Psalms: A 12-Week Study

Knowing the Bible

by Douglas Sean O'Donnell

The book of Psalms powerfully resonates with the whole spectrum of human emotions and experiences, resounding with heartfelt praise, humble confession, and honest lament.

This guide explains the biblical text with clarity and passion—exploring the Bible’s ability to transform our emotions and incline our hearts toward worship.

Over the course of 12 weeks, these studies explore books of the Bible

Ask thoughtful questions to spur discussion

Show how each passage unveils the gospel

Tie the text in with the whole story of Scripture

Illuminate the doctrines taught in each passage

Invite you to discover practical implications

Help you better understand and apply God’s Word

Genres: Christian, Theology

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Doug O'Donnell is the Senior VP of Bible Publishing at Crossway Books. He has authored or edited over a dozen books, including commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew, the Song of Songs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and 1-3 John. He earned his PhD from the University of Aberdeen.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Read from pdf
Source: Free copy from Crossway in exchange for a review. All reviews expressed are from my own opinion.
Other studies in the Knowing The Bible series:
Matthew, Philippians, Proverbs, Ruth and Esther, Acts, Genesis, Romans, Isaiah, John, James, and Mark.
All the studies are 12-week in format.
Link for more information: Knowing The Bible.

All Scripture references are from the 2001, ESV, Bible by Crossway. References to additional content held in the ESV, Study Bible are referred to often in the Knowing The Bible, Psalms. The additional content is pertaining to word definition and history.
From the series preface:
"Knowing the Bible, as the series title indicates was created to help readers know and understand the meaning, the message, and the God of the Bible." Page 6.
Week 1 is an overview of Psalms.
The 12-week study covers 150 chapters of Psalms. Psalms is divided into 5 books.
"Book 1 Psalms 1-41"
"Book 2 Psalms 42-72"
"Book 3 Psalms 73-89"
"Book 4 Psalms 90-106"
"Book 5 Psalms 107-150"
The books are divided further, the titles and chapters given are:
"Week 2: Doorway to the Psalms" covers 1-18
"Week 3: Love the Lord, All You His Saints" covers 19-31
"Week 4: Surrounded by Steadfast Love" covers 32-41
"Week 5: Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?" covers 42-56
"Week 6: Let the Nations Be Glad" covers 57-72
"Week 7: Truly God Is Good to Israel" covers 73-78
"Week 8: Glorify Your Name" covers 79-89
"Week 9: My Foot Slips" covers 90-106
"Week 10: I Will Awake the Dawn!" covers 107-119
"Week 11: The Songs of Ascents" covers 120-134
"Week 12: Let Everything That Has Breath" covers 135-150

In each chapter there is an intro to the section of Psalms, followed by "reflection and discussion" questions, an explanation section "Gospel Glimpses", "Whole-Bible Connections", "Theological Soundings", "Personal Implications", finishing with the encouragement to pray for reflecting and asking the Lord to teach us what we've studied.

I love the study series of Knowing The Bible. The ESV, Study Bible, by Crossway, is a favorite Bible of mine. To have a Bible study gleaned from the ESV, Study Bible, is a jewel.
The organization of the study is perfect.
I believe this study is more than a brief encounter in studying Psalms.
The Bible study on Psalms can be used for individual or group use.
My favorite feature is "The Gospel Glimpses", "Whole-Bible Connections", and "Theological Soundings". These sections teach Israels' background at the time of when the Psalm were written, what key words mean, and uniting that Psalm with the rest of Scripture (for example: Jesus as the king, Messiah.)

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think this is one of the best Bible studies I've seen. I haven't gone through any others of the Knowing the Bible Series, but I've heard only good things about them. Now I see why.
This Bible study is based on the ESV Bible translation which can be found at Crossway in both paper and ebook formats. Each chapter goes through a section of the Psalms, then ties it in with the Gospels in the "Gospel Glimpses", asking pertinent questions for you to reflect on. Afterwards, it ties it in the the entire Bible, in the "Whole-Bible Connections" with questions for you to reflect on. Finally, the chapter ties it in with the historical background of the Israelites, with questions as well.
Each chapter is easy to read and I enjoy that it ties it in with the rest of the Bible, making the Bible one entire Book, instead of seeing the Psalms separately from the rest of the Bible.

[Katy Sammons · Rating 3 out of 5]

You just can't effectively cover 150 Psalms in 12 weeks. It was often hard to understand what the author was looking for in his study questions. And there was way too much meat left on the bone, so to speak. However, the end of lesson information was very well done.

[Craig Childs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is called a study guide to the Psalms, but it is really structured to be a group leader or Sunday School teacher’s guide. It proceeds sequentially though the psalter, not organized thematically like some curriculum.

Each lesson includes approximately 10 open-ended questions about one or more psalms. There is also generally about a page worth's of commentary on each lesson under the common headings "Gospel Glimpses", "Whole-Bible Connections", and "Theological Soundings". These passages were useful in illuminating how the psalms grew out of the Old Testament experiences of God's people, as well as how the work of Jesus fulfilled the teachings of the psalms.

It takes 60-90 minutes to prepare a Sunday School lesson using this book as the basis of your discussion.

Content is ok , but I learned more from James Montgomery Boice's 3-volume commentary.

This book is part of the Knowing the Bible series. The series editor is Dane. C. Ortlund. The theological editor is J. I. Packer.

[Rachael Stoldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this study. It’s probably the most I. Depth study of psalms possible in 12 weeks. I have always loved the psalms for their poetry, worship, and feeling, but this study helped me study the prophesy and history in the psalms. I enjoyed that you got to see psalms grouped and identified by author. Although the last three weeks I didn’t study as diligently as I had the first 9 weeks, I would highly recommend this study of psalms.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding resource

I appreciate A Series in general, and this book in particular, as it is an outstanding brief summary of the Psalms. Highly recommended along with learning to love the Psalms.

[Rebecca C · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the studies in this series have been great, causing me to dig deep into Scripture.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 weeks to cover the Psalms is just too short. Not a great format for this kind of study.

[kofi asamoah-boadu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in-depth and helpful. A bit repetitive, but good notes.

[Peggy]

I've been looking for a guide to use with the elderly in our nursing home. From what I have read your guide will help me walk them through this book in a clear yet attainable process for the diverse cognitive levels that attend the Bible study. Thank you.