The overall theme of the Book must be seen as the praise of God. The name of God is mentioned in each one of the Psalms, for a total of over 1200 times in the 150 Psalms. References to Him, however, are much more numerous. For example, in Psalm 150 the name of God is mentioned only 4 times. But personal pronouns are used to reference God 13 times. In Psalm 23, the familiar Shepherd Psalm, the name of the LORD is found only twice. However, personal pronouns referring to God are found some 10 times. In Psalm 119, the name of God is found only 24 times in 176 verses. However, 347 times a personal pronoun is used to reference God in this one Psalm. Thus, on average, over two times in each verse the name of God or a personal pronoun is found in this Psalm. Psalm 68 lists God's name more than any chapter in the Psalms, 42 times in 35 verses. Psalm 133 only mentions God once.
The abundance of references to God in the Psalms underscores the place of God in our singing. While the Psalms deal with every level of human emotion, from full praise (150) to total dejection (74), the constant of every Psalm is God. We come together to recount His mighty acts, to call upon Him in times of need, and to praise His name. God must be the focus of our emotions.
The book of Psalms is quoted 81 times in the New Testament, more than any other book. It is quoted by every New Testament writer except James and Jude.
The book is also about the coming Messiah. Some groups, such as the Orthodox Church, see the Messiah in the very first Psalm. He is the Blessed Man. Certainly, the first book of the Psalms (Psalms 1-41) is loaded with Messianic prophecies, with the heart of this book (Psalms 22-24) portraying the great work of the Messiah. The second Psalm and the penultimate Psalm form a bracket around this section containing key passages on the deity and the humanity of the Messiah. Psalm 2 is quoted by New Testament writers as being Messianic (Hebrews 1:5). This Psalm tells us that Jesus became the Son by decree, not by birth, and those who trust in Him will be blessed (a reference I see to His deity). Psalm 8 is quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:27 and Hebrews 2:6-8 in reference to Christ. Psalm 16 references Christ's resurrection (Acts 2:25-32); Psalm 20:6 states that God will answer the Messiah from heaven; Psalm 21:4 finds its parallel in Hebrews 5:7, and Psalm 21:6 finds its parallel in Romans 9:5, both Messianic references. Psalm 22 is quoted by Christ on the cross and tells us of the past work of the Messiah. Psalm 23 expounds John 10 and tells us of the present work of the Messiah (see Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25). Psalm 24 foretells the future coming of the Messiah. Jesus draws our thoughts to Psalm 31 by quoting verse 5 on the cross (Luke 23:46). Psalm 34:20 is also referenced at the cross (John 19:36). Psalm 40 is quoted in Hebrews 10:5-9 and references the Messiah taking on a body.
As a sidenote, the earliest Hebrew text we have (dating to around 1000 A.D.) and the Psalterium Gallicanum translated by Jerome at the end of the 4th century give the second line as "My ears You have opened." However, the Vaticanus, the Sinaiticus, and the Alexandrinus, the three earliest Septuagint manuscripts we have (dating to the 4th and 5th centuries A.D.) give this second line as "But a body you have prepared for me," which is how it is quoted in Hebrews 10:5.
Psalm 41:9 is quoted in reference to Christ by Jesus (John 13:18). In the second book, Psalm 45 is quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9. Psalm 69:4 is quoted by Jesus in reference to Himself (John 15:25), as is verse 9 (John 2:17). The gall and vinegar of Psalm 69:19-21 finds its parallel at the cross. Psalm 72 ends this book with an ode to the King's Son whose dominion will be to the ends of the earth. Psalm 110 is quoted by Christ as a reference to Himself, and by the author of Hebrews (Matthew 22:44; Hebrews 5:6). Psalm 118:22 speaks of the rejected stone (Matthew 21:42) and Psalm 118:25-26 is what the crowds shouted on Palm Sunday.
Date: 1410 to 500 B.C.
Divisions:
The book of Psalms is divided into five separate books. Psalm 1 forms the introduction for the entire collection of Psalms and sets the theme
of God's blessings on the righteous and His destruction of the wicked. Psalm 150 forms the conclusion of the entire collection and calls us to the praise of the LORD.
The first thought of Psalm 1 is the blessed or happy man. The last thought of Psalm 150 is "praise the LORD" (Hallelujah). Each of the five books of the Psalms ends
with a doxology.
132 Psalms include the name "Yahweh" (usually translated "LORD" in most English Bibles; 18 do not, 15 of these are in the second book; every Psalm in the first and fourth book contains "Yahweh"); 109 Psalms include the name "Elohim" (usually translated "God" in most English Bibles; 41 do not, 21 of these are in the fifth book; every Psalm in the second and third book contains Elohim).
I. The Book of David. Psalms 1-41
- "LORD" is used 274 times; "God" is used 65 times.
- All but 4 are attributed to David (1, 2, 10, 33) No other writers are included in this group.
- This book opens with "Blessed is the man . . ."
- It closes with "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen." Psalm 41:13
II. The Book of Desire. Psalms 42-72
- "LORD" is used 30 times; "God" is used 213 times.
- 6 are by the sons of Korah (42, 42-49); 1 by Asaph (50); 18 by David (51-65, 68-70; and the last by Solomon (72). Yet, perhaps this book is the most personal of the five books. See 42, 45, 47, 51, 63.
- This book opens with "As the deer pants for the water brooks so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? . . ."
- It closes with "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." Psalm 72:18-20
III. The Book of Israel. Psalms 73-89;
- "LORD" is used 45 times; "God" is used 79 times.
- 11 are by Asaph (73-83); 4(5 if Ethan is included) by the sons of Korah (84-85; 87-88); 1 by David (86); 1 by Ethan the Ezrahite (89). It focuses mostly on God's dealings with His covenant people, Israel.
- This book opens with "Truly God is good to Israel . . ."
- It closes with "Blessed be the LORD forevermore! Amen and Amen." Psalm 89:52
IV. The Book of Praise. Psalms 90-106;
- "LORD" is used 110 times; "God" is used 26 times.
- 1 is by Moses (90), 2 are by David (101, 103). The rest are unnamed. Except for Psalm 102, all are praise Psalms.
- This book opens with "LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations . . ."
- It closes with "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, 'Amen!'" Praise the LORD! Psalm 106:48
V. The Book of Goodness. Psalms 107-150;
- "LORD" is used 258 times; "God" is used 41 times.
- 15 are by David (108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145); 1 is by Solomon (127). The rest are unnamed.
- This book opens with "Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good!"
- This book closes with "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." Ps. 150:6
Key Idea:
Praise the Worthy God (there are two major words for praise, "hallel," meaning to be boastful and "yidah," meaning to throw or cast out). We boast
about God and we verbally throw or cast our gratefulness to Him. "Hallel" is found in the Psalms 89 times out of a total appearance in the Old Testament of 150 times.
"Yidah" is found 66 times in the Psalms and 111 times in the entirety of the Old Testament. Interestingly, each word is found 59% of its time in the book of Psalms.
Together, 155 times out of 261 times these words are found in the Old Testament, they are in the Psalms. Psalms is about praise and the God who is worthy of praise.
Key Passage: Psalm 117
Key Lesson: We can relate personally with God.
