Bible Study on Psalms: A Guide to the Book of Songs

Verses to read

• “Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”

  Psalm 23:1

• “Let everything that has breath praise Yahweh! Praise Yah!”

  Psalm 150:6

What is the Book of Psalms about?

The word Psalm means a song sung to music. These were songs the people of Israel used when they went to worship God. The book is divided into five smaller sections, almost like a hymnal with different chapters.

Most of the Psalms were written by King David. Other writers included men named Asaph and Solomon. Even though they were written a long time ago, the words still feel true for us today.

How to start your study

You do not have to read the Psalms in order from 1 to 150. You can pick a Psalm that matches how you feel today. If you feel scared, you might read Psalm 27. If you want to thank God, you might read Psalm 100.

Read the verses slowly. Ask yourself what the writer is saying about God. Then, try to turn those verses into your own prayer. This is a great way to talk to God using His own words.

Different types of Psalms

There are different kinds of Psalms to study. Some are called Psalms of Praise. These focus on how great and powerful God is. They help us focus on God instead of our problems.

Other Psalms are called Laments. A lament is a sad song or a cry for help. These show us that it is okay to tell God when we are hurting or confused. God is not angry when we tell Him life is hard.

Finding Jesus in the Psalms

When you study the Psalms, you will find many verses that talk about the coming Savior. These are called Messianic Psalms. They give us clues about Jesus long before He was born.

For example, Psalm 22 describes things that happened when Jesus was on the cross. Studying these helps us see that God had a plan to save us from the very beginning.

Common questions

Which Psalm is the longest?

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the whole Bible. It has 176 verses that all talk about how wonderful God's Word is.

What does the word Selah mean?

You will see the word Selah many times in the Psalms. It most likely means to stop, pause, and think about what you just read.

Why are there five books in Psalms?

The 150 Psalms are grouped into five smaller books. This was likely done to match the first five books of the Bible, which are called the Torah.

How can I use Psalms in my daily life?

You can use a Psalm as a daily prayer. Read one out loud each morning to help your heart stay focused on God throughout the day.