Most of the Psalms are prefixed with introductory words ascribing them to a particular author or giving a detail about their function or the circumstances of their composition. Jewish and Christian tradition maintains that most of the Psalms are the work of David , especially the 73 Psalms which specifically bear his name. Many modern scholars, however, see the Psalms as the product of several authors or groups of authors, many unknown, and most from a much later period than that of David. Literary scholars believe the Psalms were not written down in Hebrew before the sixth century B.
The older Psalms thus depended on oral or hymnic tradition for transmission. Psalms 39, 62, and 77 are linked with Jeduthun, to be sung after his manner or in his choir. Psalms 50 and are associated with Asaph, as the master of his choir, to be sung in the worship of God. The ascriptions of Psalms 42, , 84, 85, 87, and 88 assert that the "sons of Korah" were entrusted with arranging and singing them.
Psalm 18 is found, with minor variations, also at 2 Samuel 22, for which reason, in accordance with the naming convention used elsewhere in the historic parts of the Bible, it is known as the Song of David. Several hymns are included in other biblical texts but not found in the Book of Psalms. Psalms can be classified according to their similarities.
Such categories may overlap, and other classifications are also possible:. Psalm , the longest Psalm at verses, is composed in sets of eight verses, each set beginning with one of the 22 Hebrew letters. Several other Psalms also have alphabetical arrangements. These psalms are believed to be written rather than oral compositions when they were composed, and are thus of a relatively late date. A common critical opinion of the Book of Psalms is that it is basically a hymn-book of the congregation of Israel during the existence of the Second Temple from the fourth century B.
However, some of the older Psalms bear a strong resemblance to the hymnic traditions of the surrounding nations. Psalm , for example, describes God in terms reminiscent of Canaanite descriptions of the storm deity Baal , with fire from his nostrils while riding on dark clouds among lightning and thunder. Psalm 82 describes God as ruling over an assembly of gods, hinting at the polytheistic origins of the Hebrew religion.
While some of the Psalms may thus indeed be quite ancient, it is doubtful that many of them could have been composed by King David. Indeed, most of those ascribed to him clearly describe a later period, in which the Temple of Jerusalem has already been built, or the Jews have already been taken in exile. Many also describe the attitude not of a king, but of priests devoted to the Temple, using language that relates to the post-exilic period.
A number of prominent scholars suggest that most of the Psalms, in their present form, actually date from the second century B. This does not rule out however, than many of the Psalms may have originated much earlier, undergoing a process of modification before reaching their present form. In Jewish usage, the Psalter is divided, after the analogy of the Pentateuch , into five books, each closing with a doxology or benediction:. Psalms constitute the Hallel praise or thanksgiving , which is recited on the three great feasts, Passover , Weeks , and Tabernacles ; at the new moon; and on the eight days of Hanukkah.
Psalm is generally called "the great Hallel. Psalms are referred to as Songs of Degrees, and are thought to have been used as hymns of approach by pilgrims to the Temple in Jerusalem. Psalms are used throughout traditional Jewish worship. Many complete Psalms and verses from them appear in the morning services. Psalm commonly referred to as "Ashrei" , is read during or before services, three times every day. Psalms , 29, 92, and 93, along with some later readings, comprise the introduction "Kabbalat Shabbat" to the Friday night service. Traditionally, a different "Psalm for the Day" is read after the morning service each day of the week starting Sunday, Psalms: This is described in the Mishnah the initial codification of the Jewish oral tradition in the tractate "Tamid.
From the beginning of the summer month of Elul until the last day of the fall festival of Sukkot , Psalm 27 is recited twice daily by traditional Jews. When a Jew dies, a watch is kept over the body and Psalms are recited constantly by sun or candlelight, until the burial service. Historically, this watch would be carried out by the immediate family — usually in shifts — but in contemporary practice, this service is provided by an employee of the funeral home or Chevra kadisha.
Many observant Jews complete the Book of Psalms on a weekly or monthly basis. Some also say, each week, a Psalm connected to that week's events or the Torah portion read during that week. On the Sabbath preceding the appearance of the new moon, some Jews notably Lubavitch and other Hasidic Jews read the entire Book of Psalms prior to the morning service.
The Psalms are especially recited in times of trouble, such as poverty, disease, or physical danger. In many synagogues, Psalms are recited after services for the security of the State of Israel. The direct quotations from the Psalms in the New Testament show that they were familiar to the Judean community in the first century of the Christian era.
The Psalms in worship, and the Psalms have remained an important part of worship in virtually all Christian churches. The Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches have traditionally made systematic use of the Psalms, with a cycle for the recitation of all or most of them over the course of one or more weeks. In the early centuries of the Church, it was expected that any candidate for bishop would be able to recite the entire Psalter from memory, something they often learned automatically during their time as monks.
