1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Name Hebrew title: Tehillim, "praise songs.

." The Greek title (by The Greek Septuagint translators): Psalmoi, "songs to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument," (Acts 1:20). English title: Psalms *The term Psaltery, from Greek word for "stringed instrument." 1.2 Authors
AUTHOR David Descendants of Korah Asaph Solomon Ethan Heman Moses Anonymous QUANTITY 73 10 12 2 1 1 1 50 42; 44-49; 84-85; 87 50; 73-83 72; 127 89 88 90 all others PSALM 3-9; 11-32; 34-41; 51-65; 68-70; 86; 101; 103; 108-110; 122; 124; 131; 133; 138-145

Psalms - The Hymnbook of Israel

1.3 Dates of the composition of Psalms

(Source: Jensen's Survey of the Old Testament, Chicago: Moody Press, 1978 Edition, p. 274, by Irving L. Jensen)

1.4 The Fivefold Division of the Psalms

(Source: Jensen's Survey of the Old Testament, Chicago: Moody Press, 1978 Edition, p. 278, by Irving L. Jensen)

1.5 Location of the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament canon In the Hebrew Scriptures the scroll of Psalms appeared at the beginning of the third division called "Writings." (Recall the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible as Law, Prophets and Writings) As such, this collection of sacred songs was the inspired prayer and praise book of the nation of Israel. In the fourfold grouping of books in our English Bibles (Law, History, Poetry and Prophets), the book of Psalms is the second book of the third division. 2. PROMINENT SUBJECTS 2.1 David 2.2 Names of God Hebrew Name El Adonai Jehovah KJV God Lord Lord Meaning Almighty One Sovereign Lord Covenant Maker and Provider; Blesser Book I (1-41) Book II (42-72) Book III (73-89) Book IV (90-106) Book V (107-150) 67 13 277 207 19 31 85 15 43 32 2 101 41 12 226

Shaddai

Almighty

2.3 Worship and Praise 2.4 Sin and Righteousness "righteous" and "righteousness" over 130 times "sin" and "iniquity" at least 65 times 16 "good" and "evil" about 40 times each "judgment" and its cognates more than 100 times 3. THE MESSAGE OF THE PSALTER (:The Book of Psalms) 3.1 The Practical Message 3.2 The Prophetic Message Messianic psalms depict His: humanity (8); priesthood (110); sonship (2); suffering and death (22); resurrection (l6); and return to reign (2, 24). Other psalms relate to Israel's future. We see in such psalms as 68, 89 and 102 that Israel's future blessings are based in the Messiah. The Gentiles also are included in the prophetic scope of the book (cf. Psalm 2, 65, 66). 4. CLASSIFICATION OF PSALMS The psalms may be classified in several ways on the basis of subject matter. The main types appear to fall into the following categories: CLASSIFICATION Devotional/Didactic Hallelujah Historical Nature Penitential Imprecatory Messianic PURPOSE formal instruction praise God looking back on God's dealings with the nation of Israel the handiwork of God in His creative work sorrowing over sin asking for judgment on wicked men speak of the Person and the work of the Messiah - Jesus Christ PSALM 1, 5, 7, 15, 17, 50, 73, 94, 101 106, 111-113, 115-117, 135, 146-150 78, 105, 106, 136 8, 19, 29, 33, 65, 104 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143 7, 35, 52, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, 140 2, 8, 16, 20-24, 31, 34, 35, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 102, 110, 118