The Book of Psalms, a central component of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament, is a collection of religious songs, prayers, and poems. Among its diverse literary forms, the didactic psalms stand out for their instructional nature, aiming to impart wisdom, moral guidance, and theological truths. The term "didactic" refers to teaching or intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

Characteristics of Didactic Psalms

Didactic psalms are characterized by their focus on imparting wisdom and ethical teachings. They often address themes such as the fear of the Lord, the importance of following God's commandments, the consequences of sin, and the rewards of righteousness. These psalms serve as a guide for righteous living and understanding God's will.

Examples of Didactic Psalms

1. Psalm 1: This psalm sets the tone for the entire Psalter by contrasting the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked. It begins with a beatitude: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers" (Psalm 1:1). The psalm emphasizes meditation on God's law as the path to prosperity and stability, likening the righteous to a tree planted by streams of water.

2. Psalm 19: Celebrating the perfection of God's law, Psalm 19 declares, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). This psalm extols the virtues of God's commandments and their role in enlightening and guiding the faithful.

3. Psalm 37: This psalm offers counsel on trusting in the Lord and doing good, with the assurance that the righteous will inherit the land. It advises, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it" (Psalm 37:5). The psalm contrasts the fleeting success of the wicked with the enduring reward of the righteous.

4. Psalm 73: A psalm of Asaph, it addresses the perplexing issue of the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist ultimately finds resolution in the sanctuary of God, realizing the ultimate fate of the wicked and the eternal security of those who are faithful to God: "Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand" (Psalm 73:23).

Theological Themes

Didactic psalms often emphasize the sovereignty and justice of God, the importance of obedience to His commandments, and the moral order of the universe. They reflect a worldview where God's law is central to life and where adherence to divine instruction leads to blessing and fulfillment. These psalms encourage believers to live in accordance with God's will, highlighting the blessings of wisdom and the perils of folly.

Role in Worship and Instruction

In both Jewish and Christian traditions, didactic psalms have been used in worship and religious education. They serve as a resource for teaching ethical and spiritual principles, providing a framework for understanding the relationship between God and humanity. Their timeless wisdom continues to offer guidance for personal conduct and communal life.

The didactic psalms, with their emphasis on teaching and moral instruction, remain a vital part of the Psalter, offering insights into the nature of God, the path of righteousness, and the pursuit of a life aligned with divine wisdom.Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
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Psalm 5:1
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
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Psalm 7:1
O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
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Psalm 9:1
I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvelous works.
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Psalm 10:1
Why stand you afar off, O LORD? why hide you yourself in times of trouble?
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Psalm 11:1
In the LORD put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
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Psalm 12:1
Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
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Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.
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Psalm 15:1
Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill?
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Psalm 17:1
Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips.
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Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
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Psalm 25:1
To you, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
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Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
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Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
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Psalm 36:1
The transgression of the wicked said within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
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Psalm 37:1
Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity.
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Psalm 39:1
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
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Psalm 49:1
Hear this, all you people; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world:
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Psalm 50:1
The mighty God, even the LORD, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof.
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Psalm 52:1
Why boast you yourself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endures continually.
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Psalm 53:1
The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.
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Psalm 58:1
Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?
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Psalm 73:1
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
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Psalm 75:1
To you, O God, do we give thanks, to you do we give thanks: for that your name is near your wondrous works declare.
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Psalm 82:1
God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.
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Psalm 84:1
How amiable are your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
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Psalm 90:1
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
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Psalm 91:1
He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
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Psalm 92:1
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:
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Psalm 94:1
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.
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Psalm 101:1
I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O LORD, will I sing.
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Psalm 112:1
Praise you the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that delights greatly in his commandments.
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Psalm 119:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
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Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where comes my help.
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Psalm 125:1
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but stays for ever.
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Psalm 127:1
Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
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Psalm 128:1
Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways.
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Psalm 131:1
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
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Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
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Psalms
... psalms of sadness, such as lamentation (lxxiv.), confession (li.), supplication
(cii.); (c) psalms of reflection, such as the occasional didactic poetry (cxix ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/psalms.htm

The Books of Samuel and Kings.
... [5394] These are the alphabetical Psalms which, being mainly didactic, were
written acrostically to assist the memory. Others partially ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the books of samuel and.htm

Names and External Form of the Old Testament
... First, devotional and didactic"the three so-called poetical books of Psalms, Proverbs,
and Job, which have in Hebrew a stricter rhythm; secondly, the five ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiii names and external.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... If we turn from the book of Psalms to the book of Proverbs, we have still ... It is,
therefore, didactic in the highest sense of the word"the poetry of practical ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Blessedness and Praise
... It is produced even while these last; the psalms of thanksgiving are not all ... emphatic
and precise, as well as too frequent, and in too didactic connections, to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/blessedness and praise.htm

Letter iv. On the Reading and Study of the Holy Scriptures
... There is History, Biography, Argumentative and Didactic Essays, and Poetry. ... every
day, at each place, omitting the first, and reading three Psalms, on the ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter iv on the reading.htm

The Poet.
... and are as musical in sound, and in spirit as poetic as the Psalms, the Canticles ...
or dirge, or threat of doom or call to repent, or a didactic purpose"Jeremiah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture ii the poet.htm

The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
... attributed to Jeremiah, was probably also canonized contemporaneously with the Psalms. ...
Maccabees and Ben Sira or Ecclesiasticus; two didactic stories,"Tobit ...
/.../xiii the formation of the.htm

Practical Methods of Studying the Old Testament
... be readily solved, and the great positive teachings of these later didactic stories
will ... usages in their proverbs, and the psalmists in their psalms, each have ...
/.../xv practical methods of studying.htm

Samuel
... divine penalty, followed David's census of the people (xxiv.); (b) two psalms"a
song ... 2 Samuel 7.. A study of these passages reveals the didactic interest so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/samuel.htm

What are the penitential psalms? | GotQuestions.org

What are the psalms of praise? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Psalms - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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