According to Dillard & Longman (p. 220 Introduction to the Old Testament) in a lament the psalmist "experiences trouble and turns to the LORD for aid". That trouble comes from within or without, even God himself (Ps. 102:9-10). It is a song of "disorientation, of abandonment, distress, pain, and suffering."
The form of the lament has a distinctive structure consisting of more than one of the following elements:
1) Invocation
2) Plea to God for help
3) Complaints
4) Confession of sin or an assertion of innocence
5) Curse of enemies (imprecation)
6) Confidence in God's response
7) Hymn or blessing
What is a "Psalm"?
"The English name of the book comes to us from the Septuagint (Psalmos), via the Vulgate. The Greek word was used to translate the Hebrew word mizmor that comes fro the verbal root zamar ("to sing" or possibly "to pluck [an instrument]"), which connects the book with music. The Hebrew Title Tehillim means "praises" and highlights what is the dominant note...of the book." (p.211 An Introduction to the Old Testament, Dillard & Longman.)
Dillard & Longman note three main types of psalms: hymn, lament, and thanksgiving. Hymns praise Yahweh and invite others to join in that praise. Laments cry out to God, remembering Yahweh's past covenant mercies and promises, and offering a case for God to prove his faithfulness to save the psalmist from his present distress. Psalms of thanksgiving express thanks to God for answering his people's laments and proving himself faithful to his promises. The book of Psalms moves to conclude upon the note of thanksgiving in a crescendo of praises.
Other psalms have been classified according to shared dominant features (psalms of confidence, psalms of remembrance, wisdom psalms, kingship psalms). But it seems to me that the categorization of psalms is not an exact science. For instance, laments usually end in thanksgiving. Both hymns and laments often express confidence and remembrance.
Pastor Scott asked me to lead the devotions for our men's prayer breakfast April 10th. We've been going through the Psalter and have reached Psalm 5. I intend to use this blog to trace my preparation for the devotional.
Study Procedure
First, I will spend time familiarizing myself with the psalm in the English. It will be important to refresh my memory on what a "psalm" is as a literary genre, and try to answer the question "what kind of psalm is this?" I will then proceed to analyze the Hebrew grammar noting any significant textual variants, and compare how various translations interpret the original (e.g. English translations, but also the Septuagint (LXX)). I will proceed to determine the poetic structure of the psalm, rhetorically and thematically. I will move into broader contextual issues that help me understand the meaning of the psalm in its canonical context (e.g. thematic or theological connections to adjacent psalms, how the psalm relates to the history of God's salvation, does it quote or allude to other Scriptures?) Then I will reflect upon how the psalm may speak to Christians, respecting how subsequent authors in Scripture use (or dialogue with) its text or theology to help us understand God's salvation in Christ, the identity of His people, and how we are to be faithful to His revelation.
To begin, here is the text of Psalm 5 (English Standard Version).
TEXT: Psalm 5:1-12 ESV
Psalm 5:1 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: FOR THE FLUTES. A PSALM OF DAVID. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Now then, let's begin.
If you've come expecting answers here, why not be patient?
If you're still looking for a final draft, it's right there.