Background Material On The Psalms

Having examined some of unique characteristics of Hebrew poetry in general, let's now focus on the book of Psalms itself...

1. The Origin Of The Word "Psalm"

a.)‘Mizmor’  is the  Hebrew word for PSALMS & means melody (music), or songs (words –poetry with/without Music)…Ps. 67 & 68…used 57 times…used in Praise & Worship..From a root  word meaning to ‘prune or cut off’ ..thus speaks of a composition that cuts off all else, is simple & to the point The Greek word is "psalmos", from the Hebrew word "zmr" meaning "to pluck"; i.e., taking hold of the strings of an instrument with the fingers. It implies that the psalms were originally composed to be accompanied by a stringed instrument. "Psalms are songs for the lyre, and therefore lyric poems in the strictest sense."(Delitzsch, Psalms, Vol. I, p. 7) David and others therefore originally wrote the Psalms to be sung to the accompaniment of the harp. In New Testament worship, we are told to sing the psalms to the accompaniment of the heart:

"...in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ep 5:19)

The phrase, "making melody," comes from the Greek word "psallontes" (literally, plucking the strings of). Therefore, we are to "pluck the strings of our heart" as we sing the psalms (i.e., to sing with emotion).

b)Tehillium  There is NOT a Hebrew Title for the Book of Psalms that encompasses all of the Psalms…Many Psalms (2 out of 3) had individual Titles. Probably the most common Title was ‘Tehillium’ ( used of Ps. 96 + 30 other Psalms) …The root  of Tehillium is ‘Hallal’(Hallelujah) or ‘Praise’…literally means to show, be brilliant, be clear(SHINE)……Point: As we Praise God we begin to see things more clearly than any other timeJ!

2. There is NOT a Normal TITLE For the Book of Psalms in its entirety, about a 116 of the 150 Psalms were given each an individual ‘TITLE’ or inscription showing it was intended for a specific Instrument or Chief Musician

• ‘UPON’ means theme ,occasion, object of attention, could also mean the type of instrument used
• ‘OF’ = Author
• ‘FOR’ = Whom the Psalm was directed to for use or attention(Ps.72,84)
• BREAKDOWN of Titles: 52 had simple title of ‘A Psalm of David’, 14 had Historical Titles( ex. When David fled from His enemies) 4 Tiles listed a specific purpose like for Sabbath day,15 Had a Degree , 31 had special & unique inscriptions
• No paragraphs in Hebrew so had to decide beginning of next Psalm
• Some TITLES…
• MICHTAM(Mik-tam)  Meaning “To Teach”,also suggests engraving on tablets, alluding to the 12 tribes engraved on precious stones on the breast plate of the High Priest, signifying Israel was His special Treasure engraved upon  God’s Heart… Psalm 16,56,57,58,59,60
• SHIGGAION,SHIGIONOTH Means Obscure, wild , rhythmic song & dance, ‘Moffatt’ says of this title, means a song of irregular form; wild & vehement in character,’ they were beside themselves as they danced’, A reaction to a heavy anointing of the Spirit of the Lord, dancing , praising , shouting, singing with unrestraint… see David in II Sam. 6:16..Psalm 7, Hab. 3:1
• Shoshannim Means ‘Lilies or Choice Ones’ 45,69,80
• MASCHIL (Mas-kil) Means Instruction & also alludes to skillful singing & playing  Psalm32,42,44,45,52,53,54,55,74,78,88,89,142
• JEDUTHUN Means ‘A Choir of Praise’ Jeduthun was formerly Ethan..A Levite  one of the three masters of music appointed by David. (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6) His office was generally to preside over the music of the temple service. They set up a perpetual order of praise & worship in the Temple…Through their singing & playing of instruments God was glorified & spoke prophetically to His people(II Chron 25:1)…PSALM 39,66,77
• LEANNOTH Ellicot says of this title..a very perplexing meaning …it encompasses sickness, distress, sadness, afflictions…played or sung in a melancholy dirge , had to do with repentance & humbling of oneself..Psalm 12,13,88,53,14..Hos.5:3-15,6:1-3, Isa. 1:4-9 Deut.32:26-36
• SHUSHAN-EDUTH _Means ‘Lily of Testimony’ or ‘Lily of Speech’…a beautiful song of worship or Praise Psalm 60
• HIGGAION means thought, reflection, meditation, solemn sound(identical to Selah) Psalm 9,19,92
• SELAH IS Not a Title, yet this word is found 71 times throughout the PSALMS….means a Pause also means ROCK
• SHIR means to stroll or skip along in song found in 30 Titles
• ALL These Speak of JESUS

