An Exercise in Writing Psalms

Listed below is an explanation of the different types of Psalms.  I challenge you to take the time to do the same!  

Please feel free to post your work.

Identity the various psalm types and describe their general characteristics.  What kinds of expressions would you expect to find in each type?  

Try to write a psalm that fits each style:

       

Hymn –  Songs of praise and thanksgiving to God for who he is and what he has done,

Penitential – Confess sorrow for sin, appeal to God for grace and forgiveness,

Wisdom – General observations on life, especially God and our relationship to him,

Royal – Focus on the king as son of David and as God’s chosen man to rule his people,

Messianic –Describe some aspect of the Messiah’s person or ministry,

Imprecatory – Call for God’s judgment against God’s enemies and/or his people’s enemies,

Lament-Lament one’s condition; usually include statement of lament, statement of             trust in God, and affirmation to praise to him. 

Hymn               

Thank you God for your outstretched arm,

You picked me up and kept me from harm.

Thank you God for your loving face,

who looked at me, a soul in need of your grace.

Penitential   

Lord I have sinned and fallen from you,

I’ve run and hid in shame and ignored your truth.

Restore to me the joy of my salvation,

forgive my sins, and ignite my proclamation!

Wisdom            

Who can understand the ways of the world,

my mind is wrought with toil.

Only you Our God whose hand unfurled,

the creation of man and our Redeemer the Rock from soil.

Royal               

You brought our King from the loins of David,

the government rests upon his shoulders.

Let’s proclaim our victory in Christ, the King of Kings

who leads us beside still waters.

Messianic     

Glory be to the Lord our God.

Glory be to the Lord our God,

for He is worthy of our praises.

Glory be to the Lord our God.

Glory be to the Lord our God,

for He is worthy of our praises.

Glory be to God the Father,

Glory be to God the Son,

Glory to the Holy Spirit,

Glory to the Three in One!

Glory be to the Lord our God.

Glory be to the Lord our God,

for He is worthy of our praises.

Imprecatory    

Lord you know where my enemies are,

Vengeance is in your hands.

With love you vindicate the poor,

and establish them in the lands.

Lament

Lord, I lay prostrate on my bed,

my heart is full of pain.

It beats with sorrow and is heavy laid,

my fate is all but plain.
I have put my life into your hands, you are not a lying God.

Your promises and plans steadfastly stand,against the obvious odds.You have never failed to hear my prayer,and likewise hear my praise.I lift my eyes to your heavenly stairs,my lips filled with joyful words upraised!

You are my King, my husband, Lord, 

who will never leave me down.I dance and sing with head held o’er,my Savior’s glorious victory crown!