Psalms                             by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Introduction 

What Is a Psalm?

Hebrew Poetry

Hebrew poetry differs from most Western poetry in that it doesn't rhyme. There seems to be two primary elements that distinguish Hebrew Poetry:

1. Thought Parallelism

Synonymous Parallelism 

Antithetic Parallelism 

2. Imagery

There are two kinds of images used in the Psalms: simile and metaphor:

1. Simile 

2. Metaphor 

Categories of Psalms

Tremper Longman III suggests the following genre of psalms:

• The Hymn, recognized by its exuberant praise of the Lord. Examples are abundant or plentiful, such as, Psalms 8, 19, 29, 33, 47, 48, 92, 96, 103.
• The Lament, the polar opposite of the hymn on the emotional spectrum. Lamentations begin with a complaint, but often conclude with praise. Examples include: Psalm 3, 7, 13, 25, 22, 42-43, 44, 51, 74, 79, 80 and many others.
• Thanksgiving Psalms. These are similar to hymns, but particularly recount what God has done. Examples include: Psalms 18, 30, 32, 34
• Psalms of Confidence, an expression of the psalmist's trust in God's goodness and power. Examples include Psalms 11, 16, 23, 27, 62, 91, 121, 125, 131.
• Psalms of Remembrance make reference to the great redemptive acts of the past, particularly the Exodus (Psalm 77:16) and the establishment of the Davidic covenant and dynasty (Psalms 89, 132). Examples are found in Psalms 78, 105, 106, 135, 136.

• Wisdom Psalms tell us in concrete ways how God wants us to live our lives. This kind of literature is found in Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. But it is also found in several psalms, such as Psalms 1, 19, 37, 49, 119.
• Kingship Psalms focus on two kings: (1) the human king of Israel (Psalms 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 132) and (2) God as king (Psalms 47, 98).

Authorship

Of the 150 psalms, 116 include an extended title or an ascription that is part of verse 1 in the Hebrew text. While not part of the original text, they were probably inserted by editors fairly early -- certainly long before the second or third century when they were translated into Greek.

Dates of the Psalms

1. Pre-Exilic, written during the period of the Kings prior to the Exile (1000-600 BC). This would include the royal psalms, those which mention the existence of the northern kingdom, and those with greater affinity to Ugaritic language and syntax. David who reigned approximately 1010-970 BC was by all accounts the most prolific author of psalms.
2. Exilic, those written during the exile (605-537 BC). This would include some of the dirge or lament psalms and perhaps those mentioning the betrayal of Judah by her enemies. Psalm 137 recalls this period: "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion...."
3. Post-Exilic, written after the Exile (537 to about 400 BC). This probably includes psalms about the righteous sufferer, how the Torah should be observed, wisdom, and cautions against atheism.

Structure of the Psalter

Canonicity of the Psalms

Chapter and Verse Confusions

Technical Terms

a. Interjections.

• Selah occurs 71 times.

• Higgaion, found in 9:16 in a note with Selah and in the text of 19:14; and 92:3.

b. Classifications

• Psalm (mizmôr) and Song (shîr) can't be completely distinguished, but psalm probably implies that it was sung to an instrumental accompaniment.14

• Shiggaion (Psalm 7) seems to derive from shāgā, "to err, wander."

• Maskil (maskîl) designates 13 psalms. The root śkl, denotes "insight" or "wisdom," so a maskil might be an "efficacious psalm" or "skillful psalm," but we don't really know the meaning.16

c. Liturgical Notes

There are a number of designations that we can only speculate about their actual meanings. The following two, however, seem fairly well established.

• To the Choirmaster (nāṣaḥ), "chief musician" (KJV), "leader" (NRSV), "director of music" (NIV) occurs in 55 psalms.

• A Song of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), ascribed to 15 psalms, probably referring to the pilgrimage up to Jerusalem, or the processional ascent of (Isaiah 30:29) "the hill of the Lord".18 They were used particularly during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Two other groups of psalms should also be noted:

• Egyptian Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118) are traditionally associated with the feast of Passover and deliverance from Egypt.
• Hallel Psalms (Psalms 146-150) were for more general use in worship.

A Phantom New Year Festival

Authority of the Psalms

The New Testament quotes the Psalms extensively. But note the reverent way in which the author of Hebrews quoted passages from Psalms:

• "God says... He says" (Hebrews 1:7-8)

• "The Holy Spirit says..." (Hebrews 1:7)

• Jesus, too, regarded the Psalms as inspired Scripture.

• "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." (Luke 24:44)

• "David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared.... (Mark 12:35, regarding Psalm 110:1)

• "This is to fulfill the scripture...." (John 13:18 regarding Psalm 41:9)

• Jesus interpreted Psalm 118:22 as predictive prophecy concerning himself (Matthew 21:42-43).