The book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs, poems, and prayers. This is the first of two lessons on the book of Psalms. The psalms discussed in this lesson include songs of praise to the Lord and prophecies concerning Jesus Christ’s suffering and death. This lesson discusses Psalm 23, which teaches that the Lord leads and cares for us; Psalm 24, which explains what we must do to be worthy to enter the Lord’s house and dwell in His presence eternally; and Psalm 33, which declares that the earth is full of the Lord’s goodness.
The Psalmist praises and prophesies of Jesus Christ
Invite students to look through their hymnbooks or to think of a hymn that expresses their feelings about the Lord. Ask a few students to tell the class which hymn they selected and why.
Explain that the book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs, poems, and prayers to God. In ancient times, the Israelites would sing or recite the psalms as part of their worship of the Lord.
To prepare students to study some of the psalms that contain prophecies of Jesus Christ, invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
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Jeffrey R. Holland
“Jesus Himself quoted the book of Psalms more than any other Old Testament text. Beyond the Savior’s own use of these writings, the authors of the four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] drew heavily on the psalms as they strove to document His life and ministry, particularly those excruciating hours of His arrest, trial, and Crucifixion” (Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble: Spiritual Solace from the Psalms [2012], 7–8).
To remind the class of the events surrounding Jesus Christ’s suffering and death, invite a few students to take turns reading aloud from the following scripture passages: Matthew 27:26–43, 46; Luke 23:46; John 19:31–33, 36. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the specific experiences Jesus Christ had leading up to and during His Crucifixion.
As an alternative to inviting students to read the scripture passages from Matthew 27, Luke 23, and John 19, you might consider showing a portion of the video “My Kingdom Is Not of This World” (5:23) from The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos. Stop the video after the Roman soldiers roll the stone in front of Jesus’s tomb (time code 3:18). This video is available on LDS.org.
Explain that following His Resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to His Apostles and taught them that He had fulfilled the prophecies concerning Him that were written in the psalms and other Old Testament passages (see Luke 24:44–46). Write the following scripture references on the board:
Assign students to read these scripture passages with a partner. Ask students to look for phrases that relate to the Crucifixion of the Savior. Invite students to consider marking what they find.
What truths can we learn from studying these psalms and learning about how they were fulfilled? (Students may use different words but should identify the following truths: Prophecies of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death were given long before He was born on earth. The prophecies of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death were fulfilled.)
How can our faith in Jesus Christ be strengthened by knowing that prophecies of His suffering and death were given long before He was born on earth and that these prophecies were fulfilled?
Explain that Psalm 23 is widely regarded as one of the most beloved scripture passages in the Bible. Because Psalm 23 is a poem, it contains vivid images and symbols.
Invite a student to read Psalm 23 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for how the picture relates to the psalm.
In what ways are we like sheep in need of a shepherd?
Invite students to review Psalm 23, looking for phrases that teach what the Lord does for us as our Shepherd. Ask students to report what they find. As they do so, you may want to ask follow-up questions such as the following:
What do you think that phrase means?
How does this show the Lord’s love and concern for you and others?
How would you summarize a principle that we can learn from Psalm 23? (Students may use different words but should identify the following principle: If we trust in the Lord, He will lead and care for us.)
In what ways can the Lord lead and care for us today?
Ask students to ponder experiences they have had when they trusted in the Lord and felt that He led or cared for them. You may want to invite several students to share their experiences with the class. Consider sharing an experience of your own as well.
The Psalmist teaches what we must do to dwell in the Lord’s presence
Ask students what they think might be required to gain entrance to the following: a movie theater, a public sporting event, and a prestigious university.
Why are there requirements for entering these or other places?
Invite a student to read Psalm 24:3 aloud. Ask the class to follow along and look for another place we can enter only after we have met certain qualifications.
What do you think the phrases “the hill of the Lord” and “his holy place” refer to? (The temple or the Lord’s presence. You may want to explain that the temple in Jerusalem was built on top of a hill.)
Ask a student to read Psalm 24:4–5 aloud. Invite the class to follow along and look for what we must do to qualify to worship in the Lord’s house and be prepared to dwell in His presence.
