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The Book of Psalms is not only the largest book of the Bible, but it perhaps the most widely used book in Scripture because of the way it speaks to the human heart in all of our experiences in life. Again and again sighing is turned into singing through prayer and praise. For the most part, though the texts of the psalms do not designate their authors, the titles do often indicate the author of the various psalms. The following chart designates the authors of these psalms as they are found in the titles:

The Psalms are really five books in one. Each of the following book division concludes with a doxolo-gy while Psalm 150 occupies the place of the doxology and forms an appropriate conclusion to the entire collection.

Epiphanius said, “The Hebrews divided the Psalter into five books so that it would be another Pentateuch.” The Midrash of Psa. 1:1 states, “Moses gave the Israelites the five books of the Law, and to correspond to these David gave to them the Book of the Psalms in five books.”36

1. Psalms about man and creation (1-41)—corresponds to Genesis.
2. Psalms about Israel and redemption (42-72)—corresponds to Exodus.
3. Psalms about worship and the Temple (73-89)—corresponds to Leviticus.
4. Psalms about our sojourn on the earth (90-106)—corresponds to Numbers.
5. Psalms about praise and the Word of God (107-150)—corresponds to Deuteronomy. Another way of looking at the book divisions:

As to their types, the following illustrates a generally agreed upon set of categories:

1. Lament or Petition, either individual (Ps. 3) or communal (Ps. 44);
2. Thanksgiving or Praise, either individual (Ps. 30) or communal (Ps. 65);
3. Trust in God (Ps. 4);
4. Enthronement hymns of Yahweh: psalms concerning Jerusalem (Ps. 48), and royal psalms (some of which are messianic; Ps. 2, 110);
5. Didactic and Wisdom psalms (Pss. 1, 37, 119).
6. Theme psalms: The psalms may also be classified according to special themes as: creation (Ps. 8, 19), nature psalms (Ps. 19; 104), acrostic or memory device psalms (Ps. 111, 112, 119), the Exodus (Ps. 78), imprecation (Ps. 7), penitence (Ps. 6), pilgrim psalms (Ps. 120), and Messianic psalms, those that include prophecies about Messiah as Psalm 2, 8, 16, 22, 40, 45, 72, 110, 118.

With their very broad chronological range, the wide thematic arrangement, and the many different audiences living under a variety of conditions, the psalms reflect a multitude of moods and experiences that make them extremely relevant to the reader regardless of the day in which he lives. Regarding the date of the various psalms, Archer writes:

Of these, the earliest would naturally be Ps. 90, by Moses, presumably composed about 1405 B.C. The Davidic psalms would have originated between 1020 and 975 B.C.; those of Asaph from approximately the same period; Ps. 127 from the period of Solomon’s reign, possibly 950. It is hard to date the descendants of Korah and the two Ezrahites who are mentioned; presumably they were pre -exilic. Of the psalms not carrying titles, some were undoubtedly Davidic (e.g., 2 and 33) and the others date from later periods all the way up to the return from exile (such as 126 and 137, the latter of which is at least as late as the Exile). No convincing evidence, however, has been offered for the dating of any of the psalms later than approximately 500 B.C.38

In the Hebrew, The Book of Psalms is titles, Tehillim (praise) or Sepher Tehillim (book of praises). A shortened form is Tillim. Only one psalm (145) is designated Tehillah (praise), but praise is the heart of the psalms. The Septuagint gives the name Psalmoi (psalms), that is “songs or poems sung with musical accompaniment.” Psalmos comes from psallein, “to pluck a stringed instrument” as an accompaniment to song.

The psalms provide us with a message of hope and comfort through the common theme of worship. They are, in essence, an antidote to fear and complaining. through a personal response to the person and work of God. They are an expression of the worship, faith, and spiritual life of Israel. In the psalms we have a mirror of the heart of God’s people recording the simple, universal human experiences of man in the light of God’s person, promises, plan, and presence.

