The book of Psalms is one of the most beloved books in the Bible. Containing 150 songs, laments, and praises, the Psalms cover a wide range of human emotions and experiences. Here are some common questions people have about the book of Psalms:
What are the Psalms?
The Psalms are a collection of poems, hymns, and prayers that express the religious feelings of Jews throughout history. They were originally sung or chanted during temple worship and private devotion. The Psalms include joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving to God, sad songs of lament and repentance for sin, meditations on God’s law, and prophetic writings about the coming Messiah.
Who wrote the Psalms?
Most of the Psalms were written by King David, who composed about half of them. Other writers include Moses, Solomon, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. Some Psalms are anonymous and it is not known exactly who wrote them. The Psalms were written by multiple authors over an extended period of time, from the time of Moses (Psalm 90) to the late post-exilic period following the rebuilding of the temple in 516 BC (Psalms 126, 137).
Why were the Psalms written?
The Psalms were written for various reasons. Many were written for use in public worship services as songs of praise. Others record deeply personal experiences of different writers and were likely used for private meditation and prayer. Some teach about God’s law and wisdom for living. The Psalms provide inspiration, comfort, encouragement, and conviction of sin. They model how to honestly express emotions to God.
What are the different types of Psalms?
There are several types of Psalms including praise, lament, thanksgiving, pilgrimage, royal, wisdom, imprecatory, acrostic, and Messianic. Praise Psalms exalt God for who He is and what He has done. Lament Psalms express grief over suffering and ask God for help. Thanksgiving Psalms give thanks to God for blessings received. Royal Psalms describe the kingship of Israel’s monarchy and point to Jesus as the ultimate king. Wisdom Psalms instruct in prudent living and the fear of the Lord. Imprecatory Psalms invoke judgment and calamity on one’s enemies. Acrostic Psalms contain verses beginning with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Messianic Psalms prophesy the coming of the Messiah and the Messianic age.
What is the structure of the book of Psalms?
The book of Psalms is divided into five sections or “books”:
- Book 1 – Psalms 1-41
- Book 2 – Psalms 42-72
- Book 3 – Psalms 73-89
- Book 4 – Psalms 90-106
- Book 5 – Psalms 107-150
Each of the five books ends with a doxology or benediction praising God. This division may mirror the five books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). The Psalms were compiled into their final form shortly after the Babylonian exile.
What are some major themes in Psalms?
Major themes in Psalms include praising God through song, God’s mercy and steadfast love, the law of God, lamenting suffering and evil, expressing thanksgiving, the importance of repentance and righteousness, God as creator and sustainer, God’s control over the nations, prayer for deliverance, justice for the oppressed, and the coming rule of the Davidic king over all.
What Messianic prophecies are in the Psalms?
Several Psalms contain prophecies concerning the future Messiah. Some examples include:
- Psalm 2 – God declares the Messiah to be His Son who will rule the nations.
- Psalm 22 – The sufferings of the Messiah on the cross are described in detail.
- Psalm 45 – The splendor, majesty and eternity of the Messiah’s reign are celebrated.
- Psalm 110 – God invites the Messiah to sit at His right hand in glory.
- Psalm 118 – The rejected stone who becomes the cornerstone refers to the Messiah.
How were the Psalms used in worship?
In the temple and tabernacle, choirs sang the Psalms accompanied by musical instruments. The Levitical musicians were trained and set apart for this purpose. The Psalms were sung or chanted during the morning and evening sacrifices. Singing praises to God was a key part of ceremonial worship. Individual and corporate singing of the Psalms was a way for God’s people to actively participate in worship.
How should we interpret imprecatory Psalms?
Imprecatory Psalms contain calls for judgment and cursing against one’s enemies (e.g. Psalm 35, 55, 137). There are several ways to interpret these difficult passages: 1) The psalmist was expressing righteous zeal for God’s honor and a desire for justice to be served in an imperfect world filled with evil. 2) The judgments are prophetic predictions of what will happen to the wicked. 3) The enemy represents Satan and spiritual forces of evil, not personal human enemies. 4) We should pray for God to defeat evil, not individual people. 5) The ultimate fulfillment will be on the day of judgment when God’s enemies will receive final justice.
