Should Psalms be used to support theological doctrine?

[delizzle]

I first want to say that I believe Psalms to be divine scripture. It seems as though that all the books in the Bible is God communicating to humanity either through prophets, apostles, or Jesus. However, Psalms is different. It is the only book where the communication is solely from humanity towards God. Psalms are basically a collection of Hymns and prayers from humans that are directed to God and a valuable because it helps us to better understand how we can better communicate and worship God.

I have found numerous examples where people reference Psalms to justify their theological positions. However, because of the unique genre and purpose of Psalms, is it acceptable to do so? If so, how do we then reconcile Psalms like psalm 137:9?

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

Psalm 137:9 NIV


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[JonC]

I believe it can simply because, as you affirm, the Psalms are divine scripture. Insofar as the Psalm, it would be best to look at it in God's economy - blessed is the one who destroys the destroyer. It's not about man's cause but God's cause and the destruction of wickedness.

 

[Revmitchell]

I first want to say that I believe Psalms to be divine scripture. It seems as though that all the books in the Bible is God communicating to humanity either through prophets, apostles, or Jesus. However, Psalms is different. It is the only book where the communication is solely from humanity towards God. Psalms are basically a collection of Hymns and prayers from humans that are directed to God and a valuable because it helps us to better understand how we can better communicate and worship God.

I have found numerous examples where people reference Psalms to justify their theological positions. However, because of the unique genre and purpose of Psalms, is it acceptable to do so? If so, how do we then reconcile Psalms like psalm 137:9?

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

Psalm 137:9 NIV


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Sorry but you have Psalms wrong. In fact there are a number of Psalms that are Messianic in nature. There are other Psalms that speak of the words and counsel of God as absolute truth. I suggest you study the Psalms a bit more.

 

[delizzle]

Sorry but you have Psalms wrong. In fact there are a number of Psalms that are Messianic in nature. There are other Psalms that speak of the words and counsel of God as absolute truth. I suggest you study the Psalms a bit more.

There is no question that there are doctrinal truths found in the Psalms. However, I don't think we should establish doctrine from the Psalms. In other words, the psalmest wrote about doctrinal truths as set forth by the prophets, however, they did not establish new doctrine based on new revelation from God. Was the Prophetic Psalms actually a product of prophecy? Or was the psalmest praising God for the hope we received from already existing prophesy?

 

[Revmitchell]

There is no question that there are doctrinal truths found in the Psalms. However, I don't think we should establish doctrine from the Psalms. In other words, the psalmest wrote about doctrinal truths as set forth by the prophets, however, they did not establish new doctrine based on new revelation from God. Was the Prophetic Psalms actually a product of prophecy? Or was the psalmest praising God for the hope we received from already existing prophesy?

We should never set doctrine by one single verse whether it be in the Psalms or anywhere else.

 

[BobRyan]

I first want to say that I believe Psalms to be divine scripture. It seems as though that all the books in the Bible is God communicating to humanity either through prophets, apostles, or Jesus. However, Psalms is different. It is the only book where the communication is solely from humanity towards God. Psalms are basically a collection of Hymns and prayers from humans that are directed to God and a valuable because it helps us to better understand how we can better communicate and worship God.

I have found numerous examples where people reference Psalms to justify their theological positions. However, because of the unique genre and purpose of Psalms, is it acceptable to do so? If so, how do we then reconcile Psalms like psalm 137:9?

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

Psalm 137:9 NIV


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

2 Tim 3:16 - "All scripture given by inspiration from God and to be used for doctrine"

 

[Rob_BW]

A nice guide to the Psalms quoted in the New Testament:

New Testament Quotations from the Psalms

 

[Reformed]

how do we then reconcile Psalms like psalm 137:9?

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

This is an imprecatory psalm in which the psalmist is crying out for God to repay Edom and Babylon for the evil done to Jerusalem. What is your problem with this passage?

 

[Reformed]

There is no question that there are doctrinal truths found in the Psalms. However, I don't think we should establish doctrine from the Psalms.

