Psalms
150 poems and songs covering every human emotion — praise, lament, thanksgiving, and trust in God.
Old Testament150 chapters
Summary of the Book of Psalms
Written: Composed over centuries; final collection after the exile
Psalms is Israel's prayer book and hymnal: 150 poems gathered over centuries and arranged in five books that echo the five books of Moses, each closing with a doxology. Nearly half carry David's name; others come from Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses, whose Psalm 90 is the oldest attributed piece. Psalms 1 and 2 stand as a double gateway — the blessed life rooted in God's instruction, and Yahweh's anointed king reigning from Zion — announcing the collection's two great preoccupations: torah and Messiah.
Every register of human speech to God appears here: laments (the largest single category), hymns of praise, thanksgivings, royal psalms, songs of ascent for pilgrims, and wisdom meditations. The arrangement itself has movement. Books I–III lean heavily on lament, wrestling with enemies, guilt, and the apparent collapse of David's line in Psalm 89, while Books IV–V answer with the declaration that Yahweh reigns (Psalms 93–99) and build toward the unbroken hallelujahs of Psalms 146–150. Grief is given full voice, but praise gets the last word.
The Psalter is the Old Testament book the New Testament quotes most. Jesus prayed Psalm 22 from the cross and applied Psalm 110 — the single most-quoted verse in the New Testament — to himself. For readers, the book does double duty: it supplies words to pray in every condition, from despair to exultation, and it keeps pointing past David to the greater King in whom its royal hopes come true. Many superscriptions tie individual psalms to moments in David's life — flight from Saul, sin with Bathsheba — anchoring the prayers in real history.
Psalms was compiled to give God's people inspired words for worship and prayer in every circumstance, while shaping their hope around Yahweh's reign and his anointed king.
Outline of Psalms
Key Verses in Psalms
Major Themes in Psalms
Chapters
1righteousness, meditation: “He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that…”2Divine Sovereignty, Messianic Kingship: “Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you…”3Trust in God, Divine Protection: “But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the…”4Divine Response, Trust in God: “In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you,…”5Divine Justice, Prayer and Supplication: “For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround…”6lament, mercy: “Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving…”7Trust in God, Divine Justice: “Yahweh, my God, I take refuge in you. Save me from all those…”8Creation and Majesty of God, Human Dignity and Responsibility: “what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man,…”9God's Justice, Divine Protection: “Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high…”10Injustice, Trust in God: “Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself…”11Trust in God, God's Sovereignty: “Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in…”12Faithfulness, God's Protection: “Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a…”13despair, trust in God: “But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in…”14Folly of atheism, Human depravity: “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are…”15Righteous Living, Integrity: “he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a…”16trust in God, God's providence: “For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you…”17divine justice, protection of the righteous: “Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow…”18Divine Protection, God's Justice and Faithfulness: “Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my…”19God's Revelation, The Beauty of Creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his…”20Divine Support, Trust in God: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust the…”21Divine Favor, Gratitude: “For you meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a…”22lament, abandonment: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far…”23God as Shepherd, Divine Protection: “Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”24God's Sovereignty, Purity and Righteousness: “Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy…”25trust, guidance: “Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.”26Integrity, Divine Examination: “Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.”27Trust in God, Desire for God's Presence: “Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?…”28prayer and supplication, deliverance from evil: “Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my…”29God's majesty, Divine power: “Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of…”30deliverance, thanksgiving: “For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a…”31trust in God, divine refuge: “But I trust in you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my God.””32Forgiveness, Repentance: “I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I…”33Worship, God's Sovereignty: “The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever, the thoughts of…”34Thanksgiving, Deliverance: “Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who…”35Divine Justice, Innocence: “Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight…”36Contrast between human wickedness and divine goodness, God's steadfast love: “Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your…”37Trust in God, Patience and waiting: “Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the…”38repentance, divine mercy: “For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.”39brevity of life, mortality: “Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.”40patience in suffering, divine deliverance: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry…”41Compassion for the poor, Betrayal: “Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver…”42Longing for God, Spiritual Despair: “Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed…”43vindication, trust in God: “Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me.…”44Divine Deliverance, Communal Lament: “You are my King, God. Command victories for Jacob!”45Royalty, Marriage: “You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has…”46God's protection, Presence of God: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in…”47God's sovereignty, Universal kingship: “For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with…”48God's sovereignty, Divine protection: “Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of…”49mortality, wealth vs. wisdom: “none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give…”50Divine Judgment, True Worship: “Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to…”51repentance, forgiveness: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit…”52God's justice, The fate of the wicked: “But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house.