One hundred and fifty spiritual songs and poems used by the church in all ages in worship and devotional exercises. It was used as the hymn-book of the second temple. The Predominant Themes are Prayer and Praise, but the Psalms cover a great variety of religious experiences. They are quoted more frequently in the New Testament than any other book, except Isaiah. They are often called the Psalms of David because he was the author of a large number of them.

AUTHORSHIP. The authorship of many is uncertain; it is probable that in some cases the name affixed to certain psalms may refer to the COLLECTOR, rather than the AUTHOR. The following is a conjectural list of authors taken from the various versions of the Scriptures.

Attributed to David, 73; to Sons of Korah, 11; to Asaph, 12; to Heman, 1; to Ethan, 1; to Solomon, 2; to Moses, 1; to Haggai, 1; to Zechariah, 1; to Hezekiah, number doubtful; to Ezra, 1; the remainder anonymous.

MESSIANIC PSALMS.
The following are some of the psalms which are regarded as containing direct, or typical, references to Christ:
(1) Christ, as King, Ps 2; 45; 72; 110; 132 v.11 # Ps 2:1 45:1 72:1 110:1 132.11
(2) The Sufferings of, Ps 22; 41; 55; 69  # 22:1 41:1 55:12-14 69:20,21
(3) The Resurrection of, Ps 16 # Ps 16:1
(4) The Ascension of # Ps 68:18

TOPICAL ARRANGEMENT.
Each Psalm is arranged under some topic which appears prominently in it.

MAIN
Exaltation of, Ps 8 # Ps 8:1
Sinfulness of, Ps 10; 14; 36; 55; 59; and many others # Ps 10:1 14:1 36:1 55:1 59:1

THE WORLDLY AND THE WICKED
(a) Contrasted with the godly, Ps 1; 4; 5;  # Ps 1:1 4:1 5:1
(b) The delay of the punishment of, Ps 10; # Ps 10:1
(c) The prosperity of, Ps 37; 73; # Ps 37:1 73:1
(d) The fate of, Ps 9; 11; # Ps 9:1 11:1
(e) Trust in riches, Ps 49; # Ps 49:1

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES
(a) Penitence, Ps 25; 38; 51; 130; # Ps 25:1 38:1 51:1 130:1
(b) Pardon, Ps 32; # Ps 32:1
(c) Conversion, Ps 40; # Ps 40:1
(d) Consecration, Ps 116; # Ps 116:1
(e) Trust, Ps 3; 16; 20; 23; 27; 31; 34; 42; 61; 62; 91; 121;  # Ps 3:1 16:1 20:1 23:1 27:1 31:1 34:1 42: 61:1 62:1 91:1 121:1
(f) Teachableness, Ps 25; # Ps 25:1
(g) Aspiration, Ps 42; 63; 143;  # 42:1 63:1 143:1
(h) Prayer, Ps 55; 70; 77; 85; 86; 142; 143; # Ps 55:1 70:1 77:1 85:1 86:1 142:1 143:1
(i) Praise, Ps 96; 98; 100; 103; 107; 136; 145; 148; 149; 150;  # Ps 96:1 98:1 100:1 103:1 107:1 136:1 145:1 148:1 149:1 150:1
(j) Worship, Ps 43; 84; 100; 122; 132; # Ps 43:1 84:1 100:1 122:1 132:1
(k) Affliction, Ps 6; 13; 22; 69; 88; 102; # Ps 6:1 13:1 22:1 69:1 88:1 102:1
(l) Old age, Ps 71;  # Ps 71:1
(m) Vanity of life, Ps 39; 49; 90; # Ps 39:1 49:1 90:1
(n) Home, Ps 127; # Ps 127:1
(o) Homesickness, typical, Ps 137; # 137:1

THE CHURCH (typical)
(a) Safety of, Ps 46; # Ps 46:1
(b) Glory of, Ps 48; 87; # Ps 48:1 87:1
(c) Love for, Ps 84; 122; # Ps 84:1 122:1
(d) Unity in, Ps 133; # Ps 133:1

THE WORD OF GOD, Ps 19; 119; # Ps 19:1 119:1

MISSIONARY, Ps 67; 72; 96; 98; # Ps 67:1 72:1 96:1 98:1

DUTY OF RULERS, Ps 82; 101; # Ps 82:1 101:1

DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
(a) Wisdom, Majesty, and Power, Ps 18; 19; 29; 62; 66; 89; 93; 97; 99; 118; 147 # Ps 18:1 19:1 29:1 62:1 66:1 89:1 93:1 97:1 99:1 118:1 147:1
(b) Mercy, Ps 32; 85; 136 # Ps 32:1 85:1 136:1
(c) Infinite Knowledge, Ps 139 # Ps 139:1
(d) Creative Power, Ps 33; 89; 104 # Ps 33:1 89:1 104:1

ISRAEL’S EXPERIENCES
(a) Unbelief, Ps 78 # Ps 78:1
(b) Desolation and misery of, Ps 79; 80 # Ps 79:1 80:1
(c) Backsliding of, Ps 81 # Ps 81:1
(d) Divine Providence, Ps 105; 106; 114 # Ps 105:1 106:1 114:1