Topical Encyclopedia The term "Psalter" refers to the Book of Psalms, a collection of 150 poetic compositions found in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Psalms are a central component of both Jewish and Christian liturgical traditions and have been used for worship, prayer, and personal reflection throughout the centuries. The Psalter is traditionally attributed to King David, although other authors, such as Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses, are also credited with some of the psalms.Structure and Themes The Psalter is divided into five books, which some scholars suggest mirror the five books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). These divisions are as follows: 1. Book I: Psalms 1-41 2. Book II: Psalms 42-72 3. Book III: Psalms 73-89 4. Book IV: Psalms 90-106 5. Book V: Psalms 107-150 Each book concludes with a doxology, a short hymn of praises to God, which serves to demarcate the sections. The Psalms cover a wide range of themes, including worship, lament, thanksgiving, wisdom, and royal psalms. They express the full spectrum of human emotions, from deep despair to exuberant joy, and provide a model for how believers can communicate with God in various circumstances. Key Psalms and Their Significance · Psalm 23: Perhaps the most famous of all the psalms, it begins with "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" . This psalm is a profound expression of trust in God's guidance and provision. · Psalm 51: A penitential psalm attributed to David after his sin with Bathsheba, it begins with "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion" . It is a powerful prayer of repentance and a plea for divine forgiveness. · Psalm 119: The longest psalm, it is an acrostic poem that extols the virtues of God's law. Each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's Word. · Psalm 150: The final psalm, it is a call to praise God with music and dance, concluding the Psalter with a crescendo of worship: "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" . Liturgical and Devotional Use The Psalter has been integral to Jewish and Christian worship practices. In Judaism, the Psalms are recited in synagogue services and personal prayer. In Christianity, they are used in the Liturgy of the Hours, hymns, and various liturgical settings. The Psalms have also been a source of comfort and inspiration for personal devotion, providing words for prayer and meditation. Christological Interpretation From a Christian perspective, the Psalms are often seen as prophetic, pointing to the life and work of Jesus Christ. For example, Psalm 22, which begins with "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" , is viewed as a foreshadowing of Christ's suffering on the cross. Similarly, Psalm 110, which speaks of a priestly king, is interpreted as a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. Conclusion The Psalter remains a timeless and vital part of the biblical canon, offering believers a rich resource for worship, prayer, and understanding of God's character and promises. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to articulate the depths of human experience in relation to the divine. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The Book of Psalms; -- often applied to a book containing the Psalms separately printed.2. (n.) Specifically, the Book of Psalms as printed in the Book of Common Prayer; among the Roman Catholics, the part of the Breviary which contains the Psalms arranged for each day of the week. 3. (n.) A rosary, consisting of a hundred and fifty beads, corresponding to the number of the psalms. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PSALTER, (PSALMS), OF SOLOMONsol'-ter. SOLOMON, PSALMS (PSALTER) OF See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, III, 1. Library Scottish Psalter and Paraphrases The History of the Psalter The Psalter of Solomon. Scottish Psalter and Paraphrases Editor's Preface. Ancient Versions of the New Testament. Knox Little -- Thirst Satisfied That He who is to be Ordained a Bishop must be Steadfastly ... How to Use the Prayer-Book The Psalms. Thesaurus Psalter... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PSALTER, (PSALMS), OF SOLOMON. sol'-ter. ... IV, 1, (1), (b). SOLOMON, PSALMS (PSALTER) OF. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. ... /p/psalter.htm - 7k Manasses (1 Occurrence) Vulgate Armenian Praise (487 Occurrences) Hymn (5 Occurrences) English Psalms (44 Occurrences) Prayer (406 Occurrences) Psalteries (16 Occurrences) Resources What is the Latin Vulgate Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Book of Common Prayer? | GotQuestions.org What are the psalms of lament? | GotQuestions.org Psalter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |