A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book

A Study of Israel’s Hymn A Study of Israel’s Hymn BookBook

“ David … the sweet psalmist of Israel”2 Samuel 23:1

Book of PsalmsBook of Psalms Psalms is the largest book in the Bible and the

most quoted book in the New Testament

The book was known among the Jews as Sepher Tehillim or “Book of Praises”

The Septuagint (LXX = the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) uses the Greek word Psalmoi as its title, meaning a song of worship sung to musical instruments

The Latin title is Liber Psalmorum or “Book of Psalms”

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Book of PsalmsBook of Psalms “Psalms” comes from the Heb. zamir meaning

“song”

2 Sam. 23:1 – “the sweet psalmist of Israel”

Job 35:10 – “who giveth songs in the night”

Psalm 95:2 – “joyful noise unto him in psalms”

Psalm 119:54 – “thy statutes have been my songs”

Song of Solomon 2:12 – “time of the singing”

Isaiah 24:16 – “we heard songs”

Isaiah 25:5 – “the song of the terrible ones”3

The Division of PsalmsThe Division of Psalms

Division Number Doxology

Book I Psalm 1 - 41 41:13

Book II Psalm 42 - 72 72:19

Book III Psalm 73 - 89 89:52

Book IV Psalm 90 - 106

106:48

Book V Psa. 107 - 150 150:1-6

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Numbering of PsalmsNumbering of Psalms

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Septuagint (LXX) Hebrew

1-8 1-8

9 9 and 10

10 – 112 11 – 113

113 114 and 115

114 116:1-9

115 116:10-19

116 – 145 117 – 146

146 147:1-11

147 147:12-20

148 – 150 148 – 150

The Author of PsalmsThe Author of Psalms

50 psalms are anonymous

73 psalms are attributed to King David, 1011-971 B.C. (two more, Psa. 2 and 95 are attributed to him in the NT: Acts 4:25 and Heb. 4:7)

12 psalms are attributed to Asaph, a priest who led the service of music (see Ezra 2:41)

10 psalms are attributed to “the sons of Korah”, a guild of singers and composers

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The Author of PsalmsThe Author of Psalms

2 psalms are attributed to King Solomon (Psa. 72; 127)

1 psalm is attributed to each of the following:

Moses (Psa. 90)

Heman (Psa. 88; see 1 K. 4:31; 1 Chron. 15:19)

Ethan (Psa. 89)

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The Time of PsalmsThe Time of Psalms

The “book of Psalms” (Lk. 20:42; Acts 1:20) is a compilation of writings; it is not the work of one author, but many authors

The time period covered in the psalms extends over a period of about 1,000 years, from Moses (Psa. 90; c. 1500 B.C.) to the return from captivity (Psa. 126, 137; c. 500 B.C.)

The psalms were written to different audiences under different conditions; they reflect a multitude of moods, situations, problems, joys, etc.

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References to Psalms in the New Testament

For David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand (Lk. 20:42)

And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me (Lk. 24:44)

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take (Acts 1:20)

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that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee (Acts 13:33)

Because he saith also in another psalm, Thou wilt not give Thy Holy One to see corruption (Acts 13:35)

What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying (1 Cor. 14:26)

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speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God (Col. 3:16)

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Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual SongsPsalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs

Psalm Title Composer

19 Psalm 19: The Law of the Lord

Traditional

23 The Lord’s My Shepherd

Scottish Psalter, 1650

100 All People That On Earth - Dwell

William Kethe, 1560

148 Praise the Lord

J. Kempthorne, 1796

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Psalm ClassificationsPsalm Classifications1 Chronicles 16:41 Chronicles 16:4

Name Meaning

Maskil (13 psalms) a contemplative poem (meditation, instruction)

Miktam (6 psalms) epigram, inscription poem

Mizmor (57 psalms) a song accompanied by an instrument (lit. to pluck)

Shir (29 psalms) song

Tepillah (5 psalms) a prayer (comp. Hab. 3)

Tehillah (1 psalm) a praise

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Name Meaning Psalm

Acrostic (alphabetic)

the first letter of the first word in a verse contains successive letters in the Heb. alphabet

Psalm 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145

Didactic a psalm that teaches or instructs

Psalm 1, 36, 49, 52, etc.

