Psalms 47 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. In the hebrew bible, psalms begins the third and last section of the biblical canon, known as the writings. Songs of ascent 1204 and hallelujah psalms 146150 were grouped together in the fifth book. Book 1 psalms 141 the five divisions correspond roughly to the five books of moses. The book of psalms is itself divided into five books. The psalm twice summons worshippers to praise verses 1 and 6. With the exception of psalm 94, psalms 9399 are enthronement psalms. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of jacob, whom he loved. The following authors and the psalms attributed to them are listed below. The division of the remaining psalms into three books, thus attaining the number five, was possibly in imitation of the five books of moses otherwise known simply as the law.
Jesus placed the psalms as one of three major divisions in the hebrew bible, and verified their inspiration as a prayer and praise book for the nation of israel. In so short a psalm, there is no need of any other division than that indicated by the musical pause at the end of psalms 47. The divisions of the psalms appear to be analogous with the pentateuch 2. At least one of these divisions between ps 106107 seems arbitrary see introduction to ps 107. Book 1 consists of psalms 141, book 2 of psalms 4272, book 3 of psalms 7389, book 4 of psalms 90106, and book 5 of psalms 107150. These are all of the chapters of the book of psalm.
Psalms is one of the rare books in the bible that was written by. The book of psalms is divided into five sections, each closing with a doxology i. The hebrew name for this book is tehillim, praises, though many of the psalms are rather elegiac. Intro to psalms biblica the international bible society. The scope of this psalm is to stir us up to praise god, to stir up all people to do so. Traditional jewish teaching and much christian teaching link each of. This division of the psalms focuses upon israels relapse and recovery in the wilderness. The book of psalms was written to israelbut the book has been used for devotion, prayer, and praise by believers down through the centuries. Psalm 90, attributed to moses, reminds the worshiper that god was active on israels behalf long before david. He shall choose our inheritance for us the syriac, arabic, and latin, render the word. This theme is taken up in psalms 103106, which summarize gods dealings with his people before any kings.
This psalm is used in prayers and spell casting to help clients get ahead and help them gain mastery over situations and people. Many have felt the five divisions were purposely done because the pentateuch the five books of moses is the long history in prose, whereas the book of psalms is the long history in poetry. Following both calls to worship are sections that give the content of the praise called for verses 25 and 710. Return to tools for studying the psalms a table of psalms by theme. Psalms 47 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the lord amid the sounding of. The book of psalms 119 has how many divisions answers. Praise to god, the ruler of the earthto the chief musician. Taking the prophetic viewpoint we will find a fairly clear division of the book. Just as the soul has three major divisionsthe emotions, mind and willso these books express these divisions. The names of jehovah and elohim have crescendos in emphasis book one psalms 141 1. In spite of this fivebook division, the psalter was clearly thought of as a whole, with an introduction and a conclusion ps 146150.
Psalms 107150 it is uncertain why psalms is divided into five books. Do you remember the story of the japanese man found on a deserted island many years after the end of world war ii. For the lord most high is awesome, the great king over all the earth. How to study the book of psalmssermon notes peterpilt. The division of the book of psalms into five books is ancient dating back before the completion of the old testament in approximately 400 b. Traditional jewish teaching and much christian teaching link each of the five books to the five books of the pentateuch. Book 1 141, book 2 4272, book 3 7389, book 4 90106, and book 5 107150. Psalms cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test.
In spite of this five book division, the psalter was clearly thought of as a whole, with an introduction and a conclusion. Psalm 47 can be used to help clients gain favour from those in power as well as helping them become beloved. The god with whom we have to do, is a god of awful majesty. We are directed in what manner to do it, publicly, cheerfully, and intelligently v. Psalms 47, new king james version nkjv the bible app. In fact, the book of psalms is either quoted from or.
Published by baker books a division of baker publishing group. The 150 psalms naturally fall into five main divisions or sections, with each. Just as the soul has three major divisions the emotions, mind and willso these books express these divisions. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Notes throughout the psalms give additional indications of conscious arrangement see also chart, p. Book 2 psalms 4272 like exodus, this book describes ruin, and rescue by god. Psalm 47 king james version kjv 47 o clap your hands, all ye people. The hymnal of israel, book ii psalms 4272 previous. Section or book 1 contains psalm 1 to 41, section 2 has songs 42 to 72, section 3 has songs 73 to 89, section 4 contains songs 90 to 106 and section 5 has 107 to 150.
A table of psalms by theme book of hours 2003 book of. Jesus placed the psalms as one of three major divisions in the hebrew bible, and verified their inspiration as a prayer and praise book for the nation of. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of psalm in the bible king james version. Introduction to the book of psalms learn religions. The first fortyone psalms were probably gathered together during the early days of the jewish monarchy by either david or solomon. Even if youre not familiar with these book divisions, it is clear from reading through the psalms that they have not merely been thrown together willynilly. In fact, david only wrote about half of the psalms73 out of all 150, to be precise though the latin vulgate and septuagint credit a. Often it took titles and descriptions from other cultures and applied them to israels god. May 29, 2014 psalm 47 and similar psalms in the book of psalms, however, rest on the assumption that israels god always was king. The book of the psalms is probably the best known part of the old testament ot. Book 3 psalms 7389 as leviticus covers gods tabernacle, this book covers gods temple.
This first book highlights gods power in creation pss. Psalms, book of the old testament composed of sacred songs, or of sacred poems meant to be sung. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by book 3. The book of psalms 3 the book of psalms introduction to the psalms the value of the old testament to the christian is expressed several times in the new testament. The first book is like genesis, detailing blessing, fall, and redemption. The book of psalms is the third section of the hebrew bible, and a book of the christian old testament. In the following places it is applied in the new testament to the book of psalms, considered as a collection of songs of praise. Book i psalms 141 blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Dec 12, 2011 book 1 consists of psalms 141, book 2 of psalms 4272, book 3 of psalms 7389, book 4 of psalms 90106, and book 5 of psalms 107150. Some sources, including jewish midrash traditions, suggest the fivefold division is based on the five books of the torah genesis to deuteronomy. Psalms tehillim 119 has 22 little sections in the order of the. This is a command to more than israel or followers of god. Psalms 47 association of independent readers and rootworkers. The psalms have also had a profound effect on the development of christian worship. In so short a psalm, there is no need of any other division than that indicated by the musical pause at the end of ps 47. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.
The second book of psalms used elohim predominately. The purpose of many of the psalms is public worship in israels temple, although some are more suited for private devotion. The book of psalms joins with proverbs and ecclesiastes in expressing the cry of mans soul. In fact, psalms includes more authors than any other book of the bible. Divisions and classifications of the psalms page 1 divisions 1.
Psalm 1 niv book i psalms 141 blessed is the bible gateway. Psalms 47 commentary albert barnes notes on the whole bible. Each of the five divisions ends with a doxology of praise 3. In all, the 150 psalms have five divisions, which are not necessarily an even breakdown into 5 x 30. Following both calls to worship are sections that give the content of the praise called for verses 2. Psalm bible book with full chapters king james version. Psalm 47 is the 47th psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse, in the king james version, o clap your hands. It is a powerful book for personal praise and worship.
The book of psalms 2 the book of psalms table of contents introduction to the psalms 3 psalm 1 the truly happy man 12. The book of psalms, which is generally believed to be the most widely read and the most highly treasured of all the books in the old testament, is a collection of poems, hymns, and prayers that express the religious feelings of jews throughout the various periods of their national history. The personalized psalms, which is a separate part of this study, will enable you to use each psalm as a personal prayer, praise, or. It has been said that in the psalms one finds expressed the. The book of psalms commonly referred to simply as psalms, the psalter or the psalms, is the. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. It is ultimately the fulfillment of gods promise to abraham to bless all the peoples of the earth through his descendant, the messiah genesis 12. Psalm 47 and similar psalms in the book of psalms, however, rest on the assumption that israels god always was king. Poetry often uses multiple names for israels deity. Each of the five books of the psalms ends with a doxology. Psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. The division of the psalms is not based on authorship or chronology, as. Eschatologically, they anticipate the return of jesus christ to reign over the earth. Most of the psalms in the first two books were from david 341.