NAME:• From the Greek word psalmos meaning performance on a

stringed instrument• A sacred song or poem• “sealm or psealm” in Old English• Tehellim meaning “praise, adoration, thanksgiving” in Hebrew

bible which is offered to Yahweh.•Mizmor, the Hebrew translation of psalmos which means “the

melody music” for God with musical accompaniment

BOOK:• Psalms is the most popular book in the Old testament• In Hebrew bible, it is the first of the Writings , third part of

the canon• Contains psalms for public worship, also called Psalter• Greek psalter counts 151 psalms• Ancient Syriac counts 155 psalms

AUTHOR:• Composed by different authors in different places and time

in honor of King David• Yahwist and Elohist are the obvious contributors of Psalms

LANGUAGE:• Originally composed in Hebrew language

DATE:• Some psalms that were composed even before the time of

David were called “stock” compositions

PLACE:• Palestine before exile and Babylonia during exile

CONTENT/PURPOSE:• Some psalms were intended to be recited by communal

choirs as part of the community service or in times of joy and distress•Many were composed for liturgical celebration intended to

be sung with accompaniment• Varies in emotion

1. Psalms of Praise- “the hymn”- Expressions of wonderment and joy in knowing that they know love and that they are loved- Collective: 67,124,129, 136- Individual: 30, 32, 34, 40:2-12, 66:13-20, 107, 116, 138

2. Psalms of Lament- 40 individual laments including Pss 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 16, 22, etc.- 12 collective laments including Pss 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 115, etc.

3. Royal Psalms- Can either be psalms of praise and thanksgiving or psalms of lament and sorrow- the king is the speaker or the focus of attention (Pss 18, 101)

4. Wisdom Psalms- Reflections on some practical problems of daily life- Evident sample of wisdom discourse- Wisdom psalms: 1, 14, 19:8-15, 32, 34, 37, 49, 53, 73, 111, 112, 119, 127, 128

5. Liturgical Psalms- Considered liturgical psalms because they are used in liturgy (Pss 15, 24, 47, 134)

6. Historical Psalms- J. L. Mckenzie named these psalms as “historical meditations”- Recount God’s great work throughout the history of Israel to wit (Pss 78, 105-106, 135-136)

CANONICITY:- The book of psalms is protocanonical, being accepted by all Canons.- Some scholars do not include psalms among Sapiential literature

but Lawrence Boadt and others include them because they contain wisdom

NUMBER OF PSALMS:- Hebrew Psalter - 150 psalms- Greek Psalter - 151 psalms- Syriac Psalter - 155 psalms

NAME: • From the Latin “proverbium” for “a speaking speech”• Pro means “forth” and verbium for “word”

AUTHOR AND BOOK: • Oldest biblical book of the wisdom literature • 9 collection of sayings

•Wisdom origin from: -Israelite clan -Wise men at the Jerusalem court • Two collection are put in literary dependence upon

Solomon • Other collections are from other wise teachers and kings• UNIVERSALISM: Some collections are attributed to foreign

wise men

LANGUAGE: •Written originally in Hebrew

DATE:• Believed to be written after the Exile, around late 6th century

PLACE:•most probably in Judah

RECIPIENT:• Written for Israel's youth by wise men interested in guiding

them to happiness and success

CONTENT/PURPOSE• Collection of moral and religious teachings of wise men in

Israel, in the form of sayings and proverbs • Reveal insights on what a wise person would do in certain

situations • BASIC MESSAGE: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of

wisdom.”

• Intends to teach the youth how to cope with life through:

a) Observation c) Self-control b) Docility d) Fear of the Lord

• PERSPECTIVE: optimistic-Wisdom brings life- Folly leads to destruction