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PSALMS. This compilation has no counterpart in the New Testament; it belongs to both. It speaks of Christ, and Christ speaks in it. The arrangement is not chronological, but is grounded on the relation of the Psalms to Christianity, pre-adjusted to the doctrines of the Gospel. The Psalter forms one book, called in the New Testament "The Book of Psalms." Its composition extends over 1,000 years of the national life, from Moses to Malachi, in which Hebrew history is set to music.

The Psalms are divided into five parts:— Part I. (i.—xli.) is the composition of David. Part II. (xlii.—lxxii.) is Levitic, compiled for the Temple worship in the time of Hezekiah, of which twenty-one are David's (li.—lxxi.). Part III. (lxxiii.—lxxxix.) was compiled for the same purpose in the time of Josiah. Part IV. (xc— cvi.) was compiled during the Captivity. Part V. (cvii.—cl.) is miscellaneous; seventeen are Davidic, fifteen are Levitic, two penitential, and one Mosaic. Psalm cxix. is divided into sections of eight verses. In the Hebrew every verse of each section begins with the letter of the alphabet inscribed over it, which is evidently intended to help the memory in reciting it, as the Psalm was composed by Ezra to be sung on the homeward march of the captives.

The Psalter, then, may be compared to an Oratorio, in five parts :—

I. Decline of man after the Fall. It commences with a Prologue or Overture (Pss. i. and ii.), followed by the insurrection of Absalom; and concludes (Ps. xli.) with that of Adonijah, quoted by our Lord as typical of the conspiracy of Judas against Him. The Prologue is ushered in with a Beatitude, and the Final chorus closes with a Doxology and double Amen.

II. Revival of the Church, prefigured by David's rising from the bed of sickness, on which he was languishing (Ps. xli.), and reviving the monarchy in the person of Solomon, whom he proclaims in his stead,—a Prophet and King—building a new temple, &c. The scheme is the same as before. A Prologue, ushered in by a Beatitude (Ps. xli. closing the one, introducing the other), followed by a pair of Psalms of sorrow on David's flight from Absalom, and ending with a Beatitude and double Amen.

III.  A plaintive Recitative. The Church is in danger, owing to the degeneracy of Solomon's son; and the land is pillaged by the King of Egypt—again typical of the apostasy from Christ in times of peace and prosperity. It concludes (Ps. lxxxix.) with the peaceful re-assurance of God, in an angelic soprano, " Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David," followed by a Doxology and chorus.

IV. The Antiphon to the Recitative, comprising: 1. A Prologue, viz. The Prayer of Moses. 2. A Thanksgiving, in hopeful confidence of victory. 3. A Double Deliverance, from Egypt and Babylon, i.e. entrance and return to the Promised Inheritance. 4. Doxology.

V. Finale of triumphant thanksgiving, figured by the return from captivity, consisting of 1. Prologue: The helpless wandering of fallen man. 2. The Return to the sanctuary of God (fifteen songs of degrees). 3. Restoration, unfolded in the Dedication Hymn, Song of Ezra, Alternative Thanksgiving (cxxxvi.) and Mourning (cxxxvii.). 4. Anticipating Extension of the Church to the Gentiles. 5. Concluding Chorus, comprising five Invitatory Psalms to the whole Universe to join in one mighty Chorus of Praise, rising for ever to the throne of God.

The Bible Version of the Psalms is in blank verse, translated direct from the Hebrew in 1610. It is more accurate in sense, but is less rhythmical than the English Prayer Book version, which is in poetry, and pointed for singing. The latter was translated (1535, revised 1539) from the Latin Vulgate of the Gallican Psalter, which was taken from the LXX.

There is no other Hymn Book so pregnant with expression of the heart's emotions under all the vicissitudes of life, or so adapted to all climes and ages as to be the universal medium of praise for all nations of the world. No other country than Palestine could have furnished such varied imagery, from arid deserts to frozen regions: e.g. the vines, figs, mulberries, pomegranates; valleys thick with corn, shining with lilies; the snow-clad mountains; the hart panting for streams, and the exile David looking thankfully into the boiling torrent he has crossed; the beasts of prey, coupled with the horse and the ass.

It is also valuable as supplying additional fragments of history unrecorded in other books.

For Devotion it has been used as much by Christians as by Jews. It is quoted seventy times in the New Testament.


TABLE OF THE AUTHORSHIP AND COMPILATION OF THE PSALMS.*


Books. Psalms. Authorship. When or by whom collected for use in the Temple.
I.

1-41

David.

David.

II.

42-49

50

51-71

72

The Levites.

Azariah.

David.

David, or Solomon.

Time of Hezekiah.

III.

73-85

86

87-89

The Levites

Hezekiah.

