
Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study the Old Testament book of Psalms.
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Basics
- Authorship: David – 73; anonymous – 50; Asaph – 12; Moses – 1 (Psalm 90); Solomon 2 (Psalm 72; 127); plus other authors
Structure
- 150 Psalms in 5 books (collections); each collection ends with a concluding doxology
- Book 1: Psalms 1-41; 41:13
- Book 2: Psalms 42-72; 72:18-20
- Book 3: Psalms 79-89; 89:52
- Book 4: Psalms 90-106; 106;48
- Book 5: Psalms 107-150; 150:1-6
Wisdom Literature
- Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Solomon
- General interest in humanity and universal pronouncements (as opposed to the people of Israel)
- Grounded in a theology of creation
- Fear of YHWH as proper context for wisdom, sometimes explicitly stated, but often implicit
- Questioning attitude about the basic problems of life: why is there suffering, inequality, death, why do the wicked prosper, etc.
Major Types of Psalms
Hymns of Praise
- Features: Call to Praise; Praise of the Lord’s deeds/attributes; Conclusion
- Occasion: Public worship in the temple during annual festivals and national celebrations
- Examples: Psalm 8; Psalm 29; Psalm 33; Psalm 46; Psalm 48; Psalm 65; Psalm 67; Psalm 68; Psalm 76; Psalm 100; Psalm 111; Psalm 113; Psalm 117; Psalm 135
Thanksgiving Psalms
- Features: Resolve to give praise or give thanks; description of distress faced; confession of Lord as Redeemer/deliverer; Vow of praise/assurance; Conclusion/lesson learned
- Occasion: an individual’s deliverance from acute distress
- Examples: Psalm 18; Psalm 30; Psalm 32; Psalm 34; Psalm 66; Psalm 92; Psalm 116; Psalm 118; Psalm; Psalm 136; Psalm 138.
Community Laments
- Features: Lamentation; petition; confession of trust; statement of praise
- Occasion: Used by the assembled congregation during national calamities or threats
- Examples: Psalm 12; Psalm 44; Psalm 58; Psalm 60; Psalm 74; Psalm 80; Psalm 83; Psalm 85; Psalm 90; Psalm 94; Psalm 123; Psalm 126; Psalm 129; Psalm 137.
Individual Laments
- Features; Complaint/lament; confession of trust; petition; vow or statement of praise
- Occasion: Experience of distress, sickness, flight from enemies, etc.
- Examples: ; Psalm 3; Psalm 4; Psalm 5; Psalm 6; Psalm 7; Psalm 10; Psalm 17; Psalm 22; Psalm 25; Psalm 26; Psalm 27; Psalm 28; Psalm 31; Psalm 35; Psalm 28; Psalm 39; Psalm 40; Psalm 41; Psalm 51; Psalm 52; Psalm 53; Psalm 54; Psalm 55; Psalm 56 ; Psalm 57; Psalm 61; Psalm 64; Psalm 69; Psalm 70; Psalm71; Psalm 77; Psalm 86; Psalm 88; Psalm 89; Psalm 102; Psalm 109; Psalm 120; Psalm 130; Psalm 139; Psalm 141; Psalm 142; Psalm 143.
Royal Psalms
- Features: Praise and celebration of the King; praise and celebration of YHWH as king
- Occasion: coronation of king; a petition of behalf of the king; praise for King’s success; praise to YHWH as king.
- Examples: Psalm 2; Psalm 18; Psalm 20; Psalm 21; Psalm 72; Psalm 93; Psalm 101; Psalm 110; Psalm 131; Psalm 144.
Minor types of Psalms
- Wedding Psalm: Psalm 45 for the king’s wedding
- Processional hymns for entering the temple: Psalms 15; Psalm 24
- For festival to celebrate YHWH’s kingship: Psalm 93; ; Psalms 95-99
- Recitation of great historical deeds: Psalm 78; Psalm 105; Psalm 106.
- “Song of Ascents”: for pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem; Psalms 120-134.
