How should I study the Psalms and why should I want to

The Book of Psalms is a poetic and beautiful book of the Bible, but there is so much more to it than art. In fact, it is important that we study the Psalms.  I will admit that I've been guilty of devaluing its instructive nature in the past. God is so good to show me that error and I am really enjoying digging into the Truths within its pages.

Martin Luther said that the Psalms “are not words to read, but to live.” John Calvin said of the Psalms, “I have been wont to call this book not inappropriately, an anatomy of all parts of the soul; for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror.”

Let's take a look at an overview of this Book and explore some practical ways to study the Psalms.

In the video below we discuss the five divisions or “books” of the Book of Psalms and although this may seem like more of an academic endeavor, it will help us understand the Book as a whole.  These songs were not randomly collected, each one is inspired by the Holy Spirit and they were placed together to tell the story of the Gospel.

Five books within the Book of Psalms

1. Chapters 1-41 – Davidic Psalms – These are mostly psalms of David, reflecting much of David’s life and faith.  These songs often come from a place of distress but are accented by trust and confidence in a God who has in the past and will continue to see His people through any trial. (Note: Psalm 1&2 are an Introduction to the entire Book of Psalms)
2. Chapters 42-72 – Historical Psalms – There are more prayers lament and distress in these chapters.  The only psalm that is attributed to Solomon concludes this portion and is a song about the future reign of the messianic king.  Historical facts fill these songs.
3. Chapters 73-89 – Liturgical Psalms – These songs are even bleaker and darker but rays of hope scatter throughout them.  They are strong historical songs and Asaph wrote many of them.
4. Chapters 90-106 – Other Pre-captivity Psalms – These songs remind the singers of God’s long-standing faithfulness.  They reflect much of the pre-captivity sentiment and history and Moses even penned one (90).  They remind the Israelites of their roots and they express God’s sovereignty over all things.
5. Chapters 107-150 – Psalms of the Captivity and Return – A final declaration of the goodness of God ending with the five “hallelujah psalms” (146-150).

This division presents an analogy between the Psalms and the Pentateuch (God’s instruction or “law” Books – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).  How wonderful that God was clear in letting us know that these songs are just as instructive as the Books of law and this is why we must study the Psalms.

This video from The Bible Project explains these divisions and the overview of the Psalms in a clear way.

Four truths to consider as we study the Psalms

1. The Psalms are instructive.  They teach us about the very nature of God and our response to Him.  Psalm 1:2 “His delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night”.  This “law” may mean the Pentateuch but it also means the Psalms – the instruction of the Lord.
2. The Psalms are emotional.  They are literal poetry and songs.  William Van Ornum writes that
   “The Psalms put our inchoate longings, or as St. Paul would say, groanings, into words. Wordsworth echoed this when he wrote, ‘poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.' The Psalms express our feelings in hymns, pleadings, sorrows, penitence, petition, and thanksgiving.” 
3. The Psalms teach us how to pray.  We see how to praise him, how to wrestle with him and how to turn to him when faced with outside trouble or our own sin.
4. The Psalms are Inspired Scripture.  They live and breathe and are so much more than just worship songs.  The writers of the NT quoted them frequently as did Jesus himself.  The Holy Spirit inspired the words in this special book and they are so much more than historical verse. They are written TO GOD and BY GOD.

Click the image below to download this free printable to help you study this great Book!

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More recommended Resources to help you study the Psalms more fully.
1.  Psalms: A 12-week study (Knowing the Bible)
2.  ESV Journaling Psalter
3.  ESV Devotional Psalter
4.  The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms by Timothy Keller
5.  Shaped by God: Thinking and Feeling in Tune with the Psalms by John Piper
6.  The Psalms: ESV