📖 Introduction to the Psalms

1. What Are the Psalms?

The Psalms are a collection of 150 songs, prayers, and poems found in the Old Testament.
Known in Hebrew as Tehillim (“Praises”), they cover the full range of human emotion—joy, sorrow, anger, fear, hope, and worship.
They were written over many centuries by different authors: David (the largest contributor), Moses, Solomon, Asaph, the sons of Korah, and others.

2. Purpose of the Psalms

To worship God: Many were used in temple worship, with music and instruments.
To teach and encourage: Psalms remind us of God’s character and promises.
To express emotion honestly: They show us it’s okay to pour our hearts out to God.
To point to Christ: Many Psalms are messianic, foreshadowing Jesus’ life, suffering, and kingship.

3. Structure of the Psalms

The Psalms are divided into five books (possibly mirroring the five books of Moses):

Book 1: Psalms 1–41
Book 2: Psalms 42–72
Book 3: Psalms 73–89
Book 4: Psalms 90–106
Book 5: Psalms 107–150

Each book ends with a doxology (a short word of praise to God).

4. Types of Psalms

Praise – celebrating God’s greatness (e.g., Psalm 100).
Lament – crying out in trouble or sorrow (e.g., Psalm 13).
Thanksgiving – giving thanks for God’s goodness (e.g., Psalm 30).
Wisdom – practical guidance for godly living (e.g., Psalm 1).
Royal/Messianic – pointing to God’s king and ultimately to Jesus (e.g., Psalm 2, Psalm 110).

5. Why the Psalms Matter Today

They teach us to pray when words are hard to find.
They help us worship in every season of life—in joy and in pain.
They remind us that God is both majestic and personal, worthy of praise yet near to the brokenhearted.

✨ Summary: The Psalms are a “prayer book” and “songbook” for God’s people, timeless expressions of faith that guide us in worship, prayer, and daily life.

Introduction to the Psalms

What Are the Psalms?
The Psalms are a collection of 150 songs, prayers, and poems found in the Old Testament. In Hebrew,
they are called Tehillim (“Praises”). They express the full range of human emotion—joy, sorrow, fear,
anger, trust, and hope. Many were written by David, but also by Moses, Solomon, Asaph, the sons of
Korah, and others over many centuries.
Purpose of the Psalms

To worship God – Many psalms were used in temple worship.
To teach and encourage – They remind us of God’s character and promises.
To express emotion honestly – Showing us we can pour out our hearts to God.
To point to Christ – Many psalms foreshadow Jesus’ life, suffering, and kingship.

Structure of the Psalms

Book 1: Psalms 1–41
Book 2: Psalms 42–72
Book 3: Psalms 73–89
Book 4: Psalms 90–106
Book 5: Psalms 107–150 (each book ends with a doxology of praise).

Types of Psalms

Praise – celebrating God’s greatness (e.g., Psalm 100).
Lament – crying out in trouble or sorrow (e.g., Psalm 13).
Thanksgiving – gratitude for God’s goodness (e.g., Psalm 30).
Wisdom – guidance for godly living (e.g., Psalm 1).
Royal/Messianic – pointing to God’s king and to Jesus (e.g., Psalm 2, 110).

Why the Psalms Matter Today