THE BOOK OF

PSALM
INTRODUCTION

• The titles “Psalms” and “Psalter” come from the Septuagint

(the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT), where they
originally referred to stringed instruments (such as harp, lyre
and lute), then to songs sung with their accompaniment.
The traditional Hebrew title is tehillim (meaning “praises”)
even though many of the psalms are tephillot (meaning
“prayers”). In fact, one of the first collections included in the
book was titled “the prayers of David son of Jesse”.
OUTLINE:
• The book of Psalms, composed of one hundred fifty psalms,
is divided into five books.
• Psalms 1—41 are the first book;
• Psalms 42—72 are the second book;
• Psalms 73—89 are the third book;
• Psalms 90—106 are the fourth book; and
• Psalms 107—150 are the fifth book.
• Book 1:
• In Psalm 9 he speaks of the Lord as the God who has
the power to deliver from the enemy. In Psalm 10
David knows that God hears and answers prayer.
Psalm 23 reveals God as the Great Shepherd who
watches faithfully over His people. David praises Him
who is the King of Glory in Psalm 24. The God who
hates sin but loves those who trust in Him is seen in
Psalm 36.
BOOK 2:

• There are 31 Psalms in this section. David wrote 18

of them, Solomon wrote 1 (Psalm 72), and the rest
were written by Korah. These Psalms were compiled
for Tabernacle and Temple services. David wants us
to have a sense of wonder when we worship the
Lord, but they also contain prayers of deliverance.
BOOK 3:

• The introduction to this book announces, “Truly God is good

to Israel” (73:1). God has been just in all of His dealings
with the nation of Israel despite the sufferings that the
people often went through. The doxology also has the
double Amen, and speaks of the fact that God has kept His
covenant with David, therefore He should be worshipped
and praised (89).
BOOK 4:

• The introduction to the section declares confidence in God

as Protector of His people (90). The theme of this section is
about the steadfastness and faithfulness of God. The
doxology Psalm (106) praises God for the way He has led
Israel until the present day, and declares that He never
changes, He is “from everlasting to everlasting”.
BOOK 5

• The doxology is found in Psalm 150 but really

should include Psalms 145-150. They thank God in
every possible way for His goodness towards His
people. Hallelujah ends this final section as a note of
joyfulness and gladness.
HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Psalter is for the most part a book of prayer

and praise. In it faith speaks to God in prayer and
of God in praise. But there are also psalms that
are explicitly didactic (instructional) in form and
purpose (teaching the way of godliness).
REFLECTION:

• He is the Great King over all, the One to whom all things are subject.
He created all things and preserves them; they are the robe of glory
with which he has clothed himself.
• God if Faithful to fulfill his promised
• He ultimately will not tolerate any worldly power that opposes or
denies or ignores him.
• There is power in prayer