Introduction to the Psalms
The 19th Book of the Bible: Prayers and a Hymnal for Jews and Christians
A collection of 150 prayers, originally sung, that cover the full spectrum of human emotions, from fear of death and pain to joy and worship.
In addition, we find in the Psalms a rich treasure trove of prophetic revelations about the future of Israel, the world, and all of creation.
Many of these point to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, his suffering and death, but also to his future reign as King.
Almost all the themes of the Bible are revisited in the Psalms. That is why Martin Luther called them a “little Bible.”
In the New Testament, we find many quotations from the Book of Psalms; for example, Jesus himself cried out verse 2 of Psalm 22 on the cross at Golgotha: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”—that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Nearly half of the Psalms (73 out of 150) were written by King David, though the entire collection contains songs composed over a period of about 1,000 years.
Psalm 90 was written by Moses even before Israel’s conquest of the land. The later ones, such as those by the Levitical singer Asaph or Psalm 137, date from the time of the Babylonian exile, only after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple.
Other named authors of the Psalms include the Korahites, who were also Levitical singers, King Solomon, and an unknown figure named Ethan.
The word “Psalms” comes from the Greek of the Septuagint (“Psalmoi”) and refers to songs accompanied by a stringed instrument.
In our Christian Bibles, we find the Psalms right in the middle, as the second book of poetic literature, which is also referred to as the Books of Wisdom.
In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, the Psalms are called “Sefer Tehillim,” which in English means “Book of Hymns or Praises.”
Structure of the book of Psalms
The Book of Psalms, often also called the Psalter, was already divided into five separate books in Judaism,
just like the Torah (the five books of Moses).
First Book – Psalms 1 through 41
Second Book – Psalms 42 to 72
Third Book – Psalms 73 to 89
Fourth Book – Psalms 90 to 106
Fifth Book – Psalms 107 to 150
In addition, there are other classifications, for example based on the content of the respective psalm:
“Alphabetical Psalms” — those arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet: Psalms 9; 10; 25; 34; 37; 111; 112; 119; 145
“Penitential Psalms” – these express deep repentance for sins committed – Psalms 6; 25; 32; 38; 39; 40; 51; 102; 130
“Elohist Psalms” — in these, God is referred to as “Elohim,” while other psalms use the name of God YHWH (Yahweh) or its abbreviated form “Yah”—Psalms 42 through 83
“Hallelujah Psalms” – here we find the term “Hallelujah” – praise Yah or praise the Lord – Psalms 111 through 113, 115 through 117, and 146 through 150
“Royal Psalms” – in these, the Messiah (Christ) is described as the King – Psalms 2; 18; 20; 21; 45; 72; 89; 101; 110; 144
“Messianic Psalms” – describe the actions and person of the future Messiah – Psalms 2; 8; 16; 22; 45; 69; 72; 89; 110; 118; 132
“Psalms of Vengeance” – these pray for God’s protection and His vengeance against persecutors – Psalms 35; 52; 58; 59; 69; 109; 137; 140
“Pilgrimage Psalms” – these were sung by pilgrims on their journeys to the festivals in Jerusalem – Psalms 120 through 134
or by theme:
The Great and Small Praises of God – Psalms 111 through 118 and 146 through 150
Trust in God – Psalm 23; 37; 62 and 131
Joy in God’s Word – Psalms 1 and 119
Forgiveness of our sins – Psalms 32; 38; 51 and 130
On sickness and healing – Psalms 6; 30; 32; 38; 88; 102 and 103
Death and Transience – Psalm 39; 49; 73 and 90
God’s Reign – Psalm 47; 93 and 96 through 99
On the History of Israel – Psalm 77; 78; 105; 106; 74; 79; 126 and 137
and much more…