Author

Various. Seventy-three are attributed to King David. Twenty-seven are attributed to other authors, including the sons of Korah (10), Asaph (12), Solomon (2), Ethan (1), Heman (1), and Moses (1). Fifty psalms have no attribution to any author, although a number of them were likely also written by King David, for example, Psalm 2 is attributed to King David in Acts 4:25.

Date

Most of the psalms were written between 1000 and 500 B.C. The Book of Psalms itself, under the Hebrew name “Tehillim” which means “praise songs” was likely compiled around 500 B.C. or shortly thereafter.

Audience and Purpose

The book of Psalms was complied as the inspired book of prayer and praise for the people of Israel.

Major Themes

As each Psalm is a separate perspective and song, it would be impossible to identify every major theme throughout the book. However, as you read, some of the big ones are:

• Worship and Praise. The book contains the worship songs and prayers of many generations of God’s people in Israel, in both the good times and bad times of life.
• The Power of Testimony. A major, recurring theme in many of the Psalms is the recounting of the testimonies of God’s faithfulness. There is an expectation that in God’s unchanging nature, what He has done in the past, He will do again in the present.
• Sin and Righteousness.
• Prophecies of the Messiah. Throughout the book of Psalms, we see many scriptures which reveal specific prophecies, later fulfilled in the life of Jesus.

Key Scriptures

• Luke 24:44 — “Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’”
• Psalm 150:6 — “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Gospel Summary

Each psalm is its own song of worship to the Lord, and therefore each psalm has its own revelation of the Gospel of Jesus which could be summarized. Instead of looking for a summary of the whole book, you should read each psalm, making sure you are looking through the lens of the revealed Jesus and His gospel. Then the heart-cry of each songwriter will be brought to light, as you understand the hidden things of God which they could not see or imagine at the time of their writing.

© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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