Pick a Psalm from the ‘hymn’ category to look at. The hymn psalms are: Psalm 8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 67, 68, 96, 98, 100, 103–5, 111, 113, 114, 117, 135, and 145–50.
What are the identifying aspects of the hymns of praise found in this hymn?
Does this particular hymn psalm describe the breadth of God’s earthly power?
Dr. Collins says that the hymns don’t teach us about the “God of history” but about the “God of creation.” Does this Psalm speak to either of these framings of God? Why, or why not?
Applying the Text:
In what situations, ancient or contemporary, might we want a hymn to God’s power or might?
To what extent does the image of God as king resonate today? How might it have changed since these psalms were written? Does it present any problems?
In modern times, many of us are more removed from nature than the ancient Israelites would have been. Reliable climate control and modern transportation mean that storms, for example, are not as dramatic. Are the images of God controlling nature less powerful than they used to be?
How can we use the hymn psalms that focus on God as creator given our changing climate?