The Psalter is divided in the Hebrew into five books, and also in the Sept. version, which proves the division to be older than B. C. 200. These books, which correspond probably not without de sign to the five books of the law (Gen.-Deut.), were apparently gathered successively as time went on, like the enlarging editions of a popular collection of hymns.
(1) The First Book (i-xli) consists wholly of David's songs,his name being prefixed toall except i, ii, x, and xxxiii ; and it is evidently the first collection. The usual form of the divine name in this book is Jehovah, or Jahwe, nry..
(2) The Second Book (xlii-lxxii) consists mainly of pieces by the sons of Korah (xlii xlix), and by David (li-lxv), which may have been separate minor collections. In this book the divine name is usually Elohim, At the end is found the notice—`The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended ;' and hence some have thought that this was originally the close of a large collection comprising Ps. i-lxxii. But that the second book was originally distinct from the first book, is proven by the repetition of one or two pieces; thus Ps. liii is plainly the same as Ps. xiv, with only the variation in the divine name. So also Ps. lxx is but a repetition of Ps. x1:13-17, with the same singular variation in the divine name.
(3) The Third Book (Ixxiii-lxxxix) consists chiefly of Asaph's Psalms, but comprises appar ently two smaller collections, the one Asaphitic (lxxiii-lxxxiii), the other mostly Korahitic (1xxxiv-lxxxix). A part of these Psalms (lxxiii lxxxiii) use the name Elohim, the remainder em ploying Jahwe.
(4, 5) The Fourth Book (xc-cvi) and the Fifth (evil-el) are made up chiefly of anony mous liturgic pieces, many of which were com posed for the service of the second temple. In the last book we have the Songs of Degrees (cxx cxxxiv), which seem to have been originally a separate collection. The five books may, with some propriety, be thus distinguished: the first Davidic, the second Korahitic, the third Asaphic, and the two remainingLiturgic. The dates of these divisions must be regarded as uncertain. Kirkpat rick makes out three collections of Psalms. The first, corresponding to Book 1, he would place early in the royal period. with later additions. The second (Books a and 3) would be dated in the middle period of the kingdom, with an appendix (Ps. lxxxv) from the age of the Return. The third collection, the remaining Psalms, would then be assigned to the days of Nehemiah and Ezra. Other arrangements would suppose later dates.
6. Canonicity and Use. The inspiration and canonical authority of the Psalms are established by the most abundant and convincing evidence. Not to mention other ancient testimonies (CAN ON), we find complete evidence in the New Testa ment, where the book is quoted or referred to as divine by Christ and his apostles at least seventy times. No other writing is so frequently cited: Isaiah. the next in the scale of quotation, being cited only about fifty-five times. Twice (Luke xx :42 and Acts i :2o) we find distinct mention of the Book of Psalms.
7. Character and Value. The character
and value of the Psalms, so far as they con tain the expression of religious and moral affections, are, perhaps, higher than those of any other book of the Old Testament. They exhibit the sublimest conceptions of God, as the Creator, Preserver and Governor of the universe ; to say nothing of the prophetical character of many of them, and their relation to the Messiah, and the great plan of man's re demption. They present us, too, with the most perfect models of child-like resignation and de votedness, of unwavering faith, and confidence in God. The Psalms constituted the hymn-book of the early church, and no grander record of the religious life has ever been made. The variety of sentiment in the Psalms is in accord with the di verse characteristics of the periods and people from whom they came. They have both transient and permanent elements. The fierceness and pas sion of some are to be judged in accordance with the moral ideals of a primitive age. But allowing for all the limitations which ap pear, these hymns are the most precious devo tional material in the possession of the church, and their value is appreciated in proportion as they are studied.
8. Objections to Divine Authority. Dr.Jas.
M. Gray says: "Objection has sometimes been raised to the divine authority of the Psalms because of the spirit of revenge exhibited in some of them, but it should be remembered that the imprecatory Psalms are written in the prophetic spirit, that the enemies are conceived of as rebels against God (rather than the Psalmist himself), and who have permanently rejected his offers of grace and salvation. Similar objections have sometimes b.en presented against the moral character of the Psalms on the ground of the self-righteousness they express, but this righteousness is not claimed as a ground of reward, but simply as illustrating a Godward inclination, while on the other hand, salvation by grace and the regeneration of the Spirit is always implied (see Ps. li)." 9. Literature on the Psalms. The follow ing are among the chief and best exegetical helps for explaining this book: De ‘Vette's Commentar fiber die Psaimen, 1836; Rosenmuller, Scholia in Redact a, vol. iii; Hitzig's Comment. mid Uebersetzung; Ewald's Poet. Bucher, vol. ii; Tholuck's Uebersetzung rind Auslegung dcr Psal men; liengstenberg's Commentar ucber die Psalmen; Dl. Hupfeld, Die Psalmen, 1855-62; Wordsworth, The Book of Psalms, r867; Barnes, Notes, 1869; Didham, Translation of the Psalms, 1869; Conant, The Psalms, 1869; F. De litzsch. 1867, 1883; J. J. S. Perowne, The BoOk of Psalms, 1864-68, 1886; Cheyne. The Book of Psalms, 1888; The Historical Origin and Re ligious Ideas of the Psalter. (Bampton Lectures) 1891; A. F. Kirkpatrick, (Cambridge Bible) 1891, 1895; W. T. Davison, The Praises of Israel, 1893, 1897; James Robertson, The Poetry and Religion of the Psalms, 1898• A. Maelaren (Expositor's Bible) • The Psalms Chronologically Arranged by Four Friends; Cheyne, The Christian Us,' of the Psalms; Murray, Origin and Growth of the Psalms, 1880. B. D. and H. I-. W.