The Psalms are Hymns. After the “Last Supper” Matthew reported the disciples with Jesus “sung a hymn” Matt. 26:30. They would have recited one of the Psalms. In the Jewish tradition a blessing is offered before one eats and a prayer of thanks or grace is offered after eating. Most Christians combine the two and grace is offered before the meal. Psalms are a part of most Jewish prayers.
There are many psalms scattered throughout the scriptures that are not a part of the Book of Psalms. It is of interest that musical instruments are mentioned as early as Genesis 4:21. Moses is credited with the first Biblical psalm in Exodus 15:1-19. Miriam the Prophetess, sister of Moses, recorded another psalm along with tambourines and dancing. Exodus 15:20-22. Neither of these psalms are in the Book of Psalms. The very first psalms however were arguably given by Adam and Eve after they were driven out of the Garden of Eden. Adam’s psalm, “Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.” Moses 5:10. Eve followed with a psalm of her own, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” Moses 5:11.
“The Psalms in Jewish Liturgy
Many psalms are employed in Jewish liturgy. For example: Psalms 113-118 make up the Hallel, which is recited on various holidays. Individual psalms, as well as selected verses from psalms, are featured in the “Verses of Song” (Pesukei D’Zimra) that precede the daily morning service. Seven psalms form the core of the Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night) service.
Verses from Psalms 34 and 99 accompany the procession for taking the Torah out for public reading in the synagogue; On Shabbat, Psalm 29 is sung when returning the Torah to the ark. Psalm 126 is recited before the grace after meals (Birkat Hamazon) on Shabbat and holidays, and Psalm 137 on ordinary days.” [1]
Psalms are hymns with several different themes sung in sacred places like the Tabernacle, Temple, Synagogues, and Church meetings and as a part of one’s personal prayers.
A Table of Psalms by Theme
God the Creator. | |
God the Redeemer. | |
God the Judge. | |
God’s Glory. | |
God’s Sovereignty. | |
God’s Wisdom. | |
God’s Law. | 19, 50, 62, 111, 119, 147. 23, 33, 34, 37, 89, 121, 124, 139, 145, 146, 147. |
God’s Mercy. | 23, 32, 57, 61, 62, 63, 73, 77, 85, 86, 100, 103, 118, 130, 145. |
The Incarnation. | |
The Passion. | |
The Church. | |
Worship. | |
Thanksgiving. | 30, 65, 67, 92, 98, 100, 111, 103, 107, 116, 134, 138, 145, 147, 148, 150. |
Prayer. | |
Trust in God. | 27, 31, 57, 62, 63, 71, 73, 77, 91, 118, 121, 123, 124, 125, 143, 146. |
God our Refuge. | |
Divine Guidance. | |
In Time of Trouble. | 3, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 30, 40, 46, 49, 57, 62, 63, 80, 85, 86, 90, 107, 118, 144, 146. |
Righteousness. | |
Peace. | |
The Transitoriness of Life. | |
The Hope of Immortality. | |
Morning. | |
Evening. | |
Penitential Psalms. | |
Preparation for Holy Communion. | |
Thanksgiving after Holy Communion. | 8, 15, 18, 19, 27, 29, 30, 34, 100, 103, 110, 118, 145, 150. [2] |
The term “Selah” is found 71 times in the Book of Psalms. Selah is used as a “rest stop” for the singer or musician. Its intent is to ponder and absorb the previous verse and message. It is similar to saying “Amen!” and “Thus may it be forever” after you have thought about that verse. This is why you will find “Selah” at the end of some of the Psalms.
What does Higgaion mean? It means to play the instrument with solemnity.
What does “Maschil” found in Psalms mean? Maschil as a verb means “to give instruction or to make wise.” Maschil is the title of thirteen Psalms 32,45,44,45,52-55,74,78,68,69,142.
After Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel, Mary, the mother of Jesus, refers to numerous Psalms in her response to Elizabeth greeting, “Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Mary quotes parts of numerous Psalms and other scriptures in her response to Elizabeth. Mary’s Psalm is referred to as the Magnificat.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul doth magnify the Lord Psalms 70:4
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior; Psalms 106:21
For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; Psalms 116:6
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Psalms 72:17
For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; Psalms 126:2 (JST “And I will magnify his holy name” Psalms 69:30) and holy is His name; Psalms 105:3, , 99:3,
And His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation: Psalms 25:14,
He hath shown strength with His arm, Psalms 89:10
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Psalms 140:2
He hath put down the mighty from their seats [thrones],
and hath exalted them of low degree. Psalms 37:34
He hath filled the hungry with good things, Psalms 107:9
and the rich He hath sent away empty.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy Psalms 136:22, 98:3
As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. Psalms 105:6-8
List of Psalms by author
Author and # of Psalms written by them
David 73 (named as author)
76 (attributed) (2), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, (10), 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 86, (95), 101, 103, 108, 109, 110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145
Asaph[3] 12 ,50, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83
Sons of Korath:[4] 11 (named as author) 12 (attributed) ,42, (43), 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84, 85, 87, 88
Solomon 2, 72, 127
Moses 1, 90
Ethan the Ezrahite[5] 1, 89
Heman the Ezrahite[6] 1, 88
No author listed 50 (Psalms without named author)
46 (excluding Psalms with common and external attribution to named authors) 1, 2, 10, 33, 43, 66, 67, 71, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95[Notes 3], 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 123, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150
Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph was instructed to make a selection of sacred hymns for the Church with this insight from the Lord, “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12).
Think about writing your own psalm to the Lord. Here is one of mine.
Rejoice, Oh My Soul For in Christ
There is Peace of Mind
Even as the Eye of a Hurricane is Jesus
Contentment Amidst Affliction
To Those Who Rely Upon the Lord
[1]https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3169553/jewish/Why-Do-Jews-Pray-Three-Times-a-Day.htm
[2] http://www.bookofhours.org/psalms/tool_themes.htm
[3] Asaph was a descendant of Gershom the son of Levi and he is identified as a member of the Levites. He is also known as one of the three Levites commissioned by David to be in charge of singing in the house of Yahweh.
[4]The three sons of Levi were Gershon, Merari, and Korath. Korath and his sons were commissioned to write songs for the Temple.
[5] Ethan the Ezrahite is the songwriter-author of Psalm 89.
[6] Heman the Ezrahite is the named author of Psalm 88 , he was one of the sons of Korath.
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