Praying the Psalms for Life

Structure of the Psalter & the Seams of the Garment of Praise

Mirroring the Pentateuch (the ve books of Moses), the Psalter is divided into ve books. These ve divisions, which are moving us along a continuum from Lament to Praise/Trust, are stitched together by praise (see below). The organization of the Psalms has a pedagogy tracing for us how Gods people coped with the loss of the Davidic kingship and were invited to trust in the God of Israel as their True King. The wisdom imparted is incredibly relevant for us today as we await our King and the nal consummation of His Kingdom.

Double Doors of the Psalter: Psalms 1-2 BOOK I: Psalms 3-41 & Doxology: 41:13 BOOK II: Psalms 42-72 & Doxology 72:18-19 BOOK III: Psalms 73-89 & Doxology 89:52 BOOK IV: Psalms 90-106 & Doxology: 106:48 BOOK V: Psalms 107-150 & Doxologies: 146-150 Messianic Psalms: A Prelude to the Passion
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) Psalm 2: The Glory of the Eternal Son Psalm 40: The Incarnation Psalm 91: The Temptation Psalm 41: The Betrayal Psalm 22: The Crucifixion Psalm 15: The Resurrection Psalm 68: The Ascension Psalm 45: The King-Bridegroom Psalm 24: The King of Glory Psalm 110: The Priest-King-Judge Psalm 72: The Reigning King Psalm 89: The Davidic King

DIGGING DEEPER in the PSALMS

- Answering God by Eugene Peterson (introductory) - Praying the Psalms Thomas Merton (devotional) - Sing a New Song: the Psalms in the Sunday Lectionary by Irene Nowell (liturgical) - Encountering the Book of Psalms by C. Hassell Bullock (study) - The Spirituality of the Psalms by Carroll Stuhlmueller (study)

LEARN THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS

- Lord, Open My Lips: The Liturgy of the Hours As

Daily Prayer by Seth H. Murray - The Divine Oce for Dodos: A Step-By-Step Guide to Praying the Liturgy of the Hours by Madeline Pecora Nugent - Practical Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours by Shirley Sullivan

13) Psalm 102: The Unchangeable God 14) Psalm 118: The Headstone of the Corner

www.gen215.org for National Catholic Bible Conference 2011

Psalms: Masterpiece of Prayer

1. Adoration & Blessing

2. Thanksgiving

3. Petition

4. Intercession

5. Praise

Five forms of Prayer from Catechism of the Catholic Church, Nos. 2623-2649