|Common Name: Psalms
|Book Number: 19 of 66 (Old Testament has 39 Books, New Testament has 27 Books)
|Why Written: Demonstration of worshiping and praising God.
|When Written: 1410-430 B.C. Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age
|Key Phrase: The Praise and Worship of God
|Category: Poetical Books
|Key People: David, Solomon
|Key Idea: Our Relationship and Communication with God
|Where Written: Ancient Israel
|Key Verse: “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.” (Psalms 145:21)
Nation of Israel as a reminder of what God had done for them.
Who wrote the book?
Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, is one of only two Old Testament books to identify itself as a composite work containing multiple authors (Proverbs is the other). Some psalms name their author in the first line or title. For example, Moses wrote Psalm 90. David was responsible for many of them, composing seventy-three psalms. Asaph wrote twelve; the descendants of Korah penned ten. Solomon wrote one or two, and Ethan and Heman the Ezrahites were responsible for two others. The remainder of the psalms do not contain information about their authors.
The book was originally titled Tehillim, which means “praise songs” in Hebrew. The English title of “Psalms” originated from the Septuagint’s Greek title Psalmoi, also meaning “songs of praise.”
Where are we?
Individual psalms were written as far back in history as Moses’s time, through the time of David, Asaph, and Solomon, to the time of the Ezrahites who most likely lived after the Babylonian captivity, meaning the writing of the book spans one thousand years. Some of the psalms attributed to David have additional notations connecting them with documented events in his life (for example, Psalm 59 is linked with 1 Samuel 19:11; Psalm 56 is connected with 1 Samuel 21:10–15; Psalm 34 is associated with 1 Samuel 21:10–22:2; and Psalm 52 is linked with 1 Samuel 22:9).
The psalms are organized into five books or collections. They were probably collected gradually, as corporate worship forms developed along with temple worship. It is likely that by the time of Ezra, the books of the Psalter were organized into their final form. Each section concludes with a doxology, with the entire Psalter capped by Psalm 150, a grand doxology.
Though not written or intended for historical narrative, they do however often parallel historical events especially for those written by David during his flight from Saul. The setting is the land of Palestine including the modern day Israel, Palestine and Syria. The Book of Psalms is about Praises to God and the word Psalm means Praise.
Why is it so important?
The psalms comprised the ancient hymnal of God’s people. The poetry was often set to music—but not always. The psalms express the emotion of the individual poet to God or about God. Different types of psalms were written to communicate different feelings and thoughts regarding a psalmist’s situation.
Psalms of lament express the author’s crying out to God in difficult circumstances. Psalms of praise, also called hymns, portray the author’s offering of direct admiration to God. Thanksgiving psalms usually reflect the author’s gratitude for a personal deliverance or provision from God. Pilgrim psalms include the title “a song of ascent” and were used on pilgrimages “going up” to Jerusalem for three annual festivals. Other types of psalms are referred to today as wisdom psalms, royal psalms (referring to Israel’s king or Israel’s Messiah), victory psalms, Law psalms, and songs of Zion.
The psalms include unique Hebrew terms. The word Selah, found seventy-one times, is most likely a musical notation added by worship leaders after the Israelites incorporated the psalm into public worship. Scholars do not know the meaning of maskil, found in thirteen psalms. Occasionally, a psalm appears with instructions for the song leader. For example, we see instructions such as “For the director of music” (occurring in fifty-five psalms [NIV]); “To the tune of ‘Lilies’” (similar references found in Psalms 45, 60, 69, 80 NIV); “To the tune of ‘The Doe of the Morning’ ” (Psalm 22 NIV); “To the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy’ ” (Psalms 57–59, 75 NIV). These and others can refer to melodies used with the given psalm or perhaps to suggestions for liturgical use.
What’s the big idea?
