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[[File:King David.jpg|thumb|250px|lright|The psalmist [[David]] wrote: "The [[fool]] says in his heart, 'There is no [[God]].'" - Psalms 14:1 (ESV)]]  

[[File:King David.jpg|thumb|250px|lright|The psalmist [[David]] wrote: "The [[fool]] says in his heart, 'There is no [[God]].'" - Psalms 14:1 (ESV)]]  

'''Psalms''' (Greek "psalmos", meaning song), ''[https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16222 Tehilim]'' in Hebrew, is one of the most popular books in the entire [[Bible]]. Many people read the Psalms in times of trouble and for spiritual consolation and comfort (Deep sense of [[joy]], [[peace]] and strength). At 30,000 original words, it comprises nearly 2.5% of the entire Bible,<ref>

'''Psalms''' (Greek "psalmos", meaning song), ''[https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16222 Tehilim]'' in [[Hebrew]], is one of the most popular books in the entire [[Bible]]. Many people read the Psalms in times of trouble and for spiritual consolation and comfort, for a deep sense of [[joy]], [[peace]], and strength. At 30,000 original words, it comprises nearly 2.5% of the entire Bible,<ref>

It is part of the [[Old Testament]], specifically in the third section of the Jewish [[Ketuvim]].</ref> and is quoted 116 times in the [[New Testament]].<ref>''See'' [[Psalms in New Testament]].</ref>

It is part of the [[Old Testament]], specifically in the third section of the Jewish [[Ketuvim]].</ref> and is quoted 116 times in the [[New Testament]].<ref>''See'' [[Psalms in New Testament]].</ref>

The Book of Psalms is widely used in [[prayer]]s, [[hymn]]s, and popular sayings. The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] -- the cornerstone of the [[New Testament]] -- quotes ten Psalms (2, 8, 22, 40, 45, 95, 102, 104, 110, and 118), and attributes at least one of these Psalms (95) to the [[Holy Spirit]]: '''''"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."'''''<ref>{{bibleref|Psalms|95|7-8|ESV}} ([[ESV]]).</ref>

The Book of Psalms is widely used in [[prayer]]s, [[hymn]]s, and popular sayings. The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] -- the cornerstone of the [[New Testament]] -- quotes ten Psalms (2, 8, 22, 40, 45, 95, 102, 104, 110, and 118), and attributes at least one of these Psalms (95) to the [[Holy Spirit]]: '''''"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."'''''<ref>{{bibleref|Psalms|95|7-8|ESV}} ([[ESV]]).</ref>

Psalms are soothing and healing to recite and many people memorized them (See: [[Bible memorization]]). Psalms consists of 150 songs, [[poem]]s, and [[prayer]]s (psalms) written in [[praise]] to [[God]] by unknown authors, as an example of the [[best of the public]].<ref>The authorship of Psalms is entirely anonymous, and the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] have indications that Psalms were a work-in-progress. Some view [[David]] as the author of half (73) of these psalms. Other authors were the sons of [[Korah]], Asaph, and [[Solomon]], among others. At least 48 Psalms are widely recognized as having completely unknown authorship.</ref>

Psalms are soothing and healing to recite, and many people memorize them (See: [[Bible memorization]]). Psalms consist of 150 songs, [[poem]]s, and [[prayer]]s (psalms) written in [[praise]] to [[God]] by unknown authors, as an example of the [[best of the public]].<ref>The authorship of Psalms is entirely anonymous, and the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] have indications that Psalms were a work-in-progress. Some view [[David]] as the author of half (73) of these psalms. Other authors were the sons of [[Korah]], Asaph, and [[Solomon]], among others. At least 48 Psalms are widely recognized as having completely unknown authorship.</ref>

Psalms is the source of the phrase "Peace be within you" {{bibleref|Psalm|122|8}},<ref>[[ESV]].</ref> and Psalms is commonly used as the basis for [[Christian]] hymns.  Psalms also contain important [[Bible prophecy|Bible prophecies]].

