THE PSALMS' PROFOUND INFLUENCE IS TIMELESS—part 1

THE PSALMS' PROFOUND INFLUENCE IS TIMELESS—part 1

            This collection has served throughout the centuries as the main devotional source of the Bible.  The uses of the collection are many.  Here are just a few:

            1.         It is a song book intended to be sung.

            2.         It is a devotional book for both public and private worship.

            3.         It contains many Bible doctrines.

            4.         It is a fascinating poetical book.

            5.         It generally contains theology, history, prophesy, prayers and praises.

            6.         It expresses the deepest religious expressions.

            7.         It relates to saint and sinner.

            8.         Its message relates to the current needs of believers since its message is  

                      timeless.

            Some writers believe that this book has had as profound an influence on Christendom as any other single book of the Bible. Perone stated, "No single book of scripture, not even the New Testament has, perhaps, even taken such hold on the hearts of Christendom.  None, if we may dare judge, unless it be the Gospels, has had so large an influence in molding the affections, sustaining the hopes and purifying the faith of believers."1 Eiselen concurs when he states, "There is no body of devotional literature in the world comparable to the Psalms in expressing the reality, depth, and purity of religious experience."2  Henry purports that, "There is no one book of scripture that is more helpful to the devotions of the saints that this, and it has been so in all the ages of the church, ever since it was written and the several parts of it were delivered to the chief musician for the service of the church."3  Allen states that, "The Book of Psalms is the single master representative book in the entire Old Testament.  In it are mirrored the basic theological convictions of the people who produced the Old Testament."4  Clarke sums up the thought quite well when he states, "I know nothing like the Book of Psalms:  it contains all the lengths, breadths, depths, and heights of the patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.  It is the most useful book in the Bible, and in every way worthy of the wisdom of God."5

 1.       Perowne, J.J.  The Book of Psalms.  Vol. 1 and 2.  Grand Rapids,            Michigan:  Zondervan Corporation, 1878.  (1968 Printing), p. 22.

2.        Eiselen, Frederick; Lewis, Edwin; and Donleavy, David.  The Abingdon Bible Commentary.  New York:  Abindon-Cokesbury Press, 1929,        p. 514.

 3.   Henry, Matthew.  Matthew Henry's Commentary. Vol. 3, McLean, Virginia:  MacDonald Publishing Company, no date, p. 237.

 4.       Allen, Clifton J.  The Broadman Bible Commentary.  Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971,  Vol. IV, p. 153.

 5. Clarke, Adam.  Clarke's Commentary.  Vol. III,  Nashville:  Abington Press, no date, p. 218.