Today, new translations and settings of the Psalms continue to be produced. Several conservative denominations sing only the Psalms in worship, and do not accept the use of any non-biblical hymns. Some Psalms are among the best-known and best-loved passages of scripture, in the Christian tradition with a popularity extending well beyond regular church-goers. In particular, the 23rd Psalm "The Lord is My Shepherd" offers an immediately appealing message of comfort and is widely chosen for church funeral services, either as a reading or in one of several popular hymn settings.
Psalm 51 "Have mercy on me O God," is by far the most sung Psalm of Orthodoxy, in both Divine Liturgy and Hours, in the sacrament of repentance or confession, and in other settings. Psalm "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept" is a moody, yet eventually triumphant, meditation upon living in captivity. Eastern Orthodox Christians and Eastern Catholics who follow the Byzantine rite, have long made the Psalms an integral part of their corporate and private prayers.
To facilitate its reading, the Psalms are divided into 20 kathismata, and each kathisma is further subdivided into three staseis. At vespers and matins, different kathismata are read at different times of the liturgical year and on different days of the week, according to the Church's calendar, so that all psalms 20 kathismata are read in the course of a week.
In the twentieth century, some lay Christians have adopted a continuous reading of the Psalms on weekdays, praying the whole book in four weeks, three times a day, one kathisma a day. Aside from kathisma readings, Psalms occupy a prominent place in every other Orthodox service including the services of the Hours and the Divine Liturgy. In particular, the penitential Psalm 50 is very widely used. The entire book of Psalms is traditionally read out loud or chanted at the side of the deceased during the time leading up to the funeral, mirroring Jewish tradition.
The Psalms have always been an important part of Roman Catholic liturgy. Part One Part Two. With a New Translation. The Desert of the Exodus. Deighton, Bell and Company, Volume 1 Volume 2. The Priesthood and the Offerings. Morgan and Scott, Yapp and Hawkins, The Tabernacle of Israel in the Desert. Harris Jones and Co. Newman and Ivison, The Law of the Offerings in Leviticus I. Israel Holy to Jehovah. Sacrificial Worship of the Old Testament. The Wanderings of the Children of Israel. Treaty of the Great King. Expository Notes on the Book of Joshua.
New York, Robert Carter and Brothers, Joshua and the Conquest. His Life and Times.
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An Annotated Hebrew Text. Hughes, Lewes, and T. Analysis of the Book of Judges: With Notes Entical, Historical, and Geographical: Also Map and Examination Questions. The Book of Joshua: Hodder and Stoughton, The Book of Judges with Introduction and Notes. Notes, Critical and Practical, on the Book of Judges: Nisbet and Co, The Book of Judges. Baxendale, Walter, and W. With Critical and Exegetical Notes. The Book of Ruth: The Book of Ruth in Hebrew. Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Books of Samuel.
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With an Introduction and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. The Book of the Patriarch Job: The Book of Job Interpreted. The Psalms, Translated and Explained. Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3. Their History, Teachings, and Use. With a New Literal Version. A New Translation of the Psalms: Commentary on the Psalms. Vol 1 Vol 2 Vol 3.
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The Book of Psalms: Translated from the Hebrew: Translated from the Hebrew with Notes Chiefly Exegetical. A New Version with Short Notes. With Introductions, and Notes, Chiefly Explanatory. American Unitarian Association, The Psalms in Hebrew; with a critical, exegetical and philological commentary. Studies in the Book of Psalms: Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth: Illustrations of the Book of Proverbs.
The Wisdom of the Son of David: Hayes and Co, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs. The Proverbs of Solomon. From the Original Hebrew, with Notes. Exposition of the Book of Proverbs. Original Notes on the Book of Proverbs: According to the Authorized Version. A Commentary on the Proverbs: Western Episcopalian Office, Kautzsch, and Duncan Black Macdonald. The Book of Proverbs: Critical edition of the Hebrew text with notes. Munroe and Co, Skinner, George, and William French.
A Commentary on the Book of Proverbs. Wardlaw, Ralph, and J. Lectures on the Book of Proverbs. An Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes.
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Dissertations on the Genuineness of Daniel and the Integrity of Zechariah. The Great Prophecies of Daniel. The Book of Daniel: Or, The Second Volume of Prophecy. A Commentary on the Book of Daniel. The Prophecies of Daniel Expounded. Remarks on the Prophetic Visions in the Book of Daniel.
Daniel and His Prophecies. The Book of Hosea. Jonah, His Life, Character, and Mission: Menu Skip to primary content. Notes on the Pentateuch. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy. New York, Macmillan, A Commentary on the First Book of Samuel.
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