What Psalm was most quoted in the New Testament?
Psalm 110 is quoted or alluded to more times in the New Testament than any other Psalm. Jesus cited it to confound the Pharisees and reveal His identity as the Messiah (Mark 12:35-37). Peter also quotes this Psalm in his sermon at Pentecost when he declared Jesus as the fulfilled Messiah exalted to God’s right hand (Acts 2:32-36). The New Testament authors recognized Psalm 110 as a direct messianic prophecy fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
What are the main Psalms for praise?
Some of the most exuberant Psalms of praise include:
- Psalm 8 – Praise to God for His glory and creation.
- Psalm 33 – Rejoice in the Lord and praise His greatness.
- Psalm 100 – A Psalm of thanksgiving and praise.
- Psalm 103 – Bless the Lord for His mercy, love and redemption.
- Psalm 113 – Praise to the name of the Lord forever.
- Psalm 117 – Call for all nations to praise the Lord.
- Psalm 145 – David’s Psalm extolling the greatness of God’s kingdom.
- Psalm 148 – Praise from all of creation for God’s glory.
- Psalm 150 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
What are some important Psalms of lament?
Key Psalms that honestly voice pain, sadness, and cries for help include:
- Psalm 6 – A penitential Psalm pleading for mercy.
- Psalm 13 – How long O Lord?
- Psalm 22 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
- Psalm 42 – Hope in God during deep depression.
- Psalm 51 – David’s prayer for cleansing after his sin.
- Psalm 69 – A cry for help and comfort in distress.
- Psalm 130 – Cry for mercy from the depths.
What are some great Psalms about God’s Word?
Psalms that especially highlight the blessing and importance of God’s Word and law include:
- Psalm 1 – Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord.
- Psalm 19 – The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
- Psalm 119 – Extolling the glories of God’s Word from Aleph to Tav.
What Psalms were written by Moses?
Moses was the author of Psalm 90. This Psalm contrasts the eternity of God with the frailty of human life. It is the prayer of Moses the man of God. Some also believe Moses may have written or compiled earlier Psalms when he compiled Genesis through Deuteronomy to form the Pentateuch.
What are the main Psalms about God’s kingdom?
Psalms concerning the coming kingdom of God include:
- Psalm 47 – God is king over all the earth.
- Psalm 93 – The Lord reigns in majesty.
- Psalm 96 – Declare God’s glory among the nations.
- Psalm 97 – The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice.
- Psalm 99 – Exalt the Lord our God.
These kingdom Psalms anticipate the rule of Christ over all things.
What Psalms predict the coming of the Messiah?
Important Messianic prophecy Psalms include:
- Psalm 2 – God’s anointed King ruling the nations.
- Psalm 16 – The Holy One will not see decay.
- Psalm 22 – The crucifixion sufferings of Christ.
- Psalm 45 – The divine throne of the Messiah.
- Psalm 110 – The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand.”
- Psalm 118 – The stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone.
How did Jesus use the Psalms?
Jesus frequently quoted the Psalms to teach spiritual truths. For example, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded using verses from Psalms 91 and 119. On the cross, Christ cried out the words of Psalm 22 to express His suffering. After the Last Supper, Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples before going to Gethsemane which was likely part of the Hallel (Psalms 113-118). The book of Psalms shaped Jesus’ prayers and aided Him in teaching profound theological concepts.
Which Psalms predict the coming of the Holy Spirit?
Psalms that speak prophetically about the coming of the Holy Spirit include:
- Psalm 51 – David pleads for a clean heart and asks not to lose the Holy Spirit.
- Psalm 68 – God gave gifts to men, even the rebellious will dwell with God.
- Psalm 104 – The Lord renews the earth by sending His Spirit.
- Psalm 139 – Where can I flee from your Spirit?
- Psalm 143 – Teach me to do your will, your Spirit is good.
