Instructions for Facilitators

Each of the weekly modules in this course contains a short video featuring scholars of the text, a study guide, and discussion questions. Certain modules also feature additional resources for further study.

Below is the schedule for which portions of the text are being studied in a given week, occasionally including optional reading when relevant. In addition to reviewing the recommended scripture, you should review the “Questions for Discussion” section each week in order to help facilitate group discussion.

Week 1 – What Are the Psalms?

1. Prepare for the session by reviewing the Psalms (optional).
2. You may also want to invite everyone to come prepared to share their favorite Psalm during group discussion.

Week 2 – Psalms of Complaint

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the psalms of “individual complaint” (3, 5–7, 13, 17, 22, 25-28, 32, 38, 39, 42, 43, 51, 54-57, 59, 61, 63, 64, 69–71, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 130, and 140-43) and the psalms of “communal complaint” (44, 74, 79, 80, 83, and 89).
2. Pick one or more Psalms to review in-depth during your group discussion.

Week 3 – Hymns

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the ‘hymn psalms’ (8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 67, 68, 96, 98, 100, 103–5, 111, 113, 114, 117, 135, and 145–50).

Week 4 – Royal Psalms

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the ‘royal psalms’ (2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 132, and 144:1-11.)

Week 5 – Wisdom Psalms

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the ‘wisdom psalms’ (1, 14, 37, 73, 91, 112, 119).

Week 6 – The Human Condition

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the psalms that speak to the human condition and death (8, 23, 27, 39, 46, 63, 69, 84, 88, 90, 115, 130, and 144), and some or all of the ‘psalms of thanksgiving’ (18, 30, 34, 40:1-11, 41, 66, 92, 116, 118, and 138).

Week 7 – The Character of God

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the ‘psalms of YHWH’s enthronement’ (93, 97, and 99).

Week 8 – Psalms of Poetry

1. Prepare for the session by reading some or all of the ‘psalms of poetry’ (23, 24, 29, and 119).