This is a distinction without a difference. Teaching (doctrine) is still teaching. Many of the doctrinal points in the Bible are repeated in various ways. Psalm 33:6 says, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host." This is a republication of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Neither passage stands by itself as both are intertwined in teaching that God is the Creator of all there is. For that matter, these verses are linked to Hebrews 1:2.

In other words, the psalmest wrote about doctrinal truths as set forth by the prophets, however, they did not establish new doctrine based on new revelation from God.

A good student of the Bible will place an individual text into its proper order in regards to doctrine, although that order does not lessen the importance of any individual text.

Psalms actually a product of prophecy? Or was the psalmest praising God for the hope we received from already existing prophesy?

Yes.

 

[Jerome]

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 137:9 NIV

What is your problem with this passage?

Yes, what's the problem? Calvin assures in his Commentary: "We may rest assured that God would never have suffered any infants to be slain except those who were already damned and predestined for eternal death."

 

[delizzle]

Yes, what's the problem? Calvin assures in his Commentary: "We may rest assured that God would never have suffered any infants to be slain except those who were already damned and predestined for eternal death."

I sense a hint of sarcasm is this post.

 

[One Baptism]

In response to the Thread question:

Jesus said:

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ..." [citing Psalms 22:1 KJB], etc.​

See also Luke 20:42, 24:44; Acts 1:20, 13:33,35 KJB.

 

[delizzle]

This is an imprecatory psalm in which the psalmist is crying out for God to repay Edom and Babylon for the evil done to Jerusalem. What is your problem with this passage?

I don't have a problem with it. I know that hermeneutically, the scripture is nothing more than an outcry towards God (but not at God) to bring justice and destroy His enemies. This psalm teaches us that it is ok to tell God we are angry, frustrated, or sorrowful and that God will be listening. However, this scripture, and the Psalms in general, are similar in that they are our words towards God. Not God's word to us. These are not commandments or instructions to be followed. Rather, it's Jewish hymnal that teaches us how to properly worship and communicate with God.

 

[Reformed]

this scripture, and the Psalms in general, are similar in that they are our words towards God. Not God's word to us. These are not commandments or instructions to be followed. Rather, it's Jewish hymnal that teaches us how to properly worship and communicate with God.

This is not entirely accurate. Psalm 119 is heavy on instruction. While it is a mediatory psalm, one would be wise to follow its precepts. In Psalm 40 David realizes that God is requiring a right heart more than right religious observance. These things are very much instructive.

 

[thatbrian]

I first want to say that I believe Psalms to be divine scripture. It seems as though that all the books in the Bible is God communicating to humanity either through prophets, apostles, or Jesus. However, Psalms is different. It is the only book where the communication is solely from humanity towards God. Psalms are basically a collection of Hymns and prayers from humans that are directed to God and a valuable because it helps us to better understand how we can better communicate and worship God.

I have found numerous examples where people reference Psalms to justify their theological positions. However, because of the unique genre and purpose of Psalms, is it acceptable to do so? If so, how do we then reconcile Psalms like psalm 137:9?

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

Psalm 137:9 NIV


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

All doctrine should be formed from an understanding of the entire canon. Less weight should be given to poetic language vs didactic teaching on a matter.

We should avoid being biblicists and literalists and treat different genres - differently.

 

[Deacon]

1. I would challenge your statement when you write, “It is the only book where the communication is solely from humanity towards God.” The Psalms were used for worship and teaching, perhaps in much the same way we sing hymns and spiritual songs today.
2. Speaking of OT Scripture, it is written that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful...” (2 Timothy 3:16).
3. The genera of the Psalms are generally poetic so their use when developing or supporting doctrine must take this into account.
4. New Testament authors (and Jesus) use the Psalms to develop and support doctrine.
5. Surely the imprecatory psalms (a sub-genera) need to be approached with some awareness and caution.

Rob​

 

[HankD]

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.