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The structure of the Book of Psalms


The structure of the Book of Psalms

18 October, 2021 My Verses No Comments

The structure of the Book of Psalms

[Editor’s Note: The following is an edited and condensed version of Appendix One, “Preliminary Suggestions on the Structure of the Book of Psalms,” taken from Dr. Ernest Martin’s book, Restoring the Original Bible, pp. 474-482. Reprinted in edited form with permission.]

There are 150 individual psalms that consist of the biblical book of psalms, many of which are prophetic in content. In fact, there are more verses quoted in the New Testament in the Book of Psalms that contain prophecies about Christ than in any other book in the Old Testament. Also, scholars consider King David to be typical of Christ. This fact alone implies that [the book of Psalms] is essentially prophetic. When one understands what the different psalms mean and understands their contextual relationships, the prophetic meaning of the book becomes quite obvious. As we will see, the structure of the book of Psalms suggests certain prophetic concepts that may have been so largely overlooked.

The Fivefold Structure of the Psalms: In the original Hebrew marking of the Book of Psalms, the 150 Psalms are organized into five main divisions. These five “books” do not appear in the regular version of the Reina Valera, but are evident in the Hebrew manuscripts. The five divisions are:

  • Psalm 1-41 Book I
  • Psalm 42-72 Book II
  • Psalm 73-89 Book III
  • Psalm 90-106 Book IV
  • Psalm 107-150 Book V

The fact that there are five books is important, because the number five has a legal and prophetic meaning. For example, the prophet Isaiah gives five sequential references, each identical, to the destruction that would come upon Israel. Isaiah wrote: “… Yet his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out” (1) Isaiah 5:25; (2) Isaiah 9:12; (3) Isaiah 9:17; (4) Isaiah 9:21; (5) Isaiah 10: 4. The same fivefold prophetic repetition is also found in the book of Amos: “… but they have not turned me back”, (1) Amos 4: 6; (2) Amos 4: 8; (3) Amos 4: 9; (4) Amos 4:10; (5) Amos 4:11 The sequential weight was to strengthen God’s speech to Israel because he refused to follow it. Finally, Israel was told: “. .. get ready to meet your God, oh Israel! “” (Amos 4:12). In other words, five chances were all God would give them. The first chapter has 22 verses, each verse beginning sequentially with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet [alpha to Tau], or “A to Z” so to speak. The second chapter has the same 22 Hebrew letters in series beginning each verse, however the third chapter has 66 verses. This time the first three verses each begin with the first Hebrew letter, the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear. The first chapter has 22 verses, each verse beginning sequentially with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet [alpha to Tau], or “A to Z” so to speak. The second chapter has the same 22 Hebrew letters in series beginning each verse, however the third chapter has 66 verses. This time the first three verses each begin with the first Hebrew letter, the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear. The first chapter has 22 verses, each verse beginning sequentially with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet [alpha to Tau], or “A to Z” so to speak. The second chapter has the same 22 Hebrew letters in series beginning each verse, however the third chapter has 66 verses. This time the first three verses each begin with the first Hebrew letter, the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear. so to speak. The second chapter has the same 22 Hebrew letters in series beginning each verse, however the third chapter has 66 verses. This time the first three verses each begin with the first Hebrew letter, the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear. so to speak. The second chapter has the same 22 Hebrew letters in series beginning each verse, however the third chapter has 66 verses. This time the first three verses each begin with the first Hebrew letter, the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear. the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear. the next three verses each begin n with the second Hebrew letter, and so on until all 22 letters are used. Finally, chapters four and five also have 22 verses, but for some reason these verses do not follow the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. However, the fivefold division is clear.

Five seems to convey a sense of security to a prophecy. Other parts of the Bible also use a five-fold arrangement. For example, the law was divided into five parts: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This may mean that all the laws necessary to rule Israel must be found within these five law books. Once again, the book of Psalms is organized into five parts. Jewish scholars have noted the connection between the five books of the law and the five sections of the Psalms. An old commentary on Psalm 1: 1 says: “Moses gave the Israelites the five books of the law; and consequently David gave them the five books of Psalms. “

Megillot’s Books: Another fivefold prophetic division of the Bible is called Megillot. Like the psalms, the Megillot scrolls were to be read in the temple at certain times of the year, especially during the three festivals and the two days celebrated in Jewish history.

Since the festive periods given to Israel have a prophetic meaning, it follows that the five books to be read at the appointed times are a commentary on the meaning of the seasons.

  • Salvation of the paschal period through the sacrifice of Christ.
  • Solomon sang a spring time; dating theme.
  • Pentecost at the beginning of the church (Acts 2).
  • 9/10 Ab anniversary of the destruction of the first temple.
  • Tabernacle of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.
  • Purim redemption of the nation of Judah.
  • Ruth describes the harvest of the first fruits.
  • Lamentations mourn the fall of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC. C.
  • The preacher Ecclesiastes speaks of the peaceful reign of Solomon, a type of the coming kingdom of Christ.
  • Esther describes a time when the Jews were delivered from destruction.

