Bible Project Psalms Overview Notes
Introduction
The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 Hebrew poems written by various authors: David (73), Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Herman & Ethan (2), Solomon & Moses (3), Anonymous (49)
Many of the Psalms came to be used by the choir in Israel's temple.
1 Chronicles 25:1 "David...set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Herman and Jeduthaan for the ministry of prophesying and accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.
Nehemiah 11:22 "The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi...one of Asaph's descendants, who were the musicians responsible for the service of the house of God.
Many of the Psalms came to be used by the choir in Israel's temple.
1 Chronicles 25:1 "David...set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Herman and Jeduthaan for the ministry of prophesying and accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.
Nehemiah 11:22 "The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi...one of Asaph's descendants, who were the musicians responsible for the service of the house of God.
History
At some point in Israel's history following their exile to Babylon, these ancient poems were gathered together and intentionally arranged into the Book of Psalms. It has a unique design and message. [According to Rose Book of Bible & Christian History Time Lines, Ezra was sent to Judah in 457 BC and notes that according to Jewish tradition as well as some biblical scholars, Ezra compiled nearly all the books that make up the Hebrew Bible.
Two Overall Categories
Although the Book of Psalms is organized into various sub-categories as noted in the Outline Summary, all the Psalms fall into two categories:
LAMENT
Prayers of pain, confusion and anger about how horrible the world is and how horrible things are happening to the poet. Draws attention to what is wrong in the world and asks God to do something about it. Lament is an appropriate response at times. Lament poems dominate the early Psalms in Books 1 - 3 which also include some praise. |
PRAISE
Prayers of joy and celebration. Draws attention to what is good in the world. Retells what God has done in our lives and thanks God for it. We aren't to ignore the pain in our lives but Biblical faith is forward looking. Praise poems dominate the latter Psalms in Books 4 - 5. This shift tells us about the nature of prayer as we hope for the Messianic Kingdom as the book tells us to do. |
Outline Summary
INTRODUCTION
Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 stand alone as introductory psalms and are anonymous. Psalm 1: Blessed is the person who meditates on the Torah, prayerfully reading and obeying. Here "torah" can mean "teaching" or it can refer to the first 5 books of the Bible (which is also called Pentateuch, meaning 5 books). The Book of Psalms is divided and labeled into 5 sub-books which indicate a new torah (teaching) about prayer as striving to obey the commands given in the Torah. Psalm 2: Poetic reflection on 2 Samuel 7 which is a promise from God to King David that one day a Messianic King would come and establish God's Kingdom. Psalms 2 concludes by saying all those who take refuge in the Messiah will be blessed (precisely the word used to open Psalms 1. Together these two Psalms introduce the idea that this will be the prayer book of God's people as they strive to be faithful as they wait for Messiah. |
FIVE SUB-BOOKS
Book 1 (Psalms 3 - 41) |
Psalm 41:13 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. |
Book 2 (42-72)
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Psalm 72:18-19 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. |
Book 3 (73-89)
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Psalm 89: 52 Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.
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Book 4 (90 - 106)
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Psalm 106: 48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say,
Amen. Praise ye the Lord. |
Book 5 (107 - 145)
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Psalm 145: 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever. |
Note that in the final poem in each section has a very similar ending that looks like an editorial edition: "May the Lord God of Israel be blessed forever. Amen and Amen."
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CONCLUSION
Psalms 146 to 150 are Psalms of Praise. Each begins and ends with Hallelujah which is translated as "Praise the Lord" giving us a conclusion to the book. Hallelujah is Hebrew for a command to tell the assembly to praise Yah (which is short for the divine name YHWH (It is unknown how to pronounce YHWH since the ancient Hebrews didn't use vowels. Two scholarly guesses suggest Yahweh or Jehovah. The Ancient Hebrew Research Center says Yod Hey Way Hey or Yod Hey Va Hey.) Lexison Praise => 1948b Hallu the Lord => 3050 Yah (contrived from YHWH) The center poem, Psalm 148: 14, states that all creation is summoned to praise the God of Israel because He has raised up a "horn for His people. The horn is a metaphor of a bulls horn raised in victory - and this image echos back to Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2 and also to Psalm 132:17. The horn is a symbol for the future Messianic King and His victory over evil. |
BOOK 1 HIGHLIGHTS
Psalm 15: Opens => Call to covenant faithfulness
Psalm 16 & 18: Depiction of David as a model of this kind of faithfulness. David calls out to God to deliver him and God elevates him as king. Psalm 19: Dedication to praising God for the Torah Psalm 20-23: David of the past has become an image of the Messianic King of the future who will also call out to God, will be delivered and given a kingdom over the nations. Psalm 24: Closes => Call to covenant faithfulness The two themes of Psalms 1 and 2 are bound tightly together in this collection. |
BOOK 2 HIGHLIGHTS
Psalm 42-43: United in their hope for a future return to the Temple in Zion
This is an image closely associated with the hope of a Messianic Kingdom Psalm 72: Closes with a poem which depicts the future Messianic King who reigns over all the nation. Echoes all the prophets about the Messianic King: Isaiah 11, 45, 60 and Zechariah 9 It concludes that this King's reign will bring about the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to Abraham to bring God's blessings to the nations. |
BOOK 3 HIGHLIGHTS
Also concludes with a poem reflecting on God's promise to David but this time in light of Israel's exile.
The poet remembers that God said He would never abandon the line of David. But now he's looking at Israel's rebellion and it's result and destruction, exile and the downfall of David's kingdom. It ends by asking God to never forget His promise to David. |
BOOK 4 HIGHLIGHTS
Designed to respond to this crises of exile. So the opening poem - Psalms 90 - returns us back to Israel's roots with a prayer of Moses. And he does what he did on Mount Sinai after the golden calf incident, which is to call on God to show mercy.
The center of Book 4 is dominated by a group of poems that announces the Lord, God of Israel, reigns as the true King of the world and that all creation (trees, mountains, rivers) are summoned to all celebrate that future day when God will bring His justice and Kingdom all over the world. |
BOOK 5 HIGHLIGHTS
Contains all the themes combined.
Opens with a collection of poems (Psalms 107-110) that affirm that God hears the cries of His people and will one day send a future King that will defeat evil and bring God's Kingdom. This book also contains two larger collections Psalms 113-118 THE HALLEL Hallel is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118 which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving Psalms 118: Concludes with a poem about the future Messianic Kingdom |
PSALM 119 is sandwiched in between and is the longest, alphabet poem and explores the wonder
and gift of the Torah to God's people |
Psalms 120-136 THE SONGS OF ASCENTS
Definition of Song of Ascents. : any one of 15 psalms in the series Ps 120 to 134 sung by Hebrew pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem or possibly while ascending Mount Zion or the steps of the Temple. — called also Gradual Psalm, Pilgrim Psalm, Psalm of Ascents. Psalm 132: Concludes with a poem about the future Messianic King. |