…”53human depravity, divine justice: “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are…”54Trust in God, Prayer for Deliverance: “Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains…”55personal despair, betrayal: “Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will…”56faith vs fear, divine protection: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”57trust in God, divine deliverance: “Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above…”58justice, corruption: “so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for…”59Divine Deliverance, Faith in God's Protection: “But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of…”60Divine Help in Crisis, National Lament: “Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is…”61trust in God, divine protection: “From the end of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart…”62Trust in God, Divine refuge: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will…”63longing for God, steadfast love: “Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips…”64Divine justice, Faith amid adversity: “But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck…”65God's providence, Divine sovereignty: “By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our…”66praise, deliverance: “Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the…”67Divine Blessing, Global Mission: “let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise…”68God's sovereignty, Divine protection: “Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides…”69Suffering, Perseverance: “Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck!”70urgency in prayer, divine deliverance: “Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh.”71Divine protection, Lifelong faithfulness: “I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me…”72righteous leadership, divine justice: “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River…”73The prosperity of the wicked, The importance of divine perspective: “Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I…”74lament, divine sovereignty: “Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old,…”75Divine Judgement, God's Sovereignty: “For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from…”76God's Sovereignty, Divine Protection: “You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight…”77distress and hope, remembrance: “I will remember Yah’s deeds; for I will remember your…”78God's Faithfulness, Human Unfaithfulness: “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a…”79Lament, Divine Justice: “Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.…”80Restoration, Divine Favor: “Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be…”81worship, deliverance: “I am Yahweh, your God, who brought you up out of the land of…”82Divine justice, Accountability of leaders: ““Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the…”83God's sovereignty, trust in divine intervention: “God, don’t keep silent. Don’t keep silent, and don’t be…”84longing for God's presence, blessedness of worship: “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would…”85Restoration, Divine mercy: “Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have…”86Divine Mercy, Faithfulness: “For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in…”87Zion as God's city, Inclusion of nations: “Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings…”88Despair, Crying Out to God: “But to you, Yahweh, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer…”89God's Faithfulness, Covenant with David: “I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. With…”90divine eternity, human frailty: “So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of…”91divine protection, trust in God: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest…”92Praise and Worship, God's Justice: “For you, Yahweh, have made me glad through your work. I will…”93God's Sovereignty, Majesty and Strength: “Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed…”94Divine Justice, God's Sovereignty: “For Yahweh won’t reject his people, neither will he forsake…”95Worship, Thanksgiving: “Oh come, let’s worship and bow down. Let’s kneel before…”96Worship, God's Sovereignty: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works…”97God's Kingship, Divine Justice: “Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of…”98Praise and Worship, God's Salvation: “Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things!…”99Holiness of God, Divine Sovereignty: “Exalt Yahweh our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy!”100worship, joy: “Know that Yahweh, he is God. It is he who has made us, and…”101Integrity, Righteous Leadership: “I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you…”102lament, human frailty: “But you, Yahweh, will remain forever; your renown endures to…”103Forgiveness, Mercy: “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid…”104Creation, Divine Providence: “Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great.…”105God's faithfulness, Covenant and promise: “Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders,…”106God's mercy, Human unfaithfulness: “Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their…”107God's Steadfast Love, Deliverance: “Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered…”108Praise, Faithfulness: “Through God, we will do valiantly. For it is he who will…”109imprecation, injustice: “Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving…”110Messianic prophecy, Divine sovereignty: “Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make…”111Praise, Divine Faithfulness: “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who…”112righteousness, fear of the Lord: “Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who…”113Praise, Sovereignty of God: “He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy…”114Divine Power, Deliverance: “Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the…”115God's sovereignty, Futility of idols: “Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give glory,…”116Thanksgiving, Deliverance: “I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries…”117Universal praise, God's steadfast love: “For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh’s…”118Thanksgiving, Deliverance: “This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be…”119The Power of God's Word, Obedience and Righteousness: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”120truth vs deceit, divine justice: “Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, from a deceitful…”121Divine Protection, Faith: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come…”122joy of worship, unity: “I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s…”123humility, dependence on God: “Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have…”124Divine Deliverance, God's Protection: “Our help is in Yahweh’s name, who made heaven and earth.”125Divine Protection, Righteousness vs. Wickedness: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his…”126Restoration, Joy: “Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.”127Divine Providence, Human Effort: “Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build…”128Fear of the Lord, Blessings: “Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways.”129Persecution, Resilience: “Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the…”130Despair and Cry for Help, Confession and Forgiveness: “If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?”131humility, trust: “Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned…”132Covenant, Faithfulness: “For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his…”133unity among believers, divine blessing: “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live…”134Worship, Blessing: “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!”135praise, sovereignty: “For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all…”136God's Steadfast Love, Thanksgiving: “Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving…”137exile, lament: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept,…”138Thanksgiving, God's faithfulness: “In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me…”139God's Omniscience, God's Omnipresence: “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my…”140Divine Protection, Justice and Righteousness: “Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me…”141prayer, integrity: “Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my…”142Lament, Refuge in God: “I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my refuge, my…”143faith in adversity, divine guidance: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is…”144Divine Protection, Human Frailty: “Happy are the people who are in such a situation. Happy are…”145God's greatness, Divine mercy: “Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is…”146Divine Faithfulness, Trust in God: “Don’t put your trust in princes, each a son of man in whom…”147God's providence, Praise: “He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by…”148praise, creation: “Let them praise Yahweh’s name, For he commanded, and they…”149Worship, Divine Justice: “For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the…”150Praise, Worship: “Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!”