Articles on the Psalms
Through the ages teachers and preachers have delivered thousands, possibly millions of sermons based on the Psalms; simply because the Psalms contain some of the most beautiful spiritual concepts on which the human mind can dwell.
The Psalms are the Hymn Book of Scripture; a collection of spiritual songs which were set to music and sung by the choirs of Jahzrael (Israel). Many of the world's best-loved hymns are based on the Psalms.
The Psalms cover many subjects: history, war, peace, health, sickness, happiness, sorrow, wealth, poverty, leadership, good advice etc.
The Psalms also contain some of the most profound prophecies in Scripture. All this means that the Psalms are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
They tell of Jahshuwah the Saviour's life, His work and death; even the very words He would speak as He hung during the crucifixion. They also tell of His second coming and subsequent rule over all nations.
The Psalms are prayers, praises and prophecies set to music. In other words they are sacred instructional songs. In the Jahbrew (Hebrew) language the book of Psalms is called the Book of Praises.
“The Psalms number 150. They are divided into 5 books, in imitation it is thought, of the fivefold division of the Pentateuch; this division is ancient. These books begin respectively with Psalm 1; 42; 73; 90; 107. Each book is attributed to close with a doxology.
In the first book all the Psalms are attributed to David except 4 (Psalm 1; 2; 10; 33). These are so-called orphan Psalms; that is, they are anonymous.
In the second book, of the 31 psalms the first 8 are a collection of songs of the Sons of Korah. Seven are expressly ascribed to them; and Psalm 43, whether written by them or not was composed as a conclusion of psalm 42. This group is followed by a Psalm of Asaph. Then comes a group of 20 Psalms attributed to David with the exception of 2 (Psalm 66; 67) .... The book closes with an anonymous and a Solomonic psalm (Psalm 71; 72) In this book the Holy name prevailing is Elohim God; and 2 psalms duplicate 2 of the 1st book, substituting the word God for Jah (Psalm 53; 70)
The third book contains 17 psalms. The first 11 are attributed to Asaph, 4 to the sons of Korah, and 1 each to David and Ethan. This collection of psalms was gathered after the destruction of Jerusalem and burning of the Temple (Psa.74: 3, 7, 8; 79:1).
The 4th book likewise contains 17 psalms. The 1st is ascribed to Moshea (Moses), 2 to David, and the remaining 11 are anonymous...
The 5th book contains 28 anonymous psalms, while 15 are assigned to David and 1 to Solomon ... It will be seen that the composition of the psalms ranges over a long period of time. That David was the author of the Psalms is supported by abundant early testimony, direct and indirect.”
(Westminster Dictionary of the Bible)
Below are some links to various articles focusing on the Psalms.
|