The book of Psalms expresses worship. Throughout its many pages, Psalms encourages its readers to praise God for who He is and what He has done. The Psalms illuminate the greatness of our God, affirm His faithfulness to us in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His Word. As the Psalms present a clear picture of God lovingly guiding His people, the responses of praise and worship to God are never far from the psalmists’ pens. The portrayal of worship in the Psalms offers us glimpse after glimpse of hearts devoted to God, individuals repentant before Him, and lives changed through encounters with Him.
How do I apply this?
Read Psalm 1, then Psalm 150. Thank God for allowing you to express your deepest emotions to Him. If you are hurting, use Psalm 13 as a guide and write your own lament to God. If you are rejoicing, meditate on Psalm 30 and echo the praise found there. No matter your circumstance, the psalms contain a corresponding word that will help you share your heart with the Lord.
"Kama ilivyoandikwa katika Zaburi ya 66: 19 ""Mungu ni Mungu"" (Katika Agano la Kale, Biblia ina vitabu 39 na katika Agano Jipya ina vitabu 27), Biblia inaonyesha kwamba Mungu ni Mungu wa kweli." [Kifungu cha 1] 1410 - 430 K.K.K. "Mstari wa kwanza wa Biblia unaonyesha kwamba Mungu ni ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu"" na ""mwenye utukufu""." Ni nani aliyeandika kitabu hicho? Zaburi, mkusanyiko wa mashairi ya mashairi, ni mojawapo ya vitabu viwili tu vya Agano la Kale vinavyojitambulisha kuwa kazi iliyoundwa na waandishi wengi (Mithali ni nyingine). Zaburi fulani humtaja mwandishi wake katika mstari wa kwanza au kichwa. Kwa mfano, Musa aliandika Zaburi 90. Daudi ndiye aliyeandika zaburi nyingi kati ya hizo, na aliandika zaburi 73. Asafu akaandika kumi na mbili; wazao wa Kora wakaandika kumi. Sulemani aliandika moja au mbili, na Ethani na Hemani Waezra walikuwa na daraka la kuandika nyingine mbili. Zaburi zilizobaki hazina habari kuhusu waandishi wao. Mwanzoni kitabu hicho kiliitwa Tehillim, linalomaanisha "nyimbo za sifa" katika Kiebrania. Kichwa cha Kiingereza cha <unk>Psalms<unk> kilitokana na kichwa cha Kigiriki cha Septuagint <unk>Psalmoi, ambacho pia humaanisha <unk>nyimbo za sifa.<unk> Tuko wapi? Zaburi za kwanza ziliandikwa wakati wa Musa, wakati wa Daudi, Asafu, na Sulemani, na wakati wa Waezre, ambao waliishi baada ya utekwa wa Babeli. Zaburi 59 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 19:11; Zaburi 56 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 21:10; Zaburi 34 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 21:10; na Zaburi 52 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 22:9; Zaburi 55 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 19:11; Zaburi 56 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 21:10; Zaburi 55 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 22:9; Zaburi 55 ina uhusiano na 1 Samweli 22:1; Zaburi 55:9. Zaburi zimepangwa katika vitabu au makusanyo matano. Yaelekea zilikusanywa hatua kwa hatua, kadiri namna za ibada za kikundi zilivyobadilika pamoja na ibada ya hekalu. Inaelekea kwamba kufikia wakati wa Ezra, vitabu vya Zaburi vilikuwa vimepangwa kwa utaratibu. Kila sehemu ya kitabu cha