What Psalms were used as Hallels in Jewish feasts?
The Great Hallel Psalms (113-118) were sung at Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles: Psalms 113-114 before the meal, 115-118 after. Psalms 120-136 comprised the Great Hallel recited on festivals. The Hallel Psalms extol God for deliverance, salvation, and care for His people.
Which Psalms predict Jesus’ resurrection?
Resurrection Psalms include:
- Psalm 16 – God will not abandon me to Sheol or let His Holy One see decay.
- Psalm 22 – He has performed it! (vs. 31)
- Psalm 30 – Weeping may last the night, but joy comes in the morning.
- Psalm 118 – The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
What Psalms point to the Holy Spirit’s ministry?
Key Psalms about the Spirit’s work include:
- Psalm 104 – You send forth your Spirit, they are created.
- Psalm 139 – Where can I flee from your Spirit?
- Psalm 143 – Teach me to do your will, your Spirit is good.
- Psalm 51 – Do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
These describe the Spirit’s creative work, omnipresence, sanctifying work, and importance in the lives of God’s people.
How did Psalms influence early church worship?
The early church drew heavily from Psalms in worship, prayer, and teaching. Psalms shaped the hymns sung in church meetings. Believers continued to sing the Hallel at Christian celebrations of redemption. Psalms provided a framework for praise and shaped patterns of worship. The apostles used Psalms typologically to teach about Jesus. Psalms served as a source of encouragement and comfort for persecuted Christians.
Which Psalms foreshadow baptism and communion?
Psalms with baptismal and eucharistic themes include:
- Psalm 42 – Like a deer pants for water, so my soul thirsts for you.
- Psalm 51 – Purge me with hyssop and I will be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
- Psalm 116 – I will lift up the cup of salvation.
These Psalms connect to the water of baptism and the cup of communion in salvation.
What Psalms were Jesus’ prayers?
As a human, Jesus would have prayed the Psalms privately in addition to singing them publicly in worship. Psalms that especially resonate as Christ’s prayers include:
- Psalm 16 – Preserve me O God.
- Psalm 22 – Why have you forsaken me?
- Psalm 31 – Into your hands I commit my spirit.
- Psalm 69 – Zeal for your house consumes me.
These express Jesus’ trust in God, Messianic sufferings, and righteous devotion.
How did Paul use Psalms in his letters?
Paul quoted from Psalms to prove theological points. For example, Paul cited Psalm 14 to demonstrate universal sinfulness (Romans 3). He referenced Psalm 69 about Christ’s suffering (Romans 15). Paul also drew language and imagery from Psalms, such as living water (Psalm 42 in 1 Cor. 10). The Psalms provided Paul with a storehouse of spiritual truth.
What Psalm is the Bible’s prayer book?
Psalm 119 is the Bible’s prayer book and praise song for God’s Word. Its 176 verses systematically exalt Scripture using all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 119 beautifully expresses love for God’s law, longing for obedience, and need for God’s grace. It teaches the purpose and blessing of God’s commands.
Which Psalms express humanity’s fallen condition?
Psalms reflecting human frailty and need for cleansing include:
- Psalm 14 – All have turned aside, there is none righteous.
- Psalm 38 – There is no health in my bones because of my sin.
- Psalm 51 – Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner from my mother’s womb.
- Psalm 130 – If you kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
What Psalms tell of God’s forgiveness?
Psalms proclaiming God’s mercy and forgiveness include:
- Psalm 32 – Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.
- Psalm 51 – Purge me with hyssop and I will be clean.
- Psalm 86 – You Lord are forgiving and good.
- Psalm 103 – He does not treat us as our sins deserve.
- Psalm 130 – With the Lord is full redemption.
How did Psalms shape hymns?
Many hymns and worship songs echo themes, language, and imagery from the Psalms. Examples include “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (Psalm 103), “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Psalm 36), “As the Deer” (Psalm 42), and “You Alone Are Holy” (Psalm 99). Psalm lyrics have provided a basis for praising God in the assembly down through history.
