75% of Psalms are one of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. And they follow a pattern. Here is the general form for Thanksgiving psalms.
The essential feature of this type of Psalm is that the psalmist will tell others what God has done for him. The vow of praise may be made in private, but the payment of the vow must be in public.
Proclamation to Praise God
- Normally with a voluntative: “I will praise…”
- The psalmist announces his intention to give thanks to God.
- The address may be short or omitted altogether.
- The address is usually made to YHWH in the 2nd person (e.g. Psalm 30).
Introductory summary of praise
- Frequently expressed in one sentence.
Reflection on past need and report of deliverance
- Portrayal of distress
- His cry for help (“I cried”)
- His deliverance (“He heard… he delivered”)
Conclusion
- The psalmist now pays his vows and testifies that YHWH is gracious.
- May include a prayer for some future help or some other formulation of renewed praise.
Example: Jonah 2
Introduction – Jonah 2:2
Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,
Jonah 2:2 saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
Portrayal of affliction: Jonah 2:3-6
Jonah 2:3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.
Jonah 2:4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’
Jonah 2:5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head
Jonah 2:6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.
Petition for help: Jonah 2:7
Jonah 2:7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
Deliverance: Jonah 2:8-9
Jonah 2:8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
Jonah 2:9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”
Conclusion: Jonah 2:10
Jonah 2:10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Psalm 32
Introductory summary of praise vs 1-2
Psa 32:1 A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Portrayal of affliction: vs 3-4
Psa 32:3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
Psa 32:4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
Petition for help: vs 5
Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Deliverance: vs 6-8
Psa 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
Psa 32:7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
Psa 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Conclusion vs 9-11
Psa 32:9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
Psa 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
Psa 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Examples: Psalm 18; Psalm 20; Psalm 32; Psalm 34; Psalm 40; Psalm 106; Psalm 116; Psalm 138.
For more: Claus Westermann, The Praises of God in the Psalms (1965). You’ll probably have to track it down in a library.
Understanding Lament Psalms
Understanding Praise Psalms
Resources: Psalms
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