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Name Meaning Psalm

Hallelujah psalms beginning or ending with “praise Jehovah” (hallelujah)

Psalm 106, 111, 112, 113, 135, 146-150

Historical psalms that review the history of Israel

Psalm 68, 74, 78, 79, 102, 105, 106, 126, 136, 137, 147, etc.15


Name Meaning Psalm

Imprecatory psalms that invoke evil upon one’s enemies; to curse

Psalm 35, 55, 58, 69, 83, 109, etc.

Lament: individual or national

a petition to rescue and defend from enemies

Psalm 3-7, etc.

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Name Meaning Psalm

Messianic psalms that contain prophecy of Jesus Christ

Psa. 2, 16, 22, 89, 110, 132, etc.

Penitential psalms that contain penitent, remorseful statements about one’s sin

Psa. 6:1-2; 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

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Name Meaning Psalm

Praise (devotion)

psalms that praise God for his goodness and greatness

Psalm 8, 18, 19, 24, 31, 33, 40, etc.

Prayer (petition)

psalms that pray for specific petitions

Psalm 3-7, 10, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 35, 40, etc.

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Name Meaning Psalm

Royal psalms dealing with a description of the king

Psalm 45, 72, 93, 97, 101

Songs of Ascent (pilgrimage)

psalms sung on the way up to Jerusalem

Psalm 120-134

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Name Meaning Psalm

Suffering psalms that express suffering in life

Psalm 73, 102

Thanksgiving: individual or national

a show of gratitude for what God has done

Psalm 9, 21, 30, 48, 65, 66, 76, etc.

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Name Meaning Psalm

Trust The psalmist places his trust in God in troubled times

Psalm 3, 4, 11, etc.

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Hebrew Poetry: ParallelismHebrew Poetry: Parallelism

The emphasis in Hebrew poetry is not on word rhyme

One of the most distinctive elements of Hebrew poetry is parallelism; saying something more than once for emphasis, clarification or contrast (“rhyming” of thought, not of sound, attributed to Robert Lowe in 1753)

Synonymous parallelism: the thought in the first line is repeated in the second line with different words for clarification (see Psa. 8:4; 24:1-3)

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Hebrew Poetry: ParallelismHebrew Poetry: Parallelism

Antithetic parallelism: the thought of one line is contrasted by a statement in the second line – “but” (see Psa. 1:6; 20:7; 37:9)

Synthetic parallelism: thought of one line is completed in the second (or third) line (see Psa. 1:2-3; 19:7)

Progressive (step) parallelism: the thought of one line is expanded in the lines that follow (see Psa. 1:1; 29:1)

Introverted parallelism: lines 1 and 4 are related; lines 2 and 3 are related (see Psa. 51:1; 91:14)

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Hebrew Poetry: Figures of SpeechHebrew Poetry: Figures of Speech Another distinctive feature of Hebrew poetry is

the use of figures of speech (non-literal speech) to produce vivid imagery

Allegory: describing one thing under the image of something else; an extended metaphor (Psa. 80:8-16)

Apostrophe: when inanimate things are address as if they were living (Psa. 114:3-7)

Hyperbole: exaggeration for the sake of emphasis; not literally so (Psa. 6:6)

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Hebrew Poetry: Figures of SpeechHebrew Poetry: Figures of Speech

Metaphor: describing one thing under the image of something else (Psa. 18:1-2; 23:1; 84:11)

Metonymy: one word is put for another on account of the actual relationship between the two (Psa. 128:2)

Personification: attributing characteristics of a person to inanimate objects (Psa. 114:3-4)

Simile: comparison using “like” or “as” (Psa. 1:3-4)

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Hebrew Poetry: Figures of SpeechHebrew Poetry: Figures of Speech

Synecdoche: a part of something is exchanged for the whole (Psa. 52:1, 2-4)

Theophany (God appearing): comparing God’s appearing to a great earthquake and storm (Psa. 18:7-19)

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Hebrew Poetry: ChiasmHebrew Poetry: Chiasm