Psalms is the source of the phrase "Peace be within you" {{bibleref|Psalm|122|8}},<ref>[[ESV]].</ref> and Psalms is commonly used as the basis for [[Christian]] hymns.  Psalms also contain important [[Bible prophecy|Bible prophecies]].

''See also:'' [[Singing]]

''See also:'' [[Singing]]

The [[Hebrew]] “''Book of Praises''” is the oldest song-book still in use. The term, “psalm” is from the [[Greek]] for striking or plucking and came to mean a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. It was translated as such in the 3rd century [[Septuagint]]. Psalms have been an important part of Jewish [[liturgy]] throughout the world  (they crossed the Atlantic to America in colonial times). The destruction of the temple at [[Jerusalem]] in AD 70 and the subsequent ban on Jewish instrumental music gave impetus to a tradition of unaccompanied vocal and choral [[singing]] in synagogues, especially of psalms, that has lasted with little change to this day.  

The [[Hebrew]] “''Book of Praises''” is the oldest song-book still in use. The term “psalm” is from the [[Greek]] for striking or plucking and came to mean a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. It was translated as such in the 3rd century [[Septuagint]]. Psalms have been an important part of Jewish [[liturgy]] throughout the world  (they crossed the Atlantic to America in colonial times). The destruction of the temple at [[Jerusalem]] in AD 70 and the subsequent ban on Jewish instrumental music gave impetus to a tradition of unaccompanied vocal and choral [[singing]] in synagogues, especially of psalms, that has lasted with little change to this day.  

The psalms have been at the musical center of [[Christian]] liturgy since the Church was created, in all the various orthodox rites, and into certain Protestant services. Their course has followed the traditions of western church music (see [[plainchant]], [[antiphon]], [[polyphony]] and the like.) Nearly every noted composer up to the 19th century, and many since, have set psalms to music representative of their times, either as “serious” music or popular congregational [[hymn]]s.  

The psalms have been at the musical center of [[Christian]] liturgy since the Church was created, in all the various orthodox rites, and into certain Protestant services. Their course has followed the traditions of western church music (see [[plainchant]], [[antiphon]], [[polyphony]] and the like.) Nearly every noted composer up to the 19th century, and many since, have set psalms to music representative of their times, either as “serious” music or popular congregational [[hymn]]s.  

Psalm 23 is well known across religious lines and is often read at funerals.  It begins "''The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...''" Two notable 20th century examples of psalm settings that are familiar in the concert hall are the “''Symphony of Psalms'' of [[Igor Stravinsky]] and [[Leonard Bernstein]]’s “''Chichester Psalms''”; the latter commissioned for use in a Christian [[cathedral]] from a [[Jewish]] composer.

Psalm 23 is well known across religious lines and is often read at funerals.  It begins "''The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...''" Two notable 20th-century examples of psalm settings that are familiar in the concert hall are the “''Symphony of Psalms'' of [[Igor Stravinsky]] and [[Leonard Bernstein]]’s “''Chichester Psalms''”; the latter commissioned for use in a Christian [[cathedral]] from a [[Jewish]] composer.

==Psalm Headings==

==Psalm Headings==

== Trivia ==

== Trivia ==

Strictly speaking, as the Psalms are a collection of songs, it doesn't have chapters (which are later divisions for easy reference).

Strictly speaking, as the Book of Psalms is a collection of songs, it doesn't have chapters (which are later divisions for easy reference).

However, counting the individual psalms as chapters, the following are true:

However, counting the individual psalms as chapters, the following are true:

* Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible with two verses, and also the middle chapter of the Bible.

* Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, with two verses, and also the middle chapter of the Bible.

* Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses.  The verses are sub-divided into 22 stanzas of eight verses each (one for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet; some translations will show both the Hebrew letter and the English name for that letter).

* Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses.  The verses are subdivided into 22 stanzas of eight verses each (one for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet; some translations will show both the Hebrew letter and the English name for that letter).

== See also ==

== See also ==