Psalms - Introduction
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Introduction
Author
THE BOOK OF PSALMS HAS NO single author. King David authored a large number of the one hundred and fifty psalms—almost half. Seventy-three psalms explicitly bear the designation “a psalm of David.” Other authors include Asaph (Pss 50; 73–83), the sons of Korah (Pss 42–49; 84–85; 87), Solomon (Pss 72; 127), Moses (Ps 90), Heman the Ezrahite (Ps 88), and Ethan the Ezrahite (Ps 89). Many other psalms are anonymous.
Historical Background
Psalms is a collection of one hundred and fifty works of Hebrew poetry. Our English word “psalms” comes from the Greek word psalmoi (“songs”), which is the title of the collection in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Given the likely indications of authorship, the psalms were composed from the time of Moses in the fifteenth century BC to some time after the exile in the sixth century BC. Many of the psalms include titles with a variety of information, such as the psalm’s historical context or liturgical use in worship. Psalms is divided into five parts: Book I (Pss 1–41), Book II (Pss 42–72), Book III (Pss 73–89), Book IV (Pss 90–106), and Book V (Pss 107–150).
Message and Purpose
Psalms is actually five books of prayers and praises brought together as one. Each was written to be sung in worship to God. The Psalms cover every possible circumstance that life could ever throw at us, which is why there are one hundred and fifty of them. They cover the ins-and-outs and the ups-and-downs of life—touching on physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs.
The Psalms were written so the people of God could communicate with him in the midst of all of the circumstances of life. They will shape your ability to talk with God and will teach you about his character, attributes, and kingdom purpose in history. Through using the Psalms, you can even talk with God in the very words of Scripture, singing and praying his Word back to him. So, in the same way that you would pick up a hymnal to sing praises to God, pick up the book of Psalms. It will enhance your prayer life, your praise life, and your approach-to-problems life, in the context of God-centered worship.
Outline
- Book I (Psalms 1–41)
- Book II (Psalms 42–72)
- Book III (Psalms 73–89)
- Book IV (Psalms 90–106)
- Book V (Psalms 107–150)