Final answer:
The five elements in most Psalms of lament are complaint, plea, confession of trust, request for help, and praise. These are reflected in the structure of the Psalms and depicted in visual arts, as illustrated in the Paris Psalter, with each Psalm having a unique visual interpretation that also relates to Christological themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The five elements found in most Psalms of lament are complaint, plea, confession of trust, request for help, and praise. These components help convey the psalmist's emotions and thoughts, delivering a structured approach to addressing their sorrows and showcasing their unwavering faith.
For example, the Psalmist may start with a direct complaint about their troubles, which is then often followed by a plea to God for attention and intervention. Amidst these grievances, the psalmist expresses a deep confession of trust in God, illustrating their unwavering faith. A request for help is then made, wherein the Psalmist asks for deliverance from their situation. The final element is an expression of praise, signifying anticipation of God's assistance or gratefulness for past help, and acknowledging God's greatness despite current difficulties.
In the context of the Psalms illustrated in the Paris Psalter, each Psalm was depicted with visual elements that might reflect these components of lament, alongside Christian interpretations linked to Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This is evident in the representation of Psalm 15(16):5 as mentioned by Kathleen Doyle, where the man's actions symbolize the text "the Lord is my inheritance and my cup".