OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PSALM
Introduction:
“The simplest description of the five books of Psalms is that they were the inspired prayer-and-praise book of Israel. They are revelations of truth, not abstractly, but in the terms of human experience. The truth revealed is wrought into the emotions, desires, and sufferings of the people of God by the circumstances through which they pass. But those circumstances are such as to constitute an anticipation of analogous conditions through which Christ in His incarnation, and the Jewish remnant in the tribulation (Isaiah 10.21, refs), should pass; so then many Psalms are prophetic of the sufferings, the faith, and the victory of both. Psalms 22 and 50. are examples. The former—the holy of holies of the Bible—reveals all that was in the mind of Christ when He uttered the desolate cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The latter is an anticipation of what will be in the heart of Israel when she shall turn to Jehovah again (Deuteronomy 30:1-2). Other Psalms are directly prophetic of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glories which should follow” (Luke 24.25-27, 44). Psalms 2 is a notable instance, presenting Jehovah’s Anointed as rejected and crucified (Psalms 2:1-3; Acts 4:24-28) but afterward set as King in Zion.” — Scofield.
Authorship: The authorship of many is uncertain; it is probable that in some cases the name affixed to certain psalms may refer to the Collector, rather than the Author. The following is a conjectural list of authors taken from the various versions of the Scriptures. Attributed to David, 73; to Sons of Korah, 11; to Asaph, 12; to Heman, 1; to Ethan, 1; to Solomon, 2; to Moses, 1; to Haggai, 1; to Zechariah, 1; to Hezekiah, number doubtful; to Ezra, 1; the remainder anonymous.
Messianic Psalms: The following are some of the psalms which are regarded as containing direct, or typical, references to Christ:
1) Christ, as King, Ps 2; Ps 45; Ps 72; Ps 110; Ps 132:11.
2) The Sufferings of, Ps 22; Ps 41; Ps 55:12-14; 69:20,21.
3) The Resurrection of, Ps 16.
4) The Ascension of, Ps 68:18.
Topical Arrangement: Each Psalm is arranged under some topic which appears prominently in it.
1) Man:
a. Exaltation of, Ps 8.
b. Sinfulness of, Ps 10; Ps 14; Ps 36; Ps 55; Ps 59, and many others
2) The Worldly and the Wicked:
a. Contrasted with the godly, Ps 1; Ps 4; Ps 5.
b. The delay of the punishment of, Ps 10.
c. The prosperity of, Ps 37; Ps 73.
d. The fate of, Ps 9; Ps 11.
e. Trust in riches, Ps 49.
3) Religious Experiences:
a. Penitence, Ps 25; Ps 38; Ps 51; Ps 130.
b. Pardon, Ps 32.
c. Conversion, Ps 40.
d. Consecration, Ps 116.
e. Trust, Ps 3; Ps 16; Ps 20; Ps 23; Ps 27; Ps 31; Ps 34; Ps 42; Ps 61; Ps 62; Ps 91; Ps 121.
f. Teachableness, Ps 25.
g. Aspiration, Ps 42; Ps 63; Ps 143.
h. Prayer, Ps 55; Ps 70; Ps 77; Ps 85; Ps 86; Ps 142; Ps 143.
i. Praise, Ps 96; Ps 98; Ps 100; Ps 103; Ps 107; Ps 136; Ps 145; Ps 148; Ps 149; Ps 150.
j. Worship, Ps 43; Ps 84; Ps 100; Ps 122; Ps 132.
k. Affliction, Ps 6; Ps 13; Ps 22; Ps 69; Ps 88; Ps 102.
l. Old age, Ps 71.
m. Vanity of life, Ps 39; Ps 49; Ps 90.
n. Home, Ps 127.
o. Homesickness, typical, Ps 137.
4) The Lord’s people:
a. Safety of, Ps 46.
b. Glory of, Ps 48; Ps 87.
c. Love for, Ps 84; Ps 122.
d. Unity in, Ps 133.
5) The Word of God, Ps 19; Ps 119.
6) Missionary, Ps 67; Ps 72; Ps 96; Ps 98.
7) Duty of Rulers, Ps 82; Ps 101.
8) Divine Attributes:
a. Wisdom, Majesty, and Power, Ps 18; Ps 19; Ps 29; Ps 62; Ps 66; Ps 89; Ps 93; Ps 97; Ps 99; Ps 118; Ps 147.
b. Mercy, Ps 32; Ps 85; Ps 136.
c. Infinite Knowledge, Ps 139.
d. Creative Power, Ps 33; Ps 89; Ps 104.
9) Israel’s Experiences:
a. Unbelief, Ps 78.
b. Desolation and misery of, Ps 79; Ps 80.
c. Backsliding of, Ps 81.
d. Divine Providence, Ps 105; Ps 106; Ps 114.