Headings 5-10 Briefly Explained
The Study Resource is composed of 150 chapters, one chapter per psalm. In each chapter the explanation is set up according to a template of 16 sub-headings (see the previous post for Headings 1-4). As a result, a reader can quickly know where to look in any psalm for the particular sort of information he/she is after.
I’ll briefly explain headings 5-10 as follows:
5. Placement within the Psalter
- How does this psalm fit within a particular Book (of the 5 Books within the Psalter) as well as within the entire collection of 150 Psalms? What we want to uncover here is something of the sense and ordering of the Psalms as they stand in their final arrangement. Is there any rhyme or reason to their placement? Hint: we see evidence that there is.
6. Key Words
- Which words are key to the psalm and what do they mean? A brief explanation of each term is offered along with its relevance to the psalm’s message. This will help the reader get a handle on the poem’s biggest concepts.
7. Unusual Words or Expressions
- Are there any odd or hard-to-understand words or phrases? If so, you’ll find them briefly explained here.
8. Main Message
- What basic message is the author intending to convey? What is the meaning as the original author and audience would have understood it? For Christians today, what is the take-away? Because these questions are crucial, we expect this section to be the go-to for most readers.
9. Christ Connection
- How does this psalm point to or otherwise testify to Jesus Christ? This is a key question for our commentary and serves to set us apart from many others. Since all of Scripture is about God and his story of saving his people through his Son Jesus Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:44), and since the Spirit of Christ inspired also the Psalms (1 Peter 1:11), we aim to find ways in which the Spirit has revealed in each psalm the person and/or work of our Saviour.
10. Old Testament Links
- Are there any connections to other parts of the Old Testament (whether earlier Scripture like the Pentateuch or allusions or quotes found in later OT Scriptures such as the prophets)? These will be pointed out and briefly explained.
The Study Resource is on track for publication in the latter part of 2019, God willing.
Next time I hope to explain the last six headings. Enjoy the day!
Peter