BS-103
Lesson 20

Psalms

Part 2
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Week 4

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May 16 - 21, 22
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Handout 22b

III. The Five-Book Structure of the Book of Psalms

A. Question: Is there an overall structure, or an overall flow, to the book of Psalms?

For centuries, interpreters have said no, there is no overall structure, no overall flow, to the book of Psalms. If that is the case, then it does not matter what order we read them in.

But in recent years (since about 1970), interpreters have paid more attention to the fact that the book of Psalms is divided into five “books.” Many modern Bibles indicate this. See in your Bibles just above Ps 1, Ps 42, Ps 73, Ps 90 and Ps 107. The five books are:

The five books are not balanced: they do not have the same number of psalms in them; and they are not same approximate length, either. [Book V has 44 psalms in it; Book III has only 17. In a typical printed Bible, Book I is about 40 pages long; Book III is less than 20.]

This raises the question: If the five books do not divide the book of Psalms into either equal numbers of psalms, or into sets that are roughly the same length, then why are those book-divisions there?

So interpreters have re-read the book of Psalms in the last 50 years, and have paid attention to the fivebook structure. They have found that there is a perceptible overall flow to the book of Psalms.

B. The General Nature of the Overall Flow of the Book of Psalms:

As modern interpreters have re-read the book of Psalms, they have found that there is an overall chronological flow to it.

Clarification #1: When we say this, we do not mean that Ps 1 was the earliest psalm written, and that Ps 150 was the last psalm written. And we do not mean that the psalms flow in a precise chronological sequence from one psalm to the next.

What we mean is that → there is a general chronological sequence from one book of the Psalms to the next book. In brief, here is the overall flow:

Clarification #2:

We have said that . But when we say that, we do not mean that all of the psalms in Book III were written during the exile, or that all of the psalms in Book V were written after the exile.

Rather, some of the psalms in Book III were written during the exile, and the other psalms in Book III were put there to address the issues raised by the destruction of Jerusalem and the onset of the exile.

C. The Chronological Flow of the Five Books Suggests an Overall Thematic Development:

The overall flow of the book of Psalms is not simply chronological. There is also a thematic development from one book to the next.

In Books I & II

The overall mood is positive. Many of the psalms in Books I & II are positive. But it is also true that there are many ‘lament’ psalms in Books I & II.

"Lament psalms'" – are psalms which basically complain to God about something. But they do not simply complain about life's normal irritations. Rather, they complain about something that is not right morally, something that is unjust. Lament psalms cry out to God to do something about it. They call on God to act in a manner that is consistent with his justice. Lament psalms fully assume the justice and righteousness of God. In the end, they trust God, and they leave the matter with God.

Again, there are several lament psalms in Books I & II (for example: Psalms 3–7, and 10–13). However, all of the lament psalms in Books I & II end on a positive note; they end with confidence that God will do something about it. In specific, Book II ends with Ps 72, a psalm which portrays the Davidic king ruling over the whole earth with justice and righteousness. So Books I & II end on a very positive note: all is well with the Davidic kingdom.

Book III

This positive mood changes as of Book III. Book III has the first psalms which address the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Ps 74, Ps 79). This was the most traumatic event in Israel’s entire history during the Old Testament. It was unthinkable to many Israelites that the temple of God could actually be destroyed. In addition, there was no longer a Davidic king reigning over Israel. As a consequence, some Israelites wondered if God had abandoned them.

So Book III has lament psalms which actually end on a negative, unconfident note (Ps 88, Ps 89). Book III questions whether God will be true to the things He has promised. If Books I & II end with a confident assertion that all will be well, and that David’s kingdom will rule the entire earth, Book III asks, “Really?”

Book III asks painful questions which it does not answer, which it leaves hanging.

See: Psalm 74:1,9,10,20; 77:7-9; 79:5,8,9; 80:3,4,7,14,19; 85:4,5,6,7; and 89:46.

Book IV

Reassures the reader that God truly does reign (Psalms 93-99). And it answers the questions that Book III leaves hanging. Among them:

Book III asks Book IV answers
Has God’s steadfast love failed forever? (Ps 77:8) No, his steadfast love endures forever to those who fear, who revere him (Ps 103).
Why does your anger (= God’s anger) burn against the sheep of your pasture? (Ps 74:1).
Why did all of this happen to us?		 It is because we have sinned, just like our fathers did; we have done wrong, and acted wickedly (Ps 106:6).

Ps 106 is the only national prayer of confession in the entire book of Psalms; there is no other psalm like it. And it is the very last psalm in Book IV.So Book IV ends with Israel confessing its sin, which was a spiritual requirement for them to be returned to the land (see: Lev ch. 26, esp. 26:40-45).
Where is your great steadfast love, which You promised to David? (Ps 89:49) Ps 91 & Ps 92 describe someone whom God will rescue (Ps 91:14-16), and who will see the defeat of his wicked enemies (Ps 92:9-11). Ps 102 tells us God will have compassion on Zion ( = David’s palace, from which he ruled; Ps 102:13). And in Ps 103, David himself declares that God’s steadfast love indeed endures forever for those who fear / revere God.

So Book IV answers the questions that were left hanging in Book III.

And then at least two psalms in Book IV anticipate that Jerusalem will be rebuilt (Ps 102:13-17), and that God will gather the Israelites from the nations, and bring them back (Ps 106:47). So Book IV anticipates the end of the exile.

Book V

Has psalms that look back on the exile as something that is over (at least: 107, 126, 137, & 147). Psalms 120-134 are the “Psalms of Ascents,” psalms that were sung as people travelled to Jerusalem. It makes very good sense that they are in Book V.

However, Israel’s return to Judah & Jerusalem does not entirely satisfy the kingdom language of Book V. Psalm 119 speaks of the Law being in the heart, which is fulfilled under the new covenant. Psalm 145 envisions the kingdom of God ruling forever, which has certainly not occurred by the end of the Old Testament.

And what is more, Book V seems to anticipate further conflict yet to come (Ps 137-144). Nonetheless, Book V affirms that the steadfast love of God endures forever (Ps 136). In the end, God will ultimately win: those who have revered & served God will be delivered. The wicked will be judged and defeated. God’s righteous kingdom will be established and will endure forever (Ps 145). God’s Son = David’s son = the anointed One, will rule over it forever (Ps 132).

D. Summary of the Five-Book Structure of the Psalms:

When we look carefully at the five ‘books’ of the books of Psalms, we see that there is an overall flow to the book of Psalms. That overall flow is chronological (that is: the book-by-book flow in the Psalms is chronological, but not psalm-by-psalm). It moves from the time before the exile (Books I & II), to early in the exile (Book III), to late in the exile (Book IV), to after the exile (Book V).

And that overall chronological flow suggests a thematic development: The book of Psalms, as a book, wrestles the question: What to make of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple? In Book III it asks: Why did this happen? Has God’s steadfast love failed? Have the promises to David failed?

Books IV explains that Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, not(!) because God had forgotten to be faithful, but because Israel had not been faithful to God. And Book IV and Book V assure the reader that God’s promises to David and to the people of God will come true, that the faithful will be rescued, and that God’s kingdom will be established and will indeed endure forever.

IV. Some Psalms that Are Especially Important

All of the psalms are valuable. Here are 12 that are especially important.

For your personal reflection:

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Psalms
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