Psalms are poems of praise and prayer: Tell me more about these poems!

This is Hebrew poetry, not like our rhyming poems. While English poems often use rhyme, the kind of Hebrew poetry often used in the Psalms repeats an idea in different words. Here is an example from Psalm 19: ” The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.” NIV

The book of Psalms was like a Hebrew Hymnal with 150 songs and prayers.

With every emotion from joy to despair: What does emotion mean?

An emotions is your mood or feelings. All feelings are freely expressed in the Psalms: sadness, joy, fear, and pleading for help, anger, confession of sin and a change of heart, thanksgivng and praise. It is a good thing to be honest with yourself and God! He knows what you are thinking anyway!

David and others communed with the LORD: What does communed mean?

It means they communicated. The Psalms communicate the author’s thoughts and feelings with the Lord. King David’s name is on 73 of the 150 Psalms. He may have written more. About 50 Psalms do not say who wrote them.

Twelve of them were written by Asaph, who was one of the Levites appointed by King David “over the service of song in the house of the Lord.” I Chronicles 6:31

Eleven of them were written by the Sons of Korah, who was a cousin of Moses. A sobering story about Korah and his rebellion is found in Numbers 16. At least some of the descendants of Korah turned their hearts to worship God and wrote some very beautiful songs of worship.

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm with 176 verses. It does not say who wrote this Psalm, but it was someone who through very difficult times depended on the truth of God’s Word to give them strength and hope–someone like David, Ezra, or Daniel.

Familiar names are Moses, who wrote Psalm 90,and King Solomon, who wrote Psalm 72.

Less familiar names are Heman, a Levite, who wrote Psalm 88, and Ethan, a Levite, who wrote Psalm 89. Both men are spoken of as very wise men in I Kings 4:31.

Worship God with a Psalm. Talk to God with a Psalm: How can you do this?

The Psalms can guide us in expressing our praise and worship to God and pouring out our hearts (talking honestly) in prayer. You can read some verses of a psalm out loud and then talk to God in your own words, expressing your heart to Him.

Preparing: These expressions of the heart in song and prayer guided worship for those anticipating the Savior.

Pictures: Some Psalms give pictures or predictions of something Jesus will say or experience. Psalm 22 is an example of this. The first verse are the words Jesus said from the cross, ” My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ” Verse 16 says, “they have pierced my hands and my feet,” and verse 18 says, “They…cast lots for my clothing.” These are specific things that happened to our Savior when He died on the cross for us.”

Jesus in the Psalms: What the Bible Is All About Bible Handbook for Kids, p.126 and What the Bible is All About for Young Explorers, p.129.

The Jesus Bible Story Book pp. 130-135 is about David the shepherd who wrote many Psalms and who points to Jesus, The Good Shepherd.