OT Survey IIOT Survey II

The PsalmsThe Psalms

Introductory CommentsIntroductory Comments

The Book of Psalms is the largest and The Book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps the most widely used book perhaps the most widely used book in all of the Bible. in all of the Bible.

The psalms were set to the The psalms were set to the accompaniment of stringed accompaniment of stringed instruments and served as Israel’s instruments and served as Israel’s hymnbook and prayer book, both hymnbook and prayer book, both corporately and individually.corporately and individually.

Title and AuthorsTitle and Authors

The Book of Psalms was collected over time and originally The Book of Psalms was collected over time and originally unnamed, perhaps because of the wide variety of material unnamed, perhaps because of the wide variety of material it contains. it contains.

It came to be known in Hebrew as the “book of praises,” It came to be known in Hebrew as the “book of praises,” an appropriate name since almost every psalm contains an appropriate name since almost every psalm contains some note of praise to God. The Greek term for the title is some note of praise to God. The Greek term for the title is yalmoiyalmoi, which means poems sung to the accompaniment , which means poems sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments.of musical instruments.

Authors of the Psalms include:Authors of the Psalms include: David (73) - Shepherd, musician, king, warriorDavid (73) - Shepherd, musician, king, warrior Asaph (12) - a priest who headed the service of musicAsaph (12) - a priest who headed the service of music Sons of Korah (10) - a guild of singers and composersSons of Korah (10) - a guild of singers and composers Solomon (2) – Israel’s most powerful kingSolomon (2) – Israel’s most powerful king Moses (1) - prince, herdsman, delivererMoses (1) - prince, herdsman, deliverer Heman (1) - a wise manHeman (1) - a wise man Ethan (1) - another wise manEthan (1) - another wise man Anonymous (50) - Some of these are attributed to Ezra.Anonymous (50) - Some of these are attributed to Ezra.

Date and SettingDate and Setting

The Book of Psalms covers a wide range of time, The Book of Psalms covers a wide range of time, from Moses (c. 1410 B.C.) until the post-exilic from Moses (c. 1410 B.C.) until the post-exilic community under Ezra and Nehemiah (c. 430 community under Ezra and Nehemiah (c. 430 B.C.). Most were written during the era of the B.C.). Most were written during the era of the united monarchy (c. 1051-931 B.C.).united monarchy (c. 1051-931 B.C.).

As individual psalms were composed, some were As individual psalms were composed, some were used in Israel’s corporate worship.used in Israel’s corporate worship.

A number of small collections were made first, A number of small collections were made first, then these were composed into the 5 books.then these were composed into the 5 books.

Because the psalms were composed over such a Because the psalms were composed over such a wide span of time, it is important to pay attention wide span of time, it is important to pay attention to the superscriptions when interpreting them.to the superscriptions when interpreting them.

StructureStructure Book 1: Psalms 1 – 41Book 1: Psalms 1 – 41

Introduction and David’s Conflict with Saul.Introduction and David’s Conflict with Saul.

Book 2: Psalms 42 – 72Book 2: Psalms 42 – 72 David’s Reign as KingDavid’s Reign as King

Book 3: Psalms 73 – 89Book 3: Psalms 73 – 89 The Assyrian ExileThe Assyrian Exile

Book 4: Psalms 90 – 106Book 4: Psalms 90 – 106 Reflection on Jerusalem’s DestructionReflection on Jerusalem’s Destruction

Book 5: Psalms 107 – 150Book 5: Psalms 107 – 150 Reflection on the Return to the Land and Concluding Reflection on the Return to the Land and Concluding

PraisesPraises

Note: the major periods of the organization of the Note: the major periods of the organization of the psalms were most likely during the reigns of Kings psalms were most likely during the reigns of Kings David, Solomon, and Hezekiah, and the time of Ezra David, Solomon, and Hezekiah, and the time of Ezra the scribe.the scribe.

Types of PsalmsTypes of Psalms RoyalRoyal – refer to the Davidic king on the throne at the time – refer to the Davidic king on the throne at the time

of the psalm; later applied to Christ by the NT writers (e.g. of the psalm; later applied to Christ by the NT writers (e.g. Pss Pss 22, 110), 110)

LamentLament – a cry to God for help because of trouble that – a cry to God for help because of trouble that either the psalmist or the nation finds itself in (e.g., Ps either the psalmist or the nation finds itself in (e.g., Ps 6060))

TestimonialTestimonial or or PraisePraise – gives honor to God for His character – gives honor to God for His character or for something He has done (e.g., Pss or for something He has done (e.g., Pss 3030, 34)., 34).

PilgrimPilgrim (aka (aka Songs of AscentSongs of Ascent) – sung as the Israelites ) – sung as the Israelites ascended to Jerusalem for the great annual feasts (e.g., Pss ascended to Jerusalem for the great annual feasts (e.g., Pss 120-134; 120-134; 122122).).

ImprecatoryImprecatory – request judgment on wicked men who are – request judgment on wicked men who are enemies of both the writer and God (e.g., Pss enemies of both the writer and God (e.g., Pss 5858, 109). , 109).

PenitentialPenitential – express sorrow over sin; composed mostly by – express sorrow over sin; composed mostly by David (e.g., Pss David (e.g., Pss 3232, 51)., 51).

WisdomWisdom – contrast the lifestyles and destinies of the – contrast the lifestyles and destinies of the righteous and the wicked; seek to help the godly man view righteous and the wicked; seek to help the godly man view life from God’s perspective (e.g., Pss 37, 49, life from God’s perspective (e.g., Pss 37, 49, 7373).).

HistoricalHistorical – reflects upon God’s dealings with the nation of – reflects upon God’s dealings with the nation of Israel (e.g., Pss 78, 105, 106).Israel (e.g., Pss 78, 105, 106).

NatureNature – gives praise to God for His handiwork and power – gives praise to God for His handiwork and power as demonstrated in His creation (e.g., Pss 8, as demonstrated in His creation (e.g., Pss 8, 1919, 104)., 104).

Purpose and MessagePurpose and Message

““There are several kinds of psalms, and they There are several kinds of psalms, and they express different feelings and circumstances. But express different feelings and circumstances. But the common theme is worship--God is worthy of the common theme is worship--God is worthy of all praise because of who He is, what He has all praise because of who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. His goodness extends done, and what He will do. His goodness extends through all time and eternity. The psalms through all time and eternity. The psalms present a very personal response to the person present a very personal response to the person and work of God as they reflect on His program and work of God as they reflect on His program for His people. There is a keen desire to see His for His people. There is a keen desire to see His program fulfilled and His name extolled. Many of program fulfilled and His name extolled. Many of the psalms survey the Word of God and the the psalms survey the Word of God and the attributes of God, especially during difficult times. attributes of God, especially during difficult times. This kind of faith produces confidence in His This kind of faith produces confidence in His power in spite of circumstances” (Wilkinson and power in spite of circumstances” (Wilkinson and Boa, Boa, Talk Thru the BibleTalk Thru the Bible, p. 153). , p. 153).

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