Chapter 11 The Psalms:
Pouring Out Our Heart and Soul to God
Introduction pg. 269
1. What does this chapter focus on?
Concept A The Psalms as Songs of the Heart
Read pp. 270 to 277 Answer Review on pg. 277
A. Introduction
1. Read Psalm 76 on pg. 270
What experience or event could have prompted this
prayer?
B. Arising from Experience pg. 271
1. What is important to consider about the strong
feelings expressed in the psalms?
2. List three major types of prayers in the Book of
Psalms?
a.
b.
c.
C. Developed Over Centuries pg. 272
1. Over what period of time were the Psalms
developed?
2. How does Psalm 63 use the image of the desert
wilderness?
3. What is Psalm 51?
D. Used in Worship pg. 273
1. For what purpose were most psalms written?
2. In what two places are psalms used by Christians?
3. What can a psalm express?
4. What happens when the psalm is song together in
worship?
5. When did Christianity and Judaism split?
6. What is the responsorial psalm?
7. What is the official daily prayer of the Catholic
Church?
8. What is included in the Divine Office?
E. The Psalms as Poetry pg. 276
1. How were the psalms to be prayed?
2. What two features of the psalms allow the idea to
sink in?
a.
b.
3. What did the device of contrasting lead to?
4. What is another feature of the Psalms that makes
them beautiful poetry?
5. What literary device is used to give us vivid images
that help us sense the power of God?
6. What does God help us to do through the Psalms?
Concept B Prayers of Lament: Crying Out in Suffering
Read pp. 278 to 283 Answer Review on pg. 283
1. What elements are found in most songs of lament?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2. What happens in a Psalm of Lament?
3. What happens when one prays this way?
4. List some of the emotions found in the songs of
lament
5. What is the greatest gift one can bring to God?
6. With what is the complaint of a psalm alternated?
7. Who is the enemy?
8. What does God want to do with the enemies
“out there”?
9. List three viewpoints from which to pray a psalm of
lament?
a.
b.
c.
10. No Pain, No Gain
Concept C Psalms of Thanks and Praise
Read pp. 284 to 286 Answer Review on og. 286
A. Introduction pg. 284
1. On what do psalms of thanks and praise focus?
2. Psalms of thanks express gratitude.
3. On what do prayers of praise focus?
4. What elements are found in psalms of Thanks and
Praise?
a.
b.
c.
B. A Spirit of Gratitude pg. 284
1. In Psalm 30, what substitute for Sheol can we
make?
C. Letting Loose with Praise pg. 285
1. What two themes are in Psalm 47
a.
b.
D. Becoming a Song of Praise pg. 286
1. What can happen as we pray these songs of praise
over a long period of time?
E. “Everything I ever needed to know”
With the Psalms as our teacher, what lessons can we
learn about relating to God?
1. From where should our prayer come?
2. What does God want to hear?
3. What is the beginning of a real relationship with
God?
4. What should we do with our burdens?
5. What happens when you trust God to take care of
your burdens?
6. What should we try to see?
7. What should we tell God?
8. What should we try to cultivate?
Assignment
Choose Your Favorite Psalm
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