Psummer in the Psalms

Direction of IntentionMy God, give me the grace to perform

this action with youand through love for you.

In advance, I offer to you all the good that I will do and accept

all the difficulty I may meet therein.

Saint Ann, Pray for us.St. Francis de Sales, Pray for us.

OverviewJune 5: Introduction to the Book of PsalmsJune 12: Psalms of PraiseJune 19: Psalms of Lamentation June 26: No SessionJuly 3: No SessionJuly 10: Psalms of ThanksgivingJuly 17: The Theology of the PsalmsJuly 24: Learning to Pray the Psalms –

Liturgy of the Hours

Introduction to the Book of PsalmsThe Book of Psalms is part of what is know as the

Wisdom Literature in the BibleJob, Psalms, Proverbs, The Song of Songs, Wisdom

and SirachChief purpose is instruction (not so much teaching

but how to live)A movement by

ancient peoples to preserve and hand on collective wisdom Stories and songs

Introduction to the Book of PsalmsIn Greek: PSALM “a song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument”The Book of Psalms is the largest and most widely used book in the Bible

Personal PrayerCommunal Worship

It explores a full range of human experience in a personal and practical way

The Author (s)King David is attributed with

authoring 73 David's personality and

identity are clearly stamped on many of these psalms.

While it is clear that David wrote many of the individual psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire collection.

Psalms 72 and 127 are attributed to Solomon, David's son and successor.

Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned to Moses.

The Author (s)12 psalms 50, 73—83 are ascribed

to the family of Asaph. The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms

(42, 44-49, 84-85,87-88). Psalm 88 is attributed to HemanPsalm 89 is assigned to Ethan the

Ezrahite.

With the exception of Solomon and Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David's reign. Fifty of the psalms designate no specific person as author.

When were the Psalms Written?Bulk of Psalms composed (orally / written)

during life of David 1040 – 970 BCPsalm 90 is the oldest in the collection is

probably the prayer of MosesOrally composed sometime between 1391–

1271 BCPsalm 137 composed during the

Babylonian Captivity, from about 586 to 538 B.C.

The Book of Psalms: Compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

Layout of the Book of Psalms

Why were the Psalms recorded?Psalms are a prayerful response to life

experiences.Of the Individual - Private Prayer

Psalm 41 – Thanksgiving after sickness Psalm 51 – The Miserere ** Psalm 69 – Prayer in time of Old Age

Of the Community – Nation of Israel Psalm 2 – For a Royal Coronation Psalm 60 – Lament after Death in Battle **

For Public Worship Psalm 24 – in Procession to Zion (Temple / Passover) Psalm 148 – All Creation Summoned to Praise God **

Types of PsalmsPsalms of Praise

Most likely composed for use in the temple and synagogue liturgies Major festivals - Passover Psalm 117

Psalms of LamentsIndividual and Communal

Psalms of ThanksgivingIndividual and Communal

Royal Psalms, Wisdom Poems