This study takes an overview of the Book of Psalms, to help us better understand and appreciate this Bible book.

Not One Book But Five

The Book of Psalms is really five books combined:

1. Psalms 1-41,
2. Psalms 42-72,
3. Psalms 73-89,
4. Psalms 90-106,
5. Psalms 107-150.

The final Psalm in each of the five books closes with a doxology (word of praise to God). For example Psalm 41 at the end of book 1, closes with...

Blessed be the LORD
The God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting,
Amen and Amen.

Half of the Psalms are Attributed to David

David, a prophet, was king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:29-31, 2Sm 5:1-5). Seventy three out of the total 150 psalms were written by David.

David’s genius as a composer of songs, and an orchestrator of musical instruments "for the praise of the Lord", enhanced the tabernacle worship (1Ch 23:5, 2Ch 29:25-28).

Not All Bible Psalms Are In the Book of Psalms

These 150 psalms are not the only ones in the Bible. A few other psalms are scattered through the Bible.

Examples:

Other Psalms in the Bible
Deut 32 Moses’s song approaching the promised land
 
Judges 5 Deborah’s song at the Caananites' defeat
 
1Sam 2 Hannah’s prayer at Samuel’s dedication
 
2Sam 22 David’s song when delivered from Saul [Psa 18]
 
Lke 1:45-55 Mary’s song when she visited Elizabeth
 
Lke 1:67-79 Zachariah’s prophecy at the birth of his son John
 
Rev 5 The elder’s song in the vision of the throne
 

Psalms Especially Loved By Christians

All scripture is good and profitable (2Tm 3:14-17) however certain Psalms, such as Psalm 23 and Psalm 51, have an extra special place in the Christian’s heart and worship (Col 3:16).

6. Psalms About Christ

Some Psalms are classified as "Messianic" because their burden is the suffering and victory of the Messiah, who in Greek is called Christ. These Psalms are quoted in the New Testament when teaching the gospel of Christ (Psa 16:8-11, Acts 2:25-28).

Some other examples: Psalms 2, 22, 40, 45, 110, 118

The following reference index lists prophecies about Christ that are in the book of Psalms and are quoted in the New Testament.

Psalms Quoted in the New Testament
Psa 2:1-2 Acts 4:25-28
 
Psa 2:7 Acts 13:33, Heb 1:5, Heb 5:5
 
Psa 2:9 Rev 2:26-27, Rev 12:5, Rev 19:15
 
Psa 8:2 Mtt 21:16
 
Psa 8:4-6 1Co 15:25-28, Heb 2:5-10
 
Psa 16:8-11 Acts 2:25-32, Acts 13:34-37
 
Psa 22:1 Mtt 27:46, Mrk 15:34
 
Psa 22:7-8 Mtt 27:39,43, Lke 23:35
 
Psa 22:18 Mtt 27:35, Mrk 15:24, Lke 23:34, Jhn 19:23-24
 
Psa 22:22 Heb 2:11-12
 
Psa 40:6-8 Heb 10:5-10
 
Psa 41:9 Jhn 13:18
 
Psa 45:6-7 Heb 1:8-9
 
Psa 68:18 Eph :8
 
Psa 69:4 Jhn 15:25
 
Psa 69:9 Jhn 2:17, Rom 15:3
 
Psa 69:21 Mtt 27:34, Jhn 19:28-29
 
Psa 69:22-23 Rom 11:9-10
 
Psa 69:25 Acts 1:20
 
Psa 78:2 Mtt 13:35
 
Psa 78:24 Jhn 6:31
 
Psa 97:7 Heb 1:6
 
Psa 102:25-27 Heb 1:10-12
 
Psa 110:1 Mtt22:44, Mrk 12:36, Lke 20:42,
Acts 2:34, Heb 1:13
 
Psa 110:4 Heb 5:6, Heb 6:20, Heb7:17,21
 
Psa 118:6 Heb 13:6
 
Psa 118:22-23 Mtt 21:42, Mrk 12:10-11, Lke 20:17, Acts 4:11,
Eph 2:20, 1Pe 2:7
 
Psa 118:26 Mtt 21:9, Mtt 23:39, Mrk 11:9, Lke 13:35,
Lke 19:38, Jhn 12:13
 

 

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