Lesson 1: Introduction to the Book of Psalms

What are Psalms?

· The word “Psalm” means a sacred song or hymn.

· The original Hebrew word means "praise."

· So the Psalms in our Bible are lyrical songs of praise.

How is the book of Psalms different than the rest of the Bible?

o The book of Psalms is Hebrew Poetry

o There is poetry scattered through much of the Old Testament. Five Old Testament books are all (nearly all) poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes.

o Several other Old Testament books have significant portions written in poetry including Lamentations, and Isaiah.

o There are significant differences between Hebrew and English poetry. Enough of a difference that Lesson 5 is devoted to examining the structure of Hebrew poetry in more detail.

o Psalms are poetry that are designed to be sung or recited.

How many Psalms are there?

o Thousands of psalms were written but only 150 are included in the Bible.

Who wrote the Psalms included in the Bible?

o 99 of the Psalms identify their author in the superscription (after the title and before verse 1).

o David is credited with 73 Psalms.

o Asaph is credited with 12 Psalms.

o Sons of Korah are credited with 9 Psalms.

o Solomon is credited with 2 Psalms.

o Heman the Ezrahite is credited with 1 Psalm.

o Ethan the Ezrahite is credited with 1 Psalm.

o Moses is credited with 1 Psalm.

o 51 of the Psalms do not identify their author and are labeled as “anonymous.”

o 2 Psalms labeled as anonymous are identified as David’s (Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25 and Psalm 95 in Hebrews 4:7).

When were the Psalms written?

o The Psalms were written over a 900-year period of time.

o The earliest psalm is Psalm 90 written by Moses sometime before 1406 B.C.

o David’s psalms which reflect his time as a fugitive from King Saul and David’s own reign were written between 1020-970 B.C.

o Asaph was David’s choir director so he wrote his psalms during that time of David’s reign.

o Solomon wrote his two psalms between 970-930 B.C.

o The psalms of the Sons of Korah and the two Ezrahites were probably written after the Israelites returned from their exile in Babylon (539 B.C.).

o Thus, the Psalms were written between 1400 B.C. and 500 B.C. with over half (85) written during David’s lifetime.