Old Testament Bible Links

Poetry:
Psalms

The Bare Facts -- Overviews and Outlines --
Bible Studies: Whole Book -- Part of Book --
Sermons -- Bibliographies

  

How does one speak for the Psalms?  They speak very well for themselves.  These 150 poems, songs, meditations, or whatever else you might term them, have held a place of pride in worship for some 3,000 years.

The longest book in the Bible, this may be the one that most strenuously defies categorization and summary.  The Psalms were quoted or alluded to at least 400 times by Jesus and the evangelists.

Left: A woodcut from a 1477 Old Testament.

 

The Bare Facts

Who:  Although many would deny the traditional authors of the Psalms, we can say with certainty that the texts claim to have been written by particular people.  Why should we doubt them without good reason.  David is credited with 73 Psalms.  Asaph and the Sons of Korah come in tied for second with 12 each.  Solomon is credited with 2.  Moses, Heman the Ezrahite, and Ethan the Ezrahite are each given 1.

Where:  Although there's not much certainty here, we can reasonably say that the Psalms were written all over.  At least one, Psalm 137, was apparently written "by the rivers of Babylon," while Psalm 34 must have been written in Philistia. 

When:  The time from Moses (c. 1400 B.C.) to the time of the Restoration of Israel covers nearly 1,000 years.  Most of the Psalms appear to have been written in the Davidic years and just after, so perhaps 1000-800 B.C.

What:  Calvin says that the Psalms are "an anatomy of all parts of the soul."  In other words, every emotion that a human can experience toward or around God is represented in these 150 songs.

 

 

Memorable Passages

1 A Wisdom Psalm
23 The Shepherd's Psalm
51 A Psalm of the repentant sinner

Overviews and Outlines

The Book of Psalms
An outlined introduction by David Malick.  Spends more time discussing wisdom literature in general than on the Psalms.
An Argument of the Book of Psalms
One of David Malick's rhetorical outlines.  This is exceptionally long, covering each Psalm individually, but it doesn't really do much to explain the overall flow of the book.
Bible Commentary: The Psalms
A brief commentary by Arend Remmers
An Outline of the Book of Psalms
This includes notes by Norman Anders and is said to pay special attention to Psalms 2-8.
Types of Psalms
A helpful chart by Dennis Bratcher.
Introducing the Psalms
A less helpful introduction by Dennis Bratcher.
Bible Basics
A very brief list of facts, but it includes a wav file pronouncing the book's title.
Easton Bible Dictionary: Psalms
The article from M.G. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary.
Catholic Encyclopedia: Psalms
The appropriate entry from the public domain edition of this venerable reference work.
Alphabetic Psalms
An article from the Catholic Encyclopedia on this literary form, exhibited most dramatically in Ps. 119.
Columbia Encyclopedia: Psalms
A brief article from the 2001 edition of this reference work.
Bible Explained
This is a commentary by an energetic fellow named Ted Wade.  He provides brief notes on each chapter and most verses for the entire Bible.
Luther Productions
A very brief overview including key verses.
The Blue Letter Bible
An excellent source for text, cross-references, concordance, language helps, commentaries, and more.
JPS Bible
The JPS 1917 Bible text and another Jewish version.  There are links that supposedly go to two Hebrew and one Aramaic text but they don't seem to work.
Jewish Encyclopedia
An article from the 1901-06 reference work.  Generally liberal in its critical presuppositions.

Antiquities and Artifacts

Psalms Scroll
A brief study of this Dead Sea Scrolls artifact.
The Psalms of David in Metre
These metrical Psalms were apparently commissioned by the Scottish Presbyterian Church.  This page includes notes by a John Brown of Haddington.
Metrical Psalters and Their Histories
This page leads to 3 complete and 6 partial metrical Psalm books.

