Psalm 2, Introduction to the Psalms (3)

3)    Compiler(s) of the Book

There was no single author of the Psalms; and the various authors did not all live at the same time.  Thus, Psalms is a collection compiled over a longer period of time.

At the end of Book 2, Ps. 72:20 says, “The Prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.”  (We will discuss the five books of the Psalms later.)  You might think that books one and two are all Davidic Psalms and books three to five contain no Davidic Psalms, neither of which is true.  Books one and two are primarily Davidic, and perhaps David was the compiler.  Whoever it was either had no other Psalms of David or there were other Psalms of David that were added later.

Another interesting note is the heavy emphasis on the name YAHWEH in book one and on Elohim in book two.  There is no easy explanation as to why this is the case.  Elohim is the more general name, and YAHWEH God’s covenant name with Israel.  Thus, as some have suggested, Book Two might contain Psalms that more greatly emphasize worship of God beyond Israel.

If we understand a continuing compilation of the Psalms, that was likely overseen by Priestly or Levitical individuals, you can understand why there have been several suggestions, including Hezekiah and Josiah (times when temple worship was on the rise), Jeremiah, Ezra and Zechariah (who had priestly connections), and descendants of Asaph and Korah (who were appointed worship leaders by David and whose sons continued in that appointment). 

4)    Date of the Book.  Given the long-term compilation all we can say about a date is the date of completion, which appears to be around 400 BC, at which time the rest of the OT Scriptures were completed.

5)    Purpose of the Book. 

a)    In my view, two themes are evident everywhere.  In other words, one or the other or both these truths are found in every Psalm.

i)      Psalm 1: The contrast of the righteous and the wicked, a contrast marked out primarily by a love for and adherence to the Word of God.

ii)   Psalm 2: The promise of the Father to the Son that He (the Son) would rule from Zion and all his enemies would be His footstool.

b)    Here are some quotes indicating the purpose of the Psalms in the lives of believers.  (A Bibliography will appear at the end of our Psalms introduction.)

i)      Gaebelein: The continuous reading of the Psalms produces in the believing soul a spirit of devotion and worship as well as dependence on God.

ii)   Archer: They all embody at lease an element of personal response on the part of the believer toward the goodness and grace of God.

iii)            Leupold: The Psalter is the Hymnal and the Book of Devotions of the Jewish congregation.