea that meant. Being the good teacher that I am, I went to the dictionary. You will have to go back to the root word, “imprecate.” It means to call down a curse. There were many Psalms written asking for God to administer a curse on an enemy. The author is seeking God to pour down his justice on an enemy.
According to www.gotquestions.org, “When studying the imprecatory psalms, it is important to note that these psalms were not written out of vindictiveness or a need for personal vengeance. Instead, they are prayers that keep God’s justice, sovereignty, and protection in mind. God’s people had suffered much at the hands of those who opposed them, including the Hittites, Amorites, Philistines, and Babylonians (the subject of Psalm 137). These groups were not only enemies of Israel, but they were also enemies of God; they were degenerate and ruthless conquerors who had repeatedly tried and failed to destroy the Lord’s chosen people. In writing the imprecatory psalms, the authors sought vindication on God’s behalf as much as they sought their own.”
Imprecatory Psalms are Psalm 7, 35, 40, 55, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137, 139, and 144
Psalms of Lament
Lament expresses sorrow or regret. They often express real pain. The person who is lamenting is asking God to help them. A lament usually ends with belief and trust in God to help. Lament is the largest category in the book. The laments express deep struggles in life.
According to www.gotquestions.org, “There are two types of lament psalms: community and individual. Community psalms of lament deal with situations of national crisis—they describe problems faced by all the people of God. Psalm 12 is an example of a community lament, expressing sadness over widespread sin: “Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; / those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. / Everyone lies to their neighbor; / they flatter with their lips / but harbor deception in their hearts” (Psalm 12:1–2).”
“The psalms of lament are poetic hymns meant to be sung to God. They deal with issues that were and still are central to the life of faith for individual believers and the whole community of faith. The lament psalms express intense emotions, real human struggles, and the anguish of heart experienced by the people of Israel as they lived out their faith individually and corporately.”
Lament Psalms are Psalm 3-7, 12, 13, 22, 25-28, 35, 38-40, 42,44, 51, 54-57, 59-61, 63, 64, 69-71,74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 86, 88, 90, 109, 109,120, 123, 130, and 140-143.
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