Laws in the Book of Psalms

Psalms, book of the Old Testament composed of sacred songs, or of sacred poems meant to be sung. In the Hebrew Bible, Psalms begins the third and last section of the biblical canon, known as the Writings (Hebrew Ketuvim).

IIn the original Hebrew text the book as a whole was not named, although the titles of many individual psalms contained the word mizmor, meaning a poem sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. The Greek translation of this term, psalmos, is the basis for the collective title Psalmoi found in most manuscripts, from which the English name Psalms is derived. A variant translation found in a 5th-century manuscript of the Septuagint is Psaltērion, whence the English name Psalter, which is often used as an alternative name for the Book of Psalms or for a separate collection of psalms intended for liturgical use. Rabbinic literature uses the title Tehillim ("Songs of Praise"), a curious hybrid of a feminine noun and a masculine plural ending.

"In its present form, the book of Psalms consists of 150 poems divided into five books (1–41, 42–72, 73–89, 90–106, 107–150), the first four of which are marked off by concluding doxologies. Psalm 150 serves as a doxology for the entire collection. This specific numbering follows the Hebrew Bible; slight variations, such as conjoined or subdivided psalms, occur in other versions. The fivefold division is perhaps meant to be an imitation of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), suggesting that the book reached its present form through liturgical use.

"The psalms themselves range in mood and expression of faith from joyous celebration to solemn hymn and bitter protest. They are sometimes classified according to form or type; the major forms include the hymn (e.g., 104, 135), the lament (e.g., 13, 80), the song of confidence (e.g., 46, 121), and the song of thanksgiving (e.g., 9, 136). They may also be classified according to subject matter. Thus a number of psalms have been called "royal" psalms (2, 18, 20, 21, 28, 44, 45, 61, 63, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132) because they feature the king, portraying him as both the representative of Yahweh to the community and the representative of the community to Yahweh. Psalms are also classified according to their use; the "Zion" hymns (46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122), for example, were part of a ritual reenactment of the great deeds of Yahweh in maintaining Zion as the inviolable centre of his divine presence." – Encyclopaedia Britannica

Beatitude: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. – Psalm 1:1-3.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. – Psalm 2:12.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. – Psalm 4:5.

Declaration: Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. – Psalm 6:8.

Cause and Effect: Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. – Psalm 7:14-16.

The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. – Psalm 9:16.

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. – Psalm 12:6.

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. – Psalm 12:8.

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. – Psalm 15.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. – Psalm 16:8.

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. – Psalm 18:20.

With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; with the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. – Psalm 18:25-30.

Mystic Degree: Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. – Psalm 18:36.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. – Psalm 19:7-9.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. – Psalm 24:3-4.

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. – Psalm 24:10.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. – Psalm 27:14.

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. – Psalm 29:1-2.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. – Psalm 30:5.

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. – Psalm 31:5.

The Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. – Psalm 31:23.

Beatitude: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. – Psalm 32:1-2.

The word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. – Psalm 33:4-6.

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. – Psalm 33:11.

Beatitude: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. – Psalm 33:12.

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. – Psalm 34:7.

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalm 34:13-14.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. – Psalm 34:18.

The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. – Psalm 34:22.

With with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. – Psalm 36:9.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. – Psalm 37:1.

Trust in the Lord, and do good – Psalm 37:3.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. – Psalm 37:4-6.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. – Psalm 37:8-11.

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. – Psalm 37:16.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. – Psalm 37:21.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24.

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore. – Psalm 37:27.

Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. – Psalm 37:34.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. – Psalm 37:37.

Declaration: Lord, all my desire is before thee. – Psalm 38:9.

Beatitude: Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. – Psalm 40:4.

Beatitude: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth. – Psalm 41:1-2.

God knoweth the secrets of the heart. – Psalm 44:21.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. – Psalm 50:2.

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High. – Psalm 50:14.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. – Psalm 51:17.

The goodness of God endureth continually. – Psalm 52:1.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. – Psalm 55:22.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. – Psalm 60:12.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. – Psalm 62:11-12.

I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. – Psalm 66:13-14.

Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. – Psalm 75:6-7.

Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. – Psalm 76:11.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. – Psalm 82:1.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. – Psalm 82:6-7.

Beatitude: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. – Psalm 84:12.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. – Psalm 91:1.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. – Psalm 91:7.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. – Psalm 91:9-12.

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law; that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity. – Psalm 94:12-13.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. – Psalm 103:6.

O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire – Psalm 104:1-4.

God satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. – Psalm 107:9.

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. – Psalm 110:1.

The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. – Psalm 110:4.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments. – Psalm 111:10.

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. – Psalm 112:4.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. – Psalm 113:3.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. – Psalm 115:4-8.

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. – Psalm 116:12-14.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? – Psalm 118:6.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. – Psalm 118:8.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24.

Beatitude: Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. – Psalm 118:26.

God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice [of self] with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. – Psalm 118:27.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. – Psalm 119:1-2.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. – Psalm 119:9.

I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts. – Psalm 119:55-56.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. – Psalm 119:71.

I am thine, save me. – Psalm 119:94.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. – Psalm 119:105.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. – Psalm 119:130.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. – Psalm 119:142.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. – Psalm 121:4.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. – Psalm 121:7-8.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. – Psalm 126:5.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. – Psalm 127:1.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. – Psalm 127:3.

Beatitude: Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. – Psalm 128:1.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! – Psalm 133:1.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. – Psalm 135:15-18.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. – Psalm 138:8.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. – Psalm 140:11.

The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. – Psalm 145:9.

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. – Psalm 145:16.

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. – Psalm 147:4.

He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. – Psalm 147:15.

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. – Psalm 148:1-3.

The Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. – Psalm 149:4.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. – Psalm 150:6.

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