One songbook, five parts
Just like the Torah (the first five books of Moses), the Psalms are gathered into five books. Each one ends with a doxology — a short burst of praise to God.
The five books
- Book 1 — Psalms 1–41: mostly by David — personal, honest psalms of praise and lament.
- Book 2 — Psalms 42–72: David and the Sons of Korah — longing, rescue, and royal songs.
- Book 3 — Psalms 73–89: mostly by Asaph — history, worship, and cries for help.
- Book 4 — Psalms 90–106: includes Moses’ psalm — God as King over all creation.
- Book 5 — Psalms 107–150: the great praise psalms — ending in a thundering “Hallelujah!”