Psalms in ContexT

PSALMS AND PSALMISTS

The Psalms have been at the center of the worship of God's people for millennia. These songs teach doctrines, shape imaginations, and strengthen hearts for the many circumstances of life. But these words didn't write themselves: they were composed by real people, to meet real needs in their own time. Join us as we deepen our understanding of the Psalms by getting to know the Psalmists.

Session 01—Who Wrote the Psalms? It’s Complicated!
Session 02—Heart of Worship: Psalms of David 1
Session 03—Repentance and Rescue: Psalms of David 2
Session 04—Great Minds: Psalms of Moses and Solomon
Session 05—Music Leaders: Psalms of Asaph and the Sons of Korah
Session 06—Psalms of Prophets?

Memory Verse

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Psalm 96:1-2

Who Wrote the Psalms?

It’s Complicated.

If you ask a lot of Christians today--and many Christians in the past--who wrote the Psalms, they would say “David!”
 

But then the Critics say, “Silly naive Christians! The Psalms weren’t by David! The Psalms are late, post-exilic, probably Maccabbean, not by David or anybody else named in the titles.”

 

So who is right? It’s complicated

1. Layers and Layers

Book 1 (Psalms 1–41)

Book 2 (Psalms 42–72)

Book 3 (Psalms 73–89)

Book 4 (Psalms 90–106)

Book 5 (Psalms 107–150)

2. That One Has My Name On It!

David (73) Asaph (12) Solomon (2)
Unknown (50) The Sons of Korah (10) Moses (1)
Heman the Ezrahite (1)
Ethan the Ezrahite (1)

3. What Jesus Thought
(Also Peter and Paul)

Heart of Worship

PSALMS OF DAVID 1

Next Week

Who Wrote the Psalms?

By Butch Ewing

Who Wrote the Psalms?

If you ask a lot of Christians today--and many Christians in the past--who wrote the Psalms, they would say “David!” But then the Critics say, “Silly naive Christians! The Psalms weren’t by David! The Psalms are late, post-exilic, probably Maccabbean, not by David or anybody else named in the titles.” So who is right? It’s complicated!

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