Samey Psalms?

Of late I / we have been doing quite a bit of reading, studying, praying and singing the Psalms (at least relatively). And one has to admit that some of them sometimes feel a bit samey. Is that true? And it it a problem?

(1) The Psalms are probably not as samey as we sometimes think

Probably no other Psalm says exactly the same things in exactly the same way. 

You may find two Psalms which have exactly the same propositional doctrinal content. I'm not sure! This just goes to show that I need to study all the Psalms much more! I am far from exhausting them. 

It is really worth asking what if anything is the unique contribution of this Psalm. What would we miss if we lacked it?

But the form matters too. 

Even if each individual idea in any given Psalm is expressed elsewhere, what does it mean to bring these ideas together? And in this way? 

How do the Psalmist's circumstances or reaction make a difference to the truths he expresses and how we might respond to them?

The Psalms are not just information. Praying and singing them as well as studying them might help them to be more precious to us. There is much still to savour and ponder it seems to me. The form and the contents can't be divorced. To say many of the same things in this slightly different way and combination is different. Read to be moved and inspired, not to crunch to sermon headings or imperatives. The point of the Psalm is not just the points it seems to make but how it makes them.  

(2) Even if some of the Psalms are somewhat samey, maybe that's a good thing. If it is so, presumably it is because God knew what he was doing when he inspired the Scriptures. 

After all, much of life is the same - or at least similar. Today might be startlingly different from last week, but on the balance of probabilities much will be the same. 

I and my circumstances will probably be much the same. I probably need the same old truths. Reminders are useful for we are forgetful and fickle. The Psalms tell us some of the main things (like the greatness and glory of God) over and over again and that is good for us because we often major on minors. 

Above all, Jesus and his gospel will be the same. 

The same old songs and prayers will probably serve us pretty well as they have served the church for thousands of years. We probably don't need lots of great novelties. Give me samey Psalms everyday! 

In fact, maybe we should have a ban on all new church music until we really have the inspired hymnal under our belts. I jest and exaggerate, but you, know, get to it: Sing Psalms (God, Colossians, towards the end). 

God is not really asking us above all if we found the Psalm fresh and interesting today: he commands us to sing it, so we know what to do - the same as last week: just move on to the next one, that'll be good!