The Book of Psalms

Author

Primarily David, but also at least 6 other writers: Moses, Solomon, Asaph, Ethan, Heman, and the sons of Korah. Some of the Psalms are anonymous.

Date
Written

Between 1450 and 430 BC (Due to the numerous authors, the time span is great. However, the majority were written about 1000 BC)

Time Span

About 1,000 years (the period from the time of Moses to the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile).

Title

The word "psalms" means "praises," a term that reflects much of the book's content. "Psalm" comes from a Greek word which means "a song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument." The Hebrew title of this book means "Praise Songs."

Background

Psalms is the longest book in the Bible and includes the longest chapter in the Bible (119). The book of Psalms is made up of 150 poems composed to be set to music.

Where
Written

Numerous areas due to the numerous authors.

To Whom

To the Israelites.

Content

The book of Psalms is used as the Temple hymnbook during the kingdom period for both public and private worship. The 5 divisions or books of Psalms correspond in order and in thought to the 5 books of Moses. By virtue of several authors contributing to this collection over an extended period of time, the Psalms cover almost every area of human experience and emotion: fear vs. Confidence; anger vs. compassion; sorrow vs. Joy and prayer and praises for the psalmist's majestic God. David writes the majority of his psalms while fleeing from Saul and his army. Several Psalms refer to the Messiah of God, Jesus Christ, and His coming, His death, and His Resurrection.

Themes

  1. Sin is always rebellion against God.

  2. Sin will always be punished.
  3. A life of consecrated righteousness hates sin.
  4. God loves each of us and is concerned for every area of our lives.
  5. We can approach God just as we are, with all our concerns.
  6. A life of praise is a life of victory.
  7. God can be trusted during our times of sorrow as well as our times of joy.

Key
Words

"Praise"; "Trust." These 150 psalms abound in "praise" to God for all that He is, all that He has done, and all that He will do. God's people are continually commended to "trust" God for His protection, love, and deliverance.

Outline

1- 41

 Book One: Psalms

42- 72

 Book Two: Psalms

73- 89

 Book Three: Psalms

90-106

 Book Four: Psalms

107-150

 Book Five: Psalms

More

Old Testament

New Testament

Pentateuch

Historical

Wisdom

Prophets

Gospels

History

Pauls Letters

General Letters



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