Bible Studies: Whole Book

Studies in the Psalms from the NRSV
An 8-part study from David Humpal.
A Psalm for all Seasons
A 15-part study by Bob Deffinbaugh.
The Book of Psalms: Mark A. Copeland
A set of "executable outlines" from CCEL.
Exploring the Word of God: Psalms
A 10-part study from the Worldwide Church of God, a denomination with a checkered past but an exciting present.
Wisdom Literature: The Psalms, Part I
Wisdom Literature: The Psalms, Part II
A two-part study from Bob Deffinbaugh's 28-lesson series From Creation to the Cross
Love the Lord Bible Studies: Psalms
A 149-lesson study (I don't know which one they left out) with questions from an Arkansas-based ministry.  They seem orthodox enough, although the statement of faith makes me wonder if they're not into prosperity gospel teachings.
Hamilton Smith Commentary I (1-40)
Hamilton Smith Commentary II (42-72)
Hamilton Smith Commentary III (73-89)
William Kelly Commentary IV (90-106)
William Kelly Commentary V (107-150)
A five-volume commentary by two writers.  Provided by biblecentre.org
John Calvin's Commentary, Vol. 1 (1-35)
John Calvin's Commentary, Vol. 2 (36-66)
John Calvin's Commentary, Vol. 3 (67-92)
John Calvin's Commentary, Vol. 4 (93-119:120)
John Calvin's Commentary, Vol. 5 (119:121-150)
The commentary of the 16th-century French reformer.
Geneva Notes
In 1599, English Puritans, working in Geneva, published the first study Bible.  These are the notes from that edition.
St. Augustine of Hippo on the Psalms
A chapter-by-chapter exposition by the North African bishop.
Thomas Aquinas: Commentary on the Psalms
Commentaries in Latin and English by Aquinas.  Scroll down to find the available Psalms.
Coffman's Commentary
A verse-by-verse commentary by Dr. James Burton Coffman, a leading Church of Christ scholar.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The chapter-by-chapter 1712 commentary by the great English Puritan writer.
J.W. McGarvey: Class Notes on Sacred History
A brief set of notes from the normally loquacious McGarvey.
John Wesley Notes
Over his career, the founder of Methodism maintained notes on the entire Bible.
JFB Commentary
The comments of Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown from Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871).
Clarke's Commentary
The first chapter for this book from Adam Clarke's nineteenth-century commentary.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
The commentary of the 17th century Baptist theologian and preacher.
Scofield Reference Notes
The notes from the 1917 edition of the great study Bible.  From a dispensationalist viewpoint.
The Treasury of David
This is the great commentary of Charles H. Spurgeon.
An Apology for the Book of Psalms
A book-length resource by 19th century theologian Gilbert McMaster.
Old Testament Life and Literature
Gerald Larue's 1968 overview of the Old Testament is, oddly enough, hosted at an atheist website.  This isn't odd at all when you recognize the thoroughly modernist and liberal assumptions underlying Larue's work.  You'll have to scroll down a ways to find his section on "The Psalms." 
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
A combination brief commentary and thorough cross-reference.  Developed by R.A. Torrey.
The Jerome Bible Commentary
A commentary by a Catholic doctor, Jerome Dominguez, M.D.  Is English isn't perfect, but you have to admire his energy.  Although Catholic in orientation, this source has some good material for study.