- Zion hymns: about the temple in Jerusalem on Mt Zion; Psalms 46; Psalm 48; Psalm 76; Psalm 84; Psalm 87; Psalm 122.
- Wisdom Psalms: Psalm 1; Psalm 19; Psalm 36; Psalm 37; Psalm 49; Psalm 73; Psalm 78; Psalm 112; Psalm 119; Psalm 127; Psalm 128.
Genre: Understanding Hebrew Poetry
Psalms of Lament: Their Form
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Their Form
Psalms of Praise: Their Form
Background & Outlines
- Ray Stedman: Overview of each Book
- John MacArthur – Introduction to Pslams
- Biblehub: Timeline of Psalms
- ESV: Introduction to Psalms
- ESV: The Global Message of Psalms
- NIV: Introduction to Psalms
- NIV: Wisdom Literature
- James van Dine: Analysis of Psalms
- Charles Swindoll: Book of Psalms Overview
- Psalms quoted in the New Testament
- David Malick: An Introduction to Psalms on www.bible.org
- Overview of the 5 Psalms, types, terms and purposes
- A list of Psalms by Theme
- Read through the Psalms in 30 days
- Probable occasion when each psalm was written
Maps
- Old Testament Maps (BibleHistory.com)
- The Ancient Near East
- Biblical Regions
- Modern States and the Ancient Near East
- Mesopotamia: Homeland of Abraham
- Egypt: Land of Bondage
- Syria and Lebanon
- International Routes, The King’s Highway
- Geography and Trade Routes of the Middle East
- National Regions of Ancient Palestine
- Physical Geography of Palestine
- Topography of Palestine; Cross Sectional Views of Longitudinal Zones
- Northern Coastal Plains
- Plain of Dor, Plain of Sharon, Samaria, et al.
- Philistine Plain, Shephelah, Judah, and the Dead Sea
- Arabah, Negeb, Wildernesses of Zin and Paran
- The Old City of Jerusalem Today
- Modern Political Divisions of Ancient Palestine
- Climate Patterns of Ancient Palestine
Key Words
- varies with Psalm
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
- Psalms, Theology of – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- American Tract Society Psalms, the Book of
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Psalms, book of
- Fausset Bible Dictionary Psalms, the Book of Psalms
- Holman Bible Dictionary Psalms, Book of Psalms of Solomon Imprecation, Imprecatory Psalms
- Morrish Bible Dictionary Psalms, Book of Psalms
- Smith Bible Dictionary Psalms, Book of,
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Psalms, Book of
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Psalms, Book Of,
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia Psalms, the Book of
- American Church Dictionary Proper psalms Penitential psalms
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary Psalms
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Psalms of Solomon Psalms
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT Psalms Psalms (2) Psalms of Solomon
- Hawker’s Poor Man’s Dictionary Psalms
- Watson’s Theological Dictionary Psalms
- 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Book of Psalms
- Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Degrees psalms of Psalms book of
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Psalms, Book of, Alleluiatic Psalms Special Psalms Selections of Psalms Abecedarian Hymns or Psalms Metrical Psalms And Hymns Penitential Psalms Proper Psalms
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia Penitential Psalms
Alfred Edersheim – The Golden Diary of Heart Converse with Jesus in the Book of Psalms
Commentaries & Study Bibles
- Top 5 Commentaries on the Book of Psalms by Keith Mathison
- Best Commentaries on Psalms – Tim Challies
- Best Commentary on Psalms
- Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Psalms
- Matthew Henry: Psalms
- Albert Barnes Notes: Psalms
- Reformation Study Bible Notes: Psalms
- Geneva Study Bible: Psalms
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Psalms
Articles
- James Frazer: The Authenticity of the Psalm Titles,” Grace Theological Seminary, 1984.
- Psalm 15 – Maloney, Les. “A Portrait of the Righteous Person,” Restoration Quaterly 45.3 (2003) 151-164.
