Bible Book Summaries

Wisdom & Poetry · Old Testament

Psalms

c. 1440–430 BC

Section
Wisdom & Poetry · Old Testament
Events span
c. 1440–430 BC
Written
Davidic psalms c. 1010–970 BC; the Psalter gathered by c. 400 BC critical view: Compiled c. 5th–3rd century BC from psalms of many eras
Author
David (73 psalms), with Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and others critical view: Many anonymous authors across the monarchy and post-exilic periods

The Psalms are the Bible's songbook and prayer book — 150 poems of praise, lament, thanksgiving, and trust, gathered into five 'books.' Written by David and others over roughly a thousand years, they give voice to every human emotion before God, from the depths of despair to the heights of praise.

Chronological placement: Impossible to fix at one date — the psalms range from Moses (Psalm 90, c. 1440 BC) to the return from exile. Placed here with David, who wrote the largest share (c. 1000 BC).

Key themes

  • Praise and worship
  • Lament and trust
  • God's kingship
  • The coming Messiah
  • God's steadfast love

Notable psalms

Book I — Psalms 1–41 (mostly David)

  • The two ways: the blessed man who delights in God's law versus the wicked Ps 1c. 1000 BC
  • The LORD's Anointed King, raged against by the nations in vain (messianic) Ps 2c. 1000 BC
  • "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" — the majesty of God and dignity of humanity Ps 8c. 1000 BC
  • The cry of the forsaken sufferer, later quoted by Jesus on the cross Ps 22c. 1000 BC
  • "The LORD is my shepherd" — trust in God through the valley of the shadow of death Ps 23c. 1000 BC
  • David's prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba: “create in me a clean heart” Ps 51c. 990 BC

Book II — Psalms 42–72

  • "As the hart panteth after the water brooks" — longing for God in downcast times Ps 42c. 1000 BC
  • "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" Ps 46c. 1000 BC
  • A royal psalm praying for the king’s righteous and worldwide reign (of Solomon) Ps 72c. 970 BC

Book III — Psalms 73–89 (Asaph & the sons of Korah)

  • Asaph wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked until he enters the sanctuary of God Ps 73c. 1000 BC
  • The darkest lament in the Psalter, crying out from the depths without resolution Ps 88c. 1000 BC
  • God's covenant with David remembered and pleaded amid apparent defeat Ps 89c. 1000 BC

Book IV — Psalms 90–106

  • "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place" — a prayer of Moses on human frailty Ps 90c. 1440 BC
  • "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High" — refuge under God’s wings Ps 91c. 1000 BC
  • A cluster of enthronement psalms proclaiming "the LORD reigneth" Ps 95–99c. 1000 BC
  • "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands" — a call to thankful worship Ps 100c. 1000 BC

Book V — Psalms 107–150

  • "The LORD said unto my Lord" — the Messiah as both king and priest (messianic) Ps 110c. 1000 BC
  • The longest psalm, an alphabetical meditation in praise of God's law Ps 119c. 900 BC
  • The Songs of Ascents, sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem Ps 120–134c. 1000–500 BC
  • "By the rivers of Babylon" the exiles weep as they remember Zion Ps 137c. 586 BC
  • "Thou hast searched me, and known me" — God’s intimate, inescapable knowledge Ps 139c. 1000 BC
  • The closing Hallelujah psalms, a rising crescendo of pure praise Ps 146–150c. 500 BC
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1 KJV