THE BOOK OF PSALMS OUTLINE

--A. Ralph Johnson

Content: 150 songs, called “Psalms” because they were commonly sung with instrumental accompaniment. Hebrew name is “cepher tehillim,” “Book of praises.”

Written mostly by David, assembled together in five books.

Poetic type: Mostly Poetic parallelism with sometimes repeated refrains, sometimes sung antiphonally (Ps. 20 & 21). Various metric rhythms, not rhymes. Some Alphabetical (Ps. 9-10; 25; 34; 37; 111:1—112:10; 119; 145)

A number of the Psalms are Messianic (Ps. 2; 22; 47; 110) and Psalms is the most cited book by the New Testament.

Most praise God but others call for help and still others are imprecatory—calling for vengeance (Ps. 35, 69, 109).

Many chapters and verses are numbered differently in the Septuagint.

BOOK I. THE PSALMS OF DAVID (Chapters 1-41)

CHAP	KEY WORDS	OUTLINE
1:	BLESSED	BLESSINGS FROM OBEYING GOD’S WORD (Righteous and wicked contrasted) 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk, …stand, …sit…in the way of the wicked. 3 He shall be like a tree … by water; 4 Wicked not so
2:	REIGN	REIGN OF JEHOVAH’S ANOINTED. (Messianic) A. Man’s Futility: (1-4) 2 why do the nations rage? 4 He will laugh B. Messiah’s Triumph: (6-8) 7 Thou art my son; 9 rule…with a rod of iron; C. Man’s Subjection: 12 kiss the son lest he be angry
3:	DANGER	A CRY TO GOD WHEN IN DANGER Title: “A Psalm of David When he Fled from Absalom” A. (1-2) 1 My adversaries are increased B. (3-4) 3 But thou art my shield C. (5-8) 6 I will not be afraid
4:	EVENING	EVENING PRAYER OF TRUST A Psalm of David. A. (1-2) 1 Answer my call… B. (3-4) 3 Jehovah will hear… C. (5-8) 8 In security I lay down to sleep
5:	MORNING	MORNING PRAYER FOR PROTECTION APsalm of David 1 give ear to my words…; 8 lead me…; 10 hold them guilty…
6:	MERCY	PRAYER FOR MERCY A Psalm of David 1 Rebuke me not…; 3 My soul is troubled…; 9 Jehovah has heard
7:	DEFENSE	CRY FOR DEFENSE AGAINST THE WICKED. Title: “Shaggaion of David Concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite.” A. (1-5) 1 In thee do I take refuge… B. (6-17) 6 Arise O Jehovah; 10 my shield is with God
8:	MARVEL	MARVEL THAT GOD CARES A Psalm of David Why should Jehovah be concerned about man? (Messianic) 1 How excellent is thy name…; 2 Out of the mouths of babes…; 4 What is man…? 6 Yet thou hast put all things under his feet
9:	THANKSGIVING	THANKSGIVING FOR GOD’S JUSTICE (Some probably acrostic) A Psalm of David A. (1-16) 8 Jehovah judges in righteousness B. (17-20) 17 The wicked shall be turned into sheol; 20 Let the nations know…
10:	WICKED	OVERTHROW THE WICKED (partially acrostic) (1-11) Why standest thou afar off while the wicked boast? (12-18) Arise agsinst them and protect the meek
11:	REFUGE	REFUGE IN JEHOVAH FROM THE WICKED. A Psalm of David 4 He is in his holy temple…His eyes behold; 6 Upon the wicked he will rain snares
12:	HELP	PRAYER FOR HELP . A Psalm of David 1 The faithful fail from men; 2 Flattering lips…; 5 The poor are oppressed
13:	HOW LONG?	HOW LONG, O JEHOVAH? A Psalm of David 3 Consider and answer me; 5 I have trusted thy loving-kindness.
14:	FOLLY	FOLLY OF GODLESSNESS A Psalm of David 1 The fool hath said there is no god; 3 They have all gone aside; God shall bring back the captivity of His people
15:	SOJOURN	WHO SHALL SOJOURN IN GOD’S TABERNACLE? A Psalm of David 2 He that walketh uprightly…; 5 shall never be removed
16:	HOPE	JEHOVAH, MY HOPE IN LIFE OR DEATH (Messianic) Michtam of David 2 I have no good beyond thee; 8 He is at my right hand; 9 My flesh shall dwell in hope