As a collection of a 150 psalms they naturally cover a great variety of feelings, circumstances and themes. This means it is difficult to make any generalizations about a theme or purpose, but it is safe to say that all the psalms embody a personal response on the part of the believer toward the goodness and grace of God. Often they include a record of the psalmist’s own inner emotions of discouragement, anxie-ty, or thankfulness even when faced with the opposition of God’s enemies or in view of God’s varied prov-idences. But whether the psalmist is occupied with a mournful or a joyous theme, he is always expressing himself as in the presence of the living God. There are a few psalms, of course, which mostly contain the thoughts and revelations of God Himself, such as Ps. 2, but these are most exceptional.

Many of the psalms survey the Word of God, His attributes, and are Messianic in their scope in antic-ipation of the coming Messiah.

In thought, worship, is certainly a key word as expressed in the theme above. In this regard, praise, which occurs some 166 times and some form of the word bless, blessing, bless, occurs over a 100 times in the NASB.

How do you list key verses in a book like psalms where nearly everyone is bound to have his or her own special verses that have been dear to their heart, but the following is a suggestion:

❝ 1: 1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

❝ 19:8-11 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for-ever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

❝ 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

❝ 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. 10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your com-mandments. 11Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

❝ 145:21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD; And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

As with the verses, so we also face difficulty in selecting key chapters, but the following are sug-gested. Psalm 1, 22, 23, 24; 37; 78; 100; 119; 121, and 150. Psalm 100 beautifully unites to central themes of praise and worship.

Though the titles to the psalms do sometimes point to the subject or author of the psalm, like David or Korah, the text of the psalms does not. Rather, the focus seems to be more on the people of God in their worship and walk with Lord.

Many of the psalms are Messianic and speak of the person and work of Christ. They fall into falling categories:

1. Typically messianic: These psalms are less obviously messianic. The psalmist in some way is a type of Christ (cf. 34:20; 69:4, 9), but other aspects of the passage do not apply. Perhaps, in this case Jesus and the apostles were applying familiar psalmic expressions to their experiences (e.g., 109:8 in Acts 1:20).
2. Typological-prophetic: though the psalmist describes his own experience, the language is such that points beyond his own life and becomes historically true only in the person of Christ (22).
3. Indirectly messianic: when the psalm was written it referred to the house of David or a specific king, but will find its final and ultimate fulfillment only in the person of Christ (2, 45, 72).
4. Purely prophetic: refers directly to Christ without any reference to any other person or son of David (110).
1. Enthronement or eschatological: these are psalms that anticipate the coming of the Lord and the consummation of His Kingdom as fulfilled in the person of Messiah, Christ (96-99).

Specific Prophetic fulfillments applied to Christ:

	Prophecy	Psalm	New Testament Passage
1.	Birth	104:4	Heb. 1:7
2.	Humiliation	8:4	Heb. 2:6
3.	Deity	45:6	Heb. 1:8
4.	Ministry	69:9	John 2:17
5.	Rejection	118:22	Matt. 21:42
6.	Betrayal	41:9	John 13:18
7.	Crucifixion events	22	Matt. 27:39, 43, 46; Luke 23:35
8.	Resurrection	2 and 16	Acts 2:27
9.	Ascension	68:18	Eph. 4:8
10. Reign	102:26	Heb. 1:11

Outline:

Book I: Psalms 1-41

• Psalm 1: The Blessed Man: The Two Ways of Life Contrasted: that of Word and the World

• Psalm 2: The Messiah King: The Confederacy Against God and Christ

• Psalm 3: Quietness Amid Troubles: Protection in Danger

• Psalm 4: An Evening Prayer of Trust in God

• Psalm 5: A Morning Prayer of God’s Confidence in God’s Presence

• Psalm 6: A Prayer of a Soul in Deep Anguish

• Psalm 7: A Prayer for Refuge

• Psalm 8: The Glory of the Creator and Man’s Dignity

• Psalm 9: A Prayer of Thanksgiving for God’s Justice

• Psalm 10: A Prayer for the Overthrow of the Wicked

• Psalm 11: The Lord as a Refuge and Defense

• Psalm 12: A Prayer for Help Against Lying Tongues

• Psalm 13: A Prayer for Help in Trouble

• Psalm 14: A Description of the Folly and Wickedness of Man

• Psalm 15: A description of the Godly Man

• Psalm 16: The Lord as the Refuge of the Saints

• Psalm 17: A Prayer for Deliverance through God’s Justice

• Psalm 18: A Prayer of Praise for Deliverance

• Psalm 19: God’s Revelation in His Creation Work and Written Word

• Psalm 20: Prayer for Victory Over Enemies

• Psalm 21: The Lord as the Strength of the King

• Psalm 22: A Portrait of the Cross: a Psalm of Anguish and Praise

• Psalm 23: A Portrait of the Divine Shepherd: a Psalm of the Goodness of God

• Psalm 24: A Psalm of the King of Glory

• Psalm 25: An Acrostic Psalm: a Prayer for Deliverance, Guidance, and Forgiveness

