Dr. Heiser does an excellent job of defining the different genres of Psalms [1]. Study the definitions of the different ones, and then complete the worksheet. Once finished, go to the Quiz and fill out the correct block. It should be noted that some Psalms have two or three different genres in them; for the purposes of this worksheet, list the best choice for each.
A. Lament – A personal or corporate prayer that expresses struggle or suffering and also, usually, trust.
B. Thanksgiving – The opposite of lamentation, this psalm gives thanks to God
C. Hymns – Expression of worship to God
D. Wisdom – Good principles for living
E. Salvation – Celebrations of God’s salvation in the past
F. Royal – Davidic Kingship, dynasty, and the divine rule of God through a king
G. Ascent – Songs and prayers offered to God on the way to Zion
H. Imprecation – Pleas to God to do something drastic or curse their enemies
Place the best genre category for each Psalm:
___________ Psalm 1:1-6 Two ways of life contrasted
___________ Psalm 2:1-12 Coronation of the Lord's Anointed
___________ Psalm 3:1-8 A prayer of confidence in God
___________ Psalm 4:1-8 Evening prayer for deliverance
___________ Psalm 5:1-12 A prayer for protection
___________ Psalm 6:1-10 A prayer for mercy
___________ Psalm 7:1-17 Wickedness justly rewarded
___________ Psalm 8:1-9 God's glory and man's honor
___________ Psalm 9:1-20 Praise for victory over enemies
___________ Psalm 10:1-18 A prayer for the overthrow of the wicked
___________ Psalm 11:1-7 "In the Lord put I my trust"
___________ Psalm 12:1-8 A plea against the wicked
___________ Psalm 13:1-6 How long, O Lord, how long?
___________ Psalm 14:1-7 The characteristics of the godless
___________ Psalm 15:1-5 The characteristics of the Godly
___________ Psalm 16:1-11 Eternal life for one who trusts
___________ Psalm 17:1-15 "Hide me under the shadow of thy wings"
___________ Psalm 18:1-50 Thanksgiving for deliverance by God
___________ Psalm 19:1-14 The works and words of God
___________ Psalm 20:1-9 "Some trust in chariots"
___________ Psalm 21:1-13 Praise for victory
___________ Psalm 22:1-31 A Psalm of the cross
___________ Psalm 23:1-6 "The Lord is my shepherd"
___________ Psalm 24:1-10 The King of Glory
___________ Psalm 25:1-22 A prayer for guidance and protection
___________ Psalm 26:1-12 "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me"
___________ Psalm 27:1-14 "The Lord is my light and my salvation"
___________ Psalm 28:1-9 Rejoice because of answered prayer
___________ Psalm 29:1-11 The voice of the Lord in the storm
___________ Psalm 30:1-12 A thanksgiving for deliverance from death
___________ Psalm 31:1-24 "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust"
___________ Psalm 32:1-11 The blessedness of forgiveness
___________ Psalm 33:1-22 Praise to the Lord for who He is and does
___________ Psalm 34:1-22 The Lord hears the righteous
___________ Psalm 35:1-28 A petition for God's intervention
___________ Psalm 36:1-12 The steadfast Love of God
___________ Psalm 37:1-40 The true state of the wicked
___________ Psalm 38:1-22 The petition of a sick man
___________ Psalm 39:1-13 A prayer for self-understanding
___________ Psalm 40:1-17 Delight to do God's will
___________ Psalm 41:1-13 Comfort for the forsaken
___________ Psalm 42:1-11 An intense longing for God
___________ Psalm 43:1-5 A prayer for deliverance from the ungodly
___________ Psalm 44:1-26 A nation in distress
___________ Psalm 45:1-17 A Psalm for the king's marriage
___________ Psalm 46:1-11 "God is our refuge and strength"
___________ Psalm 47:1-9 "God is the King of all the earth"
___________ Psalm 48:1-14 "God is our God"
___________ Psalm 49:1-20 Trust in God, not wealth
___________ Psalm 50:1-23 The Lord shall judge all people
___________ Psalm 51:1-19 Confession and forgiveness of sin
___________ Psalm 52:1-9 Caution to the prideful wicked
___________ Psalm 53:1-6 The foolishness of men
___________ Psalm 54:1-7 A prayer for protection
___________ Psalm 55:1-23 A cry against deceitful friends
___________ Psalm 56:1-13 A confident prayer for help
___________ Psalm 57:1-11 Prayers in the midst of perils
___________ Psalm 58:1-11 Wicked judges will be judged
___________ Psalm 59:1-17 A prayer for deliverance
___________ Psalm 60:1-12 A prayer for deliverance of a nation
___________ Psalm 61:1-8 A prayer when overwhelmed
___________ Psalm 62:1-12 God only is my rock and my salvation
___________ Psalm 63:1-11 Thirst for God
___________ Psalm 64:1-10 A prayer for God's protection
___________ Psalm 65:1-13 God's provision through nature
___________ Psalm 66:1-20 The great works of God
___________ Psalm 67:1-7 God shall govern the earth
___________ Psalm 68:1-35 Israel's triumphant God
___________ Psalm 69:1-36 A petition