Structure of the Psalms - Book 1

Introduction

The book of Psalms is traditionally divided into 5 books. In western cultures this originated from the Masoretes; a group of Jewish scholars and scribes who copied texts of the ancient Hebrew Bible. However, the oldest surving Masoretic manuscript dates only to the late AD 800’s (Cairo Codex of the Prophets). Neither the Septuagint nor the Syriac Peshitta contain the book divisions in Psalms. However, some of the Dead Sea Scrolls show at least some of the books. For our purposes we will consider the division of Psalms into 5 books to be original and intended for the collection of Psalms (although this has caveats as psalms were composed and added over the course of centuries. At some point someone edited existing works and new works. The final layout could not have been present at the time of David as several psalms were written well after him.)

The fact that the book is divided into 5 is one of the main thematic elements of how Psalms is structured and how it relates to the rest of the Bible. The connections from this further support that the division into 5 is natural and warranted.

As you read consider with me, for a moment, that the number 5 is related to grace. When you encounter 5 in the Bible assume that God is revealing a message of grace. By doing so you will see the grander picture portrayed not just throughout Psalms, but Scripture. The HS is telling a story and every word He uses is strategic. He uses the number 5 with consistent meaning. If we only consider it’s numerical value we miss half its intended meaning.

One final note before we dive in. The number of Psalms is somewhat debated. The Masoretic tradition has given us 150 psalms. Other traditions have anywhere from 147-155. The Essenes claimed that David wrote 3,000 psalms and all of them were messianic. If that is true it should give us pause to consider the psalms in Scripture attributed to David. If they are all messianic then this has strong implications for what we should understand.

Structure of the Bible – Psalms

For a long time scholars (mostly liberals who discount miracles) thought the Psalms were a haphazard collection of random praises and imprecations. This began to change in the early 1900’s. Since then there has been no shortage of theologians who have attempted to discover some sort of organizational structure to the Psalms. Many of these diverge from each other or are unique perspectives. However, the Bible contains a plethora of themes and narratives that intersect at a variety of points. With the great length of Psalms it should be no surprise that several of these interpretations, though wildly different, have the potential to be true at the same time on multiple levels.

With the number 5 in mind there are many groupings in the Bible with this number. Sometimes these groupings are in the text; other times they are inferred through study. The list below shows groups of 5 that relate to the Psalms

PSALM PENTETEUCH HOLIDAY MEGILLOTH NEW TESTAMENT

Book 1 (1-41) Genesis Passover Song of Solomon Matthew

Book 2 (42-72) Exodus Pentecost Ruth Mark

Book 3 (73-89) Leviticus Trumpets Lamentations Luke

Book 4 (90-106) Numbers Feast of Tabernacles Ecclesiastes John

Book 5 (107-150) Deuteronomy Purim Esther Acts

Each of these contains corresponding elements that link each book of Psalms with them. Isaiah and Amos also contain these divisions.

Structure of Psalms – Books

The 5-fold structure throughout the Bible is revealed in the 5 book divisions of the Psalms. Upon further analysis the 5 books provide an outline of history and point, prophetically, to the Millennial Kingdom. The fact that this is present showcases that whenever the Psalms were finally organized they were done so by a Jewish editor in a way that coheres with prophecy.

The table below shows how this history and prophecy are portrayed.

Open Close

Book 1 (1-41) Eden David

Book 2 (42-72) David Solomon

Book 3 (73-89) Others David dies/God hides

Book 4 (90-106) Israel exiled Israel cries to be gathered

Book 5 (107-150) Israel gathered David returns to the throne; Jesus returns as the Messianic King. All creation praises God in the sanctuary.

At first take this structure differs from the previously mentioned one connecting Psalms to the rest of the Bible, but upon further review these likely parallel the corresponding narratives. This will be a guide as we move through the Psalms.

Structure of Books – Units

Within each book there appears to be groups or units of Psalms. These are Psalms with related themes that separate them from others. I have not discovered a comprehensive list of these units. What follows below is a compilation of what I’ve read from others.

Psalm Description

Book 1 (1-41) Eden to David

1-2 Wisdom and folly contrasted. Introduction to the entire book of Psalms. The 2 divisions provide a basic outline for the rest of the book.

1 Meditation on Pentateuch (the old way). Individual wisdom and folly.

2 Reflection of God’s promises to David/Messianic King (future way). National wisdom and folly.

3-14 Messiah rejected by men and sufferings

3 Betrayal

4 Praise and trust

5 Wisdom and trust

6 Pain (Rebuke me not)

7 Trust and God’s justice

8-9 Thanksgiving and praise

10-14 Betrayal – Cry for God’s nearness.

15-24 Opening – Messiah accepted by God

15 Character required to enter YHWY’s presence

16 How YHWY satisfies him (David)

17 Confidence and need for resurrection

18 The way the LORD delivers

19 Glory of YHWY’s revelation

20-21 The way the LORD delivers

22 Confidence and need for resurrection

23 How YHWY satisfies him (David), but the Messianic King

24 Character required to enter YHWY’s presence

35-41 Messiah rejected by men and sufferings

35 Betrayal

36 Praise and Trust

37 Wisdom and Trust (a double acrostic)

38 Pain (Rebuke me not) 22 verses, but not an acrostic

39 Lament and Trust

40 Thanksgiving and Trust

41 Betrayal – God is near. Closing - David/Jesus betrayed (41:9). He petitions for a future restoration (John 13:18). Doxology (call to praise) 41:13.