Lesson 4:
What Can We Learn and Experience From Reading the Psalms?

The Psalms give us knowledge.

o We read to learn. If you want to learn to be a photographer you read a book called “Photography for Dummies.”

o We read the Psalms to know God better and understand Him more deeply.

The Psalms reflect human emotions.

o Psalms are full of emotion. We have entire genres of Psalms based on their emotion: praise, lament, and confidence.

o Additional emotions present in the psalms include reverence, shame, sadness, anger, and doubt.

o Reverence (example 8:1)

o Shame (example 44:15)

o Sadness (example 6:6-7)

o Anger (example 5:10)

o Doubt (example 14:1)

The Psalms Direct our Wills

o Many of the Psalms instruct us how we should behave.

o There are three broad categories of these instructional psalms.

o Wisdom. Wisdom psalms typically contrast righteous behavior with the wicked (example 32:1).

o By Command. Some psalms of worship command certain behaviors (example 103:1-2).