Another feature of Hebrew poetry is chiasm

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Six Things to Look For in the PsalmsSix Things to Look For in the Psalms

1. The literary element – what poetic devises and figures of speech are being used in this psalm? Examples:

Parallelism (see above)

Figures of speech (see above)

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2. The historical element – what historical references (people, places, events, etc.) are mentioned in this psalm? Examples:Psalm titles (Psa. 3, 7, 18, etc.)Creation of man (8:4)Flood (29:10)Abraham (47:9)Melchizedek (110:4)Isaac (105:9)Jacob (46:7)

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2. Examples:Jacob (46:7)Joseph (77:15; 105:17-22)Jacob in Egypt (105:23-24)Israel’s bondage (105:25)Moses and Aaron (105:26)10 Plagues (78:12, 43-51; 105:27-36)Crossing the Red Sea (74:13-14; 78:13; 81:6; 106:9-11; 136:13-15)Song of Moses (78:13, 53)

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2. Examples:Wilderness wandering (47:7)Cloud and fire (78:14)Water from the rock (78:15-16)Manna and quail (78:24-29)Waters of Meribah (81:7; 95:8-9)Israelite murmuring (78:40)Fire of Taberah (78:21)Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (106:16-18)Golden calf (106:19-20)

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2. Examples:Intercession of Moses (106:23)Sin of Baal-peor (106:28)Zeal of Phinehas (106:30)Defeat of Sihon and Og (136:19-20)Entrance to Canaan (105:44; 136:21-22)Israel’s disloyalty (78:55-58)Defeat of Sisera and Midian (83:9)Death of Eli’s sons (78:64)Appoint of King David (78:70-72)

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3. The ethical/religious element: what moral & religious requirements are taught in this psalm? Examples:the righteous (Psa. 1:1-3; 5:12; 7:9; etc)the wicked (Psa. 1:4-6; 3:7; 7:9; etc.)sin (32:1-5; 38:3, 18; etc)transgression (5:10; 25:7; etc)judgment (7:8; 9:7, 8, 16; etc)upright (7:3-5; 8-10; 15:1-5; 17:3, 15; 18:23-24; 26:1, 11)clean hands, pure heart (24:3-6)sacrifices (20:3; 43:4; 51:19; 66:13-15)broken heart (51:17)

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4. The prophetic element: what prophecies concerning the future of the Messiah (Christ), Israel, and the Gentiles are uttered in this psalm? Examples:

All nations (Gentiles) – 2:1-5; 22:27; 65:2, 5; 66:4; 68:29-33; 86:9; 102:15, 22; 138:4

Israel – 126:1-6

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4. Examples concerning the Messiah (Jesus the Christ):His humanity (8:4-5; Heb. 2:6-8)His Sonship (2:7; 110:1; Mt. 22:42-45; Heb. 1:5)His deity (45:6, 11; Heb. 1:8)His holiness (45:7; 89:18-19; (Heb. 1:9)His priesthood (104:4; Heb. 5:6)His obedience (60:6-8; Heb. 10:5-7)His suffering (69:9; Rom. 15:3)His betrayal (61:9; Lk. 22:48)His resurrection (16:10; Acts 13:33-36)His ascension (63:18; Eph. 4:8)

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5. The theological element: what can be learned about God (names, characteristics, etc.) from this psalm? Examples:Adonai = Sovereign Lord (2:4; 8:1, 9; etc)Jehovah = Eternal One (1:2, 6; 2:2, 7, 11; etc)El = Mighty God (3:2, 7; 4:1; 5:2, 4, 10; etc)Elyon = Most High (7:17; 9:2; 18:13; etc)Shaddai = ProviderEternity (90:1, 2, 4)Omnipresent (139:1ff)Lovingkindness (136:1ff)

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6. The devotional element: what practical help (comfort, courage, hope, help, etc.) can I gain from studying this psalm? Examples:Protection / Help (5; 7; 13; 17; 18; 20-21)Guidance (23)God’s word (19; 119)Forgiveness (32; 51)Worship (95; 96)Family (127; 128)Trouble (142)Praise (148 – 150)

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Documents

A Study of Israel’s Hymn Book