The Books Of Psalms

Who is the Author?

Though multiple authors composed the book of Psalms, King David is recognized as having written over half of the 150 chapters. David, Asaph, the descendants of Korah, Solomon, Ethan, Heman, and Moses are all contributing authors to the book. To Asaph are ascribed twelve Psalms; to the sons of Korah, eleven, including the eighty-eighth psalm, which is also ascribed to Heman (that being the only instance in which the name of the “son” or descendant is mentioned); and to Ethan, one. Solomon’s name appears before the seventy-second and hundred twenty-seventh psalm; and Moses’s before the ninetieth psalm.1 The 150 psalms were organized into five books (Book 1: 1–41; Book 2: 42–72; Book 3: 73–89; Book4: 90–106; Book 5: 107–150), and each of these books has its own benediction or final blessing. Some have suggested that each corresponds thematically to the first five books of the Bible—the Pentateuch. Because Book I emphasizes the themes of creation, sin and salvation, it supposedly corresponds to Genesis, which prominently displays similar themes. Furthermore, because Book II’s psalms are weighted with the theme of redemption, it is said to correspond to the book of Exodus. This arrangement connects Book III with Leviticus because of their common emphasis on the sanctuary, Book IV with Numbers because of the prominence in each of Moses and Israel’s wandering in the wilderness, and Book V with Deuteronomy because of the emphasis in each on the Word of God.2