Authorship of the Psalms

• In the titles or superscription of the Psalms
• 73 psalms are ascribed to David
• 12 to Asaph
• 11 to the sons of Korah
• two to Solomon
• Psalm 72, Psalm 127
• one to Moses
• Psalm 90
• and one to Ethan
• Psalm 89
• 50 of the psalms are anonymous.
• Some of the anonymous psalms may have been written by the author of the preceding psalm so that one title applies to both psalms.
• David was very possibly the author of some of the anonymous psalms.
• However, the titles are very ancient, and the most natural assumption is that they indicate authorship.
• Some modern critics have made a desperate effort to read David out of the picture.
• But there is every reason to accept, and no substantial reason to question, that the book of Psalms is largely the work of David.
• The New Testament recognizes it as such.
• Thus we speak of the Psalms as the psalms of David, because he was the principal writer or compiler.

• He was also a poet and a musician, and he loved God with all his heart.
• David's creation of the Psalms was in reality a far grander accomplishment than his creation of the kingdom.
• In the Psalms the real character of David is portrayed.
• And in the Psalms God's people generally see a pretty fair picture of themselves, of their struggles, their sins, their sorrows, their aspirations, their joys, their failures, and their victories.
• David has earned the undying gratitude of millions upon millions of God's redeemed people for the Psalms.

• Within these five books of psalms there are some further subgroups.
• These are the five divisions of the Book of Psalms and the smaller groups of Psalms
• Book I
• Psalms 1–41
• no smaller groups
• Book II
• Psalms 42–72
• Psalms of Sons of Korah, 42–49
• Miktam Psalms, 56–60
• Miktam is probably a musical or literary term
• Book III
• Psalms 73–89
• Psalms of Asaph, 73–83
• Book IV
• Psalms 90–106
• no smaller groups
• Book V
• Psalms 107–150
• Hallel Psalms, 113–118
• Songs of Degrees, 120–134
• Psalms of Thanksgiving, 135–139
• Psalms for Protection, 140–143
• Hallelujah Psalms, 146–150

Jesus was very fond of the Psalms.
He said that many things in the Psalms referred to Him

• Luke 24:44 - And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
• So thoroughly did they become a part of Him that in His dying agonies on the cross He quoted from them, thus the fulfillment of the OT prophecies.
• Psalm 22:1
• Matthew 27:46
• Psalm 31:5
• Luke 23:46
• Of the 283 quotations from the Old Testament in the New Testament
• 116 (more than 40 percent) are from the Psalms.
• More infallible proofs.  see Acts 1:1-3

• The most clearly messianic psalms are
• Psalm 2 - The deity and universal reign of the Messiah
• Psalm 8 - Through the Messiah, humanity is to rule creation
• Psalm 16 - His resurrection from the dead
• Psalm 22 - His suffering
• Psalm 45 - His royal bride and his eternal throne
• Psalm 69 - His suffering
• Psalm 72 - The glory and eternity of His reign
• Psalm 89 - God's oath that Messiah's throne will be without end
• Psalm 110 - Eternal King and Priest
• Psalm 118 - His rejection by His nation's leaders
• Psalm 132 - Eternal heir to David's throne

• I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (2:7; Acts 13:33).
• Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: (8:6; Hebrews 2:6–10).
• For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (16:10; Acts 2:27).
• I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.  (22:1; Matthew 27:46).
• He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. (22:8; Matthew 27:43).
• For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (22:16; John 20:25).
• They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. (22:18; John 19:24).
• Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (40:7–8; Hebrews 10:7).
• Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (41:9; John 13:18).
• Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. (45:6; Hebrews 1:8).
• For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. (69:9; John 2:17).
• They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (69:21; Matthew 27:34, 48).
• Let his days be few; and let another take his office. (109:8; Acts 1:20).
• The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (110:1; Matthew 22:44).
• The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (110:4; Hebrews 7:17).
• The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. (118:22; Matthew 21:42).