Smithton-Culloden Community Group Discussion questions – 22nd June 2016
Psalm 147 Study Questions
To complete our 9 month journey through the psalms we will be studying psalm 147 this week. Psalms 146150 all begin and end with, “Praise the Lord.” While many other psalms voice the psalmists’ frustrations or
cries for help, Psalms 146-150 climax the Psalter with a crescendo of praise. Many think that they were
written after the exiles returned to the promised land from the 70-year captivity in Babylon, perhaps
specifically for celebration at the dedication of the restored walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah.
As well as looking through this psalm we will also be looking back at some of the themes of earlier studies.
If you can sing a psalm together before you start the discussion!
1. Share which is your favourite psalm and why.
2. Why are the psalms particularly significant to us as individuals, as a
congregation and a denomination?
3. This psalm mentions only one musical instrument. Psalm 150, for example ,
includes many more. At Smithton we are somewhere in the middle. Have we
got the balance of our musical accompaniment right? If not, what should we
change?
4. Psalm 147 falls into three stanzas (1-6; 7-11; 12-20), each beginning with a call
to praise (v 1, 7, 12) followed by the reasons for praise. What are the three
words that are used to start the three stanzas? Do the three words mean the
same thing or do they show different aspects to our worship?
In each stanza, there are repeated cycles that emphasize God’s goodness toward
His chosen people as seen in His grace (2-3, 6, 10-14, 19-20) and His greatness
over all creation on their behalf (4-5, 8-9, 15-18).
5. What groups of people does God show His grace towards (v2-3, 6, 10-14, 1920)? Which of the characteristics described would you expect to see in those
who become Christians?
6. When you think of God’s grace what other scriptures come to mind (or to your
google search)?
7. How does God display His greatness over creation (v4-5, 8-9, 15-18)?
8. If the psalm was written at the time the exiles returned to Jerusalem why do
you think the psalmist concentrated on those two great themes – God’s grace
and God’s greatness?
9. What is special about Jacob and Israel as nations (v19)? What does that mean
for Christians today as the equivalent of God’s chosen people?
10.Praise has been a common theme through most of the psalms we have
studied in the Community Groups. What new things have we learnt? How are
we applying these lessons at Smithton? What things should we change –
individually and as a congregation?