All About the Book of Psalms

10/24/2017

One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Psalms. I believe it contains some of the most beautiful poetry ever written. Reading the Psalms brings me closer to God. It is so refreshing, encouraging, and uplifting to read. Any time when I am feeling down, I always turn to the Psalms for comfort.

The word Psalm is derived from the Greek word psalmos meaning "songs sung to a harp". The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 prayers, poems, and hymns in the praise or worship of God. The Psalms express deep emotion. Some of the emotions that are covered in the Book of Psalms are love, joy, humility, sadness, anger, revenge, and victory. Expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God are found in almost every Psalm. The major themes found in Psalms are Praise, God's Power, Forgiveness, Thankfulness, and Trust.

Who wrote the Book of Psalms?
David, the second king of Israel, wrote more of the Psalms than any other one writer. He wrote 73 of 150 Psalms. His entries look at his relationship with God and the emotions behind many of the major events in his life. Solomon, who was David's son and successor, wrote two Psalms. Asaph, one of the leaders of David's choir, wrote twelve Psalms. The sons of Korah, singers and gatekeepers who watched over the east and north of the Temple, wrote eleven Psalms. Moses, the great leader of Israel, wrote one Psalm. Heman the Ezrahite wrote one Psalm. Ethan the Ezrahite also wrote one Psalm. Fifty of the Psalms do not have a known author.

When was the Book of Psalms written?
The Book of Psalms was written before Christ. The Psalms were composed over a span of about one thousand years. The first Psalm was composed by Moses. Many were written during the time of David. By the time of Jesus, the Psalms were well established as devotional songs and poems and were quoted by New Testament characters regularly. Jesus' dying words on the Cross "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" came directly from Psalm 22.

Discover the following when reading the Psalms
Learn the benefit of following God's ways and see the downfall that results from disobedience. Understand the nature of sin and forgiveness. Find various reasons and circumstances in which to praise God. Discover that God is our deliverer from distress and trouble. Trust God as our protector and our strength. Take comfort in realizing that God can mend our broken hearts because he made us and cares for us.

The Arrangement of the Psalms
The Book of Psalms is divided into five books. The first chapter of each book gives a preface to what is to follow. Each book concludes with a doxology. Psalm 150 is a doxology to the whole book. A doxology is a hymn of praise to God. The doxology are at the end of Psalm 41:13; Psalm 72:18-19; Psalm 89:52; Psalm 106:48; and Psalm 150.

Book I {Psalm 1-41} discuss humans as blessed, fallen, and redeemed by God. Book II {Psalm 42-72} describes ruin and rescue by God. Book III {Psalm 73-89} covers the temple and God's enthronement. Book IV {Psalm 90-106} tells relationship of God's overruling kingdom to the other nations. Book V {Psalm 107-150} consists of praise for God and his Word.

Interesting Facts About the Book of Psalms
The Book of Psalms is the longest book of the Bible. The shortest and center chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117, with two verses. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, with 176 verses. Psalm 118:8 is the center verse of the Bible.

The Book of Psalms, in summary, is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns about living a life as a Christian. It teaches you God's ways, how to praise God, and how to pray more truly, authentically, and honestly. What is your favorite Psalm verse?