This week’s “Wednesday Word” is a summary of an exposition of Book 5 from Dr. Wellum given on Sunday, September 28, 2008.

This week as we turn our attention to Psalm 107-150, Dr. Wellum provides us with an overview and conclusion to the final book of the Psalter. Therefore, following Dr. Wellum’s breakdown we shall look at the flow and various points of emphasis found throughout book 5.

Psalm 107: Introduction to Book 5. As book 4 concludes, we are left with the psalmist cry, “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” From this plea for deliverance, Psalm 107 begins with the people of Israel praising the Lord for bringing them out of exile. Graphic images of deliverance are captured in Psalm 107.

Psalm 108-110: The Future Davidic King. Now that they have been brought out of exile, Psalms 108-110 point the people of Israel to look for the Davidic king. It becomes clear that the editor of the psalms is not speaking of a return of David as king but one who will be greater than David will come to rule. Book 2 presents the end of the psalms of David, while books 3-5 project the Davidic messiah. This coming king is the Lord of David who will extend his mighty scepter from Zion, to rule over the nations (cf. Gen. 3, Pss. 2, 8, 45, 72). This will be the new day that is starting, and will bring forward the royal priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Psalm 111-118: Psalms of Ascent. In these psalms, we see a reflection back to many of the preceding psalms such as Psalm 1, where the blessed man is the one who fears the Lord. We also find in these psalms repeated themes, which are emphasized in the short Psalm 117 saying, “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
Psalm 119: The Great Psalm. This presents the longest psalm in the entire Psalter. Psalm 119 presents a lengthy composition of praise where the psalmist delights in the law of the Lord and lauds Him as the one who has been faithful to his people. We are directed here to see the excellence of the Lord as he has provided all things and is righteous and just.

Psalm 120-137: Zion Psalms. These particular psalms emphasize themes stemming from the prophets like, Isaiah 2, which claims that all people will flood to Zion. Within this section we see how this greater David will fulfill the words of the prophets.

Psalm 138-145: Davidic Psalms. The Davidic Psalms again point us to see and expect the one to come who will be greater than David. David speaks with surety that God will install his king who will rule the nations.

Psalm 146-150: Hallelujah Psalms. As the Psalter draws to a close the psalmist directs all people to praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 climaxes, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” This imperative is answered throughout the New Testament in passages such as Philippians 2 and Revelation 4-5.

Conclusion: What we find in the Psalter. Following our study of the Psalter there are many things we are able to deduce. The psalms show the way of wisdom begins with holy fear and knowing his word. God has been faithful in keeping his promises and has done so by bringing a king greater than David, who will rule over all nations. In the fullness of time, we see Jesus Christ embody and fulfill the promises and praises of the Psalter. Like his father David, he has gone from suffering to glory. Though we glimpses of Christ in the Psalter, we like the ancient Israelites, still await our final exodus; and until He returns we laud Him with praises and warn others of his impending return.

May we continue to look to the glorious day when the king of glory will come again (cf. Ps. 24).