According to verse 4, what must we do to qualify to worship in the Lord’s house and be prepared to dwell in His presence? (Using students’ words, write a principle similar to the following on the board: To be worthy to worship in the Lord’s house and to be prepared to dwell in His presence, we must have clean hands and a pure heart.)
Why do you think we need to have clean hands and a pure heart in order to worship in the temple and dwell in the Lord’s presence?
How do we obtain clean hands and a pure heart?
Assure students that although it may be difficult for us to keep our hands clean and our hearts pure because of the evil influences that often surround us, it is possible to do so because of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Encourage students to look for phrases that help them understand the Savior’s role in helping us to have clean hands and a pure heart.
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David A. Bednar
“Let me suggest that hands are made clean through the process of putting off the natural man and by overcoming sin and the evil influences in our lives through the Savior’s Atonement. Hearts are purified as we receive His strengthening power to do good and become better. All of our worthy desires and good works, as necessary as they are, can never produce clean hands and a pure heart. It is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides both a cleansing and redeeming power that helps us to overcome sin and a sanctifying and strengthening power that helps us to become better than we ever could by relying only upon our own strength” (David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 82).
How does the Savior help us in this process of having clean hands and pure hearts?
Testify of the Savior’s role in helping us to be worthy to dwell with Him and our Father in Heaven. Invite students to read Psalm 24:3–5 again silently and to ponder how well they are meeting the Lord’s requirements to enter His temple and ultimately dwell in His presence. Give students time to record their reflections in their study journals and to write a goal for how they will better meet these requirements. Encourage students to work on their goals and be able to stand before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart.
Ask students to tell about a time when they have been in awe of the beauty or enormity of God’s creations. You might also share a personal experience.
Explain that part of Psalm 33 is a song praising the Lord for His power and goodness, which are manifest in His creations.
Invite several students to read Psalm 33:1–9 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for reasons why the people of the earth should praise the Lord and sing to Him. Ask students to report what they find. (You may want to explain that in this context, to “fear the Lord” [verse 8] means to respect or reverence Him and His power. To “stand in awe of him” [verse 8] implies that we should praise and admire Him and His creations.)
Write the following incomplete statement on the board: Pondering about the Lord and His creations can lead us to …
Using what you have learned from in Psalm 33, how would you complete this statement? (The following is one way students might complete the principle: Pondering about the Lord and His creations can lead us to praise and revere Him. Using students’ words, complete the statement on the board.)
Give students a few minutes to ponder about the Lord and what He has created for them. Consider singing as a class a hymn or song of praise such as “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (Hymns, no. 72), “For the Beauty of the Earth” (Hymns, no. 92), or “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29). Invite students to share why they are thankful for the Lord and His creations.
To conclude, you may want to testify of the truths and principles taught in this lesson.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Jeffrey R. Holland
“We need a shepherd because in innocence or ignorance—but on occasion willfully and against counsel—we turn ‘every one to his own way’ and as a result ‘have gone astray’ [Isaiah 53:6]. We wander here and scamper there, inspect this and nibble at that, until at some point we look up and realize we are either lost or about to be destroyed. We realize that we, or others who affect us, have done either something stupid or something wrong—which are so very often the same thing. We realize we desperately need help; we are in trouble and frantically look about for our shepherd, our defender, our savior” (Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble: Spiritual Solace from the Psalms [2012], 204).
Psalm 23:4. What is the purpose of the Shepherd’s rod and staff?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following insight:
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Jeffrey R. Holland
“In ancient days the only instruments a shepherd carried were a rod and a staff. The rod was a short, stout, club-like weapon used to defend oneself or the flock from an intruder. It was meant to be—and to convey—strength and power in the hand of a strong shepherd who knew how to use it. …
“The staff was a longer, lighter piece, usually with a hook (or crook) on the end used for rescuing a stranded sheep. It, more than the rod, is associated in both art and myth with the shepherd and his vigilant watchcare. … Everything about the staff speaks of safety and care. It is the great scriptural instrument of rescue and redemption.
“In life we need defending and we need rescue. One way or the other, we are vulnerable. Whether it be in threatening confrontations or routine wandering, we are blessed and protected by God’s vigilant care. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble: Spiritual Solace from the Psalms [2012], 217, 218).
