The Bible OverBrew - Bible in a Yearഉദാഹരണം

Week 29. Day 1. Psalms 73-77.

Introduction to books 3 and 4 of the Psalms.

Book 1 was focussed on David. In book 2, attention moved to Solomon as the focus of the hopes of Psalm 2. Book 3 is the bleakest part of the psalms, as the exile becomes a dominant focus. God’s people were cast out of the land of promise and taken to the land of Babylon. Not every psalm in book 3 has an exile background, but it’s worth asking the question.

The beginning of Ps 73 calls into question Psalm 1, the end of Ps 89 calls into question Psalm 2. Within these ‘brackets’ the next two psalms (74 and 88) are some of the bleakest in the whole psalter.

As we move into book 4 later in this week, we must remember where we have come from. Book 3 of the Psalms had the exile in view. The flourishing of Psalms 1 seemed a distant memory, and despite the promise of Psalm 2, the Davidic kingship seemed in tatters (Ps 89:38-51). Book 4 gives gospel hope in this darkness looking back to God’s promises of old (many references to Moses in book 4) and celebrating God’s kingship.

As you read book 4, look for verbal links between neighbouring psalms, and also look for references to Moses.

Psalms 73-77.

Psalm 1 spoke of the blessing of walking in God’s ways; how those who follow God are like fruitful trees, whilst the wicked are like chaff. Now read Ps 73. How does the first half of Ps 73 call into question Psalm 1?

What is the turning point in Ps 73? (v16-17)

Ps 74 describes the destruction of the temple

• From what we have seen of the temple so far in scripture, why is this such a big deal?
• v12 onwards the psalmists regains hope by looking back to God’s mighty deeds in the past, in particular the Exodus.

Ps 77 Another lament. Again, notices how the psalmist regains his hope (v11-20).

NOTE: Days 1-5 of each week contain the scripture reading for that week. Day 6 has just the 'key chapters'. If you want a briefer version of this plan that still takes you through the whole Bible, you could just read the key chapters featured on day 6. Day 7 has the podcast video where we discuss the week's reading.