Dans.Faithweb.com The Book of Psalms |
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With 150 individual psalms, this is clearly the longest book in the Bible. It is also one of the most diverse, since the psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah. Every human emotion is covered in these hymns of aspiration to God.
Most people automatically think of David when they consider the question of who wrote the Book of Psalms. While it is clear that David wrote 73 of the individual psalms, he is definitely not the author of the entire collection. Psalm 90 is a prayer assigned to Moses. Two of the psalms (72 and 127) are attributed to Solomon, David's son and successor. Another group of 12 psalms (50 and 73-83) is ascribed to the family of Asaph. The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88). Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, while Psalm 89 bears the name of Ethan the Ezrahite. With the exception of Solomon and Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David's reign. The remainder of the psalms designate no specific person as author and were probably written by many different people.
The Hebrew title for this book is "tehilim", which means "praises". That would certainly qualify to describe this book, since every psalm contains some element of praise. In the original Hebrew manuscripts, this long collection of 150 psalms was divided into five sections, and all five books conclude with a doxology. Psalm 150, the last Psalm of the last book, serves in its entirety as both a doxology for the fifth book, and an appropriate conclusion to the entire Book of Psalms.
Outline of The Book of Psalms:
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
Book One: Psalms 1-411. Blessed Are the Righteous
Book Two: Psalms 42-72
2. Why Do the Heathen Rage
3. Victory in the Face of Defeat
4. Evening Prayer for Deliverance
5. Morning Prayer for Deliverance
6. Prayer for God's Mercy
7. Wickedness Justly Rewarded
8. God's Glory and Man's Dominion
9. Praise for Victory Over Enemies
10. Petition for God's Judgment
11. God Tests the Children of Men
12. The Pure Words of The Lord
13. The Prayer For God's Answer Now
14. The Characteristics of the Godless
15. The Characteristics of the Godly
16. Eternal Life for One Who Trusts
17. A Prayer for Protection Against Oppressors
18. Thanksgiving for Deliverance by God
19. The Works and Words of God
20. Deliver the King
21. Triumph of the King
22. A Psalm of The Cross
23. A Psalm of The Divine Shepherd
24. A Psalm of The King of Glory
25. A Prayer for Guidance and Protection
26. Examine Me, Oh Lord, and Prove Me
27. Trust In The Lord and Be Not Afraid
28. Rejoice for Answered Prayer
29. The Powerful Voice of God
30. A Psalm of Dedication
31. Be of Good Courage
32. The Blessedness of Forgiveness
33. Praise The Lord and His Works
34. Instruction of the Redeemed
35. A Petition for God's Intervention
36. The Steadfast Love of God
37. Rest in The Lord
38. The Petition of a Sick Man
39. Hope for the Helpless
40. Delight to Do God's Will
41. Comfort for the Forsaken
42. Longing for God
Book Three: Psalms 73-89
43. Hope in God
44. A Nation in Distress
45. A Psalm for the King's Wedding
46. God Is Our Refuge and Strength
47. God Is King of the Earth
48. The Praise of Mount Zion
49. Riches Cannot Redeem
50. The Lord Shall Judge All People
51. Confession and Forgiveness of Sin
52. The Lord Shall Judge the Deceitful
53. A Portrait of the Godless
54. A Prayer for Protection
55. Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord
56. God Is For Me
57. Prayers in the Mist of Perils
58. Wicked Judges Will Be Judged
59. A Prayer For Deliverance
60. A Prayer For Deliverance of the Nation
61. A Prayer When Overwhelmed
62. Wait Upon God
63. God Satisfies the Thirsty Soul
64. A Prayer for God's Protection
65. God's Provision Through Nature
66. Remember What God Has Done
67. God Shall Govern The Earth
68. Israel's Triumphant God
69. A Petition in Time of Distress
70. A Prayer For Speedy Deliverance
71. A Prayer for the Aged
72. The Reign of The Messiah
73. The Perspective of Eternity
Book Four: Psalms 90-106
74. A Prayer for God's Remembrance
75. God Is The Judge
76. The Glorious Might of God
77. Remember God's Greatness when Overwhelmed
78. God's Goodness to Israel
79. Avenge the Defilement of Jerusalem
80. A Prayer for Restoration
81. God's Plea for Israel's Obedience
82. Rebuke of Israel's Unjust Judges
83. A Plea for the Destruction of Enemies
84. The Joy of Dwelling With God
85. A Prayer for Revival
86. Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord
87. Glorious Zion, City of God
88. Crying From Deepest Affliction
89. God's Promises to David
90. Teach Us To Number Our Days
Book Five: Psalms 107-150
91. God Is a Refuge and a Fortress
92. Praises for God's Goodness
93. The Majesty of God
94. Vengeance Belongs Only To God
95. Harden Not Your Heart
96. A Call to Praise God
97. Rejoice! The Lord Reigns!
98. Praise God for His Salvation
99. God Has Been Faithful
100. A Call to Service and Praise
101. Commitments of a Holy Life
102. A Cry in Distress
103. Thanksgiving for God's Mercy
104. God's Preservation of Nature
105. Remember, God Keeps His Promises
106. We Have Sinned
107. God's Wonderful Works
108. Look To God for Help
109. A Plea for Punishment of the Wicked
110. The Lord Gives Dominion to the King
111. Praise the Lord for His Care
112. Blessing of Those Who Fear God
113. The Grace of God
114. A Psalm of the Exodus
115. Trust in God, Not in Idols
116. Praise for Deliverance from Death
117. The Praise of All Nations
118. Thanksgiving for The Lord's Salvation
119. The Lord's Judgments are Righteous
120. A Cry in Distress
121. God's Keeping Power
122. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
123. Plea for the Mercy of God
124. God Is On Our Side
125. A Hymn of Security
126. Sow in Tears... Reap in Joy
127. Children Are God's Heritage
128. The Rewards of Faithfulness
129. Plea of the Persecuted
130. My Soul Waiteth for The Lord
131. A Psalm of Humility
132. Trust in The God of David
133. The Joy of Brotherhood
134. Bless The Lord
135. Praising the Greatness of God
136. God's Mercy Endures Forever
137. Tears in Exile
138. Praise the Ways of The Lord
139. Living With God
140. Preserve Me from Violence
141. Deliverance from Temptation
142. Thou Art My Refuge
143. Teach Me To Do Thy Will
144. I Will Sing a New Song
145. A Song of Praise
146. The Blessedness of Trusting God
147. God Is Great and of Great Power
148. All Creation Praises The Lord
149. A Psalm of the Kingdom
150. Praise Ye The Lord