in time of distress
___________ Psalm 70:1-5 A prayer for speedy deliverance
___________ Psalm 71:1-24 A prayer for help in old age
___________ Psalm 72:1-20 The reign of the Messiah
___________ Psalm 73:1-28 The perspective of eternity
___________ Psalm 74:1-23 A complaint born of faith
___________ Psalm 75:1-10 A warning to the wicked
___________ Psalm 76:1-12 The glorious might of God
___________ Psalm 77:1-20 When overwhelmed, remember God's greatness
___________ Psalm 78:1-72 God's goodness to Israel in spite of unbelief
___________ Psalm 79:1-13 A prayer for destruction of heathen enemies
___________ Psalm 80:1-19 A prayer for restoration
___________ Psalm 81:1-16 God's plea for Israel's obedience
___________ Psalm 82:1-8 A prayer for righteous Judgment
___________ Psalm 83:1-18 A prayer for destruction of Israel's enemies
___________ Psalm 84:1-12 The Joy of dwelling with God
___________ Psalm 85:1-13 A prayer for revival
___________ Psalm 86:1-17 "Teach me thy way, O Lord"
___________ Psalm 87:1-7 The glories of Zion
___________ Psalm 88:1-18 A cry for deliverance from death
___________ Psalm 89:1-52 Claiming God's promises to David
___________ Psalm 90:1-17 "Teach us to number our days"
___________ Psalm 91:1-16 God is a refuge and a fortress
___________ Psalm 92:1-15 Praises for the Lord's goodness
___________ Psalm 93:1-5 The majesty of God
___________ Psalm 94:1-23 Vengeance belongs only to God
___________ Psalm 95:1-11 A Psalm of praise to the great God
___________ Psalm 96:1-13 A call to praise God
___________ Psalm 97:1-12 The Lord is far above all gods
___________ Psalm 98:1-9 Praise to God for his salvation
___________ Psalm 99:1-9 God has been faithful
___________ Psalm 100:1-5 A call to praise the Lord
___________ Psalm 101:1-8 A commitment to holy living
___________ Psalm 102:1-28 The prayer of an overwhelmed Saint
___________ Psalm 103:1-22 Bless the Lord, all you people
___________ Psalm 104:1-35 God's preservation of nature
___________ Psalm 105:1-45 God's wondrous works in behalf of Israel
___________ Psalm 106:1-48 Israel sins against God's love
___________ Psalm 107:1-43 God's wonderful works to the children of men
___________ Psalm 108:1-13 Israel looks to God for help
___________ Psalm 109:1-31 A prayer for punishment of the wicked
___________ Psalm 110:1-7 The coming of the Priest-King-Judge
___________ Psalm 111:1-10 Praise for God's tender care
___________ Psalm 112:1-10 The blessings of those that fear God
___________ Psalm 113:1-9 God's mercies are many
___________ Psalm 114:1-8 God's power demonstrated in the Exodus
___________ Psalm 115:1-18 Trust in God, not in idols
___________ Psalm 116:1-19 Praise for deliverance from death
___________ Psalm 117:1-2 The praise of all nations
___________ Psalm 118:1-29 Thanksgiving for the Lord's salvation
___________ Psalm 119:1-176 An acrostic in praise of the Scriptures
___________ Psalm 120:1-7 Prayer for deliverance from lying lips
___________ Psalm 121:1-8 God's sustaining power
___________ Psalm 122:1-9 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"
___________ Psalm 123:1-4 Prayer for mercy
___________ Psalm 124:1-8 The LORD is on our side
___________ Psalm 125:1-5 God surrounds his people
___________ Psalm 126:1-6 "Sow in tears...reap in joy"
___________ Psalm 127:1-5 Children are God's heritage
___________ Psalm 128:1-6 The rewards of faithfulness
___________ Psalm 129:1-8 Plea of the persecuted
___________ Psalm 130:1-8 "My soul waiteth for the Lord"
___________ Psalm 131:1-3 A Psalm of humility
___________ Psalm 132:1-18 A prayer for blessing on the sanctuary
___________ Psalm 133:1-3 The joy of brotherhood
___________ Psalm 134:1-3 An exhortation to praise
___________ Psalm 135:1-21 The greatness of the Lord and vanity of idols
___________ Psalm 136:1-26 Praise for Lord's past and present blessings
___________ Psalm 137:1-9 The mourning of the exiles in Babylon
___________ Psalm 138:1-8 Praising the ways of the Lord
___________ Psalm 139:1-24 Living with God
___________ Psalm 140:1-13 Prayer for deliverance from evil men
___________ Psalm 141:1-10 Deliverance from temptation
___________ Psalm 142:1-7 "Thou art my refuge"
___________ Psalm 143:1-12 "Teach me to do thy will"
___________ Psalm 144:1-15 "I will sing a new song"
___________ Psalm 145:1-21 A song of praise
___________ Psalm 146:1-10 The blessedness of trusting God
___________ Psalm 147:1-20 Praising the God of provision and protection
___________ Psalm 148:1-14 All creation to praise the Lord
___________ Psalm 149:1-9 A Psalm of the Kingdom
___________ Psalm 150:1-6 "Praise ye the LORD"
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Links
About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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