Psalms(hymn)
Summary
The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 sacred songs and prayers, the hymnbook of ancient Israel, expressing the full range of human emotion in worship—from lament to praise, from confession to thanksgiving—and containing some of Scripture's clearest Messianic prophecies.
☩Title and Names
The Hebrew title *Tehillim* (תְּהִלִּים) means 'praises' or 'hymns,' though only Psalm 145 bears this specific designation in its superscription. The Greek Septuagint titled the collection *Psalmoi* ('psalms'), from which the English name derives, indicating songs accompanied by stringed instruments. Another term, *mizmor*, applied to 57 psalms, designates a rhythmical composition intended for musical performance. Various other Hebrew terms appear in superscriptions: *shir* ('song'), *maskil* ('instruction' or 'homily'), *miktam* ('private memorial'), and *tephillah* ('prayer'). Though called 'praises,' many psalms are lamentations and prayers, yet all have as their design the glorification of God.
☩Division and Structure
The Psalter is divided in the Hebrew Bible into five books, each ending with a doxology: Book I (Psalms 1-41), Book II (Psalms 42-72), Book III (Psalms 73-89), Book IV (Psalms 90-106), and Book V (Psalms 107-150). This fivefold division, attested by the Septuagint, is generally believed to correspond to the five books of the Pentateuch, forming a 'poetical Pentateuch.' The division bears marks of being original rather than arbitrary: why should conformity to the Pentateuch be desired in Psalms but not in Proverbs or the Prophets? Book I is entirely Davidic; the later books incorporate collections from the sons of Korah, Asaph, and anonymous authors. The total of 150 psalms was recognized by all ancient authorities.
☩Authorship and Compilation
David is called 'the sweet psalmist of Israel' (2 Samuel 23:1) and is traditionally credited as the primary author. Seventy-three psalms bear his name in their superscriptions, though the meaning of the Hebrew preposition *le* ('of' or 'to' David) is debated. Other attributed authors include Moses (Psalm 90), Solomon (Psalms 72, 127), the sons of Korah (Psalms 42-49, 84-85, 87-88), and Asaph (Psalms 50, 73-83). The final compilation likely occurred in post-exilic times, around 450 BC under Ezra and his contemporaries, as Psalm 126 was evidently composed at the building of the second Temple. The superscriptions, though sometimes obscure, are very ancient—the Septuagint translators did not understand many of them, indicating their pre-200 BC antiquity.
☩Christ and the Psalms
The Psalms held special significance for Jesus, who quoted them more than any other Old Testament book. He declared that all things written in the Psalms concerning Him must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). The influence of the Psalter upon Jesus was profound: He used Psalm 22 on the cross ('My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'), Psalm 31:5 in His final breath ('Into thy hands I commit my spirit'), and many others throughout His ministry. He was attracted by psalms breathing quiet confidence in God: 'Thou art my God; my times are in thy hand' (Psalm 31:15). Many psalms are directly Messianic, prophesying Christ's sufferings and glory (Psalms 2, 16, 22, 45, 69, 110), while others express the spirit He would embody.
☩Use in Worship
The Psalms were used in the Temple worship from ancient times, with the Levites singing them accompanied by musical instruments (1 Chronicles 16:4-9, 2 Chronicles 5:12-13). Specific psalms were assigned to particular days and festivals: Psalm 92 for the Sabbath, and the 'Hallel' collection (Psalms 113-118) for Passover and other feasts. The early Christian church continued using the Psalms, as indicated in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. They remain central to Christian worship today, providing language for praise, prayer, confession, and thanksgiving. As the Book of Common Prayer tradition recognized, no other portion of Scripture so comprehensively expresses the soul's converse with God in every circumstance of life.
Related Verses153 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Psalms, Book Of," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Psalms, Book of," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Psalms," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.George Morrish, "Psalms," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Psalms, Book of," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. IX (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 6.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Psalms," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).