The five books in Megillot and their corresponding holiday seasons are an interesting comparison to the five sections of Psalm and the five team books:

Focus of the Book of Psalms III: When the Psalms, the Law and the Megillot are compared, there are striking parallels in many of their characteristics. To demonstrate this, let’s focus on Book III of the Psalm, which corresponds to Leviticus and Lamentations.

The book Psalm III, chapters 73 to 89, often refers to the temple in Jerusalem and its desecration or destruction. For example, look at the following passages:

1) “… the sanctuary of God; … (73: 17-18).

2) “… all this destruction that the enemy has caused in the sanctuary … They burned your sanctuary even the foundations; the desecrated abode [temple] in your prestige. “(74: 3, 7).

3) “… the earth and all its people have fallen apart …” (75: 3).

4) “And his tabernacle is in Salem [Jerusalem], and his dwelling place is in Zion. There [in Jerusalem] he broke the arrows of the bow …” (76: 2-3)

5) “In the day of my distress I sought the LORD … Will the LORD destroy forever?” (77: 2, 7)

6) “And he left the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent that he pitched among men” (78:60).

7) “O God, the Gentiles have come into your inheritance; there was not one to bury” (79: 1, 3).

The theme of destruction is pretty obvious. The parallel book in Migillot is Lamentations, which was ordered to be read before the anniversary of the destruction of the temple (Jeremiah 52: 12-14; Zechariah 7: 5; 8:19). The corresponding book in the law is Leviticus, which focuses on the Levitical priesthood and its duties in the temple. Thus the three divisions support each other with a common theme in the temple. It can hardly be a coincidence that the books find such an arrangement.

Focus of the Book of Psalms IV: There are also 17 psalms in the fourth division (chapters 90-106). Psalm 90 introduces the contextual question by mentioning “a thousand years” (verse 4), a period of a thousand years. Of course, the general theme of Book IV is the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. But before peace comes to earth, the great tribulation must first occur. Psalm 91 describes that moment in detail. Psalm 92 deals with the Sabbath, which also represents God’s millennial “rest”. The millennial connection is clear in the remaining chapters of Book IV. The Jewish authorities inaugurated the Book of Ecclesiastes to be read during the Feast of Tabernacles – the feast representing the coming was a thousand years old. The preacher describes the glories of the kingdom of Solomon, a type of the coming kingdom of Christ.

Focus of the Book of Psalms V: The Book of Psalms V (chapters 107-150) is associated with Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is called “the second law”, a summary of the first parts of the law. The 44 Psalms in Book V are primarily a summary of the topics covered in the first four books of Psalms. Book V also corresponds to Esther, who represents the salvation of the Jewish people. Parts of these psalms describe how God will bring about the salvation of Israel.

Books I and II – Davidic Psalms:Books I and II of the Psalms are songs composed by King David. At the end of Psalm 72 is the statement: “The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, have ceased.” Of course, there are other Davidic psalms in later passages, but this indicates that books I and II were written by David. It is interesting that the number of Davidic Psalms is 72 (24×3). Since David organized the Levitical singers into 24 “orders” (Chronicles 25: 8-31), it is likely that these 72 psalms were composed to be sung by the Levites in their 24 divisions. Psalm I corresponds to the song of Solomon, which was sung at Easter. The 41 psalms are related to Passover, for example Psalm 22 ,. Who says that the evil one has “… pierced my hands and my feet; …

Summary: There is a definite purpose in the structure of the Book of Psalms. Of course, there is more to the Psalms than just the “surface” message. Although the entire meaning of the book’s design is unclear, there is no doubt that structure is extremely important. Since the book of Psalms is fundamentally prophetic in nature, a prophetic theme can be found within its fivefold division. So it can be summarized:

Book I refers to Easter: the beginning of Israel as a nation and the beginning of the New Testament plan of salvation with the death and resurrection of Christ.

Book II is equated with Pentecost , the feast of the firstfruits. It shows Israel as a corporate body in the land of Israel and represents the creation of the New Testament Church.

Book III is almost entirely devoted to describing the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple , and in many respects parallels the prophecies of the coming great tribulation.

Book IV deals with the millennial reign of Christ and shows Israel gathering after their destruction (as shown in the context of book III).

Book V is equated with the Feast of Purin: it represents the time when Judah (all Israel) will be liberated again as in the time of Esther.

Since there are 150 psalms in the entire collection (3×50), it may have been a three-year reading plan, that is, reading one psalm for each of the 150 weeks of reading the Law and the Prophets in the book of three. years. Temple (Acts 13:15). This possibility has been suggested in the Jewish Encyclopaedia, vol. 12 (1911 edition), under the article “Triennial Cycle”. This may well be one of the reasons for the arrangement of the Book of Psalms. It is important to realize that there is much more to the Psalms than meets the eye. No one knows what each detail is supposed to reveal. But when one realizes that there is a consistent doctrinal and prophetic emphasis in the Old Testament, it may be that the psalms simply reflect the same themes. When one studies these patterns in detail,