Psalms have an inner structure, marking the stages of a spiritual journey. Usually they start by looking at the world or the situation as it is, in all its alienation, injustice, distress. Then the psalmist turns to God, in anger, in a cry for help, in thanksgiving - and then things look different. There's a change of perspective. There's hope or strength or the promise of justice, and the thought of these leads to praise. There aren't many psalms that stay in one place, all praise or all lament.

The elements of psalms are shown on the Twister board. Can you find which one is not present in real psalms? Can you say why?

Psalms of Thanksgiving
(65, 67, 75, 107, 124, 136, 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 66, 92, 116, 118, 138...)

Gratitude for God's specific acts of goodness, protection, blessing. A needed corrective to our infantile tendencies

Psalms of Lament

(3, 22, 31, 39, 42, 57, 71, 120, 139, 142, 12, 44, 80, 94, 137...)

Most common type. Both individual and corporate laments expressing fear, distress, anger at circumstances and adversaries

Hymns of Praise
(8, 19, 33, 103, 104, 111, 114, 117, 145-149...)
According to God his worth for who he is: Creator, protector and benefactor, Lord of history

Salvation History
(78, 105, 106, 135, 136)
These psalms review God's work historically, and often include biting commentary on Israel's spiritual state and God's faithfulness

Wisdom Psalms
(1, 36, 37, 49, 73, 112, 127, 128, 133 (cf. Prov. 8 is a psalm)
Much like the proverbs, these psalms address practical life issues from the perspective of trust in God. Themes center on the righteous/wicked, wise/fool in terms of aphorisms.

Celebration and Affirmation
Liturgy for corporate celebrations relating to:

Enthronement Psalms, celebrating the new king and God as King (24, 29, 47, 93, 95-99);

Reaffirmation of the Davidic Covenant (eg 132);

Royal Psalms addressing both David and messiah (2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 144);

Songs of Zion, Psalms celebrating the place where God is present and where his kings reign (46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122)