- Psalm 22 – Gren, Conrad R. “Piercing the Ambiguities of Psalm 22:16 and the Messiah’s Mission,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 48.2 (2005) 283-99.
- Psalm 22 – Heineman, Mark H. “An Exposition of Psalm 22,” Bibliotheca Sacra 147 (July 1990) 286-308.
- Psalm 22- Patterson, Richard D “Psalm 22: From Trial to Triumph,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 47.2 (2004) 213-33.
- Psalm 22, Psalm 41 (et al) Derek Tidball – Songs of the Crucified One: The Psalms and the Crucifixion SBJT V11 N2.4
- Psalm 32, 51 – Barentsen, Jack. “Restoration and Its Blessings: A Theological Analysis of Psalm 51 and 32,” Grace Theological Journal 5.2 (1984) 247-269.
- Psalm 45 – Patterson, Richard D. “A Multiplex Approach to Psalm 45,” Grace Theological Journal 6.1 (1985) 29-48.
- Psalm 47- Perdue, Leo G. “‘Yahweh Is King over All the Earth’: An Exegesis of Psalm 47,” Restoration Quarterly 17.2 (1974) 85-98.
- Psalm 49 – Estes, Daniel J. “Poetic Artistry in the Expression of Fear in Psalm 49,” Bibliotheca Sacra 161 (Jan.-Mar. 2004) 55-71.
- Psalm 51 –Harrison, Everett F. “A Study of Psalm 51,” Bibliotheca Sacra 92 (1935) 26-38.
- Psalm 62 – Bland, Dave. “Exegesis of Psalm 62,” Restoration Quarterly 23.2 (1980) 82-95.
- Psalm 67 –Bosma, C. J. and Eep Talstra. “Psalm 67: Blessing, Harvest and History: A Proposal for Exegetical Methodology,” Calvin Theological Journal 36 (2001) 290-313.
- Psalm 73- Smith, Terry L. “A Crisis in Faith: An Exegesis of Psalm 73,” Restoration Quarterly 17.3 (1974) 162-184.
- Psalm 77- Graham, Pat. “Psalm 77: A Study in Faith and History,” Restoration Quaterly 18.3 (1975) 151-158.
- Psalm 72, 89 – Grisanti, Michael A. ” The Davidic Covenant,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 10.2 (1999) 233-250.
- Psalm 87 – Allen, Ronald B. “Psalm 87: A Song Rarely Sung,” Bibliotheca Sacra 153 (April-June 1996) 131-140.
- Psalm 91 – Knight, Leonard C. “I Will Show Him My Salvation: The Experience of Anxiety in the Meaning of Psalm 91,” Restoration Quarterly 43.4 (2001) 280-292.
- Psalm 98 – Longman, Tremper. “Psalm 98: A Divine Warrior Victory Song,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 27.3 (1984) 267-74.
- Psalm 105 –Hildebrandt, Ted. “Psalm 105: A Davidless/Zionless Song of Our Father Abraham”
- Psalm 104 –Barker, David G “The Waters of the Earth: An Exegetical Study of Psalm 104:1-9,” Grace Theological Journal 7.1 (1986) 57-80.
- Psalm 110 – Bateman, Herbert W. “Psalm 110:1 and the New Testmaent,” Bibliotheca Sacra 149 (Oct. 1992) 438-53.
- Psalm 110 – Davis, Barry C. “Is Psalm 110 A Messianic Psalm?” Bibliotheca Sacra 157 (April-June 2000) 160-73.
- Psalm 113 – Zemek, George, J. “Grandeur and Grace: God’s Transcendence and Immanence in Psalm 113,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 1.2 (1990) 129-137.
- Psalm 121 –Barker, David G. “’The Lord Watches Over You’: A Pilgrimage Reading of Psalm 121,” Bibliotheca Sacra 152 (April-June 1995) 163-181.
- Feinberg, Charles L. “The Date of the Psalms,” Bibliotheca Sacra 104 (Oct. 1947) 426-40.
- Briggs, Charles A. “An Inductive Study of Selah” JBL (1897) 132-43.
