PSALMS
Psalms is the largest book in the Old Testament and the
one most often quoted in the New Testament.
It was both the hymnal and the
devotional guide for Jewish believers.
When the collection of Psalms was
brought together as one the Hebrew title
for the collection was Tehillim, meaning
“praises” or “praise songs.” The Greek
translators gave it the title “Psalmoi,”
meaning “songs to the accompaniment of
a stringed instrument.” This was the title
used in the days of Jesus (see Acts 1:20).
PSALMS
Psalms was the inspired prayer and praise Book of the
nation of Israel in their temple worship; the Jews today
use them in the synagogue; the Christians of the New
Testament times sang them, and all denominations of
Christendom use them today.
Most of the psalms were written during the era of the
united monarchy (the foundational books of 2 Samuel
and 1 Kings).
The Psalms cover a thousand years of history from Moses
(1500 B.C.) to the post exile times (500 B.C.); however,
most were written in the hundred-year period from 1030930 B.C.
PSALMS
Hebrew poetry doesn’t have rhyme or rhythm. It’s
unique characteristic is repetition of thought, called
parallelism. The poet will make a statement in
one line, then in a second and perhaps a third like he’ll
repeat the thought, extend it, or contrast it with an
opposite idea.
For example, Psalm 51 is a prayer of confession after
committing adultery with Bathsheba. In verse 7, the
second line repeats the thought of the first one:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Authorship
Psalms was written by many men spanning all the
periods of Old Testament history.
Psalms is commonly called “The Book of David”
because he wrote a large number of them.
Other songs are attributed to Moses, Solomon, Asaph
(David’s levitical choir director), the Sons of Korah,
Heman the Ezrahite, and Ethan the Ezrahite.
Both Heman and Ethan were reknown for their
wisdom.
Authorship
A Classification of the Psalms by authors
Author
How
many?
Which Psalm(s)?
David
73
3-9; 11-32; 34-41; 51-65; 68-70; 86; 101;
103; 108-110; 122; 124; 131; 133; 138-145)
Asaph (David’s choir
leader at
Jerusalem)
12
50; 73-83
Descendants of
Korah
10
42; 44-49; 84-85; 87
Solomon
2
72; 127
Ethan
1
89
Heman
1
88
Moses
1
90
Anonymous
50
There is reason to think David wrote some
of these; example Psalm 2 is ascribed to
David in Acts 4:25
The Psalms, like the other Old Testament books, may be
viewed as having three divine purposes in mind:
HISTORICAL PURPOSE
The Psalms served a national function for they comprised the worship
service hymnal which was the medium of prayer and praise for the
Temple-centered religion of the Jewish people.
The following examples can be studied to give insight into the historical
period from which they come, or about which they were written:
Patriarchal period
Psalm 110, a psalm of David about this period
Theocratic period
Psalm 90 (see also 42, 87 by the sons of Korah)
Monarchical period
David as shepherd (23); as fugitive (7, 11, 18, 34, 54); as
king (24); as sinner (32, 51); as dethroned (3, 4); Solomon
(72, 127)
Exilic period
After destruction of Temple (74,79); after arrival of
Babylon (137)
Post-exilic period
Upon return to the land (126); at the dedication of the
rebuilt Temple (147)
DOCTRINAL PURPOSE
All the great doctrines of the Old Testament are taught in the Psalms, especially
the doctrine of God. Perhaps the easiest way to summarize the great teachings
of the Psalms is to refer to the topics of the five sections to which it is divided.
Each section ends with a doxology of praise, and the last section has six chapters
of doxology: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”
BOOK 1
Psalms 1-41
BOOK 2
Psalms 42-72
BOOK 3
Psalms 73-89
BOOK 4
Psalms 90106 (Psalms
BOOK 5
Psalms 107150 (Psalms
(Psalms about
man and
creation;
corresponds to
Genesis)
(Psalms about
Israel and
redemptionExodus)
(Psalms about
worship and the
TempleLeviticus)
about our
sojourn on
earthNumbers)
about praise and
the Word of GodDeuteronomy)
Doxology at-
41:13
72:18-19
89:52
106:48
150:6
Worship
Theme
Adoring
Worship
Wondrous
Worship
Ceaseless
Worship
Submissive
Worship
Perfected
Worship
Likeness to
the
Pentateuch
Genesis;
Israel; Man
Exodus; Israel;
Deliverance
Leviticus;
Sanctuary
Numbers;
Moses and
Wilderness
Deuteronomy;
Authors
Mainly
David’s
Mainly David’s
and Korah’s
Mainly
Asaph’s
Mainly
anonymous
Mainly
David’s
Law and Land
CHRISTOLOGICAL PURPOSE
Psalms is perhaps the most messianic book in the Old Testament.
