PSALMSPSALMS

The Hymnbook of GodThe Hymnbook of God

Date of WritingDate of Writing The oldest psalm in the collection is probably the prayer of The oldest psalm in the collection is probably the prayer of

Moses (90), a reflection on the frailty of man as compared to Moses (90), a reflection on the frailty of man as compared to the eternity of God. The latest psalm is probably (137), a the eternity of God. The latest psalm is probably (137), a song of lament clearly written during the days when the song of lament clearly written during the days when the Hebrews were being held captive by the Babylonians, from Hebrews were being held captive by the Babylonians, from about 586 to 538 B.C.about 586 to 538 B.C.

It is clear that the 150 individual psalms were written by It is clear that the 150 individual psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They must have been compiled and put in Israel's history. They must have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

Purpose of WritingPurpose of Writing

The Book of Psalms is the longest book in The Book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, with 150 individual psalms. It is the Bible, with 150 individual psalms. It is also one of the most diverse, since the also one of the most diverse, since the psalms deal with such subjects as God psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.coming of the Messiah.

Brief SummaryBrief Summary

The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper's poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper's thoughts on God in praise and adoration. Parts thoughts on God in praise and adoration. Parts of this book were used as a hymnal in the of this book were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel. The musical worship services of ancient Israel. The musical heritage of the psalms is demonstrated by its heritage of the psalms is demonstrated by its title. It comes from a Greek word which means title. It comes from a Greek word which means "a song sung to the accompaniment of a musical "a song sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument."instrument."

AuthorAuthor The brief descriptions that introduce the psalms have David The brief descriptions that introduce the psalms have David

listed as author in 73 instances. listed as author in 73 instances. While it is clear that David wrote many of the individual While it is clear that David wrote many of the individual

psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire collection. collection.

Two of the psalms (72) and (127) are attributed to Solomon, Two of the psalms (72) and (127) are attributed to Solomon, David's son and successor. Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned David's son and successor. Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned to Moses. to Moses.

Another group of 12 psalms (50) and (73—83) is ascribed to Another group of 12 psalms (50) and (73—83) is ascribed to the family of Asaph. the family of Asaph.

The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85,87-The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85,87-88). Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman, while (89) is assigned 88). Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman, while (89) is assigned to Ethan the Ezrahite. With the exception of Solomon and to Ethan the Ezrahite. With the exception of Solomon and Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David's reign. Fifty of the psalms designate worship during David's reign. Fifty of the psalms designate no specific person as author.no specific person as author.

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Chapters 1-41

Chapters 42-72

Chapters 73-89

Chapters 90-106

Chapters 107-150

Mostly written by David

Mostly by Asaph

Mostly anonymous

Mostly by David

Structure of the Psalms

How blessed is the man who does not... Walk... In the

counsel... Of the wicked

Stand... In the path... Of sinners

Sit... In the seat... Of scoffers

PSALM 1

Psalm 2:1-2Psalm 2:1-2Why are the nations in an uproar,Why are the nations in an uproar,

And the peoples devising a vain thing?And the peoples devising a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take their stand,The kings of the earth take their stand,

And the rulers take counsel togetherAnd the rulers take counsel together

Against the LORD and against His Against the LORD and against His Anointed.Anointed.

Psalm 2:6-7Psalm 2:6-766 But as for Me, I have installed My But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, King Upon Zion,

My holy mountain."My holy mountain."

77 I will surely tell of the decree of the I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: LORD:

He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son,

Today I have begotten Thee.Today I have begotten Thee.

Psalm 2:8-9Psalm 2:8-988 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, nations as Thine inheritance,

And the very ends of the earth as Thy And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.possession.

99 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, iron,

Thou shalt shatter them like Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'"earthenware.'"

Psalm 22-24Psalm 22-24

Psalm 22. The Suffering ServantPsalm 22. The Suffering ServantPsalm 23. The Good ShepherdPsalm 23. The Good ShepherdPsalm 24. The Sovereign KingPsalm 24. The Sovereign King

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Chapters 1-41

Chapters 42-72

Chapters 73-89

Chapters 90-106

Chapters 107-150

Mostly written by David

Mostly by Asaph

Mostly anonymous

Mostly by David

The title Elohim is used much morethan is the name Yahweh

Psalm 42:1-3Psalm 42:1-311 As the deer pants for the water brooks, As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for Thee, O God.So my soul pants for Thee, O God.

22 My soul thirsts for God, for the living My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; God;

When shall I come and appear before When shall I come and appear before God?God?

33 My tears have been my food day and My tears have been my food day and night,night,

While they say to me all day long,While they say to me all day long,

"Where is your God?""Where is your God?"

Psalm 42:4Psalm 42:4These things I remember, and I pour out These things I remember, and I pour out my soul within me.my soul within me.

For I used to go along with the throng For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the and lead them in procession to the house of God,house of God,

With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.multitude keeping festival.

• You cannot rest on yesterday’s experiences• Mutual support & encouragement

Psalm 42:5Psalm 42:5Why are you in despair, O my soul?Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed And why have you become disturbed within me?within me?