- Laney, J. Carl. “A Fresh Look at the Imprecatory Psalms,” Bibliotheca Sacra 138 (1981) 35-45.
- Luc, A. “Interpreting the Curses in the Psalms,” Journal of the Evangelical Society 42 (1999) 395-410.
- Martin, Chalmers. “The Imprecations in the Psalms,” Princeton Theological Review 1.4 (1903) 537-53.
- Day, John N. “The Imprecatory Psalms and Christian Ethics,” Bibliotheca Sacra 159 (April-June 2002) 166-86.
- Imprecations in the Psalms – Sam Storms
- What is imprecatory prayer? ; Should Christians Pray for God to Judge their Enemies – Michael Horton
- Parsons, Greg W. “Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming the Psalms,” Bibliotheca Sacra 147 (1990) 169-87.
- Harmon, Allan M. “Aspects of Paul’s Use of the Psalms,” Westminster Theological Journal 32.1 (1969) 1-23
- Greg Herrick: Conceptions of Davidic Hope in the Greek Psalter and Apocrypha
- Gary Kukis: The Doctrine of the Messianic Psalms.
- Gary Kukis: The Four Types of Messianic Prophecy
- Paul van Gorder: OT Reflections of Christ – Psalms
GotQuestions.org
- Selah – What does “selah” mean in the Bible?
- Musical Terms in Psalms – To what do the various musical terms in the book of Psalms refer?
- Messianic Psalms – Which psalms predict the coming of Jesus Christ?
- Imprecatory Psalms – What is imprecatory prayer?
- David’s Psalms – How many psalms did David write?
- David’s Psalms – Why do many of the psalms of David sound so sad?
- Authors – Who are the authors of the book of Psalms?
- Divisions of Psalms – Why is the book of Psalms divided into five books?
- Psalm 2:12 – What does it mean to kiss the son?
- Psalm 8:5 – What does it mean that Jesus was a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7)?
- Psalm 14 – Why are Psalms 14 and 53 nearly identical?
- Psalm 14:1 – What does the Bible mean when it says “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’”?
- Psalm 19:1 – What does it mean that the heavens declare the glory of God?
- Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 – Where do the Hebrew Scriptures prophesy the death and resurrection of the Messiah?
- Psalm 22:1 – Why did Jesus say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
- Psalm 22:16 – What is the correct translation of Psalm 22:16?
- Psalm 23 – What does it mean that the Lord is my Shepherd?
- Psalm 23:3 – How can I restore my soul?
- Psalm 23:4 – What does it mean to walk through the valley of the shadow of death?
- Psalm 23:5 – What does it mean that my cup runneth over?
- Psalm 24 – What does it mean that God is the King of glory?
- Psalm 37:4 – What does it mean to delight yourself in the Lord?
- Psalm 46:10 What does it mean to be still and know that I am God?
- Psalm 50:10-11 – What does it mean that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills?
- Psalm 51:17 – What does it mean that God will not despise a broken spirit and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17)
- Psalm 56:8 – What does it mean that God collects our tears in a bottle?
- Psalm 66:1 What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord?
- Psalm 68:5 What does it mean that God is father to the fatherless?
- Psalm 62:1,5 – What does it mean to wait on the Lord?
- Psalm 82:6 – What does the Bible mean by “you are gods” / “ye are gods” in Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34?
- Psalm 89:26, 95:1 – What does it mean that God is the Rock of salvation?
- Psalm 90 – What can we learn from the prayer of Moses?
- Psalm 110:1 – What does it mean that “the Lord said to my Lord”?
- Psalm 119 – What should we learn from Psalm 119?
- Psalm 120-134 – What are the Songs of Ascent?
- Psalm 137:9 – What does Psalm 137:9 mean when it says, “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks”?
- Psalm 139:13-16 – Do the souls of aborted babies go to heaven?
- Psalm 139:14 – What does it mean that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)?
- Psalm 147:3 – How can I recover from heartbreak / a broken heart?
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