The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper's thoughts on God in praise
and adoration. Parts of the book were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel. The book contains 150 individual
psalms, which may be grouped into the following types or categories.
1. Individual and communal lament psalms or prayers for God's deliverance. These psalms speak
to believers in moments of desperation and despair, when our need is for God's deliverance from suffering, temptation, etc.
Psalms of this type are: 3-7; 12; 13; 22; 25-28; 35; 38-40; 42-44; 51; 54-57; 59-61; 63; 64; 69-71; 74; 79; 80; 83; 85; 86;
88; 90; 102; 109; 120; 123; 130; and 140-143. These psalms speak to believers in moments of desperation and despair, when
our need is for God's deliverance.
2. Thanksgiving psalms, consisting of praise to God for His gracious acts. Every prayer we
utter should include the element of thanksgiving. These psalms make us aware of God's blessings and lead us to express our
thanks with feeling and conviction. This theme occurs in psalms 8; 18; 19; 29; 30; 32-34; 36; 40; 41; 66; 103-106; 111; 113;
116; 117; 124; 129; 135; 136; 138; 139; 146-148; and 150. Every prayer we utter should include the element of thanksgiving.
These psalms make us aware of God's blessings and lead us to express our thanks with feeling and conviction.
3.
Enthronement psalms, which describe God's sovereign rule. Psalms of this type are 47; 93;
and 96-99. Through these psalms we acknowledge God as powerful Creator and sovereign Lord over all His creation.
4. Pilgrimage psalms, which were sung by worshipers as they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate
the Jewish festivals. These psalms can help us establish a mood of reverent worship. Pilgrimage psalms are 43; 46;
48; 76; 84; 87; and 120-134.
5. Royal psalms, which portray the reign of the earthly king as well as of the heavenly King of Israel.
These psalms can make us aware of our daily need to make Christ the sovereign ruler of our lives. This theme is evident in
Psalms 2; 18; 20; 21; 45; 72; 89; 101; 110; 132; and 144.
6. Wisdom psalms, which instruct the worshiper in the way of wisdom and righteousness.
Individual wisdom psalms are 1; 37; and 119.These psalms are especially appropriate in times of decision when we are searching
for God's will and direction in our lives.
7. Imprecatory psalms; the worshiper invokes
God's wrath and judgement against his enemies. This theme occures in Psalms 7; 35;
40; 55; 58; 59; 69; 79; 109; 137; 139; and 144. These psalms can help us be honest about our feelings toward people who have
done us wrong and work our way through these feelings to a point of forgiveness.
