The compilation of these 150 psalms composed over 1000 years has not been done so based upon chronological order but they have been carefully collected and edited into groupings that mirror the first five books of the Bible. The key theme of all these books is worship; though that word only appears 15 times in these 150 Psalms. Other words such as praise (126), sing (55), and song (47) do appear 243 times in 150 Psalms.
The object of worship in each and every one of these 150 psalms never changes even though the name for Him does:
•Jehovah (630 times): A name that speaks of God’s grace to become whatever man needs.
• Elohim: A name that speaks of His might which He graciously operates on our behalf.
•Adonai: A name that speaks of His sovereign Lordship over us and our circumstances.
Each of these names for God displays a differing concept as to His character and nature.
There is never recorded in any Psalm one incident in all the range of human emotion or endless situation that man should not worship God. No matter what the circumstance or the person involved with that circumstance both the action and the object are always the same we are to worship God!
These five books of Psalms are a collection of simple, honest human expressions of every human experience and every conceivable human circumstance. Be that profound wisdom, crippling anxiety, absurd foolishness, or uncontrollable anger the multitude of human authors over 1000 years have composed for us what was on their hearts. And time has not diminished their familiarity nor their clarity to our own hearts and cries. It is for this reason alone that the Psalms are perhaps the most read and best-loved section of the Bible as we can very much relate even if we are unable to articulate. One ancient writer observed, “What a history we would see if we could discover the place this book has been in the lives of people”.
- As remarkable as that is on its own merits this book does not stop at merely recording man’s greatest experiences, raw emotions, and honest evaluations it takes all of those things that are intensely human and brings them all before the presence of God! These 150 psalms reveal that which is common to all how we feel, think, speak, and act and then place such things next to a heart that is aware of the consciousness of the living God. When reflected upon(the meaning of the word repeated 71 times Selah) the only outcome the heart can do is worship as we are brought into the character of God, the attitude of man, and His transforming love that supersedes what we cried out against in the first place.