DISCUSSION OF THE PSALMS - PART VIII HISTORICAL PSALMS

I. The historical psalms (i.e. psalms 78, 105, 106, 114, 136, and part of psalm 135) present the history of Israel and the surrounding nations from the standpoint of God's fidelity to His people and His people's response.

- The psalms draw lessons of confidence, praise and thanksgiving from this history.

II. Psalm 78, the second longest in the psalter, presents God's plan overcoming all obstacles, including the Chosen People's lack of faith.

III. Psalm 105 reflects upon the history of Israel from the call of Abraham to the entrance into the Promised Land. Like psalm 78, it also draws lessons from God's guidance of His people, but this time reflects more on joyfulness at God's presence. There is not as much a criticism of the people's lack of faith. It seems to have been written during a glorious time in Israeli history, or at least to recall such a time.

IV. Psalm 106, by contrast, is written from the standpoint of one at a time of distress, likely during the exile (see verses 46-47). It reflects back upon numerous times during which the Chosen People were unfaithful to God, which led to their punishment, but then restoration because of God's fidelity to His own glory..

V. Psalm 114 combines the crossing of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan in calling upon all creation to praise God for His might

A. The psalm is structured in terms of doublets, or as in the case of verses 3-6 a twin doublet.

VI. Psalm 136 describes creation, the Exodus, and the continuing providence of God for all people who trust Him, referring continually back to His "steadfast love" that endures forever.