Psalms And The Christian - The Christian's "Hymnal"

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                       "PSALMS AND THE CHRISTIAN"

                         The Christian's "Hymnal"

INTRODUCTION

1. In the introduction to the Book of Psalms, we made brief reference 
   to the fact that different styles were used in composing the psalms

2. In other words, some psalms were written for praise and devotion,
   others for prayer and petition, and so on

3. In this study, we shall pay special attention to those psalms that
   lend themselves as songs of praise

4. The purpose will be to illustrate how the Book of Psalms can be used
   by the Christian as a tool (or "hymnal") to offer joyful praise and
   devotion to God

[Let's begin by noticing that there are several "classes" of psalms 
which are geared toward singing praises to God...]

I. PSALMS DESIGNED FOR USE IN SINGING PRAISES

   A. THE MOST OBVIOUS ARE THE "HALLELUJAH" PSALMS...
      1. These are psalms beginning and/or ending with "praise the Lord"
         or "hallelujah"
      2. Ps 148 is an example of this type of psalm
         a. Often called "The Joy-Song Of Creation", it has inspired
            several of our modern song writers
         b. For example, the song "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah"
      3. Notice Ps 146-150; they all begin and end with "hallelujah"
         or "praise the Lord" (depending upon your translation)

   B. A SIMILAR GROUP OF PSALMS ARE THOSE CLASSIFIED AS PSALMS OF
      "PRAISE"...
      1. These psalms of praise are more general in nature
      2. An example would be Ps 100
         a. Described by some as "A Song Of Praise For The Lord's
            Faithfulness To His People"
         b. Compare it to the modern song entitled "All People That On
            Earth Do Dwell"
      3. Another example of a psalm of praise is Ps 8

   C. ANOTHER GROUPING ARE THE PSALMS OF "THANKSGIVING"...
      (note that there is some overlapping in these categories)
      1. These psalms are "expressions of grateful praise to Jehovah and
         thanksgiving to Him for deliverance, greatness, etc."
      2. Some examples:
         a. Ps 100 - especially verses 4-5
         b. Ps 118 - a responsive psalm (notice verses 1-4,29) in
            which thanksgiving is offered for the Lord's saving goodness

[Many of the psalms fall into one of these categories.  As such, they 
lend themselves to singing praises to God.

Since Christians are commanded to sing psalms (Ep 5:19; Col 3:16; Jm 5:
13), let's consider ways that we can make use of these psalms...]

II. THE CHRISTIAN'S USE OF THESE PSALMS

   A. BY MAKING USE OF THOSE PSALMS ALREADY ARRANGED FOR OUR SINGING...
      1. Like those often found in modern songbooks (as mentioned above)
      2. There are even special hymnals devoted to arranging psalms to
         fit the way we sing today (e.g., "Selected Psalms For Church
         Singing", by C.E.I. Publishing Co.)

   B. WE CAN ALSO LEARN TO READ THE PSALMS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
      WITH AN "ATTITUDE OF JOYFUL PRAISE"...
      1. This way, if all we have is the Bible, we can still offer up
         praises to God by using the Book of Psalms as a "hymnal"!
      2. How this might be done:
         a. It is done best on an individual basis (why will become
            apparent shortly)
         b. Requires both an active imagination and a true spirit of
            devotion and praise
         c. Choose one of the psalms of thanksgiving and praise to read
         d. As you read...
            1) Do so slowly, allowing the words to make a deep impression
               on your heart
            2) Read them as though you were actually singing them, let-
               ting the thoughts of devotion and praise be YOUR thoughts
               of devotion and praise to God
            3) This way, even if you are only reading to yourself, you
               are still "making melody with your heart to the Lord"!

CONCLUSION

1. It is my hope that we come to appreciate the Book of Psalms as they
   were originally intended to be:  a collection of songs, many of which
   were specifically designed to be offered in praise to the Lord

2. Though they may not "rhyme" and are not set to music, it is still
   possible for Christians to take them and "make melody with our hearts
   to the Lord"

In the next study, we shall consider how the Psalms can be of help in
learning how to pray...
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