Psalms · ספר תהלים
Section: Ketuvim · ספרי אמ״ת (Wisdom Literature) | Chapters: 150 | Days: 381-530
About the Book of Psalms
The Book of Psalms (ספר תהלים) is the first book of Ketuvim and the heart of Jewish liturgy. Its 150 chapters span the full range of human emotion—from despair to exultation, from confession to praise.
Tradition attributes many psalms to King David, though the book includes compositions by Moses, Solomon, Asaph, the sons of Korah, and others.
Major Themes
- Praise and Thanksgiving — Celebrating God’s greatness and goodness
- Lament and Petition — Crying out in distress and seeking help
- Trust and Confidence — Finding security in God
- Wisdom and Torah — Reflecting on righteous living
- Royal/Messianic — Prayers for and about the king
Structure (Five Books)
The Psalms are divided into five books, traditionally paralleling the five books of the Torah:
| Book | Psalms | Days | Concluding Doxology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book I | 1-41 | 381-421 | ”Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” |
| Book II | 42-72 | 422-452 | ”Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things…” |
| Book III | 73-89 | 453-469 | ”Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and Amen.” |
| Book IV | 90-106 | 470-486 | ”Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting…” |
| Book V | 107-150 | 487-530 | ”Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!” |
Notable Psalms
| Day | Psalm | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 381 | Psalm 1 | The righteous vs. the wicked — wisdom introduction |
| 403 | Psalm 23 | ”The LORD is my shepherd” — trust psalm |
| 431 | Psalm 51 | David’s confession — penitential psalm |
| 499 | Psalm 119 | Longest chapter in Tanakh — Torah acrostic |
| 517 | Psalm 137 | ”By the rivers of Babylon” — exile lament |
| 530 | Psalm 150 | ”Hallelujah” finale — universal praise |
Psalms in Jewish Practice
- Tehillim Groups — Communal recitation for those in need
- Daily Prayers — Pesukei D’Zimra, Hallel, Kabbalat Shabbat
- Festivals — The Hallel psalms (113-118)
- Shabbat — Psalm 92 (“A Song for the Sabbath Day”)
- Mourning — Psalm 23 and Psalm 91
Last updated on