“Lesson 113: Psalms (Part 1),” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)
“Lesson 113: Psalms (Part 1)”
Lesson 113
Psalms (Part 1)
Prepare to Learn
Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Music, especially the hymns of the Church, can invite the influence of the Holy Ghost and help you prepare to learn.
Begin your study with prayer.
As you listen to this choir sing the hymn “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” (Hymns, no. 136), think about how you feel about Jesus Christ. (You may want to read the words of the hymn as you listen.)
Your Favorite Hymn
1. What is your favorite hymn about Jesus Christ? Why?
The Book of Psalms
Similar to our hymnbook, the book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs, poems, and prayers to God. In ancient times, the Israelites would sing or recite the psalms as part of their worship of the Lord.
Read the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for what he said about the book of Psalms.
“Jesus Himself quoted the book of Psalms more than any other Old Testament text. Beyond the Savior’s own use of these writings, the authors of the four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] drew heavily on the psalms as they strove to document His life and ministry, particularly those excruciating hours of His arrest, trial, and Crucifixion” (Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble: Spiritual Solace from the Psalms [2012], 7–8).
The Savior
Watch the video “My Kingdom Is Not of This World” from The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos. This video is available on LDS.org.
Following His Resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to His Apostles and taught them that He had fulfilled the prophecies concerning Him that were written in the psalms and other Old Testament passages (see Luke 24:44–46).
Prophecies about Jesus Christ
Read the following psalms, looking for phrases that relate to the Crucifixion of the Savior: Psalm 22:1, 7–8, 16, 18; Psalm 31:5; Psalm 34:20; Psalm 69:21.
What truths can we identify from studying these psalms and learning about how they were fulfilled?
Quiz 1
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Match the scripture passage in Psalms that includes a prophecy about the Crucifixion with the phrase in the New Testament that records the fulfillment of that prophecy (see Matthew 27:26–43, 46; Luke 23:46; John 19:31–33, 36).
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The Fulfillment of Prophecies
One truth we can identify from these psalms is that the prophecies of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death were fulfilled.
How can knowing that these prophecies were fulfilled strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ?
Our Shepherd
Psalm 23 is widely regarded as one of the most beloved scripture passages in the Bible. In this psalm, the Lord is compared to a shepherd and we are compared to sheep.
Read Psalm 23, looking for phrases that teach what the Lord does for us as our Shepherd.
What principle can we identify from Psalm 23?
The Lord’s Care
We can identify the following principle from Psalm 23: If we trust in the Lord, He will lead and care for us.
1. Answer the following questions:
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In what ways can the Lord lead and care for us today?
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How has the Lord cared for you?
Requirements for Entrance
What requirements are needed to gain entrance to a movie theater, a public sporting event, or a prestigious university?
Why are there requirements for entering these or other places?
Read Psalm 24:3, looking for another place we can enter only after we have met certain qualifications.
The Temple
The phrases “the hill of the Lord” and “his holy place” in Psalm 24:3 can refer to the temple in Jerusalem, which was built on top of a hill. These phrases can also refer to any of the Lord’s temples as well as to the Lord’s presence. The temple is the Lord’s house, and we can feel His presence there.
Read Psalm 24:4–5, looking for what we must do to qualify to worship in the Lord’s house and be prepared to dwell in His presence.
What principle can we identify from verse 4?
Clean Hands and a Pure Heart
From Psalm 24:4 we can identify the following principle: To be worthy to worship in the Lord’s house and to be prepared to dwell in His presence, we must have clean hands and a pure heart.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discussed the Savior’s role in helping us to have clean hands and a pure heart. How can the Savior help us to become clean and pure? You can read the text of this video here: “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 82.
2. Answer the following question:
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What can you do to meet the Lord’s requirements to enter His temple and ultimately dwell in His presence?
The Lord and His Creations
Part of Psalm 33 is a song praising the Lord for His power and goodness, which are shown by His creations.
Psalm 33:1–9 records some of the reasons why the people of the earth should praise the Lord and sing to Him. In these verses, to “fear the Lord” (verse 8) means to respect or reverence Him and His power. To “stand in awe of him” (verse 8) implies that we should praise and admire Him and His creations.
Take a few moments and think about the Lord and His creations. As you ponder, consider singing or reading a hymn or song of praise such as “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (Hymns, no. 72), “For the Beauty of the Earth” (Hymns, no. 92), or “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29).
All That the Savior Has Done for You
Reflect on the Savior’s love for you and on all He has done for you.
What can you do to follow His example and become more like Him?
Consider writing your feelings and ideas in a personal journal or in your Notes on LDS.org.
Answer Key
Quiz 1: (1) 1-f, 2-e, 3-d, 4-c, 5-b, 6-g, 7-a