Faith & Reason Nexus

The Meaning of Psalms: “Book of Praises.”
Authorship:

• Almost half (73 Psalms) attributed to David.
• 12 by Asaph.
• 10 by the sons of Korah.
• 2 by Solomon (2 & 127).
• 1 by Moses (90).
• 1 by Herman.
• 1 by Ethan.
• 50 anonymous (some attributed to Ezra).

Time of Writing: Psalms span from Moses (1410 B.C.) to the post-exilic community under Ezra and Nehemiah (400 B.C.).

Position in the Bible:

• 19th Book in the Bible
• Holy Bible
• Chapters: 150
• Verses: 2,461
• Words: 43,743
• 19th Book in the Old Testament
• 2nd of 5 Poetical books (Job-Song of Solomon)
• Followed by 47 Books

Observations about Psalms:

• Every Psalm (150 in total) contains praise to God.
• Longest and widely used book in the Bible.
• Diverse subjects, including jubilation, war, peace, judgment, Messianic prophecy, praise, worship, and lament.

Structure of Psalms:

• Five books within Psalms (1-41, 43-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150).
• Ten types of Psalms:
  • Individual Lament Psalms
  • Communal Lament Psalms
  • Individual Thanksgiving Psalms
  • Communal Thanksgiving Psalms
  • General Praise Psalms
  • Descriptive Praise Psalms
  • Enthronement Psalms
  • Pilgrimage Psalms
  • Royal Psalms
  • Wisdom and Didactic Psalms

Messianic Psalms: Five types, including typical messianic, typical prophetic, indirectly messianic, purely prophetic, and enthronement.

Notable Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1**