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!”