the historical psalms References to historical events appear frequently throughout the book of Psalms Hallelujah (E.g., Psalms 106,111-13, 115-17, 135, 146-50.) The theme of praise in these psalms is obvious Penitential (E.g., Psalms 6,32,38,51,102,130,143.) Confession of sin occupies the greater part of each of these Psalm 51 is the classic example of this type of psalm Supplication (E.g., Psalm 86.) The psalmist cries to God in his own need, or he intercedes for another’s need Thanksgiving (E.g., Psalms 16,18.) The note of praise and thanksgiving pervades the whole book of Psalms, but some individual psalms are particularly thanksgiving psalms Messianic (E.g., Psalms 2, 20-24, 41,68,118.) There is a strong prophetic character of the Psalms Many of the hymns prophesy the su ering and sorrows of God’s people, Israel, and their coming deliverance, restoration, and blessing in a future glorious Kingdom But, most of all, they prophesy of Christ in His two advents: His rst advent in humiliation, and His second advent in glory Such psalms are called Messianic psalms Some of the Old Testament’s most minute prophecies of Christ are found here They are about His person (God and man); His character (righteous and holy); His work (death and resurrection); and His o ces (priest, judge, and king) Nature (E.g., Psalms 8,19,29,33,65,104.) God’s handiwork is an inspiring subject for any poetical writing Pilgrim (E.g., Psalms 120-34.) This group of psalms, each bearing the title “Song of Degrees,” was probably a hymnbook used by the Jews on their pilgrimage up to the Temple on the occasions of the national feasts 10 Imprecatory (E.g., Psalms 35,52,58,59,69,83,109,137,140.) The imprecatory (cursing) passages of these psalms are generally looked upon with a great deal of perplexity Many cannot understand how such utterances could be acceptable to God The problem is answered when one recognizes the age and the setting of their writing Gleason L Archer writes: It is important to realize that prior to the rst advent of Christ, the only tangible way in which the truth of the Scripture could be demonstrated to human observers was by the pragmatic test of disaster befalling those who were in error and deliverance being granted to those who held to the truth As long as the wicked continued to triumph, their prosperity seemed to refute the holiness and sovereignty of the God of Israel A Hebrew believer in the Old Testament age could only chafe in deep a iction of soul as long as such a state of a airs continued Identifying himself completely with God’s cause, he could only regard God’s enemies as his own, and implore God to uphold His own honor and justify Hisown righteousness by in icting a crushing destruction upon those who either in theory or in practice denied His sovereignty and His law.5 III SURVEY Study the survey Chart 70, and observe that the 150 psalms are divided into ve groups These divisions date back to ancient times We not know the original reasons for identifying groups as such Some think ... recognizes the age and the setting of their writing Gleason L Archer writes: It is important to realize that prior to the rst advent of Christ, the only tangible way in which the truth of the Scripture... 120-34.) This group of psalms, each bearing the title “Song of Degrees,” was probably a hymnbook used by the Jews on their pilgrimage up to the Temple on the occasions of the national feasts... seemed to refute the holiness and sovereignty of the God of Israel A Hebrew believer in the Old Testament age could only chafe in deep a iction of soul as long as such a state of a airs continued