The prayer book and songbook of God’s people, for every season of life.
- Section
- Old Testament, Poetry & Wisdom
- Book
- 19 of 66
- Chapters
- 150
- Written by
- David and several others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon and Moses
- When
- Written over about a thousand years
- Written to
- God’s people at worship and in private prayer
The big picture
Psalms is a collection of 150 songs and prayers. Some are full of praise, some are cries for help, some are angry or confused, and many move from fear to trust within a few lines.
Together they teach us to bring everything to God honestly: joy, grief, guilt, thanks and questions. That is why Christians have prayed the Psalms for two thousand years.
Why it was written
They were sung in the temple and prayed at home, so that God’s people would have words for every part of life.
Key passages
Tap or hover over a reference to read it.
- Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd
- Psalm 51 – A prayer for forgiveness after failure
- Psalm 22 – A cry of abandonment that ends in hope
- Psalm 119:105 – God’s word is a lamp for the path
How it points to Jesus
The New Testament quotes the Psalms more than any other Old Testament book. Jesus prayed words from Psalm 22 on the cross (Matthew 27:46), and Psalms such as 2 and 110 speak of the King God promised, whom the apostles saw fulfilled in Jesus (Acts 2:34-36).
Themes and people
Themes: Praise · Honest prayer · Trust · Forgiveness · God’s King
People: David · Asaph · Solomon
Study it together
- Which psalm do you turn to most, and why?
- Many psalms are brutally honest with God. What would you say to Him if you prayed that honestly?
- Read Psalm 23 slowly. Which line speaks to you this week?
Bring your answers and questions to Friday Bible Study, or watch our sermons.
Prepared by Spring Valley Church, Luton. Bible references open the English Standard Version (ESV) in a pop-up supplied by Logos Reftagger.