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him

For the help of His presence.For the help of His presence.

Psalm 45:1Psalm 45:1For the choir director; according to the For the choir director; according to the Shoshannim.Shoshannim.

A Maskil of the sons of Korah.A Maskil of the sons of Korah.

A Song of Love.A Song of Love.

My heart overflows with a good theme;My heart overflows with a good theme;

I address my verses to the King;I address my verses to the King;

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 45:7-8Psalm 45:7-877 Thou hast loved righteousness, and Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; hated wickedness;

Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee With the oil of joy above Thy Thee With the oil of joy above Thy fellows.fellows.

88 All Thy garments are fragrant with All Thy garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; myrrh and aloes and cassia;

Out of ivory palaces stringed Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made Thee glad.instruments have made Thee glad.

Prayer forindividual

restoration (1-2)

Prayer fornational

restoration (18-19)

Confession(3-6)

Thanksgiving(3-6)

Prayer for Restoration• Cleansing from sin (7-9)• Inward renewal (10-12)

PSALM 51

Psalm 52-59Psalm 52-59

David’s flight from Saul

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59

Maskils of DavidMikhtams of

David

“Meditation” “Golden Prayer”

Psalm 57:1Psalm 57:1For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth.For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth.

A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.Saul, in the cave.

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,me,

For my soul takes refuge in Thee;For my soul takes refuge in Thee;

And in the shadow of Thy wings I will And in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge,take refuge,

Until destruction passes by Until destruction passes by

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Chapters 1-41

Chapters 42-72

Chapters 73-89

Chapters 90-106

Chapters 107-150

Mostly written by David

Mostly by Asaph

Mostly anonymous

Mostly by David

Focus upon Israel, Jerusalem andthe Temple

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Chapters 1-41

Chapters 42-72

Chapters 73-89

Chapters 90-106

Chapters 107-150

Mostly written by David

Mostly by Asaph

Mostly anonymous

Mostly by David

An exclusive use of Yahweh

Psalm 90:1Psalm 90:1A Prayer of Moses the man of God. A Prayer of Moses the man of God.

11 Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.place in all generations.

22 Before the mountains were born, Before the mountains were born,

Or Thou didst give birth to the earth Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world,and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, Even from everlasting to everlasting,

Thou art God.Thou art God.

Psalm 92:1-2Psalm 92:1-211 A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day. A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

And to sing praises to Thy name,And to sing praises to Thy name,

O Most High;O Most High;

22 To declare Thy lovingkindness in the To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning,morning,

And Thy faithfulness by night,And Thy faithfulness by night,

Psalm 92:3-4Psalm 92:3-433 With the ten-stringed lute, and with With the ten-stringed lute, and with the harp;the harp;

With resounding music upon the lyre.With resounding music upon the lyre.

44 For Thou, O LORD, hast made me For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done,glad by what Thou hast done,

I will sing for joy at the works of Thy I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.hands.

Psalm 100:1-3Psalm 100:1-311 Psalm for Thanksgiving. Psalm for Thanksgiving.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.earth.

22 Serve the LORD with gladness; Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.Come before Him with joyful singing.

33 Know that the LORD Himself is God; Know that the LORD Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.His pasture.

Psalm 100:4-5Psalm 100:4-544 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

And His courts with praise.And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him; bless His name.Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

55 For the LORD is good; For the LORD is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting, His lovingkindness is everlasting,

And His faithfulness to all generations.And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 103-108Psalm 103-108 For as high as the heavens are above the For as high as the heavens are above the

earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Himthose who fear Him (103:11) (103:11)

As for man, his days are like grass; As a As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. flower of the field, so he flourishes. 1616 When the wind has passed over it, it is no When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; And its place acknowledges it no longermore; And its place acknowledges it no longer (103:15-16).(103:15-16).

He established the earth upon its foundationsHe established the earth upon its foundations (104:5).(104:5).

Psalm 103-108Psalm 103-10888 He has remembered His covenant forever, He has remembered His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded to aThe word which He commanded to a

thousand generations,thousand generations,

99 The covenant which He made with Abraham, The covenant which He made with Abraham,

And His oath to Isaac.And His oath to Isaac.

1010 Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,

To Israel as an everlasting covenant (Psalm To Israel as an everlasting covenant (Psalm 105:8-10).105:8-10).

Psalm 103-108Psalm 103-108 He rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up; He rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up;

And He led them through the deeps, as And He led them through the deeps, as through the wildernessthrough the wilderness (106:9) (106:9)

77 God has spoken in His holiness: "I will God has spoken in His holiness: "I will exult, I will portion out Shechem, And exult, I will portion out Shechem, And measure out the valley of Succoth.measure out the valley of Succoth.

88 Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine; Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepterJudah is My scepter. (Psalm 108:7-8).. (Psalm 108:7-8).

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 Chapters 1-41

Chapters 42-72

Chapters 73-89

Chapters 90-106

Chapters 107-150

Mostly written by David

Mostly by Asaph

Mostly anonymous

Mostly by David

Psalm 110:1Psalm 110:1A Psalm of DavidA Psalm of David..

