Were we asked for a proof of the Divine character of the Bible, we would point to the ordering and arrangement of the Psalms as in all Hebrew and English Bibles. It would have been an utter impossibility for man, whatever his gift, genius, or piety, to have originated the plan on which the Psalms as a whole are classified, whether into distinct books, or again, those composing the books into orderly arranged series. How could man have collected these 150 inspired songs-the work of many writers and composed during a period of a moo years-putting them in moral order, each psalm in its right place, so that if one were placed instead of another, the Divine symmetry of the whole would be marred? The collector and editor might be Ezra the accomplished scribe of Israel, but God is the Author.
The Jews-ancient and modern-not only regarded the Psalms divided into five books, ending respectively with Nos. 41, 72, 89, 106, 150, as a Divine arrangement, but also considered each book to correspond with the separate books of the Pentateuch, having the same distinguishing characteristics. We will in as few words as possible trace the parallelism.
The first book of Psalms (Nos. 1-41) stands in the same relation to the whole collection that Genesis does to the Bible, both books being introductory and in both are unfolded the counsels of God to this earth. The second book (Nos. 42-72) brings in God as Redeemer, as in the former He is revealed as Creator; hence the future blessing and redemption of the people on the ground of sovereign grace alone-all being utter ruin on man's side-is the lesson as distinctly graven here, as it is in Exodus the second book of the Pentateuch. In the third book (Nos. 73-89) we have God made known as Sanctifier, and the whole nation SET APART for God-the root idea in Sanctification. The " Sanctuary" and the " House" characterize these 17 psalms throughout as they do Leviticus, the third book of Moses. The fourth book (Nos. 90-106) commences with what has been termed " the funeral psalm of the wilderness"-No. 90. Here too we have the patriarchial title "God Almighty," faith's resource in wilderness circumstances, and " Most High" the Millennial title so as to sustain the hopes of the pilgrim, journeying host. The frailty and mortality of man, of Israel, is solemnly chanted in the opening of this new series of 17 psalms. But we have also the righteous ground unfolded in the death of the Messiah, and the glory and eternity of His being, (No. 102) on which God will yet set His people in Canaan blessing, after the truths of death and resurrection have been practically learned. And are not these the very truths and characteristics of the fourth book of Scripture-Numbers? There we behold the generation of Israel dying in the wilderness, there too we see the cross (Chapter 21) man's only hope and refuge I there also we witness the testing of man. But why amplify with the teachings of both books before our very eyes? The fifth book (Nos. 107-150) is a book of review, a book in which the moral element largely prevails. Here God in His character, ways, and works is unfolded in strains-sublime and rapturous. Is the correspondence to Deuteronomy difficult to perceive? Have you ever compared the song (Chapter 32) and blessing of Moses (Chapter 33) with the closing five Psalms? We consider therefore that the Jews had a Divine thought in holding that parallelism existed between the separate books of the Pentateuch and the separate books of the Psalms.
It will be observed that the first, second, and third books of psalms end with the words, " Amen, and Amen "; while the fourth and fifth close with a "Hallelujah," or "Praise ye the Lord." The expressive note attached to the second book or 72nd psalm, "The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended," was probably the work of the inspired compiler. What more could be desired? Immanuel's land is filled with glory and the praise of the once despised Nazarene, the Man of sorrows engages the heart and tongue of the Millennial earth, for " daily shall He be praised." The last five psalms each begin with a " Hallelujah," and also close with it, while the last of the five is a "Hallelujah psalm" throughout.