The book of Psalms is actually five books compiled into one. These divisions are original and have not been added by modern-day editors. At the end of each of the five books, such as chapter 41:13, and at chapter 72:18 &19, there is a doxology, a fitting close to each book.
Psalms is an Old Testament hymnal that expresses the whole range of human emotions, from dark depression to high-spirited joy. Written by David, Korah, Asaph and several anonymous authors, these songs were sung in the temple worship of ancient Israel.
Psalms is the most often quoted and most diverse book of the Old Testament.
What does it say?
The book of the Psalms is the best loved book in the Old Testament. It contains 150 poems to be set to music for worship, both privately and in public worship services. Its magnificence and significance are evident from the fact that of the 283 times the New Testament writers quote the Old Testament, 116 times they are quoting from the Psalms.
It is difficult to summarize what the Psalms say. They cover the spectrum of human experience with God and with man. In short, they reflect the realities of life, expressed in poetry, one of literature's most expressive forms. The Psalms speak of love and hate, fear and security, danger and security, pain and joy. There are confessions and repentance, demands for justice, pleas for mercy, declarations of loyalty, and expressions of devotion to God and his word.
W. E. Gladstone has said, "All the wonders of Greek Civilization heaped together are less wonderful than is this simple Book of the Psalms" (quoted in Henry H. Halley, HALLEY'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, 24th edition [Zondervan, 1965], p. 248).
Faces & Places
In the titles given to the Psalms (which are from the original composition), King David is credited with 73 of the 150 Psalms, Asaph wrote 12, the sons of Korah wrote 11, Solomon wrote 2, Moses wrote 1, Ethan wrote 1, and 50 Psalms are anonymous. (We cannot be fully certain of all these numbers, since the Hebrew word translated "of" can also mean "for." So a Psalm "of" David, for instance, could be a Psalm "for" David.)
Asaph was a priest who headed the service of music. The sons of Korah were a guild of singers and composers. Solomon is the son of David who followed David in the throne. Moses is the same Moses who led the Israelites out of Egypt. Ethan is a priest.
Key Verses & Themes
Worship:
Psalm 150 "Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with the sounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
Messianic Prophecy:
Psalm 22:1 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Psalm 22:18 "They divided my garments among them and cost lots for my clothing."
So what?
Among the many striking features of the Psalms is the piercing honesty of the writers before their God. There is no holding back of emotions or tactful rephrasing of feelings. They know that God knows them. They know there is no need to hide. In fact, they are keenly aware that there is no hiding possible (see Psalm 139): neither physically, mentally, or emotionally.
When you come to God (and in your every-moment walk with him), it is helpful to remember that he is always there and he is fully ready for your honesty.
