This is the first of a series of lessons on the Book of Psalms in the Makati Sector of the Metro Manila Christian Church.

1. THE BOOK OF PSALMS
An Introduction
Metro Manila Christian Church
Makati Sector
12 September 2012

2. Introduction
• The Book of Psalms is awesome!
Question: What is your favourite psalm?
• One of the most famous psalm (if not abused)
is Psalm 23.
• Next one would be Psalm 100.

3. Why study the Psalms? (1)
1. Consider Jesus and the Apostles
• Jesus’ understanding of Psalms (Luke 24:44)
• Jesus’ use of Psalms
– In his debate with the Pharisees, he cited Psalm
110 (Matthew 22:43-44) to show that David spoke
of Him in the Psalms.
– After the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples sang
a hymn (Matthew 26:30) – traditionally – Hallel
series, Psalms 113-118.

5. Why study the Psalms? (2)
• Paul mentioned importance of the OT
(Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11)
• Peter’s use of them in the NT (Acts 2:25-28,
34-35); and his use of Psalm 16:8-11 as proof
that Jesus must be raised from the dead.
• The Psalms are quoted more frequently in the
NT than any other book of the OT (100 direct
references from the Psalms in the NT).

6. Why study the Psalms? (3)
2. Consider the early Church
•Paul’s letter to Timothy – reading of Scripture
was to play an important role in the assembled
worship of the saints.
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public
reading of Scripture, to preaching and to
teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:13

7. Why study the Psalms? (4)
• Early Christianity was practiced in the temple
and in the homes of believers (Acts 2:46).
“When you come together, everyone has a
hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a
tongue or an interpretation. All of these must
be done for the strengthening of the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:26

8. Why study the Psalms? (5)
“Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another
with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.”
Ephesians 5:18b-19a
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you
teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to
God.” Colossians 3:16

10. What kind of book is Psalms? (1)
• A book of praise – to assist us in our praise of
God
• A book of prayer – to learn how to approach
God and respond to God
• A book of songs – to record and exemplify
music dedicated to God
• A book of evidences – to strengthen our faith
in Jesus Christ

11. What kind of book is Psalms? (2)
• A book of living – to act as “training guide” for
righteous and holy living
• It is an inspired collection – inspired by the
Holy Spirit. It comes down to us because God
intends for it to be in the Bible (2 Timothy
3:16-17).

12. Temple Setting Context (1)
• Most psalms are associated with Temple cult –
organized worship or religious expression –
during the time of Solomon.
• The main effect of Temple worship was
“centralization”. The venue became the
Jerusalem temple and not the local “high
places” (1 Chronicles 16:4-7).

13. Temple Setting Context (2)
• The Psalms were written for singing and were
intended for public worship in Israel’s temple.
They were not merely poems as they also
contain lyrics.
• The Psalms were composed to be sung as
communal expressions of praise and joy (1
Chronicles 15:16, 23:5, 30).
Question: How is our public and private
worship? How is our fellowship with God?

14. Relevance of the Temple today
• Just like the Book of Psalms, it is a way to
“fellowship” with God. It is a way to be with
God.
• God did everything to show that He wants to
be with us!
• God wants to show each and everyone of us
that He to fellowship with us!
Question: Do you want a deeper fellowship
with God?

15. A Progression Of Fellowship (1)
1. PURPOSEFUL CREATION
“From one man he made every nation of men,
that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he
determined the times set for them and the
exact places where they should live. God did this
so that men would seek him and perhaps reach
out for him and find him, though he is not far
from each one of us.” Acts 17:26-27

16. Purposeful Creation

17. A Progression Of Fellowship (2)
2. THE PILLAR OF CLOUD
“After leaving Succoth, they camped at Etham on
the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went
ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on
their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them
light, so that they could travel by day or night.
Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of
fire by night left its place in front of the people.”
Exodus 13:21-22

18. The Pillar of Cloud and Fire

19. A Progression Of Fellowship (3)
3. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
“Have them make a chest of acacia wood – two
and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide,
and a cubit and half high…. There, above the
cover between the two cherubim that over the
ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and
give you all my commands for the Israelites.
Exodus 25:10-22

20. The Ark Of The Covenant

21. A Progression Of Fellowship (4)
4. THE TABERNACLE
“Then Moses set up the courtyard around the
tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at
the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses
finished the work. Then the cloud covered the
Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled
the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:33-34

22. The Tabernacle

23. A Progression Of Fellowship (5)
5. THE TEMPLE
“The waves of death swirled about me; the
torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The
cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares
of death confronted me. In my distress, I called
to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his
temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his
ears.” 2 Samuel 22:5-7

24. The Temple

25. A Progression Of Fellowship (6)
6. THE INCARNATION (God Among Us)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the
One and Only, who came from the Father, full of
grace and truth.” John 1:14
“They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A
great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said.
‘God has come to help his people.’” Luke 7:16

26. The Incarnation (God Among Us)

27. A Progression Of Fellowship (7)
7. THE INDWELLING (God In Us)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Counselor to be with you forever – the
Spirit of truth.” John 14:16-17a
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the
Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received
from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians
6:19

28. The Indwelling (God In Us)

29. Conclusion
1. From the OT to NT, there is a “continuation”
of God wanting to be with His people!
2. God’s passion is to be with people!
3. He wants to be with You!
4. God built us to fellowship with Him!
5. The Book of Psalms is one proof of how God
wants to fellowship with us!!!

30. Life Application Stuff
Group Discussion Questions:
1.What is keeping you from fellowship with
God?
2.What can I do to help my fellowship with God
to be special and intimate?