PerspectivesB

HOMEPAGE QuotesFromOT 1 QuotesFromOT 2 N.T. (GOSPELS) Feasts/Loc's Late Life John BeforeMinistry Ministry Itin'ry Ministry Chro1 Ministry Chro2 Ministry Chro3 Ministry Chro4 MinChroAltern Min'tryBegins Cana/Nazareth Capernaum1 Capernaum2 SeaOfGal 1 Parable1 Parable2 Parable3 *Sermon1 *Sermon2 *Sermon3 *Sermon4 *Sermon5 *SeaOfGal 2 O.T. (PSALMS) Psalm Topics Psalms 1 - 6 Psalms 7 - 11 Psalms 12 - 18 Psalms 19 - 24 Psalms 25 - 27 Psalms 28 - 35 Psalms 36 - 41 Psalms 42 - 50 Psalms 51 - 59 Psalms 60 - 68 Psalms 69 - 72 Psalms 73 - 77 Psalms 78 - 79 Psalms 80 - 83 Psalms 84 - 85 Psalms 86 - 88 Psalms 89 - 90 Psalms 91 - 92 Psalms 93 - 94 Psalm 95 Psalms 96 - 98 Psa 99 - 102 Psa 103 - 104 Psa 105 - 106 Psa 107 - 109 Psa 110 - 113 Psa 114 - 116 Psa 117 - 118 Psalm 119A Psalm 119B Psa 120 - 126 Psa 127 - 132 Psa 133 - 134 Psa 135 - 136 Psa 137 - 138 Psa 139 - 140 Psa 141 - 144 Psa 145 - 150 *PerMtMkLk1 *PerMtMkLk2 *PerMtMkLk3 *PerMtMkLk4 *PerMtMkLk5 *PerMtMkLk6 *PerMtMkLk7 *PerMtMkLk8 *PerMtMkLk9 *PerMtMkLk10 *PerMtMkLk11 *PerMtMkLk12 *PerMtMkLk13 *PerMtMkLk14 *PerMtMkLk15 *PerMtMkLk16 *PerMtMkLk17 *PerMtMkLk18 *PerMtMkLk19 *PerMtMkLk20 *PerMtMkLk21 *PerMtMkLk22 *PerMtMkLk23 *PerMtMkLk24 *PerMtMkLk25 *PerMtMkLk26 *PerMtMkLk27 *PerMtMkLk28 *PerJohn1 *PerJohn2 *PerJohn3 *PerJohn4 PerJohn5 PerJohn6 PerJohn7 PerJohn8 PerJohn9 N.T. (REST) *Acts 1 & 2 *Acts 3 & 4 *Acts 5 & 6 *Acts 7 *Acts 8 & 9 *Acts 10 & 11 *Acts 12 & 13 *Acts 14 & 15 *Acts 16 & 17 *Acts 18 & 19 *Acts 20 & 21 *Acts 22 & 23 *Acts 24 - 26 *Acts 27 & 28 Roma 1 - 3 Roma 4 - 6 Roma 7 - 9 Roma 10 - 13 Roma 14 - 16 1stCor 1 - 4 1stCor 5 - 8 1stCor 9 - 11 1stCor 12 - 14 1stCor 15 & 16 2ndCor 1 - 4 2ndCor 5 - 8 2ndCor 9 - 11 2ndCor 12 - 13 Gala 1 - 3 Gala 4 - 6 Ephe 1 - 3 Ephe 4 - 6 Phlp 1 - 4 Colo 1 - 4 1stThe 1 - 5 2ndThe 1 - 3 1stTim 1 - 6 2ndTim 1 - 4 Titu 1 - 3 Phlm Hebr 1 - 3 Hebr 4 - 7 Hebr 8 - 10 Hebr 11 - 13 Jame 1 - 5 1stPet 1 - 3 1stPet 4 & 5 2ndPet 1 - 3 1stJoh 1 - 5 2ndJoh 3rdJoh Jude Reve 1 - 3 Reve 4 - 8 Reve 9 - 13 Reve 14 - 17 Reve 18 - 20 Reve  21 & 22 ++ Greek (Intro.) VI (Ephe) XI (1stTim) XII (2ndTim) XIII (Titu) XIV (Phlm) XV (Hebr) XVI (Jame) XVII (1stPet) XVIII (2ndPet) PART I, A-C PART I, D PART I, E PART I, F PART II O.T. (PART I) FrontCover BackCover Preface PerspectivesA PerspectivesB PerspectivesC CommentsOLD CommentsNEW LinksScripture Links1ChuMin Links2ChuMin LinksMusCam Links1Green Links2Green LinksJewish LinksOther oldCap1 oldCap2 oldSOG1 oldPar2

