Royal Psalms – Discussion Questions

Interpretation Questions:

1. What is the role of the king in the so-called Royal Psalms, and why is it important?
2. How does the portrayal of the king in Psalm relate to the way kingship is portrayed in the writings of the prophets?
3. What is the importance of the royal psalms for Jewish and Christian messianic expectation?

Application Questions:

1. The royal psalms reveal a belief that the king was divine. Do you see any relationship between worldly powers and divinity today? Why or why not?
2. What role is there for these royal psalms, if any, in a modern world where most monarchies no longer exist?
3. What metaphor, besides kingship, could illustrate God in the context of modern democracy (e.g. the president, the voting process, the people)?