Experiencing the Psalms: A Bible Study Commentary for Personal Devotional Use, Small Groups or Sunday School Classes, and Sermon Preparation for Pastors and Teachers [Paperback]

Ralph F. Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0981972101 | ISBN-13: 978-0981972107 | Publication Date: March 1, 2010

The Book of Psalms represents a rich tapestry of prayer and praise. Some psalms reflect a texture of deep despair. Others glow with a deep peace in the Lord's strength. Still others bubble with an exuberant exaltation of the Most High God. These psalms cover the range of human emotion and experience. What they all have in common is prayer, a reaching out to God from every imaginable experience.

In this 12-week study you'll attempt to enter into the experience of the psalms. You'll explore the meanings of words and learn to appreciate the high art of these poetic masterpieces. You will study thoughtfully, carefully.

But more than that you will learn from the Psalms how to pray. You will discover how to find peace in the midst of turmoil. You will learn to be thankful. You will follow the pattern of the psalmists as you begin to praise. In short, with the psalms as your guide, you will grow deeper in your walk with the Lord and more able to offer worthy praise to the King. You will experience the Psalms.



Experiencing the Psalms is part of the highly-acclaimed JesusWalk Bible Study Series. Here's what people have said about this study:

"This in-depth study of the Psalms took me deeper not only into the word of God, but caused me to go deeper into myself and found a place that opened up a well of words and gave me insight that caused me to worship in a whole new way." -- Cindy Johnson

"I appreciate Dr. Wilson's application to the true Word of God, the research into the roots of the original language(s), and his helpful insights that enable putting God's Word into practical living, not just study and knowledge. Each lesson continues to draw me closer to God in a deeper personal relationship, which is vital to every believer!" -- Paul Klein

"If you've only thought of the Psalms as a book of songs or as peak moments in Davidic history as I did, think again. This study will grip your whole being as it makes application of the Psalms to your daily life a real possibility." -- Veronica Heabler

I like the focus on discipleship in these studies and the personal way in which they are written. The question often both summarize and put the finger on things. -- Judith Korsgren

"The Psalm study took you inside the mind of David as he bared his soul to the Lord in anguish and praise. It is as modern as tomorrow!" -- Don Miller

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

FROM THE PREFACE

Narrowing down the psalms for this study to just a few has been difficult. For more than forty years I have been reading the Psalms through at least twice a year. So many of the psalms have become my "friends" and companions. When I come to them once more in my reading, I am delighted to read their faith-filled words again.

As I surveyed the Psalms in preparation for this study, I listed 70 psalms as "favorites," and even that list of nearly half of the total of 150 psalms was trimmed to leave out some that I love. How can I narrow the number without leaving out some of the gems of the Psalter? It's impossible.

But ultimately Experiencing the Psalms focuses on 42 psalms. The 12 lessons in this study serve only as an introduction to the rich collection of psalms that speak to us so profoundly.

My prayer is that you will purpose to grow in your heart even more than you grow in your mind during this study. That you will embrace these psalms and make them your own. That on your travels through this life, you walk with these psalms as your guides and companions on your journey to your final destination -- an eternity in fellowship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In encourage you to order the book. It will enrich your thoughts, your prayers, your worship, and your life -- as well as provide a rich study for your class or small group, or the basis of a sermon series.

-- Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

From the Inside Flap

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PREFACE

INTRODUCTION TO THE PSALMS

1. MARVELING AT GOD'S MAJESTY IN CREATION (PSALMS 8, 19, AND 139)

These are three psalms that marvel at the wonder of God's creation, but in the meditation go three different directions in applying that knowledge. Full of awe in God's greatness and minuteness of care.

2. THIRSTING FOR GOD (PSALMS 27, 42-43, AND 63)

Some of the psalms are intensely intimate. They express the personal longing of the soul for God. These psalms are models of personal devotion and prayer to God from a hungering heart.

3. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH (PSALMS 1, 15, 133)

A theme of several psalms is the blessing of a life well lived, exhortations to faithful and righteous living. These are Wisdom Psalms with similarities to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. (Psalms 1, 15, and 133)

4. OFFERING HIGH PRAISES TO GOD (PSALMS 95, 98, AND 150)

There's a place for quiet appreciation of God's love. But these psalms shout the praises of God to the highest heavens. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"

5. CRYING OUT FOR RESCUE (PSALMS 40, 69, AND 80)

Many of the psalms come out of times of great distress and trouble. They are cries for help, for salvation, for rescue. When we are tested, we come to know and rely on God in ways that we can't experience when all is going well.

