304 Worship and the Psalms

Level 3 Course

This course deals with the deals with two interlinked subjects as is indicated by the title: worship and the Psalms. By the end of the module you should have a good base for understanding what ‘worship’ is, in terms of biblical teaching and Christian tradition. You should also be able to understand and expound the Psalms and use them in worship, whether as a worshipper or a leader/enabler of other worshippers.

We deal with certain types or forms of Psalm so that we may consider similar types together and learn about both individual Psalms and the class to which they belong. So you should be able to analyse any given Psalm, say something about the historical situation in which it was written and the way it was used in ancient Israel. You should therefore, with the help of a commentary, be able to explain the meaning of the Psalm including the details, and suggest ways in which it applies to our and your situation today.

With regard to worship you should be able to devise services that are suitable for particular occasions and also choose Psalms that will fit appropriately into such services.

This is a 10 Block course

additional resources

View or download a sample lesson from this course

Sample Lesson

Worship and the Psalms Contents

  • 1 Making the most of the Psalms

    2 Some facts about the Psalms: Brueggemann’s Plan

    3 The subject matter and titles of the Psalms

    4 The elements of worship: moods and content

  • 1 Hymns or Descriptive Psalms of Praise

    2 Exposition of Psalms 8 and 19

    3 Exposition of Psalms 103 and 136

    4 Music in Worship

  • 1 The structure of Psalms of Lament

    2 Psalm 44: a Community Lament

    3 Psalm 69: an Individual Lament

    4 Typology and Imprecation

  • 1 The Individual Thanksgiving or Declarative Psalm of Praise

    2 Community Thanksgivings or Declarative Praise of the People

    3 Individual Songs of Trust: Psalms 27 and 33

    4 Community Songs of Trust: Psalm 126

  • 1 Royal Psalms I: Psalms 2 and 45

    2 Royal Psalms II

    3 Psalm 47

    4 Zion Hymns

  • 1 Psalms for Special Occasions

    2 The Canticles I: Venite and Te Deum

    3 New Testament Psalms

    4 Psalms for funeral services

  • 1 Psalm 51: a Psalm of confession

    2 Ps 73: The mystery of the prosperous wicked

    3 Psalm 110

    4 Psalm 139

  • 1 General principles of worshipping together

    2 Preparing for a small group meeting

    3 The Lord’s Supper: Leading praise in song

    4 Controversial items: drama, dance and dialogue

  • 1 Psalm types: revision and practice

    2 Psalm 15: an Entrance Liturgy

    3 The other Entrance Liturgy: Psalm 24

    4 Psalm 118: Luther’s favourite Psalm

  • 1 Psalm 145 and the doctrine of God

    2 Salvation and life after death

    3 The messianic hope

    4 Revision and outlook9

TIMEFRAME

The course consists of 10 blocks, which can be studied across 20 weeks, fortnightly, but this can be adapted to local needs.

COURSE COST

£70, or a cost of a small sandwich a week

If you would like to discuss this course further, or if you would like to find a local study group, please contact us

Level 3 CourseMatt DohertyOld Testament