Practically the whole of Christ’s life and ministry can be found there.
The use of the Psalms by our Lord is a most instructive commendation of
this great book. The following summary indicates how influential the
Psalms were in the life of Christ:
• During His childhood (Luke 2:49), Jesus revealed knowledge of Ps. 26:8; 27:4.
• In the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:35; 7:23) He quoted Ps. 48:2 and 6:8.
• In teaching the multitude (Mt. 13:35) He cited Ps. 78:2.
•
In cleansing the Temple (Mt. 21:16) He quoted from Ps. 8:2.
• In His reply to the priests (Mt. 21:42) Jesus cited Ps. 118:22, 23.
• In weeping over Jerusalem (Mt. 23:37) Jesus borrowed language from Ps. 91:4
• In answering the Jews (john 10:34) He quoted Ps. 82:6.
• At the Last Supper (Mt. 26:30) Jesus probably sang the Hallel found in Ps. 136.
• On the cross Jesus quoted the Psalms twice: Psalm 22:1: “My God, why hast thou
forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46), and Psalm 31:5: “Into thy hand I commit my spirit”
(Luke 23:46).
• After the resurrection Jesus referred to the whole Book of Psalms with its
messianic contents (Luke 24:44).
The Principle Messianic Psalms are: 2, 8, 16, 20, 21,22, 23,
24, 31, 35, 40, 41, 45, 50, 55, 61, 68, 69, 72, 89, 97, 98,
102, 109, 110, 118, and 132
Messianic Psalms prophetically speak of the Person and
work of the Messiah.
In these Psalms, we have Christ’s birth, betrayal, agony,
death, resurrection, ascension, coming again in glory and
His reign – all pictured with inspired vividness.
Many other examples could be given, including:
• The piercing of His hands and feet (Psalm
22:16),
• The fact that His bones were not broken on
the cross (Psalm 34:20),
• His being mocked while on the cross (Psalm
22:7, 8),
• The offer of vinegar (Psalm 69:21),
•And His being the object of the hatred of
both Jew and Gentile (Psalm 2:1, 2).
Each of these verses should be read and studied in order to
see the extensive Christological emphasis of the Psalms.
The New Testament applies many citations from the
Psalms to its teachings about the Person and life of Christ.
Teaching
Psalm
New Testament Reference
1. Birth
104
Hebrews 1:7
2. Humiliation
8:4
Hebrews 2:6
3. Deity
45:6
Hebrews 1:8
4. Ministry
69:9
John 2:17
5. Rejection
118:22
Matthew 21:42
6. Betrayal
41:9
John 13:18
22
Matthew 27:46
2 and 16
Acts 2:27
9. Ascension
68:18
Ephesians 4:8
10. Reign
102:26
Hebrews 1:11
7. Crucifixion
8. Resurrection
Not all the Psalms are prophetic or messianic. There are other kinds
as well. Here is a topical classification of the Psalms:
Classification
Prophetic Psalms
Praise Psalms
Petition Psalms
Penitence Psalms
Pastoral Psalms
Description
The life of Christ is either depicted or predicted; cited in the New
Testament in reference to the life and ministry of our Lord (e.g., 22)
Each of the 5 divisions ends with a psalm of praise; the last section ends
with 5 psalms of praise; a final doxology for the whole Book of Psalms:
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised…” (final doxology: 150)
Pleas for God for help; requests for deliverance (e.g., 6:4; 16:1; 39:12)
Sorrowing over sin; Confessions of sin (e.g., 32, 51)
A Psalm of God’s care for His people as a shepherd for his flock (e.g., 23)
Precept Psalm
Precepts for man’s spiritual and moral life; ethical advice (e.g., 37)
Prayer Psalms
The soul in communion with God; heart cry of the Christian (e.g., 17)
Profession
Psalms
Professions to others of the gracious and mighty works of God on behalf
of the believer (e.g., 33:1; 107:2; 103:1,2)
Patriotic Psalms
Psalms that reflect a theocratic patriotism to God by God’s covenant
people, the children of Israel (e.g., 126)
Pilgrim/Pilgrimage
Psalms
Served to pass the time in joyful praise as the children of Israel
journeyed along (e.g., 120-134)
Other classifications include:
Classification
Lament Psalms
Testimonial
Psalms
Description
Also called “Petition Psalms” because they are pleas for God for
help; requests for deliverance (e.g., 6:4; 16:1; 39:12)
Also called “Profession Psalms” because they tell the mighty