Bible Studies: Part of Book

The Tree by the Water--Psalm 1
A Bible Links exclusive.  These are the lyrics to a song I wrote based on Psalm 1.  If you really like it, I guess you could call me and let me hum the tune to you. :)
Twelve Psalms of Faith: Psalm 1
How to Be Blessed of God by Dave Humpal.
Homily on Psalm I
A sermon by 4th century Hilary of Poitiers.
Psalm 1: Two Ways of Life
A study by Greg Herrick
Summer Psalms: Delighting in the Law of God (1)
A sermon by John Piper.
What do Answers to Prayer Depend On? (1)
A sermon by John Piper.
Psalm 1: Two Ways of Life: A Psalm of Wisdom
A study by Hampton Keathley, III
Twelve Psalms of Faith: Psalm 2
Prophecy of the Lord's Anointed by Dave Humpal
Conceptions of Davidic Hope (Psalm 2)
A lesson from Greg Herrick's series Regal Images from Scripture.
Why Do the Heathen Rage (Ps. 2)
A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Twelve Psalms of Faith: Psalm 3
When Others Come Against You by Dave Humpal.
Morning and Evening (4:2)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (5:8)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Twelve Psalms of Faith: Psalm 8
Feeling Small and Insignificant by David Humpal.
What is Man?--Sermon 103--John Wesley (8:3-4)
A sermon by the founder of Methodism
What is Man?--Sermon 109--John Wesley (8:4)
A sermon by the founder of Methodism.  Apparently he got the same mileage out of just one verse this time around.
Man and God (8)
A sermon by Ray C. Stedman.
Morning and Evening (9:1)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (10:16)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (11:5)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (12:1)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
"Come and See What God Has Done" (16)
An article by Frederick J. Gaiser from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Subtitled "The Psalms of Easter."  It calls for a meaningful recovery of the Psalter in worship.
Morning and Evening (17:7)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (18:35)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Psalm 19
A commentary by Hampton Keathley, III
Sky Talk (19)
A sermon by John Piper.
Morning and Evening (19:13)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (22:1)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (22:7)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (22:14)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
Morning and Evening (22:14)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
An Exposition of Psalm 23
A study of the Shepherd's Psalm by Greg Herrick
Restful Words for Labor Day (23)
A sermon by John Piper
The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol (23)
The second part of this John Piper sermon
The Shepherd-Lord (23)
A study by James T. Dennison
You Prepare a Table for Me (23)
A study from Christian Century by Kosuke Koyama.
"Come and See What God Has Done" (23)
An article by Frederick J. Gaiser from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Subtitled "The Psalms of Easter."  It calls for a meaningful recovery of the Psalter in worship.
Morning and Evening (23:4)
One of C.H. Spurgeon's renowned devotions.
A Sermon on Psalms 25:14
A sermon by the father of Reformed Biblical Theology, Geerhardus Vos.
Psalm 30
A study by Greg Herrick
"Come and See What God Has Done" (33:1-11)
An article by Frederick J. Gaiser from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Subtitled "The Psalms of Easter."  It calls for a meaningful recovery of the Psalter in worship.
The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost (34:1-10)
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Conceptions of Davidic Hope (Psalm 45)
A lesson from Greg Herrick's series Regal Images from Scripture.
The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost (46)
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Twelve Psalms of Faith: Psalm 51
Receiving God's Forgiveness by David Humpal.
The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost (51)
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
"Come and See What God Has Done" (66:1-7,16-20)
An article by Frederick J. Gaiser from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Subtitled "The Psalms of Easter."  It calls for a meaningful recovery of the Psalter in worship.
Conceptions of Davidic Hope (Psalm 72)
A lesson from Greg Herrick's series Regal Images from Scripture.
Faith on Trial: The Problem Stated  (73:1-2)
A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
A Challenge for Fathers (78:1-8)
A topical study by Hampton Keathley III
Conceptions of Davidic Hope (Psalm 89)
A lesson from Greg Herrick's series Regal Images from Scripture.
The Dark Side of God (90)
An article by Richard Nysse from the Lutheran journal Word and World. Subtitled "Considerations for Preaching and Teaching."
"Come and See What God Has Done" (105:1-7)
An article by Frederick J. Gaiser from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Subtitled "The Psalms of Easter."  It calls for a meaningful recovery of the Psalter in worship.
Psalm 109: Three Times, 'Steadfast Love'
An article by Walter Brueggemann from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Conceptions of Davidic Hope (Psalm 110)
A lesson from Greg Herrick's series Regal Images from Scripture.
The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost (113)
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
"Come and See What God Has Done" (118:1-2,15-25)
An article by Frederick J. Gaiser from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Subtitled "The Psalms of Easter."  It calls for a meaningful recovery of the Psalter in worship.
Several Sermons on Psalm 119
The first 29 of the eventual 190 of these sermons by Thomas Manton are available online.
Lighted Pathways: A Devotional Commentary (119)
A pdf file with a commentary by Paul G. Apple.
Psalm 121: A Psalm for Sojourners
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost (121)
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost (124)
An article by James Limburg from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Conceptions of Davidic Hope (Psalm 132)
A lesson from Greg Herrick's series Regal Images from Scripture.

Topics

The Psalms in Ministry
An article by Barry Bence from the Lutheran journal Word and World.  Bence discusses the various ways in which Psalms can enrich church life.
The Royal Psalms and Jesus Messiah
An article by Delmar Jacobson from the Lutheran journal Word and World.

Sermons

Psalms: The Worship of an Honest Heart
The appropriate sermon from Ray C. Stedman's Adventuring through the Bible series.
Lincoln Berean Church
Links to sermons from this church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Folks Songs of Faith
Twenty-three sermons from a Ray C. Stedman series.
Selah: Sacred Songs of the Psalter
This appears to be an ongoing (12/04) series by Max Forsythe at Christ Covenant Reformed PCA.
A Presbyterian Psalter
"A Study of Old Covenant Psalms" by Max Forsythe.  This is a HUGE series, numbering over 200 sermons.
C.H. Spurgeon
A LONG listing of sermons, some of which are available online, by the great British Baptist.
Sermon Outlines
Links to sermon outlines from SermonLinks.

Books and Bibliographies

The Psalms and the Rule of God
An editorial by Dennis Ormseth from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Psalms Mislabeled?: A Puzzle and Its Solution
An article by Chuck Missler
"Exalted Manna": The Psalms as Literature
An editorial by Dorothy Parkander from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Current Issues in Psalm Studies
An article by Patrick Miller from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
Paul and the Psalms: A Formal Study
An article by Roy A. Harrisville from the Lutheran journal Word and World.
A Selected Bibliography of the Book of Psalms
A list of evangelically oriented sources by David Malick.  Annotated.
Two-Age Bibliography
A list of recommended sources, mostly scholarly in nature, provided by a website devoted to the "Redemptive Historical" school of theology.
Oxford Bibliography
A brief list of sources from the Theology School at Oxford University.