Before we dive right into the Scriptures, we need to have an understanding
of the book of Psalms as a whole. “The Psalms constituted Israel's ancient,
God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) 'hymnbook,' which defined the proper spirit and
content of worship.” 1
of the book of Psalms as a whole. “The Psalms constituted Israel's ancient,
God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) 'hymnbook,' which defined the proper spirit and
content of worship.” 1
Psalms is divided into 5 different books:
Book 1—Ps. 1-41 (Genesis)
Book 2—Ps. 42-72 (Exodus)
Book 3—Ps. 73-89 (Leviticus)
Book 4—Ps. 90-106 (Numbers)
Book 5—Ps. 107-150 (Deuteronomy)
“Each of these books ends with a doxology (Ps. 41:13; 72:18-20; 106:48;
150:6). Jewish tradition appealed to the number five and alleged that these
divisions echoed the Pentateuch, i.e., the five books of Moses.”2
150:6). Jewish tradition appealed to the number five and alleged that these
divisions echoed the Pentateuch, i.e., the five books of Moses.”2
Who Wrote it?
There are several authors identified in the book of Psalms:
David--73 psalms
Sons of Korah--11 (Ps. 42; 44-49; 84; 85; 87)
Asaph--12 (Ps. 50; 73-83)
Solomon-2 (Ps. 72; 127)
Moses-1 (Ps. 90)
Heman-1 (Ps. 88)
Ethan-1 (Ps. 89)
Anonymous--49
When Was it Written?
The book of Psalms is an accumulation of poetry that spans almost 1,000 years
of history. Moses' Psalm 90 is most likely the oldest psalm written near 1410 BC
"sometime near the end of Israel's wilderness wanderings" [CSB The Study Bible
for Women, p. 638]. The latest, Psalm 137, was written during the Babylonian
captivity 587-586 BC. "Most psalms, however, were written during the reigns of
David (ca 1010--970 BC) and Solomon (ca 970--930 BC)." [CSB The Study
Bible for Women, p. 638]
of history. Moses' Psalm 90 is most likely the oldest psalm written near 1410 BC
"sometime near the end of Israel's wilderness wanderings" [CSB The Study Bible
for Women, p. 638]. The latest, Psalm 137, was written during the Babylonian
captivity 587-586 BC. "Most psalms, however, were written during the reigns of
David (ca 1010--970 BC) and Solomon (ca 970--930 BC)." [CSB The Study
Bible for Women, p. 638]
To Whom Was it Written?
To the people of Israel
Below I have found some great links online that discuss Hebrew poetry in depth.
Feel free to read through them and familiarize yourself with the literary aspects
of the book of Psalms.
Feel free to read through them and familiarize yourself with the literary aspects
of the book of Psalms.
Links:
1John MacArthur, ed. The MacArthur Study Bible. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2010, p.733.
2McArthur, ed. p. 734
