Wisdom Literature Part 14

“Psalms has a rich variety of moods, structure, and content” (Longman, p. 43). Psalms, Longman says, carries us from the lowest lows to highest joys, from the shortest psalm (Psalm 117) to longest (Psalm 119). They cover a timespan of nearly 1,000 years: from Moses (Psalm 90) to the return of the exiles (Psalm 126). Yet, their overall purpose proves consistent: to praise God.  

We can ‘borrow’ the words recorded in Psalms to teach us to praise God. Much like a card that we purchase that has words pre-written to help us express how we feel.  We might desire to purchase a card for a specific occasion, or milestone in life so the cards in the store are organized for us so that we know where to look. Similarly, Psalms has an order or structure and an understanding of this can help us know where to look when we want to praise God.   

To the untrained eye, the Book of Psalms seems to lack any structure or organization because the individual psalms do not appear chronologically and are not grouped by type or by content. However, structure and patterns do exist to support the book’s theme of “songs of praise.” Together they give the reader reason to praise God! 

The Traditional Five-Part Division 

Psalms is divided into five “books.” Scholars generally agree that this structural design was intended to parallel the Torah. The Jewish Study Bible states: “As the Rabbis put it, ‘Moses gave the five books of the Torah and David gave the five books of Psalms to Israel’” (p. 1265-66).  

The five books of Psalms are divided as follows:  

• Book 1, Psalms 1-41  
• Book 2, Psalms 42-72  
• Book 3, Psalms 73-89  
• Book 4, Psalms 90-106  
• Book 5, Psalms 107-150  

The division of each “book” is indicated by the use of a similar doxology. A doxology is “a call to praise God.” In the Book of Psalms, the placement of this same or similar doxology, the words “Blessed be the LORD,” identifies the divisions of the Psalms into Books 1 to 4. However, Book 5 lacks this doxology, “Blessed be the LORD.” Why? Many think that Psalm 150 itself is the doxology because its theme is “Praise the LORD.”  

Pattern 1 

The Hebrew word Tehillim means “songs of praise.”  

The frequency of hymns overtakes that of laments until we arrive at that concluding crescendo of praise in Psalms 146-150, that collection being called the Final Hallel. Thus, as we progress from Psalm 1 to Psalm 150, we are increasingly lifted from sorrow to praise! 

Pattern 2 

Psalms with Messianic importance appear in all five books, especially in Books 4 and 5. Scholars find increasing references to God as King, often coupled with the expectation of a great King from David’s lineage. 

Pattern 3 

Following the Jewish tradition that David wrote the five books of Psalms just as Moses wrote the five books of the Law, some scholars see a parallel between Book 1 of Psalms with the Book of Genesis, between Book 2 of Psalms and the Book of Exodus, and so on. 

Pattern 4 

Books 1, 3, 4 and 5 begin with a wisdom psalm: Psalms 1, 73, 90, and 107 (respectively). In addition, Books 2, 3, and 5 end with a royal psalm: Psalms 72, 89, and 145). Therefore, a sizable portion of the five books of Psalms are enclosed between a wisdom and a royal psalm. 

Pattern 5 

Some scholars argue that Psalm 1 (a wisdom psalm) and Psalm 2 (a royal/kingship psalm) together function as the Introduction to the entire Book of Psalms.  

They explain that as a wisdom psalm, Psalm 1 opens the introduction by declaring blessings on those who obey God but judgement and death on those who reject God. (Wisdom dictates that one believe and obey God.) So, the psalmist calls upon all people to live according to God’s law.  

Psalm 2 works with Psalm 1 to introduce the Book. As a royal/kingship psalm, Psalm 2 closes the introduction with a beatitude/blessing upon those who chose to submit to God’s chosen one, the king. (Again, wisdom dictates that one believe and obey God.)  

If Psalms 1 and 2 act as the introduction to the Book of Psalms, as some scholars argue, then Psalms 146-150, “The Final Hallel,” act as the exuberant conclusion.  

Each of these psalms opens with a call to “Praise the LORD” and gives reasons why:  

• He is trustworthy.
• He provides and heals.
• He blesses Jerusalem and Zion.
• He is the Creator.
• He will exalt His special people and judge all the earth.

If Psalm 1 and 2 act as the Introduction and if Psalms 146-150 act as the Conclusion, then the reader of the Book of Psalms figuratively “enters” through “a gate” enclosed by wisdom and kingship, proceeds through hymns, laments and songs of thanksgiving, and then finally arrives at the journey’s end with exuberant praises to God!  

The Forward and Upward Movement of Psalms

1. Begins with the call to choose wisdom (Psalm 1) and to choose to obey and trust God’s anointed King (Psalm 2). 
2. Goes through laments and an ever-increasing number of hymns of praise and songs of thanksgiving. 
3. Concludes with true wisdom’s fulfillment of willing submission to God in an explosion of exuberant praise to God (Psalm 150). 
4. The general “movement” of Psalms may suggest one’s life and spiritual progress in righteousness toward God. 

Conclusion 

There is intentional and purposeful structure in the Book of Psalms. If we follow the instruction of the Psalms, choosing the way of heavenly wisdom and not earthly wisdom, then we will deepen our relationship with God and ultimately join with others in singing the greatest of praises to God!  

Sources 

Berlin, Adele, and Marc Zvi Brettler, Eds. The Jewish Study Bible. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2014. 

Coulter, Paul. “Part 4: The Big Picture of Psalms.” Psalms and Wisdom Literature. Paul Coulter, 2015, www.paulcoulter.net/pwl. Accessed 21 July 2016. 

Longman, Tremper. “The Origins, Development, and Use of the Psalms.” How to Read the Psalms. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity P, 1988. 37-50. 

Lucas, Ernest C. “Psalms.” Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms and Wisdom Literature. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity P, 2003. 1-66. 

© Randy Urwiller, 2025. All rights reserved. 

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.