Topical Bible: the Book Of Psalms

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Book of Psalms, often referred to simply as "Psalms," is a collection of religious songs, prayers, and poems found in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is one of the most beloved and frequently read books of Scripture, offering a rich tapestry of human emotion and divine interaction. The Psalms have been a source of comfort, inspiration, and guidance for believers throughout the centuries.

Authorship and Composition

Traditionally, King David is credited with composing many of the Psalms, and he is explicitly named as the author in 73 of them. However, the Psalms are a compilation of works by various authors, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and others. The Psalms were written over a span of several centuries, reflecting the diverse experiences and historical contexts of the Israelite people.

Structure and Organization

The Book of Psalms is divided into five distinct books, mirroring the five books of the Torah. These divisions are as follows:

1. Book I: Psalms 1-41
2. Book II: Psalms 42-72
3. Book III: Psalms 73-89
4. Book IV: Psalms 90-106
5. Book V: Psalms 107-150

Each book concludes with a doxology, a short hymn of praise to God, which serves to unify the collection.

Themes and Content

The Psalms cover a wide range of themes, including worship, praise, lament, thanksgiving, and supplication. They express the full spectrum of human emotions, from deep despair to exuberant joy. Key themes include:

· Worship and Praise: Many Psalms exalt the majesty and holiness of God, calling the faithful to worship. For example, Psalm 100:4-5 declares, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations."

· Lament and Supplication: The Psalms often reflect the struggles and sufferings of life, offering prayers for deliverance and help. Psalm 22:1 poignantly begins, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" capturing the depth of human anguish.

· Thanksgiving: Gratitude for God's provision and deliverance is a recurring theme. Psalm 136:1 states, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever."

· Wisdom and Instruction: Some Psalms provide moral and spiritual guidance, such as Psalm 1:1-2 , which advises, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night."

· Messianic Prophecies: Several Psalms are considered prophetic, pointing to the coming of the Messiah. Psalm 110:1 is often cited in the New Testament: "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.'"

Liturgical and Devotional Use

The Psalms have been integral to Jewish and Christian worship practices. In Judaism, they are recited in daily prayers, during festivals, and on special occasions. In Christianity, the Psalms are used in liturgies, hymns, and personal devotions. They have been set to music by countless composers, enriching the worship experience across denominations.

Theological Significance

The Psalms reveal the character of God as a personal, covenant-keeping deity who is both transcendent and immanent. They emphasize His attributes of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The Psalms also highlight the importance of a personal relationship with God, encouraging believers to trust in His sovereignty and seek His presence in all circumstances.

In summary, the Book of Psalms stands as a timeless testament to the power of prayer and praise, offering believers a profound connection to God through the ages.

ATS Bible Dictionary

the Book Of Psalms

The Hebrew name for this book is TEHILLIM, praises, though many of the psalms are rather elegiac. Most of the psalms have the superscription mizmor, a poem song. This word is rendered in the Septuagint by psalmos, that is, a song sung to music, a lyric poem. The Greek psalterion means a stringed instrument; hence by a metaphor the book of Psalms is called Psalter. For the poetical characteristics of the Psalms, see POETRY.

Classification. 'some writers have classified the psalms according to their poetic character, into odes, elegies, etc. A preferable method is to divide them according to their contents. In this way they have been divided into six classes.

1. Hymns in praise of Jehovah; tehillim in the proper sense. These are directed to Jehovah as the God of all nature and the Creator of the universe, Psalm 8:1-9 104:1-35; as the protector and patron of Israel, Psalm 20:1-9 29:1-11 33:1-22, or of individuals, with thanksgiving for deliverance from evils, Psalm 18:1-50 30:1-12 46:1-47:9; or they refer to the more special attributes of Jehovah, Psalm 90:1-17 139:1-24. These psalms express thoughts of the highest sublimity in respect to God, providence, redemption, etc.

2. Temple hymns; sung at the consecration of the temple, the entrance of the ark, etc., or intended for the temple service, Psalm 24:1-10 132:1-18. So also "pilgrim songs," sung by those who came up to worship in the temple, etc.; as for example, the "songs of degrees," Psalm 120:1-7, etc. See DEGREES, PSALMS OF.

3. Religious and moral songs of a general character; containing the poetical expression of emotions and feelings, and therefore subjective: as for example, confidence in God, Psalm 23:1-6 62:1-12 125:1-5; devotedness to God, Psalm 16:1-11; longing for the worship of the temple, Psalm 42:1-43:5; prayers for the forgiveness of sin, etc. To this class belong the seven penitential psalms, as they are termed, Psalm 6:1-10 25:1-22 32:1-11 35:1-28 38:1-22 51:1-19 130:1-8. Also didactic song; the poetical expression of some truth, maxim, etc., Psalm 1:1-6 15:1-5 32:1-11 34:1-22 50:1-23 128:1-6, etc. This is a numerous class.