The Levites

Time of Josiah.

IV.

V.

90-106

107-150

Various: e.g. Moses, Ezra, The Prophets.

Ezra or Nehemiah.

Headings. There are only fifty without some title or heading, and these are mainly in Part V., composed by Ezra and Nehemiah, who arranged the book in its present form, and so omitted their own names. They are not more authentic than the subscriptions to Paul's Epistles.

• From Blunt's Annotated Prayer Book.

18

But to many of David's there are "Dedications," or " Inscriptions:" e.g. "To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith " (vi.). Many are supposed to be musical directions, thus:—

Ps. v. Nehiloth, "wind instruments," marks the nature of the accompaniment.

Ps. vi. Neginoth, " stringed instruments," marks the nature of the accompaniment.

Ps. vi. Sheminith, "upon the eighth," or octave, is to be a bass solo.

Ps. vii. Shiggaion, " wandering, erratic," refers to a gentle, running accompaniment.

Ps. viii. Gittith, " from Gath," is either a tune, or the musical instrument on which the accompaniment is to be played, brought by David from Gath, so, probably, jubilant.

Ps. ix. Muth-labban, "a dirge," probably some well-known tune; or to be sung by "male trebles," i.e. boys.

Ps. ix.16.Higgaion, "meditation," either marks a pause, the commencement of a recitative, or the change to a minor key.

Ps. xvi.Michtam, "engraven in gold," seems to mark its popularity, or its value as an outpouring of thankfulness.

Ps. xxii. Aijeleth Shachar, " the hind of the morning," may refer either to some tune, or, more probably, to the use of this psalm at the hour of the morning sacrifice.

Ps.xxxii. Maschil, "an instruction," seems to refer to the subject-matter, or to its being "Recitative."

Ps. xlv.Shoshannim, "lilies," or "six strings," may either be the name of a sweet tune, or the accompanying instrument with six strings.

Ps. xlvi. Alamoth, " virgins," i.e. for " treble voices;" cp. 1 Chron. xv. 20.

Ps. liii. Mahalath, " lute," either the accompaniment, or a lively tune.

Ps. lvi.Jonath-elem-rechokim, "mute dove among strangers," i.e. either a tune so called,—a dirge,—or referring to the subject-matter, David in exile.

Ps. lvii.—lix., lxxv. Al-taschith, "destroy thou not."

Ps. cxx. Degrees ("steps"), the pilgrims' song of those returning from captivity; or to be sung on the steps of the inner temple court. Selah, " eternally, for ever." According to some, forte; according to others, piano. In the LXX. regarded as a musical or rhythmical note, the key-note; or a symphony; or a pause; or Da Capo; or a blast of trumpets. It occurs seventy-one times in the Psalms, and three times in Habakkuk.

To the chief Musician is prefixed to fifty-three. It is variously interpreted: either that the music was composed by the chief Musician, to whom David dedicated the Psalm; or, that for "to" we should read "by," and understand by "the chief Musician" (i.e. David himself), the composer of the words.

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO SUBJECTS.

1. Instructive. On the perfection of God's law: 19, 119. On the blessing of piety, misery of vice: 1, 5, 7, 9-12, 14, 15, 17, 24, 25, 32, 34, 36, 37, 50, 52, 53, 58, 73, 75, 84, 91, 92, 94, 112, 119, 121, 125, 127, 128, 133. On vanity of human life: 39, 49, 90. On duty of rulers: 82,101.

2. Devotional. Prayer.—Penitence: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143. Resignation: 3, 16, 27, 31, 54, 56, 57, 61, 62, 71, 86. Contrition: 13, 22, 69, 77, 88, 143. In severe trouble: 4, 5,11, 28, 41, 55, 59, 64, 70,109,120,140,141,143. In affliction: 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 89, 94, 102, 129,137. When deprived of public worship: 42, 43, 63, 84. Intercession: 10, 67,122, 132, 144.
Praise.— For God's providential care: 23, 34, 35, 91,100, 103, 107, 117, 121, 145, 146. Of God's attributes: 8, 19, 24, 29, 33, 47, 50, 65, 66, 76, 77, 93, 95—97, 99, 104, 111, 113— 115, 134,139, 147, 148, 150.
Thanksgiving.-For individual mercies: 9, 18, 22, 30, 34, 40, 75,103, 108, 116, 118, 138, 144. For general or national mercies: 46, 48, 65, 66, 68, 76, 81, 85, 98, 105, 124, 126,129, 135, 136,149.

3. Prophetical, chiefly of the Messiah: 2, 16, 22, 40, 45, 68, 69, 72, 97, 110, 118.

4. Historical: 78,105,106.

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