A Psalm of Praise

Part of what we were asked to do in this current class module was to read through and identify several types of Psalms. They generally lay out in one of 5 different categories:

Psalms of Praise - Celebrate who God is, putting primary emphasis on God's moral character and attributes.

a. Introduction: a call to praise

b. Body: the reason(s) for praising God

c. Conclusion: renewed call to praise

Sub-types of this would be about Creation, focusing on God as creator / Diving Kingship & Enthronement, focusing on God as King / Confidence & Trust, focusing on God as an ongoing provider.

Psalms of Thanksgiving - Thank God for deliverance from a bad situation.

a. Introduction: the intent to give thanks and praise

b. The Narrative: the story of crisis - 1. distress, 2. prayer, 3. deliverance

c. Conclusion: renewed vow of praise or testimony

Psalms of Lament - Appeal to God for help in an ongoing bad situation.

a. Invocation: prayer addressed to God

b. Complaint: the crisis described

c. Petition: the plea for help

d. Conclusion: expression of trust, confidence, or promise

NOTE: Laments sometimes include a confession of sin, an assertion of innocence, or a curse of an enemy.

A subtype of this Psalm would be an Imprecatory Psalm, which specifically requests violence upon human enemies.

Human Kingship/Royal Psalms - A poem which concerns the human king in Israel.

a. This is not strictly a literary type, but a classification based on the subject involved.

b. These Psalms generally involve various settings in the life of the king.

A subtype of this Psalm is the Zion Psalm, which celebrates Jerusalem (the royal city).

Wisdom Psalm - A poem which serves primarily to teach. It is not strictly a literary type, but a classification based on the following items:

a. Subject Matter: these include fear of Yahweh (God), love of the Torah (the "Law" found in the Old Testament), the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, and instruction for daily living.

b. Typical Wisdom Forms: these include "better" and "blessed" sayings, warnings, and formal addressing of those who are reading.

The subtypes of this Psalm are:

1. Torah Psalm - Exhorting the reader to follow the Torah for success.

2. Existential Psalm - Wrestling with and solving theological issues.

As I read through these, I thought I might try my hand at writing a Psalm, using one of these forms. To that end, I believe I've come up with what appears to be a Psalm of Praise according to the major category types. Take a read through it, and let me know what you think!

A Psalm of Praise

1 Praise be the Lord Almighty,

for he is worthy to be praised!

2 Give him the glory due his name

for the wonderful things He has done.

3 Let the streets resound with music and singing;

let the deeds of the LORD ring from the heights!

4 He brought me out of my despair

and set me in the palm of his hand.

5 He covered me when others were aiming to take my life;

he protected me from their wicked intent.

6 His glory thwarted the plans of the evil one that were against me,

for his light shone like the sun, revealing the truth.

7 Those who were against me had no choice but to flee

as the light proved me blameless in the public eye.

8 Oh, let us come and give glory to God forever

and sing his praises from the mountains to the sea!

9 Let us not remain silent in his presence,

but instead, break forth into joyous praise!

10 May the LORD shine upon us for all time

as we give him thanks and praise! Amen.