Some titles are ‘probably names of tunes, well known at the time, to which the psalms were appointed to be sung’ (Bible Dictionary, “Psalms”)” (“Introduction to the Book of Psalms,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual, “ ).ĬR: Psalm 5:11, 7:1, 9:10, 18:2, 56:11, 62:8, 118:8–9 These hymns were used for prayer, praises, and meditation, and some of the texts show similarities to Hebrew poetry.
Many of the psalms were originally written as hymns to be sung in religious services. “The book of Psalms is divided into five main sections ( Psalms 1–41 42–72 73–89 90–106 107–150), each of which ends with an expression of praise (for example, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Belnap (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University S). Skinner, “Israel's Ancient Psalms: Cornerstone of the Beatitudes,” in The Sermon on the Mount in Latter-day Scripture, ed. All the singers (chanters is also accurate) were Levites, while the priests or Kohanim (from the Levitical family of Aaron) accompanied the songs with instruments” ( Andrew C. “According to Jewish tradition, the Psalms were sung in front of the Tabernacle, or, later on, upon the steps of the Jerusalem temple. The book is the first in order of the “Scriptures” (Kethubim) or Hagiographa, which with the Law and the Prophets make up the Hebrew Old Testament” (“Psalms,” Bible Dictionary, ). “The Psalms collectively are called in Hebrew Tehillim or “Praises,” but the word mizmor, which denotes a composition set to music, is found in the titles of many of them. These attributions, however, appear in titles that ‘are added to some of the psalms, but it is open to question whether these are as old as the words to which they are attached’ (Bible Dictionary, “Psalms”)” (“Introduction to the Book of Psalms,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual, “ ). “The book of Psalms attributes at least 73 (or about half) of the psalms to David and attributes other psalms to other authors, including Asaph ( Psalms 50 73–83) and Heman ( Psalm 88).