Blog # 8: Kinds of Psalms

The psalms seem to serve many different purposes, and are written in many different ways. Some are written directly to God, as pleas for help or forgiveness, or as praise. Others are written about God, or His people. Psalms about God either speak of his wrath, that he loosed on sinners, or about his kindness and forgiveness. When they are about his people, they most often seem to tell a story of when God helped or cursed a community for something they did.

There is an obvious distinction between the psalms written to God for forgivenessor help, and those written to praise him, without asking for assistance or grace in return. The ones asking for help usually show repentance, and say that they deserve forgiveness, because they will be faithful to the Lord forever. "But I am lowly and hurting. Your rescue, o Lord, will protect me. Let me praise God's name in song, and let me extol Him in thanksgiving." (Psalms 69:30-31) The ones that offer their praise to God, which are much less abundant, simply commend Him for the wondrous things that He has done, usually for them personally, like: "You gave me your shield of rescue, Your right hand did sustain me, and Your battle-cry made me many." (Psalms 18:36)

The Psalms that are not written directly to God seem to be written to sinners, chastising them for disgracing Him, and gives examples of God's wrath, such as: "El utters doom each day. If a man repent not, He sharpens His sword, He pulls back his bow and aims it. And for him, He readies the tools of death, lets fly His arrows at the fleers." (Psalms 7:12-14) There are also many that praise God, but are not written to Him, "And He led His people...He guided them safely--they feared not, and their enemies the sea covered. And He brought them into His holy realm, the mount His right hand had acquired." (Psalms 78:52-54)

Of course, these divisions are not mutually exclusive, and most cross between one or two of these categories, and some are outside of these categories altogether.