One hundred
and fifty spiritual songs and poems used by the church in all ages in worship
and devotional exercises. It was used as the hymn-book of
the second temple. The Predominant Themes are Prayer and Praise, but the Psalms
cover a great variety of religious experiences. They are quoted more frequently
in the New Testament than any other book, except Isaiah. They are often called
the Psalms of David because he was the author of a large number of them.
AUTHORSHIP.
The authorship of many is uncertain; it is probable that in some cases the name
affixed to certain psalms may refer to the COLLECTOR, rather than the AUTHOR.
The following is a conjectural list of authors taken from the various versions
of the Scriptures.
Attributed to
David, 73; to Sons of Korah, 11; to Asaph, 12; to Heman, 1; to Ethan, 1; to
Solomon, 2; to Moses, 1; to Haggai, 1; to Zechariah, 1; to Hezekiah, number
doubtful; to Ezra, 1; the remainder anonymous.
MESSIANIC PSALMS.
The following
are some of the psalms which are regarded as containing direct, or typical,
references to Christ:
(1) Christ, as
King, Ps 2; 45; 72; 110; 132 v.11
Ps
2:1 45:1 72:1 110:1 132.11
(2) The
Sufferings of, Ps 22; 41; 55; 69
22:1
41:1 55:12-14 69:20,21
(3) The
Resurrection of, Ps 16
Ps
16:1
(4) The
Ascension of
Ps
68:18
TOPICAL ARRANGEMENT.
Each
Psalm is arranged under some topic which appears prominently in it.
MAN
Exaltation of,
Ps 8
Ps
8:1
Sinfulness of,
Ps 10; 14; 36; 55; 59; and many others
Ps
10:1 14:1 36:1 55:1 59:1
THE WORLDLY AND THE WICKED
(a) Contrasted
with the godly, Ps 1; 4; 5
Ps
1:1 4:1 5:1
(b) The delay
of the punishment of, Ps 10
Ps
10:1
(c) The
prosperity of, Ps 37; 73
Ps
37:1 73:1
(d) The fate
of, Ps 9; 11
Ps
9:1 11:1
(e) Trust in
riches, Ps 49
Ps
49:1
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES
(a) Penitence,
Ps 25; 38; 51; 130
Ps
25:1 38:1 51:1 130:1
(b) Pardon, Ps
32
Ps
32:1
(c)
Conversion, Ps 40
Ps
40:1
(d)
Consecration, Ps 116
Ps
116:1
(e) Trust, Ps
3; 16; 20; 23; 27; 31; 34; 42; 61; 62; 91; 121
Ps
3:1 16:1 20:1 23:1 27:1 31:1 34:1 42: 61:1 62:1 91:1 121:1
(f) Teachableness, Ps 25
Ps
25:1
(g)
Aspiration, Ps 42; 63; 143
42:1
63:1 143:1
(h) Prayer, Ps
55; 70; 77; 85; 86; 142; 143
Ps
55:1 70:1 77:1 85:1 86:1 142:1 143:1
(i) Praise, Ps
96; 98; 100; 103; 107; 136; 145; 148; 149; 150
Ps
96:1 98:1 100:1 103:1 107:1 136:1 145:1 148:1 149:1 150:1
(j) Worship,
Ps 43; 84; 100; 122; 132
Ps
43:1 84:1 100:1 122:1 132:1
(k)
Affliction, Ps 6; 13; 22; 69; 88; 102
Ps
6:1 13:1 22:1 69:1 88:1 102:1
(l) Old age,
Ps 71
Ps
71:1
(m) Vanity of
life, Ps 39; 49; 90
Ps
39:1 49:1 90:1
(n) Home, Ps
127
Ps
127:1
(o)
Homesickness, typical, Ps 137
137:1
THE CHURCH (typical)
(a) Safety of,
Ps 46
Ps
46:1
(b) Glory of,
Ps 48; 87
Ps
48:1 87:1
(c) Love for,
Ps 84; 122
Ps
84:1 122:1
(d) Unity in,
Ps 133
Ps
133:1
THE WORD OF GOD,
Ps 19; 119
Ps
19:1 119:1
MISSIONARY,
Ps 67; 72; 96; 98
Ps
67:1 72:1 96:1 98:1
DUTY OF RULERS,
Ps 82; 101
Ps
82:1 101:1
DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
(a) Wisdom,
Majesty, and Power, Ps 18; 19; 29; 62; 66; 89; 93; 97; 99;
118; 147
Ps
18:1 19:1 29:1 62:1 66:1 89:1 93:1 97:1 99:1 118:1 147:1
(b) Mercy, Ps
32; 85; 136
Ps
32:1 85:1 136:1
(c) Infinite
Knowledge, Ps 139
Ps
139:1
(d) Creative
Power, Ps 33; 89; 104
Ps
33:1 89:1 104:1
ISRAEL'S EXPERIENCES
(a) Unbelief,
Ps 78
Ps
78:1
(b) Desolation
and misery of, Ps 79; 80
Ps
79:1 80:1
(c)
Backsliding of, Ps 81
Ps
81:1
(d) Divine
Providence, Ps 105; 106; 114
Ps
105:1 106:1 114:1