King James Version
Psalms
Psalms in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of Psalms: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Many authors. Superscriptions name David (seventy-three psalms in the Hebrew), Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman, and Ethan. The Talmud says David wrote it with the help of ten elders. Many psalms are anonymous. |
|---|---|
| Date | About 1400–500 BC in one survey, from Moses to the return from exile. Critical scholars date many psalms later and the final collection about 400–150 BC. |
| Place written | Mostly Jerusalem, modern Jerusalem. Some psalms come from the exile in Babylon, near Hillah, Iraq. |
| Genre | A collection of Hebrew songs and prayers in five books. |
| Chapters | 150 |
| Verses | 2461 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | Psalm 23:1Psalms 23:1 · King James VersionThe LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.Psalms 23:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
Psalms is a collection. The superscriptions, which are part of the Hebrew text, name David for many psalms, such as Psalm 3:1Psalms 3:1 · King James VersionLord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Psalms 3:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1), Moses for Psalm 90:1Psalms 90:1 · King James VersionLord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Psalms 90:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source, Asaph for Psalms 50 and 73–83, and the sons of Korah for others. Psalm 72:20Psalms 72:20 · King James VersionThe prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalms 72:20 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the prayers of David are ended, marking an earlier collection. The Talmud in Bava Batra 14b–15a says David wrote the book with the help of ten elders, including Adam, Melchizedek, Abraham, Moses, Heman, Jeduthun, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. (2) (3) Critical scholars treat the superscriptions as later and date many psalms after David. Jesus attributes Psalm 110:1Psalms 110:1 · King James VersionThe LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psalms 110:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source to David speaking by the Spirit in Mark 12:36Mark 12:36 · King James VersionFor David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Mark 12:36 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Who It Is Not
Psalms of exile, such as Psalm 137:1Psalms 137:1 · King James VersionBy the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
Psalms 137:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1), were not written by David.
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives various times from 1400–500 BC. (5)
Audience and Setting
Israel at worship, and individuals in prayer. The purpose is to give words for praise, lament, thanksgiving, and trust.
Rulers at the Time
David and Solomon are named in superscriptions. Reign dates were not checked for this essay and are omitted.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Book 1 | Mostly David. Psalm 1–41 |
| Book 2 | David and Korah. Psalm 42–72 |
| Book 3 | Asaph and Korah. Psalm 73–89 |
| Book 4 | Moses and anonymous. Psalm 90–106 |
| Book 5 | Songs of ascents, Hallel. Psalm 107–150 |
| Composition | About 1400–500 BC in one survey. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Zion | Jerusalem. | Psalm 2:6Psalms 2:6 · King James VersionYet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.Psalms 2:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Babylon | Ruins near Hillah, Iraq. | Psalm 137:1Psalms 137:1 · King James VersionBy the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.Psalms 137:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
The book is in five parts, each closing with a doxology, as in Psalm 41:13Psalms 41:13 · King James VersionBlessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Psalms 41:13 · King James VersionOpen the Source, Psalm 72:19Psalms 72:19 · King James VersionAnd blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
Psalms 72:19 · King James VersionOpen the Source, Psalm 89:52Psalms 89:52 · King James VersionBlessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
Psalms 89:52 · King James VersionOpen the Source, and Psalm 106:48Psalms 106:48 · King James VersionBlessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalms 106:48 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 introduce the whole. Psalm 150 closes it with praise.
Key Themes
Trust in God in Psalm 23. Lament in Psalm 22. Repentance in Psalm 51. God’s word in Psalm 119. Praise in Psalm 150.
Apologetics Questions
The imprecatory psalms, such as Psalm 137:9Psalms 137:9 · King James VersionHappy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Psalms 137:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source, raise moral objections. Readers note that they hand vengeance to God rather than taking it, and that the psalms record honest prayer, not commands. The numbering of the Psalms differs between the Hebrew and the Greek, and this site follows the King James numbering.
How the Book Points to Christ
Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1Psalms 22:1 · King James VersionMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Psalms 22:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source on the cross in Matthew 27:46Matthew 27:46 · King James VersionAnd about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Psalm 110:1Psalms 110:1 · King James VersionThe LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psalms 110:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source is the Old Testament verse most quoted in the New Testament. Hebrews 1:8Hebrews 1:8 · King James VersionBut unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source applies Psalm 45:6Psalms 45:6 · King James VersionThy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Psalms 45:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source to the Son as God. Psalm 110: Who Is David’s Lord? treats that psalm. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Psalms is the book with the most copies at Qumran. The IAA introduction covers the biblical scrolls. (6)
Canon Reception
Never disputed. Josephus’s four books of hymns and precepts are generally thought to include Psalms. (4)
Further Reading
References
- Book of Psalms, 3:1; 72:20; 90:1; 137:1Psalms 3:1 · King James Version
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Psalms 3:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b, 14b (The English on Sefaria is the William Davidson edition, which is copyrighted. This page paraphrases it and does not reprint it. The baraita gives the order of the Prophets and the Writings and asks who wrote each book.)
- Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 15a, 15a (The William Davidson English on Sefaria is copyrighted. This page paraphrases it and does not reprint it. The page continues the list of writers and the debate about it.)
- Against Apion, 1.8Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William Whiston
For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from, and contradicting one another: [as the Greeks have:] but only twenty two books: which contain the records of all the past times: which are justly believed to be divine. And of them five belong to Moses: which contain his laws, and the traditions of the origin of mankind, till his death.
Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William WhistonOpen the Source (Flavius Josephus, Against Apion 1.8, translated by William Whiston. Josephus counts twenty-two books: five of Moses, thirteen of the prophets from Moses to Artaxerxes, and four of hymns and precepts.) - When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, Psalms (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives Psalms as various times from 1400–500 BC. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Dead Sea Scrolls, introduction, Biblical manuscriptsDead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities Authority
Among the Scrolls are partial or complete copies of every book in the Hebrew Bible (except the book of Esther).
Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities AuthorityOpen the Source (Israel Antiquities Authority. Biblical manuscripts from the Qumran caves date from the third century BC into the first century AD, and every book of the Hebrew Bible except Esther is represented.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.