works of God on behalf of the believer; how God met a need
(e.g., 30, 34)
Wisdom Psalms
Also called “Precept Psalms” because they give guidelines to
godly people living in this ungodly world (e.g., 37, 73, 6:4; 16:1;
39:12)
Historical
Psalms
Also called “Patriotic Psalms” because the writer looks back on
God’s dealings with the nation of Israel (e.g., 78, 105, 106)
Nature Psalms
Also may fit under “Praise Psalms.” The writer is inspired to
praise the handiwork of God in His creative work, and praise His
greatness, goodness, and power. (e.g., 8, 19)
Imprecatory
Psalms
These are psalms that ask for judgment on wicked men who are
enemies of the writer. These wicked men haven’t just offended
the author but also God who is holy (e.g., 58, 109, 35, 69, 137)
DID YOU KNOW ?
The shortest chapter in the Bible, also the middle chapter,
is Psalm 117. It has only two verses.
The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, with a
whopping 176 verses. This poem is so long because it’s an
acrostic built on the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The
poem has 22 eight-verse sections. The first section starts
with the first Hebrew letter, “Aleph.” The second section
starts with the next letter, “Beth.” And on it goes, clear
through the alphabet. Twenty-two times 8 equals 176.
The middle verse in the Bible is this one:
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord that to trust in man”
(118:8).
DID YOU KNOW ?
Many Psalms include musical terminology.
Here are some definitions of musical terms:
Musical Term
Definition
Psalm(s)
Alamoth
Female voice or a stringed instrument
46
Gittith
Wine press or vintage song
8, 81, 84
Jeduthun
A choir leader in David’s day
39, 77
Mismor
To pluck an instrument, pizzicato
Neginoth
A stringed instrument
4, 5, 54, 55,
61, 67, 76
Nehiloth
A wind instrument
5
Selah
A musical interlude which some take as a
pause for meditation
Sheminith
An eighth octave; male voices
6
Shiggayon
Wandering or irregular music
7
Tehillah
Praise
145
Tephillah
Prayer
TO WHOM WERE THE PSALMS WRITTEN?
The Psalms in one sense are the most universal of all the
Hebrew literature.
They speak to ALL men, in ALL conditions, and for ALL time.
The original destination of the Psalms, however, is determined
by the period in which each was written.
Some Psalms were written to the Israelites wandering in the
wilderness (90), some to a monarch in regal rejoicing (24),
some to sad exiles (137), and still others to the jubilant
repatriated remnant (126, 147).
Yet, when we read these words of anger, sadness, hope, and
praise, they become our own, for they reflect our deepest, and
sometimes most private, emotions.
There is probably no situation of life that some psalm does not
directly address.
You hear the words as someone reads to a dying loved one, or
perhaps as a minister comforts the family beside the grave.
These words we also say to express our deep trust in God:
Psalm 23: 1-4
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's
sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for
thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
We use the words in Psalm 8 to give praise to God for His
awesome creation and express dismay that He would care
for us and entrust such majesty to human beings, such as
us:
As David’s prayer of confession in Psalm 51, verse 10, we
may find ourselves with a contrite heart and repentant
spirit expressing his same words:
In a private passionate prayer for help, expressing deep
sorrow because we feel cut off from God, or in a
desperate longing to be in His presence and draw from His
Spirit, we pray from Psalm 42:
As the deer pants for
streams of water,
so my soul pants for
you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for
God, for the living
God.
When can I go and
meet with God?
3 My tears have been
my food day and
night,
while people say to
me all day long,
“Where is your
God?”
We sing and praise God for His ability to protect us, no
matter what the odds. When suffering comes, He is still in
control and will help in ways that men can’t fully
understand. Psalm 91 expresses our praise: