Reference: Psalms
Easton
The psalms are the production of various authors. "Only a portion of the Book of Psalms claims David as its author. Other inspired poets in successive generations added now one now another contribution to the sacred collection, and thus in the wisdom of Providence it more completely reflects every phase of human emotion and circumstances than it otherwise could." But it is specially to David and his contemporaries that we owe this precious book. In the "titles" of the psalms, the genuineness of which there is no sufficient reason to doubt, 73 are ascribed to David. Peter and John (Ac 4:25) ascribe to him also the second psalm, which is one of the 48 that are anonymous. About two-thirds of the whole collection have been ascribed to David.
Psalms 39, 62, and 77 are addressed to Jeduthun, to be sung after his manner or in his choir. Psalms 50 and 73-83 are addressed to Asaph, as the master of his choir, to be sung in the worship of God. The "sons of Korah," who formed a leading part of the Kohathite singers (2Ch 20:19), were intrusted with the arranging and singing of PS 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, and 88.
In Lu 24:44 the word "psalms" means the Hagiographa, i.e., the holy writings, one of the sections into which the Jews divided the Old Testament. (See Bible.)
None of the psalms can be proved to have been of a later date than the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, hence the whole collection extends over a period of about 1,000 years. There are in the New Testament 116 direct quotations from the Psalter.
The Psalter is divided, after the analogy of the Pentateuch, into five books, each closing with a doxology or benediction:
(1.) The first book comprises the first 41 psalms, all of which are ascribed to David except 1, 2, 10, and 33, which, though anonymous, may also be ascribed to him.
(2.) Book second consists of the next 31 psalms (42-72), 18 of which are ascribed to David and 1 to Solomon (the 72nd). The rest are anonymous.
(3.) The third book contains 17 psalms (73-89), of which the 86th is ascribed to David, the 88th to Heman the Ezrahite, and the 89th to Ethan the Ezrahite.
(4.) The fourth book also contains 17 psalms (90-106), of which the 90th is ascribed to Moses, and the 101st and 103rd to David.
(5.) The fifth book contains the remaining psalms, 44 in number. Of these, 15 are ascribed to David, and the 127th to Solomon.
PS 136 is generally called "the great hallel." But the Talmud includes also PS 120-135. PS 113-118, inclusive, constitute the "hallel" recited at the three great feasts, at the new moon, and on the eight days of the feast of dedication.
It is presumed that these several collections were made at times of high religious life: the first, probably, near the close of David's life; the second in the days of Solomon; the third by the singers of Jehoshaphat (2Ch 20:19); the fourth by the men of Hezekiah (29, 30, 31); and the fifth in the days of Ezra.
The Mosaic ritual makes no provision for the service of song in the worship of God. David first taught the Church to sing the praises of the Lord. He first introduced into the ritual of the tabernacle music and song.
Divers names are given to the psalms. (1.) Some bear the Hebrew designation shir (Gr. ode, a song). Thirteen have this title. It means the flow of speech, as it were, in a straight line or in a regular strain. This title includes secular as well as sacred song.
(2.) Fifty-eight psalms bear the designation (Heb) mitsmor (Gr. psalmos, a psalm), a lyric ode, or a song set to music; a sacred song accompanied with a musical instrument.
(3.) PS 145, and many others, have the designation (Heb) tehillah (Gr. hymnos, a hymn), meaning a song of praise; a song the prominent thought of which is the praise of God.
(4.) Six psalms (16, 56-60) have the title (Heb) michtam (q.v.).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Descendants of Levi from the descendants of Kohath and from the descendants of Korah stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel in a very loud voice that ascended to heaven.
Descendants of Levi from the descendants of Kohath and from the descendants of Korah stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel in a very loud voice that ascended to heaven.
Then he told them, "These are the words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled."
You said by the Holy Spirit through the voice of our ancestor, your servant David, "Why do the unbelievers rage, and the people devise useless plots?
Fausets
(See DAVID; POETRY.) The Hebrew designation tehillim, "praises" or hymns," occurring only in the title of Psalm 145 and about 30 times in the body of the Psalms, applies only to some not to all the psalms. The glorification of God is the design of them all, even the penitentiary and precatory psalms; but tehilliym applies strictly to praise songs alone, tephillowt to the prayer songs; Psalm 17; Psalm 72 end, closing the second book of Psalms, Psalm 86; 90; 102 title. No one Hebrew title comprehends all.
The Greek Septuagint has given the title "Psalms" (from psalloo "to play an instrument") applied to the whole collection. The Hebrew mizmor designates 65 psalms; in the Syriac version it comprises the whole (from zaamar "to decorate"), psalms of artificial, adorned structure (Hengstenberg). "A rhythmical composition" (Lowth). "Psalms," the designation most applicable to the whole book, means songs accompanied by an instrument, especially the harp (1Ch 16:4-9; 2Ch 5:12-13). Shir, "a joyful thanksgiving song," is prefixed only to some. The various kinds are specified in Eph 5:19; "psalms (accompanied by an instrument), hymns (indirect praise of God), ... spiritual songs (joyous lyric pieces; contrast Am 8:10)."
TITLES. Their genuineness is confirmed by their antiquity (which is proved by their being unintelligible to the Septuagint translators of the Hebrew into Greek), and by their presence in the greatest number of manuscripts, and in fragments of Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion. Their obscurity and occasional want of connection with the psalm's contents (as title Psalm 34) are incompatible with their origination from forgers. The orientals, moreover, usually prefix titles to poems (Hab 3:1; Isa 38:9); so David (2Sa 23:1). The enigmatical titles, found only in the psalms of David and of David's singers, accord with Eastern taste. They are too "poetical, spirited, and profound for any later collector" (Hengstenberg). So David's "bow song" (2Sa 1:18), his enigmatical designation for "the song on him expert with the bow" (2Sa 1:22).
The historical hints in some titles give a clue to the dates. If the titles were added by later hands, how is it that they are wanting in those psalms where conjecture could most easily have had place, namely, the non-Davidic psalms of the fourth and fifth books, whereas they appear in the most regular and complete form in David's psalms, next in those of his singers? Now these are just the ones where conjecture is given no room for exercise; for the titles do not apparently illustrate these psalms, but are a memorial of the events which most deeply impressed David's own mind. In the last two books the historical occasions do not occur in the titles, because cycles of psalms mainly compose these books, and among such cycles psalms of an individual reference hardly have place.
DIVISIONS. Davidic basis of the whole. The Psalms form one "book"; so the Lord refers to them (Lu 20:42), so His apostles (Ac 1:20). The fathers, Ambrose (on Psalm 40) and Jerome to Cyprian (2:695), describe the Psalms as five books in one volume. Based on and corresponding to the historical Pentateuch, they form a poetical "Pentateuch" (Epiphanius, de Mens., c. 5), extending from Moses to the times of Malachi "the Hebrew history set to music an oratorio in five parts, with Messiah for its subject" (Wordsworth). The Psalms, like the Pentateuch, being used in divine worship, are the people's answer to God's address to them in the law, i.e. the expression of their pious feelings called forth by the word of God. The close of each of the five books is marked by a doxology. The "blessed be the Lord God of Israel" is taken up by Zacharias, as fulfilled in Christ (Le 1:17; Ps 106:48). Book I includes Psalm 1-41; Book II, Psalm 42-72; Book III, Psalm 73-89; Book IV, Psalm 90-106; Book V, Psalm 107-150.
Book I is according to the titles Davidic; accordingly there is no trace of any author hut David. The objection from the "temple" (Ps 5:7) being mentioned is groundless, for in 1Sa 1:9; 3:3, it is similarly used for the tabernacle long before Solomon's temple was built. The argument for a post-Babylonian date from the phrase "bring back the captivity" (Ps 14:7) is invalid; it is a Hebraism for reversing one's misfortunes (Job 42:10). Nor does the acrosticism in Psalm 25 prove a late date, for acrosticism appears in psalms acknowledged to be David's (Psalm 9). In Books II and III David's singers have borrowed from David (excepting "a song of the beloved" Psalm 45, and Psalm 46, "upon Alamoth") everything peculiar in his superscriptions; see Psalm 42; 43; 44; 84; 86. "Selah" is restricted to David and his singers; but "hallelujah" is never found in his or their psalms.
So also "to the chief musician," (committing the psalm to the music conductor to prepare for musical performance in the public service: 1Ch 15:21 Hebrew and margin, compare 1Ch 15:22,) is limited to David's and their psalms. The writer of 2 Samuel 22 evidently turned into prose David's poetical superscription (Psalm 18); so the writer of 1Sa 19:11; 21:13-14; 23:19, had before him the titles of Psalm 34; 54; 59. Hezekiah's "writing" (miktab) alludes probably to David's miktam (a "secret," or "song of deep import"), Psalm 56; 57 titles, for it was he who restored David's psalms to their liturgical use in the temple (2Ch 29:30). This imitation of David's title, and still more the correspondence of his prayer to David's psalms (Ps 102:24; 27:13; 49:1; 6:5; 30:9), is a presumption for the authenticity of David's and his singers' psalms and their titles.
Habakkuk similarly leans upon David's superscriptions, as also upon his psalms. Hab 3:1, "Shiggaion," compare title Ps 7:1, "Son of David"; Hab 3:19, "to the chief musician on my stringed instruments" is derived from the titles Psalm 4; 6. So the "Selah" (Ps 6:9-10) which occurs only in the psalms of David and his singers. The absence of the authors' names from most of the psalms in the fourth and fifth books implies that none of them have an individual and personal character, as the Davidic psalms have. In all such the psalmist represents the community. The later groups of psalms rest on the Davidic, and echo the poetry of David. Even in the psalms of David's singers, the authors, except Asaph (Psalm 1; 74) who was immediately associated with David, do not give their individual names.
PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION. Not all Israel's lyric poetry but only.
(1) such as is directly religious is included in the psalter, therefore not David's dirge over Saul and Jonathan (2Sa 1:17-27). Also
(2) only the psalms applicable to the whole church and therefore suited to the public services of the sanctuary. The individual psalmist represents the religious community whose mouthpiece he is. 2Sa 23:1; David sings in his typical and representative character; no other psalmist in the book has personal references. Hence Hezekiah's prayer (Isaiah 38) and Jonah's thanksgiving are excluded as too personal.
(3) Only such as were composed trader the Holy Spirit's inspiration. The very musicians who founded the sacred music were inspired (1Ch 25:1, "prophesy with harps"), much more the psalmists themselves. Asaph, the writer of some psalms, was a "seer" (2Ch 29:30).
David spoke "in the Spirit." Christ testifies (Mt 22:41-46), He classes" the Psalms," the chief book of the chetubim or hagiographa, with "the law and the prophets" (Lu 24:44). The Messianic prophetic element in David leans on Nathan's prophecy (2 Samuel 7). Subsequent prophets develop David's Messianic predictions. The Psalms draw out of the typical ceremonial of the law its tuner spirit, adapting it to the various requirements of the individual and the congregation. By their help the Israelite could enter into the living spirit of the law, and realizing his need of the promised Saviour look for Him of whom the Psalms testify. They are a treasury from which we can draw the inner experiences of Old Testament saints and express our corresponding feelings, under like circumstances, in their divinely sanctioned language of praise and prayer.
CLASSIFICATION.
(1) Psalms of joy and gratitude, shir, lethodah "for confession" or as
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He is then to tear it open by its wings, but not divide it completely into two parts. The priest is then to offer all of it on the wood over the fire as a burnt offering by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD."
Hannah got up after she had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the chair by the doorpost of the tent of the LORD.
The lamp of God had not yet been extinguished, and Samuel was lying down in the tent of the LORD where the Ark of God was.
Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him so they could kill him in the morning. David's wife, Michal, told him, "If you don't escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be put to death."
So David changed his behavior before them and acted like he was crazy in their presence. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down his beard. Achish told his officials, "Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why'd you bring him to me?
People from Ziph came up to Saul at Gibeah and informed him, "David is hiding with us in the strongholds in Horesh and on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon, isn't he?
David was in great danger because all the people were bitter because of their sons and daughters, and they were talking about stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
So David intoned this song of lament about Saul and his son Jonathan, and he gave orders to teach the descendants of Judah the art of warfare, as is recorded in the Book of Jashar:
and he gave orders to teach the descendants of Judah the art of warfare, as is recorded in the Book of Jashar: "Your beauty, Israel, lies slain on your high places! O, how the valiant have fallen! read more. Don't make it known in Gath! Don't declare it in the avenues of Ashkelon! Otherwise, the daughters of Philistia will rejoice; and the daughters of the uncircumcised will triumph. Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain fall on you, and may none of your fields be filled with plenty, because in that place the shield of the valiant ones was defiled, the shield of Saul without an anointing with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the blood of the valiant, Jonathan's bow would not retreat nor would Saul's sword return empty.
From the blood of the slain, from the blood of the valiant, Jonathan's bow would not retreat nor would Saul's sword return empty. Saul and Jonathan, loved and handsome in life, in death were not separated. Swifter than eagles they were, and more valiant than lions. read more. Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul! He clothed you in scarlet luxury and decorated your garments with gold. How have the valiant fallen in the tumult of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am in distress for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been most kind to me. Your love for me was extraordinary beyond love from women. How the valiant have fallen! How the weapons of war are destroyed!"
David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley.
This was David's last composition: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, an oracle by the valiant one who was exalted anointed by the God of Jacob, the contented psalm writer of Israel.
This was David's last composition: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, an oracle by the valiant one who was exalted anointed by the God of Jacob, the contented psalm writer of Israel.
and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah led on lyres, sounding the octaves. Chenaniah, music leader for the descendants of Levi, served as music director, because he was expert at it.
In the presence of the ark of the LORD, he appointed some of the descendants of Levi to minister continually by remembering, giving thanks, and praising the LORD God of Israel. Their director Asaph played cymbals, and next to him was Zechariah, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who played harps and lyres. read more. The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel played the trumpets continually in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant of God. On that very day, David composed this psalm of thanksgiving to the LORD just for Asaph and his companions: Give thanks to the LORD, calling on his name. Make what he has done known among the people. Sing to him, sing psalms to him, and think about all of his miraculous deeds.
Along with officers in his army, David consecrated to assist in service to the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun those who prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals.
David continued with these words for his son Solomon: "Be strong and courageous, and get to work. Never be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor will he abandon you right up to your completion of the work for the service of the Temple of the LORD.
Then King David addressed the entire assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God alone has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the task is great, since this structure will be a citadel to the LORD God and not for human beings.
Descendants of Levi from the descendants of Kohath and from the descendants of Korah stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel in a very loud voice that ascended to heaven.
Three days later, they assembled together in the Beracah Valley, where they blessed the LORD, which is why the name of that place is called Beracah Valley to this day. Then they all returned with joy to Jerusalem, every soldier from Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at the head of the procession, because the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. read more. They proceeded directly to the LORD's Temple, carrying lyres, harps, and trumpets. Fear of God seized all of the kingdoms in the surrounding territories when they heard that the LORD had battled Israel's enemies.
King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the descendants of Levi to sing praises to the LORD based on psalms that had been written by David and Asaph the seer. So they all joyfully sang praises, bowed low, and worshipped.
King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the descendants of Levi to sing praises to the LORD based on psalms that had been written by David and Asaph the seer. So they all joyfully sang praises, bowed low, and worshipped.
Some time after all of this, after Josiah had finished preparing the Temple, King Neco of Egypt invaded Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah went out to fight him. But he sent messengers to him, who asked him, "What do we have in common, King of Judah? I am not here today opposing you. I am fighting the dynasty that is fighting me, and God has ordered me to hurry. For your own good, stop interfering with God, who is with me, and he won't destroy you!" read more. But Josiah wouldn't turn around. In fact, he put on a disguise so he could fight Neco. He wouldn't listen to what God told him through what Neco had to say, and as a result, Josiah came to attack Neco on the Megiddo plain. Some archers shot King Josiah, and the king told his servants, "Take me away, because I'm badly wounded." So his servants removed him from the chariot he was in and carried him away in a backup chariot that he had and took him back to Jerusalem, where he died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All of Judah and Jerusalem went into mourning for Josiah. Jeremiah sang a lament for Josiah, and all the male and female singers recite that lamentation about Josiah to this day. In fact, they made singing it an ordinance in Israel, and they are recorded in the Lamentations.
After this, the people of the land installed Josiah's son Jehoahaz in Jerusalem as king to take his father's place. Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he became king, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem, read more. after which the king of Egypt dethroned him and imposed a fine on the land of 100 talents of silver and one talent of gold. King Neco of Egypt installed Jehoahaz's brother Eliakim as king over Judah and Jerusalem, changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim, and took his brother Joahaz back to Egypt.
left Babylon. He was a skillful scribe of the Law of Moses that the LORD God of Israel had given. And the king granted him everything he had requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
Because all the people were weeping as they listened to the words of the Law, Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the descendants of Levi who taught the people told everyone, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep."
may thorns spring up instead of wheat, and obnoxious weeds instead of barley." With this, Job's discourse with his friends is completed.
The LORD restored Job's prosperity after he prayed for his friends. The LORD doubled everything that Job had once possessed.
But he delights in the LORD's instruction, and meditates in his instruction day and night.
Why are the nations in an uproar, and their people involved in a vain plot?
But I, because of the abundance of your gracious love, may come into your house. In awe of you, I will worship in your holy Temple.
In death, there is no memory of you. Who will give you thanks where the dead are?
The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD receives my prayer. As for all my enemies, they will be put to shame; they will be greatly frightened and suddenly turn away ashamed. A Davidic psalm, which he sang to the LORD, because of the words of Cush the descendant of Benjamin.
LORD, my God, I seek refuge in you. Deliver me from those who persecute me! Rescue me!
May Israel's deliverance come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad. A Davidic Psalm.
For who is God but the LORD, and who is a Rock other than our God?
I believe that I will see the LORD's goodness in the land of the living.
"What profit is there in my death if I go down to the Pit? Can dust worship you? Can it proclaim your faithfulness?"
He chose our inheritance for us, even the pride of Jacob whom he loved. Interlude God has ascended on high with a shout, the LORD has ascended with the blast of a trumpet.
God has ascended on high with a shout, the LORD has ascended with the blast of a trumpet.
God is king over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles among the nations have joined the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. A song: Lyrics by the Sons of Korah.
The nobles among the nations have joined the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. A song: Lyrics by the Sons of Korah.
as when an east wind destroyed the ships of Tarshish.
Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world,
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does awesome deeds.
They say to themselves, "We'll crush them completely;" They burned down all the meeting places of God in the land.
God, nations have invaded your land to desecrate your holy Temple, to destroy Jerusalem,
Pour out your wrath upon the nations that do not acknowledge you, and over the kingdoms that do not call on your name.
Moreover, you have turned back the edge of his sword and did not support him in battle.
You have caused the days of his youth to be cut short; you have covered him with shame Interlude
I say, "My God, whose years continue through all generations, do not take me in the middle of my life.
Blessed are you, LORD God of Israel, from eternity to eternity; Let all the people say, "Amen!" Hallelujah!
Deliver me, LORD, from evil people, preserve me from violent men,
A composition by King Hezekiah of Judah, following his illness and recovery:
For you won't go out in haste, nor will you go in flight; for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. He is called the God of all the earth." "Look! My servant will prosper, and he will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high.
"Look! My servant will prosper, and he will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high. Just as many were astonished at you so was he marred in his appearance, more than any human, and his form beyond that of human semblance
Just as many were astonished at you so was he marred in his appearance, more than any human, and his form beyond that of human semblance so will he startle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand.
so will he startle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand.
"Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a tender plant, and like a root out of a dry ground; he had no form and he had no majesty that we should look at him, and there is no attractiveness that we should desire him. read more. "He was despised and rejected by others, and a man of sorrows, intimately familiar with suffering; and like one from whom people hide their faces; and we despised him and did not value him. "Surely he has borne our sufferings and carried our sorrows; yet we considered him stricken, and struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, and he was crushed for our iniquities, and the punishment that made us whole was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, each of us, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he didn't open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. "From detention and judgment he was taken away and who can even think about his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living, he was stricken for the transgression of my people. Then they made his grave with the wicked, and with rich people in his death, although he had committed no violence, nor was there any deceit in his mouth." "Yet the LORD was willing to crush him, and he made him suffer. Although you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring, and he will prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will triumph in his hand. Out of the suffering of his soul he will see light and find satisfaction. And through his knowledge his servant, the righteous one, will make many righteous, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong; because he poured out his life to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he carried the sins of many, and made intercession for their transgressions."
Pour out your anger on the nations that don't acknowledge you, and on the families that don't call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured and consumed him; they have devastated his habitation.
He burned the LORD's Temple, the king's house, and all the houses in Jerusalem. He also burned every public building with fire.
The Chaldeans broke in pieces the bronze pillars that were in the LORD's Temple and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the LORD's Temple, and they carried all the bronze to Babylon.
I will turn your festivals into mourning, and all of your songs to dirges. I will cause all of you to put on sackcloth and to shave all of your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son, and its conclusion will be like the end of a bitter day."
A prayer by the prophet Habakkuk, set to music.
A prayer by the prophet Habakkuk, set to music.
The LORD God is my strength he will make my feet like those of a deer, equipping me to tread on my mountain heights. For the choir director: On my stringed instruments.
"How blessed are those who are destitute in spirit, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them!
While the Pharisees were still gathered, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They told him, "David's." read more. He asked them, "Then how can David by the Spirit call him "Lord' when he says, "The Lord told my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet."'? If David calls him "Lord', how can he be his son?" No one could answer him at all, and from that day on no one dared to ask him another question.
Because David himself in the book of Psalms says, "The Lord told my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,
Then Jesus told them, "O, how foolish you are! How slow you are to believe everything the prophets said!
Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them all the passages of Scripture about himself.
Then he told them, "These are the words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds so that they might understand the Scriptures. read more. He told them, "This is how it is written: the Messiah was to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
"For in the Book of Psalms it is written, "Let his estate be desolate, and let no one live on it,' and, "Let someone else take over his office,'
since David says about him, "I always keep my eyes on the Lord, for he is at my right hand so that I cannot be shaken. That is why my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices, yes, even my body still rests securely in hope. read more. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or allow your Holy One to experience decay.
When the crowd that had gathered heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"
Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts;
Even the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours, carefully researched and investigated this salvation. They tried to find out what era or specific time the Spirit of the Messiah in them kept referring to when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. read more. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you in regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who brought you the good news through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things that even the angels desire to look into.
Hastings
PSALMS
1. Title and place in Canon.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
You are not to make gods of silver alongside me, nor are you to make for yourselves gods of gold.
The priest is to take a handful of grain from the memorial and offer a sacrifice on the altar, after which he is to have the woman drink the water.
Then Hannah prayed: "My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is increased by the LORD. I will open my mouth to speak against my enemies, because I rejoice in your deliverance. Indeed, there is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides you, there is no rock like our God. read more. Don't continue to talk proudly, and don't speak arrogantly, for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of warriors are shattered, but those who stumble are equipped with strength. Those who had an abundance of bread now hire themselves out, and those who were hungry hunger no more. While the barren woman gives birth to seven children, she who had many children languishes. The LORD kills and gives life, he brings people down to where the dead are and he raises them up. The LORD makes people poor and he makes people rich, he brings them low, and he also exalts them. He raises the poor up from the dust, he lifts up the needy from the trash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. Indeed the pillars of the earth belong to the LORD, and he has set the world on them. He guards the steps of his faithful ones, while the wicked are made silent in darkness. He grants the request of the one who prays. He blesses the year of the righteous. Indeed it's not by strength that a person prevails. The LORD will shatter his enemies those who contend against him. Who is holy? The one who will thunder against them in the heavens. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth, he will give strength to his king, and he will increase the strength of His anointed one."
The singers included Heman, Asaph, and Ethan (who played bronze cymbals). Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played harps to accompany the women singers, read more. and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah led on lyres, sounding the octaves.
Descendants of Levi from the descendants of Kohath and from the descendants of Korah stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel in a very loud voice that ascended to heaven.
On the first day of the first month he left Babylon and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, since the beneficent hand of his God was upon him.
LORD, I have so many persecutors! Many are rising up against me!
The LORD has made himself known, executing judgment. The wicked are ensnared by what their hands have made. Interlude
The LORD has made himself known, executing judgment. The wicked are ensnared by what their hands have made. Interlude
The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and their expanse shows the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge. read more. There is no speech nor are there words their voice is not heard yet their message goes out into all the world, and their words to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent for the sun in the heavens, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, or like a champion who rejoices at the beginning of a race. Its circuit is from one end of the sky to the other, and nothing is hidden from its heat. The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring life. The testimony of the LORD is steadfast, making foolish people wise. The precepts of the LORD are upright, making the heart rejoice. The commandment of the LORD is pure, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, standing forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold, even much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. Moreover your servant is warned by them; and there is great reward in keeping them. Who can detect his own mistake? Cleanse me from hidden sin. Preserve your servant from arrogant people; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be upright and acquitted of great wickedness. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
The earth and everything in it exists for the LORD the world and those who live in it. Indeed, he founded it upon the seas, he established it upon deep waters. read more. Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his Holy Place? The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully. This person will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation that seeks him. Those who seek your face are the true seed of Jacob. Interlude Lift up your heads, gates! Be lifted up, ancient doors, so the King of Glory may come in. Who is the King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, gates! Be lifted up, ancient doors, so the King of Glory may come in. Who is he, this King of Glory? The LORD of the heavenly armies He is the King of Glory. Interlude Davidic
The LORD is my light and my salvation whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid? When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors come near me to devour my flesh, they stumble and fall. read more. If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation. I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I really seek: that I may remain in the LORD's Temple all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD; and to inquire in his Temple. For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of evil; He will hide me in a secluded chamber within his tent; He will place me on a high rock. Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies, even those who surround me. I will sacrifice in his tent with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melodies to the LORD. Hear my voice, LORD, when I cry out! Be gracious to me and answer me. My mind recalls your word, "Seek my face," so your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me; do not turn away in anger from your servant. You have been my help, therefore do not abandon or forsake me, God of my salvation. Though my father and my mother abandoned me, the LORD gathers me up. Teach me your way, LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Do not hand me over to the desires of my enemies; for false witnesses have risen up against me; even the one who breathes out violence. I believe that I will see the LORD's goodness in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD. Be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart. Wait on the LORD! Davidic
An oracle that came to me about the transgressions of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. He flatters himself too much to discover his transgression and hate it. read more. The words from his mouth are vain and deceptive. He has abandoned behaving wisely and doing good. He devises iniquity on his bed and is determined to follow a path that is not good. He does not resist evil. Your gracious love, LORD, reaches to the heavens; your truth extends to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your justice is like the great depths of the sea. You deliver both people and animals, LORD. How precious is your gracious love, God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They are refreshed from the abundance of your house; You cause them to drink from the river of your pleasures. For with you is a fountain of life, and in your light we will see light. Send forth your gracious love to those who know you, and your righteousness to those who are upright in heart. Do not let the foot of the proud crush me; and do not let the hand of the wicked dissuade me. There, those who do evil have fallen; They have been thrown down, and they cannot get up. Davidic
Be pleased, LORD, to deliver me; LORD, hurry up and help me! May those who seek to destroy my life be ashamed and confounded; let them be driven backwards and humiliated, particularly those who wish me evil. read more. Let shame be the reward for those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" Let all who seek you shout for joy and be glad in you. May those who love your deliverance say, "The LORD be magnified!" continuously. But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think about me. You are my help and deliverer. My God, do not tarry too long! To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, from eternity to eternity. Amen and amen! To the Director: An instruction of the Sons of Korah.
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for once again I will praise him, since his presence saves me.
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for once again I will praise him, since his presence saves me and he is my God.
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, because I will praise him once again, since his presence saves me and he is my God. To the Director: An instruction of the Sons of Korah.
Show favor to Zion in your good pleasure; and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
My heart is committed, God, my heart is committed, so I will sing and play music.
My heart is committed, God, my heart is committed, so I will sing and play music. Wake up, my soul, wake up, lyre and harp! I will awaken at dawn.
Wake up, my soul, wake up, lyre and harp! I will awaken at dawn. I will exalt you among the nations, Lord. I will play music among the nations.
I will exalt you among the nations, Lord. I will play music among the nations. For your gracious love is great, extending even to the heavens, and your truth even to the skies.
For your gracious love is great, extending even to the heavens, and your truth even to the skies. Be exalted above the heavens, God! May your glory cover the earth! To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of "Do Not Destroy".
Be exalted above the heavens, God! May your glory cover the earth! To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of "Do Not Destroy".
So your loved ones may be delivered, save us by your power and answer us quickly!
So your loved ones may be delivered, save us by your power and answer us quickly! Then God spoke in his holiness, "I will rejoice I will divide Shechem; I will portion out the Succoth Valley.
Then God spoke in his holiness, "I will rejoice I will divide Shechem; I will portion out the Succoth Valley. Gilead belongs to me, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim is my helmet, and Judah my scepter.
Gilead belongs to me, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim is my helmet, and Judah my scepter. Moab is my wash basin; over Edom I will throw my shoes; over Philistia I will celebrate my triumph."
Moab is my wash basin; over Edom I will throw my shoes; over Philistia I will celebrate my triumph." Who will lead me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
Who will lead me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Aren't you the one, God, who has cast us off? Didn't you refuse, God, to accompany our armies?
Aren't you the one, God, who has cast us off? Didn't you refuse, God, to accompany our armies? Help us in our distress, for human help is worthless.
Help us in our distress, for human help is worthless. Through God we will fight valiantly; and it is he who will crush our enemies. To the Director: A composition by David for stringed instruments.
Through God we will fight valiantly; and it is he who will crush our enemies. To the Director: A composition by David for stringed instruments.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does awesome deeds. And blessed be his glorious name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!
You have caused his splendor to cease and cast down his throne to the ground. You have caused the days of his youth to be cut short; you have covered him with shame Interlude read more. How long, LORD, will you hide yourself? Forever? Will your anger continuously burn like fire? Remember how short my lifetime is! How powerless have you created all human beings! What valiant man can live and not see death? Who can deliver himself from the power of Sheol. Interlude Where is your gracious love of old, Lord, that in your faithfulness you promised to David? Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servant! I carry inside me all the insults of many people, when your enemies reproached you, LORD, when they reproached the footsteps of your anointed. Blessed is the LORD forever! Amen and amen! A prayer by Moses, the godly man
Blessed is the LORD forever! Amen and amen! A prayer by Moses, the godly man
accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument and a lyre, and the contemplative sound of a harp.
You will arise to extend compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor the appointed time has come.
When the LORD rebuilds Zion, he will appear in his glory.
Deliver us, LORD our God, gather us from among the nations so we may praise your holy name and rejoice in praising you. Blessed are you, LORD God of Israel, from eternity to eternity; Let all the people say, "Amen!" Hallelujah!
those whom he gathered from other lands from the east, west, north, and south.
When the LORD brought back Zion's exiles, we were like dreamers.
There we sat down and cried by the rivers of Babylon as we remembered Zion.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; he gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
A composition by King Hezekiah of Judah, following his illness and recovery:
A composition by King Hezekiah of Judah, following his illness and recovery: I said, "Must I leave in the prime of my life? Must I be consigned to the control of Sheol? Bitter are my years!" read more. I said, "I won't see the LORD in the land of the living; and I'll no longer observe human beings among the denizens of the grave. My house has been plucked up and vanishes from me like a shepherd's tent; like a weaver, I've taken account of my life, and he cuts me off from the loom day and night you make an end of me. I've been swept bare until morning; just like a lion, he breaks all my bones day and night you make an end of me. Like a swallow or a crane I chirp, I moan like a dove. My eyes look weakly upward. O Lord, I am oppressed, so stand up for me! What can I say, so I tell myself, since he has done this to me? I will walk slowly all my years because of my soul's anguish. "My Lord is against them, yet they live, and among all of them who live is his spirit. Now you have restored me to health, so let me live! Yes, it was for my own good that I suffered extreme anguish. But in love you have held back my life from the Pit in which it has been confined; you have tossed all my sins behind your back. For Sheol cannot thank you, death cannot sing your praise; and those who go down to the Pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living yes the living they thank you, just as I am doing today; fathers will tell their children about your faithfulness. The LORD will save me, and we will play my music on strings all the days of our lives in the LORD's Temple.
This is what the LORD says: "Just as new wine is found in the cluster, and people have said, "Don't destroy it, for there is a gift in it,' so I'll act for my servants' sake, by not destroying them all.
A prayer by the prophet Habakkuk, set to music.
The LORD God is my strength he will make my feet like those of a deer, equipping me to tread on my mountain heights. For the choir director: On my stringed instruments.
Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord! My spirit exults in God, my Savior, read more. because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, according to the promise he made to our ancestors to Abraham and his descendants forever."
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! He has taken care of his people and has set them free. He has raised up a mighty Savior for us from the family of his servant David, read more. just as he promised long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets that he would save us from our enemies and from the grip of all who hate us. He has shown mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. He granted us deliverance from our enemies' grip so that we could serve him without fear and be holy and righteous before him all of our days. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way and to give his people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender mercy of our God, his light from on high has visited us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death's shadow, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Because David himself in the book of Psalms says, "The Lord told my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,
Then he told them, "These are the words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled."
Now Hanukkah was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter,
"For in the Book of Psalms it is written, "Let his estate be desolate, and let no one live on it,' and, "Let someone else take over his office,'
Morish
This word occurs in the O.T. only in connection with the Psalms of David and those in the Book of Psalms. David is called "the sweet psalmist of Israel." 2Sa 23:1. There can be no doubt that in connection with the 'singers,' and the praising God with instruments, the Psalms were used. We read "sing psalms unto him," "Make a joyful noise unto him with psalms," etc. In N.T. days, for a time at least, the Psalms of David may have been sung by believers, but there were also hymns and spiritual songs, and it is to be remarked that in the singing at the institution of the Lord's supper a hymn (?????) is spoken of, not a psalm (??????). See PASSOVER. The latter Greek word (besides the occurrences which refer to the Book of Psalms) is found in 1Co 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16.
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This was David's last composition: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, an oracle by the valiant one who was exalted anointed by the God of Jacob, the contented psalm writer of Israel.
What, then, does this mean, brothers? When you gather, everyone has a psalm, teaching, revelation, foreign language, or interpretation. Everything must be done for upbuilding.
Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts;
Let the word of the Messiah inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts.
Watsons
PSALMS. The book of Psalms is a collection of hymns, or sacred songs, in praise of God, and consists of poems of various kinds. They are the productions of different persons, but are generally called the Psalms of David, because a great part of them was composed by him, and David himself is distinguished by the name of the Psalmist. We cannot now ascertain all the Psalms written by David, but their number probably exceeds seventy; and much less are we able to discover the authors of the other Psalms, or the occasions upon which they were composed. A few of them were written after the return from the Babylonian captivity. The titles prefixed to them are of very questionable authority; and in many cases they are not intended to denote the writer but refer only to the person who was appointed to set them to music. David first introduced the practice of singing sacred hymns in the public service of God; and it was restored by Ezra. The authority of the Psalms is established not only by their rank among the sacred writings, and by the unvaried testimony of ages, but likewise by many intrinsic proofs of inspiration. Not only do they breathe through every part a divine spirit of eloquence, but they contain numberless illustrious prophecies that were remarkably accomplished, and are frequently appealed to by the evangelical writers. The sacred character of the whole book is established by the testimony of our Saviour and his Apostles, who, in various parts of the New Testament, appropriate the predictions of the Psalms as obviously apposite to the circumstances of their lives, and as intentionally composed to describe them. The veneration for the Psalms has in all ages of the church been considerable. The fathers assure us, that in the earlier times the whole book of Psalms was generally learned by heart; and that the ministers of every gradation were expected to be able to repeat them from memory. These invaluable Scriptures are daily repeated without weariness, though their beauties are often overlooked in familiar and habitual perusal. As hymns immediately addressed to the Deity, they reduce righteousness to practice; and while we acquire the sentiments, we perform the offices of piety; while we supplicate for blessings, we celebrate the memorial of former mercies; and while in the exercise of devotion, faith is enlivened by the display of prophecy. Josephus asserts, and most of the ancient writers maintain, that the Psalms were composed in metre. They have undoubtedly a peculiar conformation of sentences, and a measured distribution of parts. Many of them are elegiac, and most of David's are of the lyric kind. There is no sufficient reason however to believe, as some writers have imagined, that they were written in rhyme, or in any of the Grecian measures. Some of them are acrostic; and though the regulations of the Hebrew measure are now lost, there can be no doubt, from their harmonious modulation, that they were written with some kind of metrical order; and they must have been composed in accommodation to the measure to which they were set. (See Poetry of the Hebrews.) The Hebrew copies and the Septuagint version of this book contain the same number of Psalms; only the Septuagint translators have, for some reason which does not appear, thrown the ninth and tenth into one, as also the one hundred and fourteenth and one hundred and fifteenth, and have divided the one hundred and sixteenth and one hundred and forty-seventh each into two.
It is very justly observed by Dr. Allix, that, "although the sense of near fifty Psalms be fixed and settled by divine authors, yet Christ and his Apostles did not undertake to quote all the Psalms they could, but only to give a key to their hearers, by which they might apply to the same subjects the Psalms of the same composure and expression." With regard to the Jews, Bishop Chandler very pertinently remarks, that "they must have understood David, their prince, to have been a figure of Messiah. They would not otherwise have made his Psalms part of their daily worship; nor would David have delivered them to the church to be so employed, were it not to instruct and support them in the knowledge and belief of this fundamental article. Were the Messiah not concerned in the Psalms, it would have been absurd to celebrate twice a day, in their public devotions, the events of one man's life, who was deceased so long ago, as to have no relation now to the Jews and the circumstances of their affairs; or to transcribe whole passages from them into their prayers for the coming of the Messiah." Upon the same principle it is easily seen that the objections, which may seem to lie against the use of Jewish services in Christian congregations, may cease at once. Thus it may be said, Are we concerned with the affairs of David and of Israel? Have we any thing to do with the ark and the temple? They are no more. Are we to go up to Jerusalem, and to worship on Sion? They are desolated, and trodden under foot by the Turks. Are we to sacrifice young bullocks according to the law? The law is abolished, never to be observed again. Do we pray for victory over Moab, Edom, and Philistia; or for deliverance from Babylon? There are no such nations, no such places in the world. What then do we mean, when, taking such expressions into our mouths, we utter them in our own persons, as parts of our devotions, before God? Assuredly we must mean a spiritual Jerusalem and Sion; a spiritual ark and temple; a spiritual law; spiritual sacrifices; and spiritual victories over spiritual enemies; all described under the old names, which are still retained, though "old things are passed away, and all things are become new," 2Co 5:17. By substituting Messiah for David, the Gospel for the law, the church Christian for that of Israel, and the enemies of the one for those of the other, the Psalms are made our own. Nay, they are with more fulness and propriety applied now to the substance, than they were of old to the "shadow of good things then to come," Heb 10:1. For let it not pass unobserved, that when, upon the first publication of the Gospel, the Apostles had occasion to utter their transports of joy, on their being counted worthy to suffer for the name of their Lord and Master, which was then opposed by Jew and Gentile, they brake forth into an application of the second Psalm to the transactions then before their eyes, Ac 4:25. The Psalms, thus applied, have advantages which no fresh compositions, however finely executed, can possibly have; since, beside their incomparable fitness to express our sentiments, they are at the same time memorials of, and appeals to, former mercies and deliverances; they are acknowledgments of prophecies accomplished; they point out the connection between the old and new dispensations, thereby teaching us to admire and adore the wisdom of God displayed in both, and furnishing while we read or sing them, an inexhaustible variety of the noblest matter that can engage the contemplations of man.
Very few of the Psalms, comparatively, appear to be simply prophetical, and to belong only to Messiah, without the intervention of any other person. Most of them, it is apprehended, have a double sense, which stands upon this ground and foundation, that the ancient patriarchs, prophets, priests, and kings, were typical characters, in their several offices, and in the more remarkable passages of their lives, their extraordinary depressions and miraculous exaltations foreshowing him who was to arise as the head of the holy family, the great prophet, the true priest, the everlasting king. The Israelitish polity, and the law of Moses, were purposely framed after the example and shadow of things spiritual and heavenly; and the events which happened to the ancient people of God were designed to shadow out parallel occurrences, which should afterward take place in the accomplishment of man's redemption, and the rise and progress of the Christian church, (See Prophecy.) For this reason, the Psalms composed for the use of Israel, and by them accordingly used at the time, do admit of an application to us, who are now "the Israel of God," Ga 6:16, and to our Redeemer
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You said by the Holy Spirit through the voice of our ancestor, your servant David, "Why do the unbelievers rage, and the people devise useless plots?
Therefore, if anyone is in the Messiah, he is a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and look! all things have become new!
Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God.
For the Law, being only a reflection of the blessings to come and not their substance, can never make perfect those who come near by the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year.