Psalms

Definition and Meaning

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 prayers and songs in the Old Testament. Its Hebrew name, Tehillim, means "praises." The Korean name, Sipyeon, means "a collection of poems." In the Protestant classification of the biblical books, it is grouped with Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon among the poetic books (books written in the form of poetry and song).

Biblical and Historical Background

The Psalms were not written by one person at one time. The book is a collection of poems composed over a long period. Many of the psalms bear David's name in their superscriptions (the headings placed before a psalm), and other names also appear, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses (Psalm 90). The whole is divided into five books: Psalms 1–41, 42–72, 73–89, 90–106, and 107–150. Each book closes with a doxology, a brief expression of praise to God. The longest psalm is Psalm 119, and the shortest is Psalm 117.

The psalms fall into several types according to their content. These include hymns of praise, laments that cry out to God in the midst of suffering, songs of thanksgiving, wisdom psalms, and royal psalms celebrating the reign of the king. In ancient Israel, the psalms were used in temple worship. The writers of the New Testament frequently quoted Psalms 2, 22, 110, and others, connecting them with Jesus Christ. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, divides the psalms somewhat differently from the Hebrew Bible, so the numbering of some psalms may differ in texts that follow the Septuagint tradition.

Practice in Korean Churches

• Responsive readings: Many of the responsive readings printed at the back of the hymnal are drawn from the Psalms. In worship, the leader and the congregation read them aloud, alternating verse by verse.
• Personal devotion: The Psalms frequently serve as texts for quiet time, reading through the Bible, and sermons at early morning prayer meetings. A widely known method is to read five psalms a day, completing the entire Psalter in a month. Psalm 23 is often read at funeral services and during pastoral visits of comfort.
• Song: Many hymns and gospel songs set verses from the Psalms to music.
• Denominational differences: Among Presbyterians, some churches that emphasize the Reformed tradition sing metrical psalms. This continues the tradition established by John Calvin in Geneva, where the psalms were set in meter for congregational singing. The Anglican Church of Korea recites the psalms in sequence at Morning and Evening Prayer according to its prayer book. The Psalms are also included in the lectionary, a list of Scripture readings appointed according to the church year. Churches in other denominations that use a lectionary also read the Psalms in Sunday worship.