• Psalm 26: The Plea of Integrity and for Redemption

• Psalm 27: A Prayer of Fearless Confidence in the Lord

• Psalm 28: Prayer for Help and Praise for its Answer: the Lord My Strength and My Shield

• Psalm 29: The Powerful Voice of God

• Psalm 30: A Prayer of Thankfulness for God’s Faithfulness in a Time of Need

• Psalm 31: A Prayer of Complaint, Petition, and Praise

• Psalm 32: The Blessing of Forgiveness and Trust in God

• Psalm 33: Praise to the Lord as the Creator and Deliverer

• Psalm 34: Praise to the Lord as the Provider and Deliverer

• Psalm 35: A Prayer for Vindication and Rescue from Enemies

• Psalm 36: The Wickedness of Men Contrasted with the Loving Kindness of God

• Psalm 37: A Plea for Resting in the Lord

• Psalm 38: A Prayer for Reconciliation Acknowledging the Heavy Burden of Sin

• Psalm 39: A Prayer Acknowledging the Frailty of Man

• Psalm 40: Praise for the Joyful Experience and Expectation of Salvation

• Psalm 41: Praise for God’s Blessings in Adversity

Book II: Psalms 42-72

• Psalms 42-43: Longing For God and Hoping in the Lord’s Salvation

• Psalm 44: National Lament and Prayer for Redemption

• Psalm 45: The Wedding Song of a Son of David

• Psalm 46: God is Our Refuge and Strength

• Psalm 47: The Lord Is the Victorious King

• Psalm 48: Praise for Mount Zion, the Beautiful City

• Psalm 49: The Emptiness of Riches Without Wisdom

• Psalm 50: The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

• Psalm 51: Confession and the Forgiveness of Sin

• Psalm 52: The Futility of Boastful Wickedness

• Psalm 53: A Portrait of the Godless

• Psalm 54: The Lord as Our Help!

• Psalm 55: The Lord Sustains the Righteous!

• Psalm 56: Trust in the Midst of Our Fears

• Psalm 57: The Exaltation of the Lord in the Midst of Alienation

• Psalm 58: The Righteous Shall Surely Be Rewarded

• Psalm 59: Prayer For Deliverance From Enemies

• Psalm 60: Prayer For Deliverance of the Nation

• Psalm 61: Prayer From a Fainting Heart

• Psalm 62: Waiting On the Lord

• Psalm 63: Thirsting God’s Love

• Psalm 64: Prayer for Protection

• Psalm 65: God’s Bounty for Earth and Man

• Psalm 66:Remember What God Has Done

• Psalm 67: A Call for All to Praise God

• Psalm 68: God Is a Father to the Oppressed

• Psalm 69: Prayer for Deliverance According to God’s Compassion

• Psalm 70: Prayer for the Poor and Needy

• Psalm 71: Prayer for the Aged

• Psalm 72: The Glorious Reign of Messiah

Book III: Psalms 73-89

• Psalm 73: Prayer for an Eternal Perspective

• Psalm 74: Plea for Help in a Time of National Adversity

• Psalm 75: Justice Is the Lord’s

• Psalm 76: The Victorious Power of the God of Jacob

• Psalm 77: In the Day of Trouble, Remember God’s Greatness

• Psalm 78: Lessons From Israel’s History

• Psalm 79: A Plea for the Lord to Remember the Sheep of His Pasture

• Psalm 80: Israel’s Plea for God’s Mercy

• Psalm 81: A Plea for Israel to Listen to the Lord

• Psalm 82: Unjust Judges Rebuked

• Psalm 83: Prayer for Judgment on Israel’s Enemies

• Psalm 84: A Deep Longing for the Presence of God

• Psalm 85: Prayer for Revival

• Psalm 86: Prayer for Mercy on the Nation

• Psalm 87: The Joy of Living in Zion

• Psalm 88: A Prayer in the Darkness of Despair

• Psalm 89: Claiming God’s Person and Promises in Affliction

Book IV: Psalms 90-106

• Psalm 90: Teach Us to Number Our Days

• Psalm 91: In the Shelter of the Most High

• Psalm 92: In Praise of the Lord

• Psalm 93: Yahweh Reigns Gloriously

• Psalm 94: Yahweh Is the Judge of the Earth: Vengeance is His

• Psalm 95: Let Us Kneel Before Our Maker: a Call to Worship

• Psalm 96: Worship the Lord Who Will Judge the World in Righteousness

• Psalm 97: Rejoice! The Lord Reigns

• Psalm 98: Sing a New Song to the Lord

• Psalm 99: Exalt the Lord Who Reigns

• Psalm 100: Serve the Lord With Gladness: He is the Lord and He is Good

• Psalm 101: Commitment to a Holy Life

• Psalm 102: Prayer of a Saint Who is Overwhelmed

• Psalm 103: Bless the Lord: His Compassions Never Fail!

• Psalm 104: The Lord’s Care Over All Creation

• Psalm 105: The Lord’s Faithful Acts in Salvation History

• Psalm 106: A Remembrance of Yahweh’s Love and Israel’s Disobedience

Book V: Psalms 107-150

• Psalm 107: Praise for God’s Deliverance from Manifold Troubles

• Psalm 108: Praise and Prayer for Victory

• Psalm 109: A Imprecatory Prayer for Vindication and Judgments Against Enemies

• Psalm 110: Messiah Pictured as the Priest King Warrior

• Psalm 111: Celebration of God’s Faithfulness

• Psalm 112: The Triumph of Faith

• Psalm 113: Praise to the Exalted Lord Who Condescends to the Lowly

• Psalm 114: Praise for the Exodus

• Psalm 115: The Impotence of Idols and the Greatness of the Lord

• Psalm 116: Praise to the Lord for Deliverance

• Psalm 117: The Praise of All People

• Psalm 118: Praise for the Lord’s Saving Goodness

• Psalm 119: In Praise of the Scriptures

• Psalm 120: Prayer for Deliverance from Slanderers

• Psalm 121: The Lord is My Guardian

• Psalm 122: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

• Psalm 123: Plea for Mercy

• Psalm 124: Our Helper is the Maker of Heaven and Earth!

• Psalm 125: Peace Be on Israel

• Psalm 126: Praise for Restoration!

• Psalm 127: Praise for Children, a Gift from the Lord

• Psalm 128: The Family Blessed by the Lord

• Psalm 129: The Prayer of the Persecuted

• Psalm 130: Waiting for God’s Redemption

• Psalm 131: Childlike Trust in the Lord

• Psalm 132: Prayer for the Lord’s Blessing on Zion

• Psalm 133: The Blessedness of Brotherly Unity

• Psalm 134: Praise to the Lord in the Night

• Psalm 135: Praise for the Wondrous Works of God

• Psalm 136: Praise for God’s Mercy Which Endures Forever

• Psalm 137: Tears Over Captivity

• Psalm 138: The Lord Answers Prayer and Delivers the Humble

• Psalm 139: The Lord Knows Me!

• Psalm 140: Prayer for Deliverance: You Are My God!

• Psalm 141: May My Prayer Be Like Incense!

• Psalm 142: No One Cared but the Lord; He Alone Is My Portion

• Psalm 143: Prayer for Guidance; Lead Me on Level Ground

• Psalm 144: The Lord is My Rock and My Warrior

• Psalm 145: Praise for the Lord’s Greatness and Wonderful Works

• Psalm 146: Praise to the Lord, an Abundant Helper

• Psalm 147: Praise to the Lord Who Heals the Brokenhearted

• Psalm 148: Praise to the Lord, the Wise Creator

• Psalm 149: Praise to the Lord Who Delights in His People

• Psalm 150: Praise to the Lord