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Introductory Comments
The book of Psalms is the longest book of the Bible, with 150 “chapters”—more properly called “psalms” or “songs.” Psalms is divided into five books:
Book 1: Psalms 1-41
Book 2: Psalms 42-72
Book 3: Psalms 73-89
Book 4: Psalms 90-106
Book 5: Psalms 107-150
It is uncertain why Psalms is divided into five books. Some sources, including Jewish Midrash traditions, suggest the five-fold division is based on the five books of the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy). The division of the Psalms is not based on authorship or chronology, as several authors composed Psalms, and their individual songs are mixed throughout the various collections.
David is listed as the author of 73 psalms, Asaph of 12, and the sons of Korah of 11. Other psalms were written by Solomon, Heman the Ezrahite, Ethan the Ezrahite, and Moses (Psalm 90). The earliest extant copy of Psalms is from the Dead Sea Scrolls from about the first century CE. That copy shows that the division into five books extends to at least that time and certainly earlier.
It is most likely that Ezra and/or other Jewish religious leaders compiled the Psalms into their existing order during Ezra’s lifetime in the fourth century BCE. Interestingly, the Psalms was one of the most popular writings among the Dead Sea Scrolls, with thirty scrolls of all or parts of the book included. Overall, Psalms is the book of the Old Testament with the most Hebrew manuscripts available for research, indicating its enduring popularity among both Jews and Christians.
Each of these five books or sections of Psalms ends with a doxology or a song of praise. The final verse of each concluding psalm includes either “Praise Yehovah!” or “Amen.” For example, the final verse of Psalm 41 ends this way: “Praise be to Yehovah, the God of Israel, / from everlasting to everlasting. / Amen and Amen.” Psalm 150, the final psalm, serves as the fitting final doxology, concluding with the words, “Let everything that has breath praise Yehovah. / Praise Yehovah.”
Titled Psalms
A number of the psalms have a title included as part of the text. Here is an index to psalms by their title.
Introduction to Psalms
from
Faithlife Study Bible
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The book of Psalms in modern Protestant Bibles includes 150 poetic compositions meant to be sung or spoken by God’s people. The psalms are directed at Yahweh as listener and are intended to express the full range of human emotion for various individual and group settings, such as praise, thanksgiving, petition, and lament. Psalms was Israel’s book of worship and is meant to guide God’s people from generation to generation.
Background
The English title Psalms comes from the Greek word psalmos—the name for the book in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT). The psalms were collected over a long period and written by different people. Many include a heading, with the most common being translated as “of David.” While this could indicate that David is the author of these psalms, the original Hebrew text is ambiguous; these psalms could have been written about, to, for, or in honor of David.
Outside of these tributes to specific moments in Israel’s history (at the beginning of some psalms), the psalms rarely mention a specific occasion affiliated with their composition. Instead, the psalms’ language is open-ended, reflecting their intended ongoing use in the community—in worship gatherings, coronations, festivals, and as individual prayers. Many psalms mention the specific liturgies or rituals in which they were to be used, and many contain clues that indicate they were likely used at the temple or for particular processions and sacrifices. The inclusion of musical terms in some psalms suggests that many were performed with musical accompaniment and even with particular instruments.
The titles and content of the psalms shows that they were an ongoing part of Israel’s history. There are many that likely date to the united monarchy under David and Solomon (10th century BC), and some of the earliest psalms could date to the time of Moses (15th or 13th century BC; see Psa 90). There are also some that date to the Babylonian exile or a little later (sixth century BC; see Psa 137).
Various groupings within the Psalter indicate that there were collections of psalms in existence prior to the current form of the collection—such as the psalms of the sons of Korah (Pss 42–49; 84–85; 87–88), the prayers of David (72:20), and the Songs of Ascents (Pss 120–134). By the time of the Dead Sea Scrolls (circa 250 BC–AD 50), Psalms as a collection had become part of one scroll, but the Psalms manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls show that the precise order and extent of the collection was still in flux. Jesus refers generally to “the Psalms,” showing the authority of the collection in the first century AD (Luke 24:44).
Structure
The psalms are often deeply personal and are intentionally crafted literary works, not impromptu expressions. The majority of the psalms reflect ancient poetic conventions, including intricate structures and literary allusions.
As a whole, Psalms functions as an ancient book of prayers and hymns, with different kinds of songs or poetic compositions for different occasions. Liturgies were used for festivals in ancient Israel, such as Passover and the Feast of Weeks. Royal psalms celebrated the king’s coronation, while other psalms honored God’s kingship. There were songs of thanksgiving, as well as two kinds of laments—for individuals and for the community. Some psalms were written to be sung on pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and others were intended to celebrate Yahweh’s presence in Jerusalem. Many of the psalms recall Yahweh’s gracious actions toward Israel throughout its history, and some look forward to God’s messiah—finding their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
Psalms is organized into five sections called “books.” These probably were intended to mirror the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These main sections contain smaller groupings of psalms, such as the Songs of Ascents (Pss 120–134).
Outline
• Book One (1–41)
• Book Two (42–72)
• Book Three (73–89)
• Book Four (90–106)
• Book Five (107–150)
Themes
The psalms provide patterns of praise, worship, and lament for God’s people from generation to generation. As communal prayers, the psalms show worshipers how to articulate joyful praise and distressed cries—serving to teach believers and provide words for them to express their feelings to Yahweh. Hymns and temple liturgies prepare Yahweh’s followers to experience the presence of the cosmic king. Laments implore Yahweh for compassion. Petitions plead with Him to intervene in the world. These motifs illustrate the character of Yahweh, who involves Himself in the messiness of human affairs and acts mightily on His people’s behalf.
The psalms directly address Yahweh while conveying truths about Him. No matter what we’re experiencing, these ancient compositions provide us with powerful words, inviting us to pour out our hearts before the God of the universe.
Source: John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar, Faithlife Study Bible, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016).
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ANXIOUSLY WATCHING FOR MASHIACH’S RETURN,
SPEEDILY AND IN OUR DAY. MARANA, TA!