3.)      The History Of The Psalms

The oldest of the Psalms originate from the time of Moses (1400 B.C.). We have three psalms penned by Moses:

• Exo 15:1-15 - a song of triumph following the crossing of the Red Sea
• Deut 32, 33 - a song of exhortation to keep the Law after entering Canaan
• Ps 90 - a song of meditation, reflection, and prayer

After Moses, the writing of Psalms had its "peaks" and "valleys"...

In David (1000 B.C.), the sacred lyric attained to its full maturity.

With Solomon, the creation of psalms began to decline; this was "the age of the proverb."

Only twice after this did the creation of psalms rise to any height, and then only for a short period: under Jehoshaphat (875 B.C.) and again under Hezekiah (725 B.C.).

3. The Authors Of The Psalms
   • David - Commonly thought to be the author of the book of Psalms, but he actually wrote only about seventy-three (73), less than half. David’s experiences can be found in the Psalms, yet NOT HIS alone.
   • Asaph - The music director during the reigns of David and Solomon (1 Chr 16:1-7). He wrote twelve (12) psalms.
   • The Sons of Korah - These were Levites who served in the Temple (1 Chr 26:1-19). They wrote twelve (12) psalms.
   • Solomon - At least two (2) psalms are attributed to him (Ps 72, 127). That he wrote many more is stated in 1Ki 4:29-32.
   • Moses - As indicated above, he wrote the earliest psalms; one is included in Psalms (Ps 90).
   • Heman - Contemporary with David and Asaph, and is known as "the singer" (1Ch 6:33). He wrote one psalm (Ps 88) that has been preserved.
   • Ethan - A companion with Asaph and Heman in the Temple worship (1 Chr 15:19). He wrote one psalm (Ps 89).
   • Anonymous - The authorship of forty-eight (48) of the psalms is unknown.

                4.)  The Arrangement Of The Psalms

The Psalms were originally collected into five "books", apparently according to the material found within them...some say each ‘book’ coincides with the 5 books of the  TORAH

• Book I (Ps 1-41) emphasizes how God is besideus.(Ps.1,Ps. 23,,dox.=Ps.41:13)
• Book II (Ps 42-72)emphasizes how God goes beforeus (Ps. 51)(dox. 72:19)
• Book III (Ps 73-89) reminds us that God is all aroundus.(Ps. 78 Asaph, God was w/Isr. Thruout their History )(dox. Ps.89:52)
• Book IV (Ps 90-106) focuses on how God is aboveus.(Moses Man is finite, God is Eternal) (dox. 106:48)
• Book V (Ps 107-150) the spotlight is on how the God is among (Ps. 128 How a man who fears God is Blessed by God) (dox. 150:1-6)

The Psalms can also be arranged into chief "groups"...

• Alphabetic or Acrostic - These psalms have lines which in Hebrew start with words whose first letters follow a certain pattern. For example, in Ps 119 the first eight lines start with words beginning with the Hebrew letter ALEPH, the second eight lines with words beginning with BETH, etc. This may have been done to aid in the memorization of the psalm.
• Ethical - These psalms teach moral principles. A good example is Psa 15.
• Hallelujah - These are psalms of praise, beginning and/or ending with "hallelujah" or "praise Jehovah". Ps 103 is one such example.
• Historical - Psalms which review the history of God's dealings with His people. A good sample would be Ps 106.
• Imprecatory - These psalms invoke God to bring punishment or judgment upon one's enemies. Consider Ps 69 as an example.
• Messianic - Psalms pertaining to the coming Messiah. For example, look at Ps 2 or Ps 110.
• Penitential - These are psalms expressing sorrow for sins that have been committed. A classic example is David's psalm in Ps 51.
• Songs Of Ascent (or Songs Of Degrees) - These psalms were possibly sung by pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem to observe the feasts. They are grouped together as Ps 120-134.
• Suffering - These psalms are cries of those suffering affliction. Psa 102 is a typical example.
• Thanksgiving - Psalms of grateful praise to Jehovah for blessings received. For example, take a look at Ps 100.

The various "styles" of the psalms can be described as...

