The Holy Scriptures

Psalm 1‑150  •  5 min. read  •  grade level: 8
Listen from:
The Book of Psalms
The Book of Psalms is a collection of meditations, prayers and praises. While the book has a distinctly prophetic character, it is not a formal declaration of future events, neither is it history or doctrine, though it contains both. David wrote many of the psalms (Luke 20:42). Some can be related to specific circumstances in his life.
Nevertheless, these are not simply the cries of David, nor mere human sentiment. Rather, they are the language of the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11). Some, such as Psalm 22, can be identified with a particular time and place in the history of the Lord Jesus. In others, we find Christ in association with the godly remnant in Judah and Israel: afflicted in the land, out of the land, the place He took among them when on earth, and in the full blessing of millennial days. No other book expresses the thoughts of the Lord’s heart in such a manner.
The psalms are occupied with Judah and Israel. They are the experiences of a people under law. The blessings and position that we as Christians—members of the body of Christ—enjoy weren’t known.
Prophecy and Psalms
An understanding of the prophetic future of Judah and Israel is helpful in understanding the Psalms. At the close of the historic books, both Judah and Israel are in captivity. Judah’s post-captivity history has differed from that of Israel, whose identity as a people has been lost.
As we are witnessing even today, Judah will be restored to her land in unbelief (Isa. 18) and will ultimately rebuild her temple (Isa. 66:16; 2 Thess. 2:4; Psa. 74). With the church having been taken out of this scene, a period of tremendous trial will come upon the whole habitable world (Rev. 3:10). Lasting for seven years (Dan. 9:24-27), the first 3½ years are known as the beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:8; first book of the Psalms), while the last 3½ years are a period of great tribulation (Matt. 24:15-24; second book of the Psalms).
The 75-day period following the great tribulation is called the indignation (Isa. 10:24-25; 26:20; 34:12; Dan. 11:36). During this time, many nations will attempt to crush Israel, challenging even the Lord Himself. A remnant of Judah will be preserved (Zech. 13:9). The experiences of this remnant under the chastening hand and governmental discipline of God, suffering for and confessing the national guilt of a broken law and the still more awful burden of crucifying their Messiah, are very fully detailed in the Psalms. The Lord will gather the ten tribes back into the land (Matt. 24:31; Deut. 30:1-10; fourth book of the Psalms), causing them to pass under the rod, purging out the rebels at the border (Eze. 20:35-37).
With the close of the indignation, the Lord’s kingdom will have been established and He will reign over the earth in righteousness for a period of 1000 years—the Millennium (Psa. 72; Isa. 35; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:16). Those that remain of the Gentile nations will go up year by year to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (Zech. 14:16).
Divisions of Psalms
The Book of Psalms is not divided into chapters; rather, each psalm is known by its position—for example, the second psalm (Acts 13:33). The headings that are found above many of the psalms appear in the Septuagint and other manuscripts and are of a very ancient date. In the Hebrew, the Book of Psalms is divided into five books, each with a distinct character: Psalms 141 form the first book, 42-72 The second, 73-89 the third, 90-106 the fourth, and 107-150 the fifth. The closing of each book is distinctly marked, as may be observed by reading the last few verses of each. Their order is moral, never chronological.
Overview of the Five Books of Psalms
In the first book of the Psalms we have Christ in association with a suffering but faithful remnant in Judea. Jehovah is the most frequent title used in this portion, being His title of covenant relation with Israel. “To the saints that are on the earth, and to the excellent Thou hast said, In them is all My delight” (Psa. 16:3 JnD). The first two psalms are introductory to the whole collection: They introduce the godly remnant and the Messiah (the Lord’s anointed; Psa. 2:2).
In the second book the remnant is viewed as driven from the land but cheered and sustained by the presence and promises of their Messiah. God does not publicly own this remnant and so “God” (Elohim), the creation title, is used in preference to “Jehovah.” “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1).
The whole nation in the last days is spoken of in the third book. Their history and God’s dealings with them are referred to (for example, Psalm 78). The subject is taken up in a general fashion; it is not Christ in association with the remnant. We see equally references to “God” and “Jehovah.”
In the fourth book we have the coming of the Messiah, the relationship between Israel and God having being restored. Jerusalem is the setting. Here we have His reign and the blessing associated with His personal presence. These are joyous psalms. Jehovah is again the preferred title. “O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory” (Psa. 98:1).
The psalms that make up the fifth book are moral rather than prophetic, dealing with Israel’s return to Jehovah and His ways with His people (for example, the fifteen Songs of Degrees; Psalms 120-134). They end in praise.
N. Simon