Book of Psalms Review and Summary

 

The Book of Psalms is a beloved collection of 150 psalms grouped into five books:  Book I (1-41), II (42-72), III (73-89), IV (90-106), and V (107-150).  Some have considered parallels between these and the Pentateuch (i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy):

• Book I begins the psalms and introduces the overall theme of wisdom literature that the righteous are blessed but the wicked will receive judgment.  God is typically referred to as the Covenant LORD.
• Book II focuses on deliverance, particularly God's deliverance of David from his enemies.  God is often referred to as Elohim, Almighty God.
• Book III includes psalms of community worship and laments.  Many of these psalms are written by Levitical worship leaders such as Asaph or the Sons of Korah.
• Book IV starts with a psalm of Moses and includes some historical psalms.  Several of these psalms also show the depravity of man.
• Book V focuses on God's Word (e.g., Psalm 119) and concludes in doxology to the LORD.

The psalms span about 1,000 years and are written by various authors such as David with ~73 psalms (3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145), Solomon with 2 (72, 127), Moses with 1 (90), Levitical worship leaders like Asaph with 12 (50, 73-83) and the Sons of Korah with 11 (42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88), and Ethan the Ezrahite with 1 (89).  However, about 50 are anonymous (1-2, 10, 33, 43, 66-67, 71, 91-100, 102, 104-107, 111-121, 123, 125-126, 128-130, 132, 134-137, 146-150).  The psalms may be categorized in many ways, some of them being praise & thanksgiving songs, laments, or wisdom psalms.  Other categories include:

• Royal or Enthronement (2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 93-101, 110, 132, 144) - Celebrations of God's anointed one as King and calls to all the earth, nations, and peoples to worship Him
• Penitential(6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) - Confessions for sin and expressions of desire for repentance
• Imprecatory (7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, 139) - Prayers for God's righteous judgment on wicked enemies and for justice
• Cave (57, 142) - Psalms written as David was hiding in a cave, fleeing for his life
• Egyptian Hallel (113-118) - Songs connected to the Passover feasts commemorating Israel's delierance from slavery in Egypt
• Songs of Ascents (120-134) - Songs sung by Israel in their three annual festival processions to the Temple in Jerusalem (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles)
• Final Hallel (146-150) - Closing Doxology beginning and ending with "Praise the LORD!" or "Hallelujah!"

Overall, many of the psalms are quoted in the New Testament, reference other parts of the Old Testament, include doctrine and theology, point to Jesus the Messiah and coming King, refer to Zion or Jerusalem, and look to prophecies fulfilled in the future.  Also, because of the poetic nature of the psalms, many include metaphors, are written in acrostic (9-10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145), have been put to music and sung as hymns, and express the deepest emotions of the soul.

Following are some reflections that may be beneficial to consider when reviewing the whole Book of Psalms:

• What were some of the verses that have made the deepest impact on my life?
• What have I learned and how have I grown through our four-year "Meditations on the Psalms" journey?
• What images or descriptions of God have been most vivid to me (e.g., Rock, Shield, Fortress, Judge, Creator, King, Horn, etc.)?
• The psalms have inspired many hymns and songs of worship over the years (e.g., "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (Psalm 46), "Joy to the World" (Psalm 98), "As the Deer" (Psalm 42)).  Which songs have particularly touched my heart or enhanced my praise and worship?

If you would like to meditate through music as well, following is a link to a YouTube video in keeping with the praise that is offered throughout the Book of Psalms while reflecting the closing doxologies as well:

• "Praise" by Elevation Worship:  Link