Introduction to the Psalms – Handout
Why are the Psalms different from the
books we have studied so far?
They are a different type of literature – a
different “genre” – it is Hebrew Poetry not
narrative accounts of events in history. The psalms
specifically were set to music using the instruments
of the day to accompany singing to help them be
more memorable.
Poetry intentionally uses emotive and
pictorial language to express the innermost
thoughts of the writer and to seek to stimulate a
response from the reader. It goes beyond
merely having the reader understand certain
facts – it touches the heart.
In English, poetry is often outwardly obvious
to us through the use of repetitive rhythm and
rhyme in the words used to make the underlying
“thought rhyme” more memorable. In Hebrew this
is rarely done so we are forced to concentrate on
the underlying “thought rhyme” more.
Poetry paints “word pictures” by:
a) Using short units of thought in parallel:
1. Repetition in different words – Psalm 19:1/ 24:2
2. Contrast – Psalm 1:6
3. Cause and effect – Psalm 119:11
4. Progression – Psalm 1:1
5. Climax – Psalm 29:1
Acrostics are sometimes used to make the
whole unit more easily memorised (eg Psalm 119).
b) Using figures of speech:
1. Simile – “He shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of waters” (Psalm 1:3)
2. Metaphor – “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Psalm
23:1)
3. Analogy - “He drew me out of deep waters”
(Psalm 18:1)
4. Conscious exaggeration (Hyperbole) – “My tears
have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3)
5. Personification “Lift up your heads, o you gates”
(Psalm 24:7)
Who wrote the psalms?
Their titles often reveal their authors and the
occasion for writing as well as some musical
directions. David is the main author (75 psalms at
least) followed by the sons of Korah and Asaph (11
each), Solomon (Psalm 72 and 127) and Moses
(Psalm 90)
.
What is the structure of Psalms as a book?
It is actually five song books broken up into
1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106 and 107-150. All the
psalms are to be considered individually though
some do have links (eg Psalms 42 and 43) and
many are grouped together by author or for specific
occasions (eg “Songs of ascent” – Psalms 120-134
– for use by pilgrims going to Jerusalem for the
feasts).
The books were probably progressively
compiled and finalised after the re-establishment of
Temple worship at the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
What different types of psalms do we have?
There are many different types with overlaps
between them. The most common are:
a) Laments – over 60 – eg Psalm 3 (individual) and
Psalm 12 (corporate).
b) Praise and thanksgiving to God as Creator
(Psalm 8), Protector (Psalm 149), Lord of history
(Psalms 145-147) etc
c) The instruction of God’s Word (Psalm 119)
e) Wisdom (Psalm 1, 37)
f) Royal (Psalm 2, 18, 20, 21).
Royal psalms are written in praise of or as
prayers for Israel’s kings – the sons of David.
However, in many of them, the king is spoken of in
terms and roles that only David’s greater Son - the
Messiah – could fulfil. This should prompt us to look
carefully for pictures of Jesus Christ in them.
How are we to interpret the Psalms?
a) Look carefully at the underlying message
conveyed by the “word pictures” (and don’t always
take their words literally).
b) Look carefully to see if the Psalm prophetically
pictures the Messiah/Jesus Christ.
c) Work out the underlying teaching principle which
applies, check if this principle has been modified in
the light of the New Testament.
d) Apply the modified principle to our own lives.
The psalms, like all Scriptures, are “Godbreathed” but are primarily words spoken ABOUT
God and TO God by the inspired authors rather
than words spoken FROM God through the authors
(eg the writings of prophets and apostles). They
a) help to guide our worship
a) help us express our thoughts honestly to God
b) help us reflect on and learn about God’s
character and His ways through others’
experience.
Questions for us as we read Psalms 1-30:
1. What have you learnt about God’s character
and actions?
2. What glimpses of Jesus Christ have you seen
in these psalms?