4. Elegiac psalms, that is, lamentations, psalms of complaint, generally united with prayer for help.

5. Messianic psalms, as Psalm 3:1-8 22:1-31 45:1-17 69:1-36 72:1-20 110:1-7, etc.

6. Historical psalms, in which the ancient history manner, Psalm 78:1-72 105:1-45 106:1-48 114:1-8.

But it is impossible to form any perfect arrangement, because some psalms belong in part to two or more different classes. Besides the proper Messianic psalms, predictions of the Messiah are widely scattered through this book, and the attention of the devout reader is continually attracted by passages foretelling His character and His works. Not a few of these are alluded to in the New Testament; and it is unquestionable that the language and structure of many others not quoted were intended to bear witness to the Son of God. David himself was an eminent type of the Savior, and many events of his life shadowed forth his son and Lord. The mention of these in the inspired writings is not undesigned; the recorded trials and victories of David find in their reference to the Messiah their highest claim to a place in the sacred writings. Lord Bacon has remarked that many prophetic passages in the Old Testament are "of the nature of their Author, to whom a thousand years are as one day; and therefore they are not fulfilled punctually at once, but have springing and germinant accomplishment through many ages, though the height or fullness of them may refer to some one age."

Inscriptions'With the exception of twenty-five psalms, hence called orphan psalms, all the rest have inscriptions of various kinds. They refer to the author, the occasion, different kinds of song, the melody or rhythm, the instrumental accompaniment, the choir who shall perform, etc. These are mostly very obscure, because the music and musical instruments of the Hebrews are almost unknown to us. They are of very high antiquity, if not as old as the psalms themselves; and in the Hebrew are not detached from the psalms, as in modern translations. They appear with numerous variations in the ancient Greek and Syriac versions. Many words in these inscriptions remain untranslated, and can only be conjecturally interpreted. See HIGGAION, MASCHIL, etc.

Authors and age of the Psalms. -To David are assigned seventythree psalms in the Hebrew, and in the Septuagint eleven more. Psalm 90:1-17 is ascribed to Moses. As to the authorship of the other psalms, much diversity of opinion has prevailed among biblical critics.

The whole collection of the Psalms appears to have first existed in five books, after the example, perhaps, of the Pentateuch. Each book closes with a doxology.

One psalm occurs twice, Psalm 14:1-7; compare Psalm 53:1-6. Some occur as parts of other psalms; as for example, Psalm 70:1-5 forms also a part of Psalm 40:1-17. So also some psalms are repeated from other books of Scripture; thus Psalm 18:1-31 2 Samuel 22:1-51. The final arrangement of the whole is generally referred to Ezra, 450 B. C.

These invaluable sacred songs exhibit the sublimest conceptions of God, as the creator, preserver, and governor of the universe; to say nothing of the prophetical character of many of them, and their relation to the Messiah and the great plan of man's redemption. They present us with the most perfect models of child-like resignation and devotedness, of unwavering faith and confidence in God. They are an inspired epitome of the Bible, for purposes of devotion; and are peculiarly dear to the people of God, as expressing every phase of religious experience. Luther, in his prefaces to the Psalter, has the following beautiful language; "Where canst thou find nobler words of joy, than in the psalms of praise and thanksgiving- There thou mayest look into the hearts of all good men, as into beautiful and pleasant gardens, yea, as into heaven itself. How do grateful and fine and charming blossoms spring up there from every kind of pleasing and rejoicing thoughts towards God and his goodness! Again, where canst thou find more deep or mournful words of sorrow, than in the psalms of lamentation and woe- There thou mayest look again into the hearts of all good men, as upon death, yea, as if into hell. How dark and gloomy is it there, from anxious and troubled views of the wrath of God! I hold, however, that no better or finer book of models, or legends of saints and martyrs, has existed, or can exist on earth, than the Psalter. For we find here, not alone what one or two saints have done, but what the Head of all saints has done, and what all holy men still do; in what attitude they stand towards God and towards their friends and enemies; and how they conduct themselves in all dangers and sufferings. And besides this, all sorts of divine doctrines and precepts are contained in it. Hence it is that the Psalter is The Book of all good men; and every one, whatever his circumstances may be, finds in it psalms and words suited to his circumstances, and which are to him just as if they had been put there on his very account, and in such a way that; he himself could not have made or found or wished for better."

In Luke 24:44, the word "psalms" denotes one of the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible, the Hagiographa or devotional writings. See BIBLE. With regard to alphabetical psalms and psalms of degrees, see DEGREES, PSALMS OF, and LETTERS.

Greek

5568. psalmos -- a striking (of musical strings), a psalm
... Masculine Transliteration: psalmos Phonetic Spelling: (psal-mos') Short Definition:
a psalm Definition: a psalm, song of praise, the Hebrew book of Psalms. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5568.htm - 7k

Library

Exposition on the Book of Psalms
Exposition on the Book of Psalms. <. Exposition on the Book of Psalms St.
Augustine. Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/

Exposition on the Book of Psalms
Exposition on the Book of Psalms. <. ... ST. AUGUSTIN: EXPOSITIONS ON THE BOOK
OF PSALMS. TRANSLATED, WITH NOTES AND INDICES. T&T CLARK. EDINBURGH. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/title page.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... 1. The book of Psalms contains new doctrine after the law which was given by Moses;
and thus it is the second book of doctrine after the Scripture of Moses. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

The Twenty-Second Psalm.
... The book of Psalms, so rich and full of Himself, so inexhaustible in description
of our ever blessed Lord, is divided into five books, which correspond to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the twenty-second psalm.htm