PSALMS, SONG OF SONGS (Poetic Books) : Objectives

PSALMS, SONG OF SONGS (Poetic Books)
PSALMS
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this session, the learner should be able to
1. State the general background of Psalms.

2. Give an overview of Psalms.
INTRODUCTION
The Hebrew title for this book is Tehillim, or Praise Songs; the Greek rendering Psalmoi in the
LXX means literally “songs of the accompaniment of a stringed instrument.” The 150 psalms
composing this collection cover a variety of themes, and it is difficult to make any valid
generalizations. Probably it is safe to say that they all embody at least an element of personal
response on the part of the believer toward the goodness and grace of God. Often they include
a record of the psalmist’s own inner emotions of discouragement, anxiety, or thankful joy in the
face of the opposition of God’s enemies or in view of God’s varied providences. But whether
the psalmist is occupied with a mournful or joyous theme, he always is expressing himself as in
the presence of the living God.1
GENERAL BACKGROUND
Authorship and Date
Many have contributed to the book of Psalms. David has 73 ascribed to him plus the
contributions of others (i.e. Asaph, Korah, Moses, Solomon, Ethan) while those without
superscription categorized, as “orphan” psalms are 34.
Psalms covers a wide time span from Moses (1410 B.C.) to post-exilic community under Ezra
and Nehemiah (430 B.C.). With its broad chronological and thematic range, they were written
for different audiences with different conditions. There is not enough conclusive evidence to
date when this book actually was completed.
Purpose: To confess a profound faith in and love toward God2
Theme: Worship: God is worthy of all praise because of who He is, what He has done, and
what He will do
OVERVIEW OF PSALMS
Psalms is really five books in one (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) with each book ending
with a doxology or postscript (41:13; 72:20; 89:52; 106:48; 150).
1 ?
Gleason L. Archer, Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (Chicago: Moody Press 191985 rev. ed.),
p. 447.
2 ?
Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press 1988), p. 62.
1
Though the Psalms are in the genre of poetry, it can be classified in a narrower lever. There are
seven genres in Psalms3
A. Hymns: Songs of praise and thanksgiving to God (Ps. 8, 100)
B. Penitential: Expresses sorrow for sins (Ps. 38, 51)
C. Wisdom: General observations on life especially God and our relationship to him (Ps. 1,
19, 119)
D. Royal: Focus on Israel’s king as the son of David and God’s instrument to rule over his
people (Ps. 2, 45)
E. Messianic: Describes some aspect of the Messiah’s person or ministry (Ps. 16, 22)
F. Imprecatory: Call for God’s judgment on the Psalmist’s enemies (Ps. 35, 69, 109, 137)
G. Lament: They become one’s situation (Ps. 3, 4, 6)
SONG OF SONGS
3 ?
From the unpublished Class Notes of Prof. Mona Bias, Old Testament Survey (International School of
Theology-Asia). For more details about the genres, see Longman, pp.24-35.
2
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this session, the learner should be able to
1. State the general background of Song of Songs.

2. Give an overview of Song of Songs.
INTRODUCTION4
The title for this little book, Solomon's Song of Songs, is taken from the opening line of the
Hebrew text. It is the literal translation of the first two words: shir hashshirim. This construction
carries more meaning in the Hebrew than it does in English. It is the regular form of the Hebrew
superlative: "The song of songs" is "the greatest of all songs."
The introduction to the Book of Song of Songs is perhaps more important than that of any other
book in the Bible because of the problem that the church has had in interpreting its meaning. To
a non-Christian that may seem strange. Song of Songs is patently a collection of ancient
Hebrew love poems celebrating the experiences of a lover and his beloved as they taste the
beauty, power, agony, and joys of human sexual love.
GENERAL BACKGROUND
Authorship and Date
King Solomon is the traditionally accepted writer of the book (1:1). He composed 1,005 songs
and had intimate knowledge of the plant and animal world (1 Kgs. 4:32-33). This greatest of his
songs alludes to twenty-one species of plants and fifteen species of animals. The book was
probably written during the early years of his reign (971-931 B.C.).
Purpose: To display the beauty, purity and sacredness of love and marriage
Theme: The positive endorsement by God of marital love in all its physical and emotional
beauty.
OVERVIEW OF SONG OF SONGS5
I. The Beginning of Love (1:1-5:1)
The bride longs for affection at the palace before the wedding (1:2-8). Expressions of mutual
love are shown in the banquet hall (1:9-2:7). Some time the king visited the bride in her home
(2:8-17). The Shulamite bride dreamed that she was separated from her lover (3:1-5). The
wedding procession followed (3:6-11). The bride’s beauty is praised from head to foot (4:1-5:1).
Her virginity is compared to “a garden enclosed” (4:12) and is entered when the marriage is
consummated (4:16-5:1).
II. The Broadening of Love (5:2-8:14)

4 ?
”Ecclesiastes”, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Zondervan Reference Software)
5 ?
Adapted from Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Old Testament (Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, Inc. 1983), p. 179-180.
3
Again the bride dreamed of separation from her love (5:2-7). Then what follows is the praise to
the handsomeness of the groom (5:8-6:3). The bride’s beauty is again praised (6:4-7:10). The
Shulamite thinks of her home country and persuades her beloved to return with her (7:11-8:4).
Both speak of the unquenchable nature of true love (8:5-7). The Shulamite’s brothers recall
their protectiveness to their sister (8:8-9) and she asserts that she protected her chastity (8:10)
but freely gives it to Solomon (8:11-12). It closes with the lovers expressing their desire to be
together (8:13-14).

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PSALMS, SONG OF SONGS (Poetic Books)

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this session, the learner should be able to

1. State the general background of Psalms.

Authorship and Date

Purpose: To confess a profound faith in and love toward God2

A. Hymns: Songs of praise and thanksgiving to God (Ps. 8, 100)

B. Penitential: Expresses sorrow for sins (Ps. 38, 51)

G. Lament: They become one’s situation (Ps. 3, 4, 6)

1. State the general background of Song of Songs.

Authorship and Date

OVERVIEW OF SONG OF SONGS5

I. The Beginning of Love (1:1-5:1)

II. The Broadening of Love (5:2-8:14)

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