Page 70 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

to praise victory and vindication by God and His king. Through Asaph (50), God stresses the covenant
priority of obedience over ritual. After his confession (51), David laments (52-64, 68-70) evil and
enemies, confident of God’s retribution defeating the wicked, defending His own! Anonymous psalms
(66-67) praise God as source of deliverance and blessing, calling all nations to Him. The final psalm (72),
dedicated to Solomon, requests universal rule of peace and prosperity.

Book 3: Ps. 73-89) With the psalms of Asaph and Korahites, Book 3 alternates praise and prayers for
help! Asaph (73-83) centers on crisis and community. With a focus on the ruin of Israel and Judah- Zion,
a major theme is hope in YHWH’s justice, praise of past rescue rebellion, lament over present ruin-
repent, pleas for retribution defeat the wicked and defend Your own! Korahites (84-89) focus on God’s
place Zion and His presence, seeking His rescue. Final two psalms are cries for help individual (88) and
community (89), lamenting God’s silence and appealing to covenant- David, a poetic theodicy shaped by
the exile.

Book 4: Ps. 90-106 focuses on praising God as the Creator King Bracketed by Moses, Book 4 shifts from
emphasis on David (Books 1-2) to the desert era, fitting for exile- land (106:47). Outside two laments,
communal (90) and individual (102), and a song of trust (91), the main form is the hymn. In the
enthronement psalms (92-99) YHWH reigns, praised as almighty king, righteous and just judge, loyal
suzerain, and sovereign creator, defeating wicked, defending His own reacting to failure of king,
theodicy (88-89) For His steadfast love and mercy, creation and provision, and rescue despite their
rebellion (100-106), psalmists call for all creation Israel to praise Him, reflect His character. Praise:
Works and Word

Book 5: Ps. 107-145) After his absence (3-4), David reappears in Book 5, opening with praise for YHWH’s
redemption- captivity and return- exile (107), pleas for His rescue national and individual (108-109) and
a portrait of His redeemer (110). Three acrostic wisdom psalms (111-112, 119) celebrate God’s works
and word, with instruction on our right response. This torah-oriented frame brackets the Hallel psalms
(113-118), praise for God’s saving character- Passover. Songs of Ascents, sung by pilgrims (120-134),
focus on YHWH as the source of help/blessing, Zion as His special city. Based in YHWH’s loyal love, a
closing chorus (135-145) brackets pleas for present rescue with praise of past redemption Epilogue (Ps.
146-150) Opening and closing each psalm with hallelujah, the psalmist calls all creation to praise YHWH
in every place, in every way, with all of their being. It is a fitting response to His works and character. As
faithful provider and protector (146), Israel’s loyal suzerain (147), sovereign creator and king (148), and
just judge (149), let everything with breath praise YHWH (150). Ones who fear Him are blessed, wicked
perish.

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