Book of Psalms
Anthology of Hebrew hymns, central to Jewish and Christian liturgy.
The Book of Psalms, also known as the Psalter, is an anthology of Hebrew religious hymns and the first book of the third section of the Tanakh (Ketuvim) and a book of the Old Testament. Its English title derives from the Greek word *psalmoi*, meaning 'instrumental music,' while its Hebrew name, *Tehillim*, means 'praises.' In the Jewish and Western Christian traditions, the collection contains 150 psalms, with additional psalms present in Eastern Christian churches. The book is structured into five distinct sections, each concluding with a doxology, a hymn of praise. The psalms themselves encompass a wide variety of types, including hymns of praise, communal and individual laments, royal psalms, imprecations, and individual thanksgivings, as well as psalms of communal thanksgiving, wisdom, and pilgrimage. Many psalms bear superscriptions attributing them to figures such as King David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Moses, and Solomon, though modern scholarship does not accept Davidic authorship as historical fact, viewing such attributions as a means to link the writings to well-known biblical figures. Dating the psalms is notoriously difficult, with some considered preexilic and others postexilic. Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls indicates that the ordering and content of the later psalms (Psalms 90–150) were not fixed by the mid-1st century CE, and Septuagint scholars argue the Hebrew Psalter was not closed until the 1st century CE. The numbering of psalms differs between the Hebrew Masoretic text and the Greek Septuagint, leading to variations in different Christian traditions: Protestant translations use Hebrew numbering, Catholic official liturgical texts use Greek numbering, and Eastern Orthodox translations also use Greek numbering. The Septuagint includes a Psalm 151, and some versions of the Peshitta contain Psalms 152–155.
- Number of psalms (Eastern Christian)
- several more
- Sections
- 5
- Primary types (per Gunkel)
- Hymns, communal laments, royal psalms, individual laments, individual thanksgiving psalms
- Attributed authors
- David, Asaph, sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman the Ezrahite
- Language of original title
- Hebrew (Tehillim)
Lore & Background
The Book of Psalms, also called the Psalter, is an anthology of Hebrew religious hymns that forms the first book of the Writings section of the Tanakh and a book of the Old Testament. Its English title comes from the Greek word meaning "the words accompanying the music," while its Hebrew name signifies "praises," reflecting the many hymns and supplications it contains. The book is divided into five sections, each ending with a doxology, a pattern likely introduced by final editors to mirror the five-fold division of the Torah. Within the Jewish and Western Christian traditions, the collection comprises 150 psalms, with additional psalms found in Eastern Christian churches. Many psalms carry superscriptions attributing them to figures such as King David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Moses, and Solomon, though modern scholars do not accept Davidic authorship as historical fact, viewing these attributions as a means to link the writings to well-known biblical figures. The dating of individual psalms is notoriously difficult, with some considered preexilic and others postexilic. Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls indicates that the ordering and content of the later psalms (90–150) were not fixed by the mid-1st century CE, and Septuagint scholars argue the Hebrew Psalter was not closed until the 1st century CE. The numbering of psalms differs between the Hebrew Masoretic text and the Greek Septuagint, likely due to a gradual neglect of original poetic forms caused by liturgical use and copyist errors. For instance, Psalms 9 and 10 were originally a single acrostic poem, and Psalms 42 and 43 form three strophes of one poem. Some psalms appear in duplicate, such as Psalm 14 equaling Psalm 53. The Septuagint includes Psalm 151, a Hebrew version of which was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, while some Syriac versions contain Psalms 152–155.
Reader's Guide
The Book of Psalms holds profound significance as a foundational text in both Jewish and Christian traditions, serving as the hymnbook of the Second Temple and a core component of liturgical worship. The five-fold division mirrors the Torah, emphasizing its canonical importance. The superscriptions, though historically disputed, link the psalms to key biblical figures, particularly King David, and provide musical and liturgical context. The numbering discrepancies between Hebrew and Greek manuscripts reflect the text's complex transmission history, with the Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint evidence indicating that the collection was not finalized until the 1st century CE. Gunkel's genre analysis—identifying hymns, laments, royal psalms, and thanksgivings—has shaped modern understanding of the psalms' original settings and functions. The Psalms continue to be used in prayer, music, and study across denominations, their poetic language and theological themes resonating across millennia.
Did You Know?
- The English title 'Psalms' comes from the Greek word psalmoi, meaning 'instrumental music.'
- The Hebrew name Tehillim means 'praises.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does the Book of Psalms play in worship?
The Psalter serves as a cornerstone of liturgy in both Jewish and Christian traditions, supplying prayers, hymns, laments, and thanksgiving songs for communal and personal devotion. Its poems are broadly grouped into categories such as hymns, royal psalms, individual laments, and communal prayers.
Who is credited with writing the Psalms?
Various psalms carry superscriptions attributing them to figures such as King David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, and the Ezrahites Ethan and Heman. David is by far the most frequently named author, which is why the collection is often colloquially called the Psalms of David.
Why is the Book of Psalms considered so important?
It is one of the most widely read and memorized books in both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Scriptures, shaping centuries of worship, prayer, and theological reflection. Its range of human emotion—joy, grief, praise, and petition—makes it a foundational text for personal and communal faith across multiple traditions.
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