The Book of Psalms
Psalms is the Bible's book of songs and prayers: 150 poems in most Bibles that praise God, cry out in trouble, give thanks, confess sin and reflect on God's ways. Its Hebrew title, Tehillim, means "praises." The English name comes through Greek, from a word for songs sung to stringed instruments.
The book is arranged in five smaller books: Psalms 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106 and 107-150. Each of the first four ends with a short blessing of the LORD, and Psalm 150 closes the whole book with a call to praise. Many psalms carry a heading that names a writer or an occasion. David is named in about half of them, and others name Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon or Moses. Scholars generally hold that the book was gathered over several centuries.
The psalms have shaped worship across the centuries, in Israel's temple, in synagogues and in churches, and the New Testament quotes them often. They give words for joy and for grief alike.
The Psalms study opens with what the book is and how it came together, then moves through the psalms in order, from the early psalms of David to the closing call to praise in Psalm 150, with stops where the New Testament takes up a psalm. In Your Bible App, it comes as short, fun rounds that make the songs and prayers stick.
Key people
David
Israel's king and a skilled musician, named in the headings of about half the psalms.
Asaph
A Levite singer appointed in David's time, named in the headings of twelve psalms.
The sons of Korah
A family of Levite singers linked with a group of psalms that includes Psalm 42 and Psalm 46.
Solomon
David's son, named in the headings of Psalm 72 and Psalm 127.
Moses
Named in the heading of Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses the man of God.
Themes
Praise
Many psalms call God's people, and all creation, to praise the LORD for who He is and what He has done.
Lament and trust
Laments bring pain, fear and grief honestly to God, and most of them move toward renewed trust.
The LORD reigns
Psalms such as 93 and 99 proclaim that the LORD is King over the world and its nations.
Thanksgiving
Psalms of thanksgiving remember a particular rescue and thank God for it in front of others.
Delight in God's word
Psalms 1, 19 and 119 treat God's instruction as a source of life and joy.
Key verses
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!
Psalms quiz: sample questions
On the cross Jesus cried out the opening words of one of the psalms, asking God why he had forsaken him. Which psalm opens with that cry?
- Psalm 100
- Psalm 23
- Psalm 51
- Psalm 137
- Psalm 22
Show the answer
Answer: Psalm 22
Why: Matthew records the cry from the cross, and it repeats the opening line of a lament that goes on to speak of pierced hands and divided garments.
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
One of the best-known psalms in the Bible opens by saying that the LORD is the psalmist's shepherd. Which psalm is that?
- Psalm 121
- Psalm 1
- Psalm 23
- Psalm 150
- Psalm 51
Show the answer
Answer: Psalm 23
Why: Psalm 23 opens by calling the LORD the psalmist's shepherd and goes on to picture God's care as green pastures, quiet waters and a table set for the guest.
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 51 begins with David appealing to God's character before he makes his request. According to that opening verse, which of these is what David asks God to do?
- Count the stars, if indeed they can be counted
- Send fire down on the altar so the people will know the LORD is God
- Take off the sandals from his feet, for the place is holy ground
- Have mercy on me, O God, and blot out my transgressions
- Make an ark of gopher wood and coat it with pitch
Show the answer
Answer: Have mercy on me, O God, and blot out my transgressions
Why: The opening verse appeals to God's loving devotion and great compassion, and asks Him to blot out David's transgressions.
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 93:1 announces that the LORD reigns and then describes how He is robed. According to that verse, what is the LORD robed in?
- Majesty
- Camel's hair with a leather belt
- Sackcloth
- A scarlet robe
- Fine linen and purple
Show the answer
Answer: Majesty
Why: The verse pictures the LORD taking His throne as king, robed in majesty and clothed and armed with strength. The other answers describe clothing worn by people elsewhere in Scripture, not the LORD in this verse.
The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Which place is named in the opening verse of Psalm 137, the psalm of the exiles?
- Ephesus
- Nazareth
- Athens
- Zion
- Corinth
- Rome
Show the answer
Answer: Zion
Why: The opening verse of Psalm 137 pictures the exiles sitting down beside the rivers of Babylon and weeping as they remember Zion. Both place names stand in that single verse.
By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the book of Psalms about?
Psalms is a book of 150 songs and prayers used in worship. They praise God, lament in hard times, give thanks, confess sin and reflect on God's word and ways.
Who wrote the Psalms?
The headings name several writers. David is named in about half of the psalms, and others are linked with Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman and Ethan, while many name no writer at all. Scholars generally see the book as gathered over several centuries.
How is the book of Psalms arranged?
Psalms is divided into five books: Psalms 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106 and 107-150. Each of the first four ends with a short blessing of the LORD, and Psalm 150 closes the whole book with a call to praise.
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