Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Psalms – A Collection of Books
A Collection of Books
- •The Book of Psalms (or Psalter) is a collection of different kinds of poetry spanning many centuries of history (from c. 1100 BC, Pss. 29, 68, to c. 400 BC, Ps. 119) and reaching essentially its present form around 300 BC. Evidences of this collective nature are seen in its division into five ‘books’ (e.g. Ps. 72:20), the references to various ‘authors’ (e.g. Psalm 89), as well as the different time periods represented (Ps. 137 is from the Babylonian exile, c. 550 BC).
A Collection of Books
- •There are four or five basic collections within the Psalter:
–Davidic (3-41, 51-70, 108-110, 138-145),
–Asaph Psalms (73-83),
–the Korah Psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88),
–and the Songs of Ascent (120-134),
–the Hallel or Praise, Psalms (113-118, 146-150).
A Collection of Books
- •The exact process of compilation is not known. A comparison can be drawn between the Psalter and religious songbooks of today. Hymnals contain different types of songs by different people in different countries over a period of centuries, preserved because they communicate a truth in a memorable way. So the Psalter grew out of the life of a community of faith as the people used their songs and poetry to worship God.
Book I – 1-41
- •This is probably an exclusive, but not exhaustive collection of Davidic psalms.
- •The only ones not attributed to David are Ps. 1, 2, 10 & 33.
–However, Acts 4:25 attributes Ps.2 to David;
–Ps. 10 is thought to have been split off from Ps. 9;
–LXX attributes Ps.33 to David. This leaves only the introductory Psalm 1 unattested.
- •Yahweh (273) vs. Elohim (15).
Book II – 42-72
- •This consists of 31 psalms.
–18 are ascribed to David
–7 to the sons of Korah
–1 to Solomon (Ps.72)
–The rest are anonymous.
- •Elohim (164) vs. Yahweh (30).
Book III – 73-89
- •17 psalms:
–73-83 are by Asaph;
–84-85, 87 are by the Sons of Korah;
–Ps.86 is ascribed to David;
–88 to Heman the Ezrahite,;
–89 to Ethan the Ezrahite.
- •Asaph’s psalms (73-83) prefer the name Elohim but the rest of the book prefers Yahweh.
Book IV – 90-106
- •This holds 17 psalms.
–Ps.90 is ascribed to Moses.
–Pss. 101 and 103 are Davidic.
- •This book uses Yahweh exclusively.
Book V – 107-150
- •This contains 44 psalms:
–15 are ascribed to David
–127th to Solomon.
- •This book uses Elohim (7) much less than Yahweh (236).
Psalms and Pentateuch
Inscriptions
- •34 without inscriptions (i.e. #1)
- •52 with meager inscriptions (i.e. #11)
- •14 with inscriptions explaining the historical background (i.e. #3)
Inscriptions
- •39 with “special word” inscriptions (i.e. #4) [not counting 8 which also have historical inscriptions counted above]
- •4 with inscriptions detailing purpose (i.e. #38)
- •15 with the inscription “songs of degrees/ascent” (120-134) [some of these include author]
Inscriptions
- •Already affixed in 3rd century B.C. upon translation of LXX.
- •Some of the “special word” translations are uncertain.
- •Who originally wrote the inscriptions is unknown.
Songs of Ascent/Degrees
- •An old Hebrew notion was that these 15 were sung walking up the 15 steps of the temple.
–Maybe, but don’t know if temple had 15 steps.
- •Luther – sung by a higher choir.
- •Calvin – sun in a higher key.
- •Some spiritualize them having them refer to the church.
Songs of Ascent/Degrees
- •Some believe each psalm “ascends” in thought to the next.
- •Some suggest association with Israel’s “going up” to the 3 annual feasts.
- •Some suggest they are post-exilic (although not a song of ascent, #137 is post-destruction of Jerusalem)
- •Some suggest they are associated with the Ahaz’s sundial and the 15 years added to Hezekiah’s life.
Songs of Ascent/Degrees
- •NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY MEAN!
Comments