TYPES OF PSALMS
A devotional for May 17, 2020
SCRIPTURE:
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!
—Psalm 18:46
THOUGHT:
You know, as a teacher, I have a sense that I am “only” instructing my students in History or Bible or Spelling. Yet, I am constantly bombarded with the fact that most often, in fact, probably always, I am learning myself. Not only about the subject matter, but also about life and relationships.
This week, we were studying the Book of Psalms. A part of the lesson plan included “Types of Psalms”: [by the way, in light of complete knowledge and disclosure, as I researched it further, many theologians claim 7 or 10 types of psalms but this is 5th Grade (and Ms. Janet) level]
a. Acrostic – An acrostic is a poem in which the initial letters of each successive line form a word, phrase, or pattern.
b. Imprecatory – Imprecatory psalms are those psalms that contain curses or prayers for the punishment of the psalmist’s enemies.
c. Messianic – A Messianic psalm is a psalm in which contain aspects (or prophecies) of the first or second advent of Messiah are portrayed.
d. Penitential – These psalms are expressive of sorrow for sin.
e. Hallelujah – Psalms that praise the Lord
f. Others – pertaining to/or written by David.
Previously, when I have read or studied the Psalms, I realized that I would choose one that “fit” my mood or situation. I have my favorites but often I would dig a little deeper in order to find just the perfect psalm. I would search out a Psalm that seemed to fill a need or comfort my wounds. God, in His Divine Wisdom though, knew that life’s journey often has different kinds of balms to heal our hearts. His Word is perfect. His Word knows all. His Word completes all. His Word soothes all. His Word receives our prayers and leaves no needs unaddressed. His Word, although divided into categories by mankind, is truly Holy of its’ own merit and needs no classification, except for the boundaries of our intellect.
The Psalms seem to humble us. When we are on our knees (or at least figuratively), we can only look upwards and recognize the holiness of His Word. We know that every thought, every need, every emptiness, every striving, every deficit, every joy….is “covered” in the psalms through the prose and poetry of the ancient Word of God.
PRAYER:
Lord, as we read Your Word, console us. As we study Your Word, lift us up. As we repeat Your Word, remind us of your Divinity. As we put Your Word to music, sing with us. As we write Your Word, help us to memorize it and treasure it in our hearts forever. As we teach Your Word, CELEBRATE with us!!!
AMEN.
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