Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Chapter
21. Psalms: The Songbook of Ancient Israel
Chapter Intro Video
Chapter Objectives
- Define the word “psalm”
- Name those individuals the Bible credits with writing various psalms
- Explain how the psalms make a unique contribution to the Bible
- Describe the arrangement of the five divisions of the book of Psalms
- List the various types of psalms
- Describe how the psalms apply to the Christian life
Chapter Summary
- The book of Psalms essentially represents an ancient songbook of Israel.
- Many writers contributed to the book of Psalms—David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, and a number of anonymous writers.
- The psalms make a special contribution to the Bible because they provide us with an understanding of Israelite worship, and because they touch on virtually all aspects of Hebrew life.
- There are five basic divisions of the book of Psalms: 1–41, 42–72, 73–89, 90–106, and 107–150.
- The German scholar Hermann Gunkel laid the foundation for a classification of the psalms.
- The basic classification of the psalms includes the following types: hymns, penitential psalms, wisdom psalms, royal psalms, messianic psalms, imprecatory psalms, lament psalms.
- Hymns focus on individual or corporate praise to God.
- Penitential psalms feature individual or corporate confession and repentance.
- Wisdom psalms provide general observations about life.
- The focus in royal psalms is on the king of Israel.
- Messianic psalms describe the Messiah.
- Imprecatory psalms call on God to judge one’s enemies.
- Lament psalms bemoan one’s condition, state trust in God, and end with praise.
Study Questions
- Name the major contributors to the book of Psalms. What makes the book such a unique book in God’s Scripture?
- Identify the various psalm types and describe their general characteristics. What kinds of expressions would you expect to find in each type? Write a psalm that fits each style.