The Psalms Of The Bible

B. PSALMS 1 - 150 DESCRIBED

  1. The Authors of the psalms- The psalm are listed below according to their authors, followed by the beginning of each psalm-- but 1st note:

  • If a psalm (the Psa #) is in boldface it is 1 of the 39 psalms that contain the term Selah 1 or more times (total, 71x; it is similar to the term Sela of 1stSa 23:28 & Isa 16:1, where it means rock-- see PSALM 43 1stSa<1> & Isa<1>). Selah often occurs in the midst of a prayer to God (as e.g. in PSALM 21 Psa), it could be called a "Selah moment" (a pause for the benefit of the prayer, so that he/she might listen to God-- recall the Scripture, when We do not know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for Us? It also appears 3x in Habakkuk's prayer-- see PerspectivesC C.8.;
  • In PSALM 9 Psa note that the 1st Selah is after Higgaion-- which probably means the selah-time-period is to be turbulent;
  • Note how many of the psalms began with utterances (prayers?) directed to God (noted in blue script);
  • In PSALM 77 Psa (intro.) note my conjecture about Asaph (or 1 of his descendants) as author.

    a. Moses, the great grandson of Levi (see PART II F.1.a.4. & J.3.4th pt.), authored 1 psalm:

  • Psa 90: LORD, YOU have been Our dwelling place throughout all

    b. David, of the 11th generation starting with Judah (see Matt 1:3-6), authored 76 psalms: * means the psalm begins or ends with Praise the LORD:

  • Psa 2 (Acts 4:25 says David wrote this): Why do the nations conspire & the
  • Psa 3: O LORD, how many are My foes! How many rise up against Me!
  • Psa 4: Answer Me when I call to YOU, O My Righteous GOD. Give Me
  • Psa 5: Give ear to My words, O LORD, consider My sighing. Listen to My
  • Psa 6: O LORD, do not rebuke Me in YOUR Anger or discipline Me in
  • Psa 7: O LORD My GOD, I take refuge in YOU; save & deliver Me from
  • Psa 8: O LORD, Our LORD, how Majestic is YOUR Name in all the earth
  • Psa 9 (see PART II H.1.; Psa 9 & 10  have been placed together as 1 psalm-- see below,  2.Psa 9 & 10): I will praise YOU, O LORD, with all My heart; I
  • Psa 11: In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to Me: 'Flee like a
  • Psa 12: Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished
  • Psa 13: How long, O LORD? Will YOU forget Me forever? How long will
  • Psa 14 (virtually identical to Psa 53-- see PSALM 53 Psa): The fool says in his heart, 'There is no GOD.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no
  • Psa 15: LORD, who may dwell in YOUR Sanctuary? Who may live on
  • Psa 16: Keep Me safe, O GOD, for in YOU I take refuge. I said to the
  • Psa 17 (see PART II H.1.): Hear, O LORD, My righteous plea; listen to My
  • Psa 18: I love YOU, O LORD, My strength. The remainder of this psalm is virtually a direct quote of what is called David's Song in 2ndSa 22.The LORD
  • Psa 19: The heavens declare the Glory of GOD; the skies proclaim the work
  • Psa 20: May the LORD answer You when You are in distress; may the Name
  • Psa 21: O LORD, the king rejoices in YOUR Strength. How great is His
  • Psa 22 (see PSALM 22 Psa): My GOD, My GOD, why have YOU
  • Psa 23: The LORD is My shepherd, I shall not be in want.  HE makes Me
  • Psa 24: The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it, the world, & all who
  • Psa 25: To YOU, O LORD, I lift up My soul; in YOU I trust, O My GOD.
  • Psa 26 (see PART II J.1.b.i.): Vindicate Me, O LORD, for I have led a
  • Psa 27: The LORD is My light & My salvation-- whom shall I fear? The
  • Psa 28: To YOU I call, O LORD My rock; do not turn a deaf ear to Me.
  • Psa 29: Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory &
  • Psa 30: I will exalt YOU, O LORD, for YOU lifted Me out of the depths &
  • Psa 31 (perh. authored by Jeremiah): In YOU, O LORD, I have taken
  • Psa 32: Blessed is He whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are
  • Psa 34 (see PART II H.1.): I will extol the LORD at all times; HIS Praise
  • Psa 35 (see PART II H.3.): Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with
  • Psa 36: An oracle is within My heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
  • Psa 37: Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
  • Psa 38: O LORD, do not rebuke Me in YOUR Anger or discipline Me in
  • Psa 39: I said, 'I will watch My ways & keep My tongue from sin; I will put a
  • Psa 40 (see PSALM 40 Psa): I waited patiently for the LORD; HE turned
  • Psa 41: Blessed is He who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers Him
  • Psa 51: Have mercy on Me, O GOD, according to YOUR Unfailing Love;
  • Psa 52: Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day
  • Psa 53 (virtually identical to Psa 14-- see PSALM 53 Psa): The fool says in his heart, 'there is no GOD.' They are corrupt, & their ways are vile; there is no
  • Psa 54: Save Me, O GOD, by YOUR Name; vindicate Me by YOUR
  • Psa 55: Listen to My prayer, O GOD, do not ignore My plea; hear Me &
  • Psa 56: Be merciful to Me, O GOD, for men hotly pursue Me; all day long
  • Psa 57: Have mercy on Me, O GOD, have mercy on Me, for in YOU My
  • Psa 58 (see PART II J.2.a.): Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge
  • Psa 59: Deliver Me from My enemies, O GOD; protect Me from those who
  • Psa 60 (see PART II H.3.): YOU have rejected Us, O GOD, & burst forth
  • Psa 61 (see PART II J.1.b.i.): Hear My cry, O GOD; listen to My prayer.
  • Psa 62 (see PART II J.1.b.i.): My soul finds rest in GOD alone; My salvation
  • Psa 63: O GOD, YOU are My GOD, earnestly I seek YOU; My soul
  • Psa 64: Hear Me, O GOD, as I voice My complaint; protect My life from the
  • Psa 65: Praise awaits YOU, O GOD, in Zion; to YOU Our vows will be
  • Psa 68: May GOD arise, may HIS Enemies be scattered; may HIS Foes
  • Psa 69: Save Me, O GOD, for the waters have come up to My neck. I sink in
  • Psa 70: Hasten, O GOD, to save Me; O LORD, come quickly to help Me.
  • Psa 86: Hear, O GOD, & answer Me, for I am poor & needy. Guard My life,
  • Psa 96 (this psalm was a portion of a hymn David wrote & committed to Asaph & his associates-- see PART II H.3.): Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to
  • Psa 101: I will sing of YOUR Love & Justice; to YOU, O LORD, I will sing
  • Psa 103*: Praise the LORD, O My soul; all My inmost being, praise HIS
  • Psa 105*: Give thanks to the LORD, call on HIS Name; make known
  • Psa 108: My heart is steadfast, O GOD; I will sing & make music with all
  • Psa 109: O GOD, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for wicked & deceitful
  • Psa 110 (see PSALM 110 Psa): The LORD says to My LORD: Sit at MY Right Hand until I make YOUR Enemies a footstool for YOUR Feet. The
  • Psa 122: I rejoiced with Those who said to Me, 'Let Us go to the House of the
  • Psa 124 (see PART II H.3.): If the LORD had not been on Our side-- let Israel
  • Psa 131: My heart is not proud, O LORD, My eyes are not haughty; I do not
  • Psa 133: How good & pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is
  • Psa 138: I will praise YOU, O LORD, with all My heart; before the 'gods' I
  • Psa 139: O LORD, YOU have searched Me & YOU know Me. YOU know
  • Psa 140: Rescue Me, O LORD, from evil men; protect Me from men of
  • Psa 141: O LORD, I call to YOU; come quickly come to Me. Hear My
  • Psa 142: I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up My voice to the LORD for mercy.
  • Psa 143: O LORD, hear My prayer, listen to My cry for mercy; in YOUR
  • Psa 144: Praise be to the LORD, My Rock, who trains My hands for war,
  • Psa 145: I will exalt YOU, My GOD the King; I will praise YOUR Name

    c.  Anonymous, authored 46 psalms; * means the psalm begins or ends with Praise the LORD; ** means it both begins & ends that way:

  • Psa 1: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or
  • Psa 10 (prob. written by David; Psa 9 & 10 have been placed together as 1 psalm-- see below, 2.Psa 9 & 10): Why, O LORD, do YOU stand far off?
  • Psa 33: Sing joyfully to the LORD, You righteous; it is fitting for the upright
  • Psa 66: Shout with joy to GOD, all the earth! Sing the glory of HIS Name;
  • Psa 67: May GOD be gracious to Us & bless Us & make HIS Face shine
  • Psa 71: In YOU, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let Me never be put to
  • Psa 91: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow
  • Psa 92: It is good to praise the LORD & make music to YOUR Name, O
  • Psa 93: The LORD reigns, HE is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in
  • Psa 94: O LORD, the GOD who avenges, O GOD who avenges, shine forth.
  • Psa 95: Come, let Us sing for joy to the LORD; let Us shout aloud to the
  • Psa 97: The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shore rejoice.
  • Psa 98: Sing to the LORD a new song, for HE has done marvelous things;
  • Psa 99: The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; HE sits enthroned
  • Psa 100: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with
  • Psa 102: Hear My prayer, O LORD; let My cry for help come to YOU. Do
  • Psa 104**: Praise the LORD, O My soul. O LORD My GOD, YOU are
  • Psa 106**: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Give thanks to the LORD, for
  • Psa 107: Give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good; HIS Love endures
  • Psa 111*: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). I will extol the LORD with all My
  • Psa 112*: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH).  Blessed is the man who fears the
  • Psa 113**: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Praise, O servants of the LORD,
  • Psa 114: When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of
  • Psa 115*: Not to Us, O LORD, not to Us but to YOUR Name be the glory,
  • Psa 116*: I love the LORD, for HE heard My voice; HE heard My cry for
  • Psa 117**: Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol HIM, all you peoples.
  • Psa 118: Give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good; HIS Love endures
  • Psa 119 (perh. by Ezra): Blessed are They whose ways are blameless, who
  • Psa 120 (perh. by Hezekiah): I call on the LORD in My distress, & HE
  • Psa 121 (perh. by Hezekiah): I lift up My eyes to the hills-- where does My
  • Psa 123 (perh. by Hezekiah): I lift up My eyes to YOU, to YOU whose
  • Psa 125 (perh. by Hezekiah): Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount
  • Psa 126: When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, We were like
  • Psa 128 (perh. by Hezekiah): Blessed are all Those who fear the LORD, who
  • Psa 129 (perh. by Hezekiah): They have greatly oppressed Me from My
  • Psa 130 (perh. by Hezekiah): Out of the depths I cry to YOU, O LORD; O
  • Psa 132: O LORD, remember David & all the hardships He endured. He
  • Psa 134* (perh. by Hezekiah): Praise the LORD, all You servants of the
  • Psa 135** (perh. by Hezekiah): Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Praise the
  • Psa 136: Give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good. HIS Love endures
  • Psa 137 (perh. by Ezekiel or Nehemiah, during Judah's captivity): By the rivers of Babylon We sat & wept when We remembered Zion. There on the poplars
  • Psa 146**: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Praise the LORD, O My soul. I
  • Psa 147**: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). How good it is to sing praises to
  • Psa 148**: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Praise the LORD from the
  • Psa 149**: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Sing to the LORD a new song,
  • Psa 150*: Praise the LORD (Hallelu YAH). Praise GOD in HIS Sanctuary;

    d. Sons of Korah, authored 11 psalms. The sons (descendants) of Korah were temple assistants (exc. in Psalm 42 they are also called musicians). Korah, the great grandson of Levi, & 1st cousin of Moses, was among them who rebelled against Moses-- see PART II J.3.:

  • Psa 42: As the deer pants for streams of water, so My soul pants for YOU,
  • Psa 43 (Psa 42 & 43 were traditionally placed together as 1 psalm): Vindicate Me, O GOD, & plead My cause against an ungodly nation; rescue Me from
  • Psa 44: We have heard with Our ears, O GOD; Our fathers have told Us what
  • Psa 45 (said to be a prophecy about the church, Christ's bride-- our eternal appreciation; but s.a. PSALM 45 Psa): My heart is stirred by a noble theme as
  • Psa 46: GOD is Our refuge & strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
  • Psa 47: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to GOD with cries of joy. How
  • Psa 48: Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of Our
  • Psa 49: Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low &
  • Psa 84: How lovely is YOUR Dwelling Place, O LORD Almighty! My soul
  • Psa 85: YOU showed favor to YOUR Land, O LORD; YOU restored the
  • Psa 87: HE has set HIS Foundation on the holy mountain; the LORD loves

    e. Heman, of the 21st generation starting with Levi, through Korah, authored 1 psalm. He was 1 of David's chief musicians-- see PART II J.3.:

  • Psa 88: O LORD, the GOD who saves Me, day & night I cry out before

    f. Asaph, of the 15th generation starting with Levi, authored 12 psalms. He served at Heman's right hand in David's court-- see PART II J.3.:

