More on the Book of Psalms
—An overview
This study takes an overview of the Book of Psalms, to help us better understand appreciate this Bible book.
1 Not One Book But Five
The “Book of Psalms” is really five books combined:
1. Psalms 1-41,
2. Psalms 42-72,
3. Psalms 73-89,
4. Psalms 90-106,
5. Psalms 107-150.
The final Psalm in each of the five books closes with a doxology (word of praise to God). For example Psalm 41 at the end of book 1, closes with...
Blessed be the LORD
The God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting,
Amen and Amen.
2 Half of the Psalms are Attributed to David
David, a prophet, was king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:29-31, 2Samuel 5:1-5). Seventy three out of the total 150 psalms were written by David.
The Psalms of David show David’s genius as a composer of songs. He was also a gifted orchestrator of musical instruments "for the praise of the Lord", in the tabernacle worship (1Chronicles 23:5, 2Chronicles 29:25-28).
3 Psalms Especially Loved By Christians
All scripture is good and profitable (2Timothy 3:14-17) however certain Psalms, such as Psalm 23 and Psalm 51, have an extra special place in the Christian’s heart and worship (Colossians 3:16).
Most pocket editions of the New Testament also include the Psalms at the back following the Book of Revelation.
4 Not All Bible Psalms Are In the Book of Psalms
These 150 psalms are not the only ones in the Bible. A few other psalms are scattered through the Bible.
Examples:
| Other Psalms in the Bible | |
| Deut 32 | Moses’s song approaching the promised land |
| Judges 5 | Deborah’s song at the Caananites' defeat |
| 1Sam 2 | Hannah’s prayer at Samuel’s dedication |
| 2Sam 22 | David’s song when delivered from Saul [Psalms 18] |
| Luke 1:45-55 | Mary’s song when she visited Elizabeth |
| Luke 1:67-79 | Zachariah’s prophecy at the birth of his son John |
| Revelation 5 | The elder’s song in the vision of the throne |