Psalm 72, Introduction to the Psalms (5) (The Five Books of Psalms)

 

It is my understanding that the most common Rabbinical explanation of the “Five Books of the Psalms” is that they correspond to the five books of the Pentateuch.  But I have never felt comfortable with that explanation.  By “never felt comfortable” I mean that every year, as I read through the Psalms, I fail to see the connection. 

I mentioned in the previous post that G. Campbell Morgan saw “the doxologies as the clue to the content of each of the five books.”  The “doxologies” are the closing words of each book.  Each one ends with words of praise.

·       Ps. 41 ends with, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.”  Perhaps eternity reminds us of Genesis.

·       Ps. 72 ends, “Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things!  And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.”  Certainly the Exodus was one of God’s most “wondrous” works.

·       Psalm 89:52 (“Blessed be the LORD forevermore! Amen and Amen.”), 106:48 (“Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen’!”), and 150:6 (“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD”) conclude books 3-5. 

·       My conclusion is that these “doxologies” are not unique.  To relate them to the books of the Pentateuch requires a significant level of imagination, if you know what I mean.  One would have to read a lot into the Psalms or the Pentateuch.

Several years ago (Nov. 11, 2018) we visited friends in Albuquerque, NM, amd attended church with them (Desert Springs Church).  The “preaching elder,” Ryan Kelly, in his message, gave an explanation of the five books of the Psalms that, when I heard it, made sense with my own knowledge of the Psalms.  This may not have originated with him, but his teaching was my source.  I want to share it with you.  (The sermon, to my knowledge, is still available on their web page, dscabq.com; this is from minutes 5:02-16:21.)  See what you think.

After identifying Psalms 1-2 as a preface for the entire book, he explains that Psalms was initially intended to be David’s preparation for Solomon.  Deut. 17:18-20 required that Israel’s king be a “man of the word.”  Deuteronomy also predicted Israel’s eventual disobedience and removal from the land (exile), with a promise that God would restore the nation.  Here are Pastor Kelly’s descriptions of the 5 books:

Book 1: Mostly Psalms by David, mostly concerning when he ran from Saul.

Book 2: Passing the baton from David to Solomon.

Book 3: God chastens the King and his people.

Book 4: During the exile, God is still King!

Book 5: God answers the prayers of His people, restores Israel.