Overview of the Book of Psalms

The Book of Psalms as Israel’s Hymn Book

So the overview of the week for this Sunday is the Book of Psalms. What is a psalm? A psalm basically is a song or a poem written to be set to music. So the Book of Psalms has been called Israel's hymn book.

The Book of Psalms has 150 chapters, more than any other book of the Bible. David, we could say, is the primary author in that he wrote at least 73 of the psalms. But really, it's a compilation of writings spanning about 900 years from the time of Moses to the Babylonian captivity.

The purpose of the book is to inspire and bring about the proper praise and worship of God. It's also called the Psalter or the Book of Praise. And along with the praise of the Lord, it also includes expressions of human suffering and triumph.

Psalm 23 and the Centrality of the Shepherd Imagery

The most well-known of all the psalms, of course, is Psalm 23, which begins, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. No Old Testament book. This is interesting. No Old Testament book is more frequently quoted in the New Testament than psalms.

And perhaps most important are the Messianic psalms, which speak of the coming Christ, even prophesying his crucifixion in detail hundreds of years before it happened. And to that point, we'll end by reading a few lines from Psalm 22.

Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion of Christ

David writes, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Who else said that? Jesus said that on the cross. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me and from the words of my groaning?

Oh my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear. That's how David felt at this moment and in the night seasons and not silent. But you are wholly enthroned in the praises of Israel. And there's a sense where David is writing this, speaking of himself, but he's also pointing ahead, speaking about Christ.

How do we know that? David writes, They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look and stare at me. They divide my garments among them. And for my clothing, they cast lots. But you have answered me and I will declare your name to my brethren.

In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you. So whether you're going through times of trouble or triumph, whether you're feeling down or need to be lifted up, lift up the name of the Lord. Lift up your praises to God by turning to the Psalms.