• Didactic - Psalms of teaching and instruction (e.g., Ps 1).
• Liturgical - Responsive readings, for use in special services (e.g., Ps 136).
• Meditation - The ancient Hebrews were given to meditation, which spirit finds expression in many of the psalms (e.g., Ps 119).
• Praise and Devotion - Psalms of joyful praise (e.g., Ps 148).
• Prayer and Petition - Psalms which were sung in an attitude of prayer (e.g., Ps 51).

The Music of The Psalms….

King David chose Chief Musicians & Their sons to give forth music in the Temple

CHIEF MUSCIANS.. Asaph,  Hemen,  Jeduthun(also called Ethan)

I Chronicles 25:1-7

  David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:

2 From the sons of Asaph:

Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.

3 As for Jeduthun, from his sons:

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,[a] Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.

4 As for Heman, from his sons:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5 (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)

6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.

Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 7 Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288.

I CHRONICLES 9:33,34  Many Levites were also Musicians who played & sang before God in the Temple 24/7

Specific Musical Instruments were used (I Chron. 16:4-6, 42)  Psalterys,  harps,cymbals,trumpets (for priests only), flute like & wind like instruments

Words have stayed, Music has changed

Music was meant to set the mood for Temple Worship

God created us to Enjoy & create Music….music helps us become more vulnerable before each other & God…Zeph. 3:17

Song of Songs a book that is a SONG

Songs help instruct you & aid our memories…..Isaiah 5:1, 35:10, Deut. 31:19,32:1

Songs are an ultimate medium of expression to God… RE. 5:9,14:2,3,15:3

TYPES of PSALMS

Petitions, Prayers, Protection….Ps. 86,Ps.102

Praise…Psalm 145-150, Ps.47

Confessions of Faith…Ps. 33 & 94

Repentance…. Ps.51,130

Intercession….Psalms 6,21,67,122

Cursing (Imprecatory), Judgment of the wicked…Psalm 35,59,109

Instruction…Ps. 37,73,122

Questioning God…Psalm 9,10,14,49

Memorial ,historical, narrative, teaching, & parable

Allegory, enlightenment, revelation, & prophetic

TYPES of PSALMS

Praise, hope, trust,  faith, exaltation of God, Love for God & His Word, thanksgiving, joy + longing

Exultation, rejoicing, gladness, happiness, & deliverance

Dedication, confession, repentance, prayer, & petition

Humility, intercession, refuge, inquiry, need, & fear

Lamentation, woe, sorrow, oppression, bondage, & trouble

Acknowledgement of God’s love & blessings, mercy, grace, truth, power, position, & love for His willing people; & their reciprocal love for their lover, bridegroom, espoused husband, king, redeemer, & Lord.

Conclusion:

The Psalms provides to us,  BOTH,  a beautiful, meditational  book of Song & worship as well as containing bits & pieces of ALL Major Doctrine  to be studied along with All of the aspects of  Life physically & spiritually mankind experiences on earth.

It has been said of the Psalms one finds “expressed an eager yearning & longing for God’s PRESENCE” Psalms certainly contains ‘prayers & songs of joyous praise’

Psalms are a collection of honest, needy, expressions of vulnerable hearts to God.

 All emotions known to man are expressed in beautiful  & inspired prose within this book. Whatever state you find yourself in you can begin to find comfort & answers in the PSALMS….just start to read through them…If you are depressed, feeling anger & hate, in grief,, in fear, in joy, feeling sadness, feeling wronged & misunderstood by others, needing Justice, seeking to run & hide, seeking someone to be vulnerable with, seeking prayer, in need of repentance, Feeling Joy & Delight, Feeling doubt or Faith…The PSALMS cover the whole Gamut of Human Emotions & Thought…You CAN ADOPT THEM AS YOUR OWN PRAYERS, as well as pen your own ‘personal Psalms’ before Abba!!!

21-25 Have done, then, with impurity and every other evil which touches the lives of others, and humbly accept the message that God has sown in your hearts, and which can save your souls. Don’t I beg you, only hear the message, but put it into practice; otherwise you are merely deluding yourselves. The man who simply hears and does nothing about it is like a man catching the reflection of his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, it is true, but he goes on with whatever he was doing without the slightest recollection of what sort of person he saw in the mirror. But the man who looks into the perfect mirror of God’s law, the law of liberty (or freedom), and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness.