Unlocking the Wisdom of Psalms for Bible Study

The book of Psalms is a great resource for learning the Bible. We are commanded to read and use it for teaching.

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Hebrew name for the book of Psalms is Tehillim, meaning “songs of praise,” with individual psalms called Mizmorim, such as Mizmor Aleph (Psalm 1), Mizmor Bet (Psalm 2), and so forth. The Psalms have long served as the Bible’s prayer book. Traditionally, Tehillim is divided into five books, mirroring the five books of the Torah. Just as Moses gave Israel the Torah, David gave the Psalms—“Moses gave the path, but David gave directions.” In the Hebrew Bible, the Psalms are part of the wisdom literature within the Ketuvim (“Writings”). Each of the first four books concludes with a doxology (a usually liturgical expression of praise to God). Psalm 150 serves as a doxology for the fifth book and an appropriate conclusion to the entire Psalter.

Bible Studies from the book of Psalms

The 5 Books of Psalms

The Genesis Book concerning man: Psalms 1-41

  • Writer:
    • All 41 of these psalms are ascribed to King David.
  • Interesting Facts
    • Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, and 37 have acrostic elements.
  • Studying the Psalms

The Exodus Book Concerning Israel as a Nation: Psalms 42-72

  • Writers:
    • David wrote 18
    • Solomon wrote 1 (Psalm 72)
    • The rest were written by Korach (or anonymously)
  • Studying the Psalms
    • God’s Judgment and True Worship in Psalm 50
    • The Power of Repentance in Psalm 51

The Leviticus Book Concerning the Sanctuary: Psalms 73-89

  • Writers
    • Asaph appears to have written most of them
    • David wrote Psalm 86
    • Heman the Ezraite wrote Psalm 88
    • Ethan the Ezraite wrote Psalm 89
  • Studying the Psalms
    • coming soon

The Numbers Book concerning Israel and the Nation: Psalms 90-106

  • Writers
    • Psalm 90 is ascribed to Moses
    • Psalms 101 and 103 are ascribed to David
  • Studying the Psalms
    • coming soon

The Deuteronomy Book concerning God and His Word: Psalms 107-150

  • Writers
    • 15 are ascribed to David
    • one (Psalm 127) to Solomon
    • the rest are anonymous.
  • Interesting Facts
    • The Hallel: (Hebrew: הַלֵּל, ‘Praise’) is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118 which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving.
      • It is recited during the three festivals of Pesach (Passover), Shavu’ot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles).
      • The Hallel is also recited at Rosh Chodesh (the new moon) and during the eight days of Hanukkah.
      • Psalm 136 is generally called “the great Hallel.”
    • Acrostic Psalms:
      • Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, with each set of 8 pesukim (verses) beginning with one of the 22 Hebrew letters.
        • Other psalms that have alphabetical arrangements are Psalm 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, and 145.
  • Studying the Psalms
    • Psalms 110: Sovereign King, Eternal Priest, & Victorious Warrior
    • The Children’s Six Minutes: A Unique Psalm (Psalm 119)
    • Psalms 120-134 are referred to as “Songs of Degrees” or the Psalms of Ascent.
      • Exploring the Four Meanings of the Psalms of Ascent: The Psalms of Ascent (120-134), also called Pilgrim Psalms, reflect different themes such as distress, security, and unity, sung during journeys to Jerusalem, highlighting both physical and spiritual ascent.
    • Bible Verse Mapping: Psalm 149:5-6

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