Sunday: The Psalms in Ancient Israel’s Worship
Daily Lesson for Sunday 31st of December 2023
Read 1 Chronicles 16:7, Nehemiah 12:8, Psalm 18:1, Psalm 30:1, Psalm 92:1, Psalm 95:2, Psalm 105:2, Colossians 3:16, and James 5:13. What were the occasions that prompted the writing of some psalms? When did God’s people use the Psalms?
The Psalms were composed for use in private and in communal worship. They were sung as hymns in temple worship, as suggested by the musical annotations that mention instruments (Psalms 61:1), tunes (Psalms 9:1), and music leaders (Psalm 8:1).
In the Hebrew Bible, the title of the book of Psalms, tehilim, “praises,” reflects its main purpose—that is, the praise of God. The English title Book of Psalms is derived from the Greek psalmoi, found in the Septuagint, an early (second and third century B.C.) Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible.
The Psalms were an indispensable part of Israel’s worship. For example, they were used in temple dedications, religious feasts, and processions, as well as during the setting down of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem.
“The Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120:1-134:3), also known as the pilgrimage songs, were traditionally sung during the pilgrimage to Jerusalem at the three major annual festivals (Exodus 23:14-17). The “Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113:1-118:29) and the “Great Hallel” (Psalms 136) were sung at the three major annual festivals, including the festivals of the New Moon and the dedication of the temple. The Egyptian Hallel received a significant place in the Passover ceremony. Psalms 113 and Psalm 114 were sung at the beginning of the Passover meal and Psalms 115:1-118:29 at the end (Matthew 26:30). The “Daily Hallel” (Psalms 145:1-150:6) was incorporated into the daily prayers in the synagogue morning services.
The Psalms did not only accompany the people’s worship, but they also instructed them on how they should worship God in the sanctuary. Jesus prayed with the words of Psalms 22 (Matthew 27:46). The Psalms found a significant place in the life of the early church, as well (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19).
Though we, of course, do not worship God in an earthly sanctuary like the temple, how can we use the Psalms in our own worship, whether in a private or in a corporate setting?
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So the Book of Psalms can be understood as a Hymn Book of God’s People during the Biblical times.
I read this article which gave an interesting archaeological background perspective of Psalms in ancient Israel:
archaeological-views-performing-psalms-in-biblical-times/
It outlines some of the difficulties in finding archeological evidence but at the same time shows some information about the structure and wording of Psalms.
When I think of the Psalms, the first thing that I picture is the boy David with his harp, out watching the sheep, making up songs to God. And praying. It seems like he did this a lot. Maybe most of his quiet alone time out there he was chit-chatting with God. I think this because when it came time for him to face Goliath, he was so confident in what God would do, and do through him. He had an intimacy with God that takes time to develop. It was probably these Psalms and prayers that more than anything gave David the title "a man after God's own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14).
Today's lesson is about Israel's worship. So I'm also thinking about my faith group's worship. Today was the fourth Sabbath of us worshiping as a new plant church. We are so blessed and happy to be together! And we are each pouring so much in to make our worship service successful - giving rides, making potlucks weekly, taking on multiple leadership roles, cleaning up after service each week and storing things (as it is a rental space). Today we were all packed up and gone after four hours together. Maybe we were tired, it being vacation week after Christmas and all. And some with young children. One of my "sisters" said just before we left, "I wish we could stay on...all be together longer." I agreed. Will we in the future? Will we seek ways to worship together all day, into the vesper hours, overflowing out into our community?
The Psalms show us that worship and prayer is not for a few moments, but something throughout the day. The Psalms show us what Christian meditation is all about. Slowing down. Reading carefully. Praying completely. Savoring words. Relishing silences. Waiting for answers. Wrestling with uncertainty or inner resistance. The very first Psalm tells us to delight in God's Word, to hear from God, and to meditate on what He says day and night (Ps. 1:1-2). The last Psalm seems to reflect where a life of constant praying leads, where 150 chapters of the longest Book of the Bible naturally ends up....all thirteen lines say, "Praise the Lord!" (Ps. 150:2).
I'm looking forward to this quarter to delve into the Psalms as tools for prayer. Not tools for doing or getting from God, but tools for being and becoming a better friend of His. I long for more comprehensive conversations with God. Right now, I'll admit that my prayers are rather scattered and maybe even lazy....I'd probably have fallen asleep with the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, leaving it to Jesus to pray for me. I want to learn how to pray with focus, to pray until God can work His will in my mind and body...to pray until "the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart" match God's (Ps. 19:14)....to pray like Jacob wrestling all night, and like Jesus preparing Himself for His most difficult hour.
Beautiful. Thank you, Esther.
Thanks Esther
Thank the Lord.
Thanks a million Maurice for this article archaeological-views-performing-psalms-in-biblical-times/ (never read something like this before). It was both inspiring and informative, especially the narratives of the Lotuses on trumpets, David dance. I am realizing the structure and wording of the Psalms.
I Pray that the Holy Spirit reveals to me, how and when to read the Psalms and to understand it very clearly
I love the Psalms...especially Psalms 127...
I use it a lot in my sermons and speeches..
God give us the grace to understand the Psalms this quarter
From my own personal studies of Leviticus the Three Main Yearly Feasts of the Old Testament are: 1. The Passover, and this feast was celebrated for an entire week during the first month of the year. 2. The Day of Atonement, this feast was celebrated about the middle of the year. And 3. The Weekly Seventh Day Sabbath would have to be "The Third Main Feast," celebrated once a week on the Seventh Day of Each Week.
Hi Pete. You missed the Feast of the Tabernacles. I am not sure how this relates to the Psalms. Perhaps you could expand a little.
On Sunday, Maurice, the author mentions "Three Main Feasts" for Old Testament yearly celebrations but does not say what they were. So while what I wrote may not relate to the Psalms, it relates to the Sunday part where the author mentions "Three Main Feasts" but does not say what these feasts were. In my research of Leviticus and those 7 Yearly Feasts, I saw that the first "Main One" (The Passover) took place on the first month and lasted an entire week with "The feast of unleavened bread, and the feast of First Fruits," centering around it. then six months later came (The Day of Atonement,) and "The feast of Trumpets, and Tabernacles" centered around that one to total "Six Feasts Yearly," then the Seventh one was and still is the "Fourth Commandment Weekly Seventh Day Sabbath of Rest." Sorry if I was not as clear as I am trying to be here for you.
Deut.31:6 - ”Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 19:14 - ”May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Our Father in heaven – hallowed be thy Name!
Because we live our new life in You – we can praise your Name!
In good times and in bad times – we praise You!
Because you rescued us from the darkness of this world – we can praise your Name!
During tribulations – we will praise You!
For the earth will be Your kingdom for ever and ever! – Amen
I’m so thankful for Ms. Salva, the author of this quarter- it’s rich already, gonna continue to be good!
I need a Sabbath School lesson quarterly
If you require a paper copy the best place to go is either or local Sabbath School leader, your local conference or mission office, or Adventist Book Centre.
As we can see so far the Psalms were written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit having as a background what were experiencing God's servants in distinct periods of their lives. Surely God has many purposes in mind when He inspired His servants to compose the Psalms and one of them is to teach us how must we to worship Him; what must be the content of the songs which we are using to praise Him; and what kind of harmony should exist among the elements which are part of a worship song designed to praise the merciful and almighty God.
I love the fact that even in Psalms we get a historical perspective of what was happening at the time eg the song of Ascents or pilgrimage songs. How beautiful that God is revealing this to us!