The LORD says to The LORD says to my Lord:my Lord:

"Sit at My right hand,"Sit at My right hand,

Until I make Thine Until I make Thine enemies a footstool enemies a footstool for Thy feet."for Thy feet."

The HallelThe Hallel

The Psalms of PraiseThe Psalms of Praise

Psalms 113-118Psalms 113-118

(Sung at Passover)(Sung at Passover)

Psalm 118:21-23Psalm 118:21-232121 I shall give thanks to Thee, for Thou I shall give thanks to Thee, for Thou hast answered me;hast answered me;

And Thou hast become my salvation.And Thou hast become my salvation.

2222 The stone which the builders rejected The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief corner stone.Has become the chief corner stone.

2323 This is the LORD's doing; This is the LORD's doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.It is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 120:1-2Psalm 120:1-211 A Song of Ascents, of David. A Song of Ascents, of David.

I Was glad when they said to me,I Was glad when they said to me,

"Let us go to the house of the LORD.""Let us go to the house of the LORD."

22 Our feet are standing Our feet are standing

Within your gates, O Jerusalem,Within your gates, O Jerusalem,

Psalm 120:3-4Psalm 120:3-433 Jerusalem, that is built Jerusalem, that is built

As a city that is compact together;As a city that is compact together;

44 To which the tribes go up, even the To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD--tribes of the LORD--

An ordinance for Israel--An ordinance for Israel--

To give thanks to the name of the To give thanks to the name of the LORD.LORD.

Psalm 137:1Psalm 137:1By the rivers of Babylon,By the rivers of Babylon,

There we sat down and wept,There we sat down and wept,

When we remembered Zion.When we remembered Zion.

Psalm 137:2-4Psalm 137:2-422 Upon the willows in the midst of it Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps.We hung our harps.

33 For there our captors demanded of For there our captors demanded of us songs,us songs,

And our tormentors mirth, saying, And our tormentors mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion.""Sing us one of the songs of Zion."

44 How can we sing the LORD's song How can we sing the LORD's song

In a foreign land?In a foreign land?

Psalm 137:5-6Psalm 137:5-655 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, If I forget you, O Jerusalem,

May my right hand forget her May my right hand forget her skill.skill.

66 May my tongue cleave to the May my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,roof of my mouth,

If I do not remember you,If I do not remember you,

If I do not exalt JerusalemIf I do not exalt Jerusalem

Above my chief joy.Above my chief joy.

Practical ApplicationPractical Application One of the results of being filled with the Spirit or the word of One of the results of being filled with the Spirit or the word of

Christ is singing. The psalms are the “songbook” of the early Christ is singing. The psalms are the “songbook” of the early church that reflected the new truth in Christ.church that reflected the new truth in Christ.

God is the same Lord in both these psalms. But we respond God is the same Lord in both these psalms. But we respond to Him in different ways, according to the specific to Him in different ways, according to the specific circumstances of our lives. What a marvelous God we circumstances of our lives. What a marvelous God we worship, the psalmist declares, One who is high and lifted up worship, the psalmist declares, One who is high and lifted up beyond our human experiences but also one who is close beyond our human experiences but also one who is close enough to touch and who walks beside us along life's way.enough to touch and who walks beside us along life's way.

We can bring all our feelings to God—no matter how We can bring all our feelings to God—no matter how negative or complaining they may be—and we can rest negative or complaining they may be—and we can rest assured that He will hear and understand. The psalmist assured that He will hear and understand. The psalmist teaches us that the most profound prayer of all is a cry for teaches us that the most profound prayer of all is a cry for help as we find ourselves overwhelmed by the problems of help as we find ourselves overwhelmed by the problems of life.life.

The Value of the PsalmsThe Value of the Psalms

A Commentary of the Old A Commentary of the Old TestamentTestament

Liturgy for WorshipLiturgy for WorshipA Pattern for PrayerA Pattern for PrayerWisdom for LivingWisdom for Living

ForeshadowingsForeshadowings God’s provision of a Savior for His people is a God’s provision of a Savior for His people is a

recurring theme in the Psalms. Prophetic recurring theme in the Psalms. Prophetic pictures of the Messiah are seen in numerous pictures of the Messiah are seen in numerous psalms. Psalm 2:1-12 portrays the Messiah’s psalms. Psalm 2:1-12 portrays the Messiah’s triumph and kingdom. Psalm 16:8-11 triumph and kingdom. Psalm 16:8-11 foreshadows His death and resurrection. Psalm foreshadows His death and resurrection. Psalm 22 shows us the suffering Savior on the cross 22 shows us the suffering Savior on the cross and presents detailed prophecies of the and presents detailed prophecies of the crucifixion, all of which were fulfilled perfectly. crucifixion, all of which were fulfilled perfectly. The glories of the Messiah and His bride are on The glories of the Messiah and His bride are on exhibit in Psalm 45:6-7, while Psalms 72:6-17, exhibit in Psalm 45:6-7, while Psalms 72:6-17, 89:3-37, 110:1-7 and 132:12-18 present the 89:3-37, 110:1-7 and 132:12-18 present the glory and universality of His reign.glory and universality of His reign.