PSALMS AND THE CHRISTIAN

INTRODUCTION TO STUDYING THE PSALMS

INTRODUCTION

The value of the Old Testament to the Christian is mentioned several times in the New Testament: Romans 15:4, I Cor. 10:11, II Tim. 3:15-17. 

I. Why Study the Psalms?

A. We are commanded as Christians to use the psalms in our singing and teaching: Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, James 5:13.

B. They are useful for teaching and confirming that Jesus is the Christ.  Jesus used the Psalms in Luke 24:44-47 and Peter in Acts 2:25-35.

C. As one reads through the Psalms, he finds expressed the eager yearning and longing for God’s presence, prayers and songs of joyous trust and praise, and every emotion known to man expressed in beautiful and inspired terms.

D. The Psalms are therefore capable of being the Christian’s hymnal, prayer book, book of Christian evidences, and training guide for just and righteous living.

II. What is the Aim of Our Study?

A. To become more familiar with Old Testament poetry.

B. To develop an appreciation and working knowledge of the Psalms.

C. To glean a clearer picture of God’s character from the Psalms.

D. To learn more of the Christ in prophecy.

E. To see in fulfilled prophecy the irrefutable argument for the inspiration of the scriptures and the claim that Jesus is the Messiah.