Zaburi inaanza na 'Doxology' na mwisho wa kitabu hicho ni Zaburi 150. Ingawa hazikuandikwa au kuelekezwa kwa hadithi za kihistoria, mara nyingi zinafanana na matukio ya kihistoria, hasa yale yaliyoandikwa na Daudi wakati wa kukimbia kwake kutoka kwa Sauli. Eneo hilo ni nchi ya Palestina ikiwa ni pamoja na Israeli ya kisasa, Palestina na Syria. Kitabu cha Zaburi kinahusu sifa kwa Mungu na neno Zaburi linamaanisha sifa. Kwa nini jambo hilo ni muhimu sana? Zaburi zilifanyiza kitabu cha zamani cha nyimbo cha watu wa Mungu. Mara nyingi mashairi hayo yalipigwa muziki - lakini si mara zote. Zaburi huonyesha hisia za mshairi mmoja-mmoja kwa Mungu au kuhusu Mungu. Aina tofauti-tofauti za zaburi ziliandikwa ili kueleza hisia na mawazo tofauti-tofauti kuhusu hali ya mtunga-zaburi. Zaburi za maombolezo huonyesha mwandishi akimwomba Mungu katika hali ngumu. Zaburi za sifa, ambazo pia huitwa nyimbo za sifa, huonyesha jinsi mwandishi anavyoonyesha kwamba anamsifu Mungu moja kwa moja. Kwa kawaida zaburi za shukrani huonyesha shukrani ya mwandishi kwa ajili ya ukombozi wa kibinafsi au utoaji kutoka kwa Mungu. Zaburi za Watalii zinatia ndani kichwa "wimbo wa kupanda" na zilitumiwa katika matembezi "ya kupanda" hadi Yerusalemu kwa ajili ya sherehe tatu za kila mwaka. "Maandishi mengine ya zaburi huitwa ""zaburi za hekima,"" ""zaburi za kifalme,"" ""zaburi za ushindi,"" ""zaburi za sheria,"" na ""zaburi za Sayuni.""" Zaburi hizo zina maneno ya pekee ya Kiebrania. "Neno ""Sela"" linapatikana mara 71 katika Biblia, na linaweza kuwa lilitumiwa na viongozi wa kidini baada ya Waisraeli kuingiza zaburi hiyo katika ibada yao." Wasomi hawajui maana ya maskil, inayopatikana katika zaburi kumi na tatu. Pindi kwa pindi, zaburi huonekana ikiwa na maagizo kwa kiongozi wa wimbo. "Kwa mfano, tunapata maagizo kama vile ""Kwa ajili ya mwongozaji wa muziki"" (yanayotokea katika Zaburi 55; ""Kwa ajili ya nyimbo za Maua ya Maua"" (maelezo kama hayo yanapatikana katika Zaburi 45, 60, 69, 80; ""Kwa ajili ya nyimbo za Jua"" (Zaburi 22; ""Usiangamize"" (Zaburi 59, 57)." Hizi na nyingine zaweza kurejezea nyimbo zinazotumiwa pamoja na zaburi fulani au labda madokezo ya matumizi ya kidini. Ni nini wazo kubwa? Kitabu cha Zaburi kinataja ibada. Katika kitabu cha Zaburi, tunasoma kuhusu jinsi tunavyoweza kumsifu Mungu kwa sababu ya yeye ni nani na kwa sababu ya mambo aliyofanya. Zaburi huangazia ukuu wa Mungu wetu, hutegemeza uaminifu wake kwetu katika nyakati za shida, na kutukumbusha umuhimu wa neno lake. Kwa kuwa Zaburi zinaonyesha waziwazi jinsi Mungu anavyowaongoza watu wake kwa upendo, majibu ya kumsifu na kumwabudu Mungu hayakuwa mbali na kalamu za waandikaji wa Zaburi. Maelezo ya ibada katika Zaburi yanatupa ufahamu wa moyo uliojitolea kwa Mungu, watu wanaotubu mbele zake, na maisha yanayobadilika kupitia kukutana naye. Ninaweza kutumiaje jambo hilo? Soma Zaburi ya 1, kisha Zaburi ya 150. Shukrani kwa Mungu kwa kukuruhusu uonyeshe hisia zako za ndani zaidi kwake. Ikiwa una huzuni, tumia Zaburi 13 kama mwongozo na uandike maombolezo yako mwenyewe kwa Mungu. Ikiwa unafurahi, fikiria Zaburi 30 na kurudia sifa iliyo katika Zaburi hiyo. Bila kujali hali yako, Zaburi zina neno linalofaa ambalo litakusaidia kushiriki moyo wako na Bwana.