6. TRUSTING IN GOD'S PROTECTION (PSALMS 61, 91, AND 121)

When trouble is all around we can either panic or find strength in faith. In these psalms the writer sees God as his ultimate Protector.

7. RESTING IN GOD'S CARE (PSALMS 16, 23, 131, 3, 31, AND 46)

"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God." These are psalms of abiding, resting in God even though the storms of life are raging outside this quiet place.

8. EXULTING IN GOD (PSALMS 57, 96, 126, AND 24)

Life is difficult during the trial, but even during the test there is a place for praise and exultation in the God who has saves us. These are psalms of confidence

9. REJOICING IN GOD'S CHARACTER (PSALMS 103, 145, AND 117)

One of the joys of the believer is to revel in the strong, solid character of our unchanging Father. These psalms explore the nature and attributes of our God.

10. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MESSIAH (PSALMS 2, 110, AND 22)

An expectancy of God's deliverance through the coming Messiah is interwoven through a number of psalms. These psalms in particular find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ Jesus our Savior.

11. FINDING FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION (PSALMS 32 AND 51).

We can come away from the defeat and shame of sin feeling like a prizefighter who has been battered and humiliated. These psalms deal with repentance and God's forgiveness and restoration.

12. GIVING THANKS TO OUR FAITHFUL GOD (PSALMS 100, 107, 118 AND 34)

There is a joy to be found in thanksgiving, offering songs of appreciation to our God who stands by us without wavering.

EPILOGUE (PSALMS 46 AND 199)

APPENDIX 1. EXERCISES TO HELP YOU EXPERIENCE THE PSALMS
To keep this from being a merely academic study, here are some exercises and activities that can personalize and integrate the Psalms into your life.

APPENDIX 2. PSALMS IN WORSHIP THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES
An historical study of how the Psalms were used in the synagogue, the early church, in the middle ages, as the basis of Protestant hymnody and the Catholic liturgy of the hours as well as in recent times.

APPENDIX 3. THE IMPRECATORY PSALMS

How do we understand the terrible curses that a few psalmists utter against their enemies? This appendix offers one approach.

APPENDIX 4. NEW TESTAMENT QUOTATIONS FROM THE PSALMS

A comprehensive list of the New Testament's use of the Psalms.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: JesusWalk Publications (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981972101
• ISBN-13: 978-0981972107
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #498,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ralph F. Wilson was raised in a Christian family and received Christ as his Savior and Lord at the age of nine. When he was twelve, he became aware that God was calling him to the Christian ministry.

He studied at Occidental College, Los Angeles where he received a bachelor's degree in Biology in 1967. He received a Master of Divinity degree (1976) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a few years later, a Doctor of Ministry degree (1984) from the same school

Pastor Ralph has attended churches of many denominations as well as independent churches. He believes that denominations at their best can strengthen the Body by providing historical fellowships of congregations. Yet he rejoices that the walls that have divided one group from another are coming down. Our goal - and final destiny - is One Church unified by Jesus Christ himself.

Pastor Ralph was ordained under the auspices of the American Baptist Churches/USA in 1977. He has served as senior pastor of Lindley Ave. Baptist Church in Tarzana, California (1976-1988) and Church of the Live Oaks in Rocklin, California (1988-2001). He served as Ministry Development Pastor at Community Covenant Church in Rocklin 2003-2009. Currently he is serving as Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church of Nevada City (2010- )

Dr. Wilson is recognized as a pioneer in the field of Internet marketing and is editor of Web Marketing Today (www.wilsonweb.com), a free e-mail newsletter that reaches nearly 100,000 readers each week. Over 150 of his video interviews of marketing experts are available on the WebMarketingToday channel on YouTube.

His Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries website (www.joyfulheart.com) contains scores of Christian articles and stories he has written.

Beginning in 1996, he began to experiment with teaching the Bible by means of the Internet, the JesusWalk Bible Study Series (www.jesuswalk.com). His studies have reached as many as 5,500 in up to 124 countries at a time. These interactive Bible studies allow students to begin at any time, receive lessons via e-mail, and share their insights to study questions with others in an online forum.

Dr. Wilson has served as a trainer for a number of Christian organizations, including Compassion International, Campus Crusade for Christ International, NavPress, Gospel Communications, Zondervan Publishing House, and others.

Pastor Ralph and his wife have three grown children. They live in rural Loomis, California, a few miles from Sacramento.