  • Psa 50: The Mighty ONE, GOD, the LORD, speaks & summons the earth
  • Psa 73: Surely GOD is good for Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as
  • Psa 74 (or 1 of Asaph's descendants, as it was likely written after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians): Why have YOU rejected Us forever, O GOD? Why
  • Psa 75: We give thanks to YOU, O GOD, We give thanks, for YOUR
  • Psa 76: In Judah GOD is known; HIS Name is great in Israel. HIS Tent is
  • Psa 77: I cried out to GOD for help; I cried out to GOD to hear Me. When I
  • Psa 78: O My people, hear My teachings; listen to the words of My mouth. I
  • Psa 79 (or 1 of Asaph's descendants, as it was likely written after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians): O GOD, the nations have invaded YOUR Inheritance;
  • Psa 80 (or 1 of Asaph's descendants, as it was likely written after Israel was defeated by the Assyrians): Hear Us, O Shepherd of Israel, YOU who lead
  • Psa 81: Sing for joy to GOD Our strength; shout aloud to the GOD of Jacob!
  • Psa 82: GOD presides in the great assembly; HE gives judgment among
  • Psa 83 (perh. 1 of Asaph's descendants): O GOD, do not keep silent; be not

    g. Ethan, of the 14th generation starting with Levi, or 1 of his descendant, authored 1 psalm. Ethan was the 13th in line from Levi's 3rd son, Merari-- see PART II J.3.:

  • Psa 89: I will sing of the LORD'S Great Love forever; with My mouth I will

    h. Solomon (David's son), of the 12th generation starting with Judah; authored 2 psalms:

  • Psa 72: Endow the king with YOUR Justice, O GOD, the royal son with
  • Psa 127: Unless the LORD build the house, it's builders labor in vain. Unless

  2. The Acrostic Poems in boldface are what begin with successive letters or consonants of the Hebrew alphabet; underlined is how every line ends.

  • Psa 9 & 10: in these 2 psalms together, the 1st words of the stanzas begin with successive letters;
  • Psa 25: the 1st word of the verses begin with successive letters;
  • Psa 34: the 1st word of the verses begin with successive letters;
  • Psa 37: the 1st word of the stanzas begin with successive letters;
  • Psa 111: the 1st word of the lines begin with successive letters;
  • Psa 112: the 1st word of the lines begin with successive letters;
  • Psa 119: the headings of the 8-verse stanzas are successive Hebrew letters (each verse within a stanza begins with that same letter-- though you wouldn't know it by looking at the English words). It was arranged this way for the purpose of memory;
  • Psa 136: every line ends in HIS Love endures forever;
  • Psa 145: the 1st word of the verses begin with successive letters.

  3. The Songs of Ascents (Psa 120-134) Much of the following was drawn from The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary by Merrill C. Tenney (p. 280). Unlike Psa 119, whose general purpose was for memory, the Songs of Ascents (otherwise known as Pilgrim Songs, Songs of Degrees, etc.), was a collection of songs sung by those who left their homes 3x annually & travelled/ascended to the Jerusalem Temple for the 3 pilgrimmage feasts (all instituted by God via the Mosaic Law):

  1. the dual 1-day Passover / 7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, which celebrated Israel's deliverance from the Egyptians-- held in Nisan (1st Jewish mo.-- our April);
  2. the 1-day  Feast of Pentecost (see the above referenced book, same page, for the alternate names), held on the 50th day after the waving of the sheaf of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which marked the wheat harvest-- held in Sivan (3rd Jewish mo.-- our June);
  3. the 7-day Feast of Taberbacles (see the above referenced book, same page, for the alternate names), which marked the end of the harvest season & also commemorated Israel's desert wanderings-- held in Tishri 7th Jewish mo.-- our Oct.).

The pilgrimmages started in distant lands; the distant pilgims immediately began singing as they travelled; those who lived nearer Jerusalem immediately spiritually joined/sang with them-- physically joining in travel later).

As to who authored the Songs of Ascents:

  • Anonymous, some suggest Hezekiah (king of Judah when Israel fell to Assyria in 722 B.C.)-- Psalms 120-121; 123; 125; 128-130; 134
  • David (became king of Israel in 1010 B.C.-- Psalms 122; 124; 131; 133
  • Anonymous-- Psalms 126; 132
  • Solomon (became king of Israel in 970 B.C-- Psalm 127

They obviously are not arranged chronologically/historically; as pointed out in PSALM 127, collectively the Pilgrim Songs were a living prophecy about God's infinite love-- about his reaching out to the world while yet retaining/exhibiting love for Israel.

  4. The Books of the Psalms

  • Book 1: Psalms 1-41 (ends with Doxology-- rendered Amen & Amen);
  • Book 2: Psalms 42-72 (ends with Doxology-- rendered Amen & Amen);
  • Book 3: Psalms 73-89 (ends with Doxology-- rendered Amen & Amen);
  • Book 4: Psalms 90-106 (ends with Doxology-- rendered 'Amen!');
  • Book 5: Psalms 107-150