Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19
The Book of Psalms is the longest in the Bible. And the most extensive collection of ancient lyrical poetry in existence.
Psalms is also a favorite place to turn because of what it offers. You will
find laments, petitions, praise, wisdom, thanksgiving, repentance,
prayer, celebration, trust in God, and worship.
They are uplifting, encouraging, and relatable. Sometimes, they are
shocking because of their honesty and bluntness.
But what exactly is a psalm?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
What is a Psalm?
A psalm is a song or poem that is used in worship. First in Israel and later, in the church. Each psalm was written by an individual, and if you automatically think of David, you might be surprised to find out that he is only associated with half of them. The whole collection of psalms is called the Psalter, or in the English Bible, “The Book of Psalms.” Jesus and the apostles quoted from this book and the people of God throughout history have loved the Psalms.
1. A Song or Poem Used in Worship
The word psalm comes from the Greek word psalmos meaning “sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments.”
The Jews referred to it as “The Book of Praises,” which is fitting because virtually every psalm has praise somewhere in it.
In English, the word psalm means “song” but usually refers to a spiritual song whether played using an instrument or not.
Because the psalms embrace the Israelite’s religious ideas, many of them were handed over to the temple to use in their services.
Additionally, the psalms often rejoice in the privilege of entering God’s courts with praise and drawing near to Him. Much of the language embraces sanctuary worship (e.g., Psalm 40:7, 100:4).
Many of the psalms even contain lines that formed the liturgy of the temple and, later, the church.
Essentially, the psalms were the most powerful expression of worship in ancient Israel.
Furthermore, both Jesus and the apostles quoted this book and tried to live out its messages.
Today, we read them corporately or individually, rather than sing them. For many believers, the Psalms is the first place they turn to when discouraged. And with good reason.
One favorite is Psalm 23.
Moreover, the psalms for the Israelites were like the hymnal of today. The hymns we currently sing in church may be similar to the Israelites singing the psalms in the temple. Or at least it gives you an idea of how a psalm was originally used to worship God.
RELATED > > > > > Why Give Thanks to the Lord? – Psalm 23
2. Written by an Individual
Many people think David wrote all the psalms, but that’s not true.
Traditionally, he is given credit for half or 75 of them. Of the 75, David is credited with two in the New Testament (Acts 4:25-26; Hebrews 4:7) and 73 from the title before the psalm.
The titles of the psalms relate:
- 73 to David plus two in the New Testament – Ps. 2 (Acts 4:25-26) and Ps. 95 (Hebrews 4:7)
- Two to Solomon ((Ps. 70, 127)
- Twelve to the sons of Korah (Ps. 42-49, 84-85, 87)
- Twelve to Asaph (Ps. 50, 73-83)
- One to Heman (Ps. 88)
- One to Ethan (Ps. 89)
- One to Moses (Ps. 90)
- The rest (34) of them are anonymous
Interestingly, the “of” in the title (e.g., “of David”) doesn’t necessarily mean “by” or that the person named is the author. The Hebrew preposition le before the name can also mean, “for, dedicated to, concerning, to, or by.”
In other words, a psalm that says “of David” (ledawid) may mean “by David” (he is the author). Or it could mean the psalm is “for David,” “dedicated to David,” “concerning David,” or “to David.”
However, Bible scholars have pointed out that there is more than enough evidence in the Bible to sustain the traditional view that le means “by” concerning the psalms.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to say the names in the titles more than likely are the authors.
Regardless, we can safely say that every psalm was written by someone.
3. Together, They Comprise the Psalter
When you put all 150 psalms together, you have the Psalter. The Psalter is indeed the longest book in the Bible and the largest collection of ancient literary poetry we have to date.
The term isn’t often heard, because in the English Bible, the entire collection is called “The Book of Psalms.”
Here are a few other fun facts about this collection of psalms called the Psalter:
- The Hebrew title of the Psalter is tehillim (“praises”), a word that is related to the expression hallelujah (“praise Yahweh”)
- The first two psalms serve as the introduction to the rest of the psalms
- The Psalter is broken up into five books – at the end of the first four books is the word “Selah,” most likely a musical or literary term signifying an interlude or break
- Psalm 119 is the longest, with 176 verses
- Psalms are songs or poems, not chapters
- The psalms were accompanied initially by instruments
The Psalter…promises Christ’s death and resurrection so clearly–and pictures His kingdom and the condition of nature in all Christendom–that it might well be called a little Bible. In it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible. — Martin Luther, Word and Sacrament
Final Thoughts
If you were asking what a psalm is; hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what it is.
A psalm is a song or poem that is used in worship. That was true in ancient Israel and today. Though, we don’t usually sing a psalm anymore.
Each psalm had an author. Many people associate David with all psalms, but only half are attributed to him. He may have written more since some of the psalms have no name associated with them.
And when you put all the psalms together, it’s called the Psalter. It’s not a term you often hear because, in the English Bible, it’s called the Book of Psalms.
I’ve gone over what a psalm is, but it’s so much more practically speaking. The psalms speak to so many issues we face in everyday life and is a favorite book for many.
Do you have a favorite psalm?
Do you have a favorite verse in Psalms?