17:	PROTECT	PRAYER FOR PROTECTION A Psalm of David 1 Hear, O Jehovah; 3 Thou hast proved my heart; 13 Arise O Jehovah, confront him.
18:	DELIVERANCE	PRAISE FOR HIS MIGHTY DELIVERANCE (from Saul) A Psalm of David 6 I called…He heard; 17 He delivered me…; 30 His way is perfect; 49 I will give thanks among the nations and sing praise (a revised version of 2Sam. 22)
19:	HEAVENS	WONDERFUL CREATION AND PERFECT LAW A Psalm of David A. (1-6) 1 The heavens declare the glory of God B. (7-14) 7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; 14 Let my words and meditations be acceptable…
20:	VICTORY	PRAYER FOR VICTORY A Psalm of David A. (1-3) 2 Send help B. (4-9) 4-5 Grant our triumph; Some trust in chariots…but we will make mention of Jehovah; 9 Save, Jehovah
21:	KING	THE KING’S PRESERVATION A Psalm of David (1-2) 1 The king shall joy in joy in thy strength (3-13) 7 The king trusteth…; 9 Jehovah will swallow the enemies
22:	MESSIAH	SUFFERING AND TRIUMPH (Messianic) A Psalm of David A. (1-21) 1 Why hast thou forsaken me? 7-8 They laugh me to scorn, saying Let him rescue him, seeing he delights in him; 14 All my bones are out of joint; 16 They pierced my hands and my feet; 18 Upon my vesture do they cast lots; B. (22-31) 22 In the midst of the assembly will I praise thee; 28 The kingdom is Jehovah’s; 30 a seed shall serve him
23:	SHEPHERD	THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD A Psalm of David 1 I shall not want; 6 I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever
24:	KING	THE KING OF GLORY ENTERING ZION (Messianic) A Psalm of David A. (1-6) 1 The earth is Jehovah’s. B. (7-10) 7 Lift up your heads…and the King of Glory will come in
25:	SHAME	PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE (acrostic) A Psalm of David 2 Let me not be put to shame. 5 Guide me. 11 Pardon me. 20 Deliver me.
26:	INTEGRITY	PLEA TO JUDGE HIS INTEGRITY A Psalm of David 1 Judge me, O Jehovah. …I have trusted without wavering. 3 I have walked in thy truth. 8 I love thy house.
27:	TRUST	PSALM OF TRUST A Psalm of David A. (1-6) 1 Jehovah is my light…Of whom shall I be afraid? B. (7-14) 7 Hear, O Jehovah. 11 Teach me. 12 Deliver me.
28:	HELP	PRAYER FOR HELP AND PRAISE FOR THE ANSWER A Psalm of David A. (1-5) 2 Unto thee will I call. B. (6-9) 6 Blessed be Jehovah because he hath heard.
29:	VOICE	THE VOICE OF JEHOVAH A Psalm of David A. (1-2) “Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. B. (3-9) His voice in the storm. C. (10-11) He sits as King
30:	THANKSGIVING	THANKSGIVING FOR DELIVERY FROM DEATH “Title: “A song at the dedication of the house of David”
31:	COMPLAINT	COMPLAINT AND PRAISE A Psalm of David A. Jehovah is my Refuge (1-8) C. My reproach…(9-13) D. Let me not be put to shame (14-24)
32:	FORGIVENESS	BLESSING OF FORGIVENESS A Psalm of David A. (1-4) Blessed forgiveness B. (5) I acknowledged my sin. C. (6-7) Thou art my hiding place. D. (8-11) Listen to God—not like dumb animals without understanding.
33:	CREATOR	HONOR THE CREATOR AND PRESERVER 4 The word of Jehovah is right. 6 By Him the heavens were made. 20. He is our helper and shield.
34:	DELIVERER	JEHOVAH THE DELIVERER (4, 6, 7, 17, 19, 22) (acrostic) A Psalm of David Title: “Before Abimelech” 4 I sought and He answered. 11 There is no want to them that fear Him. 22 None of them that take refuge in Him shall be condemned.
35:	RESCUE	PRAYER FOR RESCUE FROM ENEMIES A Psalm of David 4 Let them be put to shame. 12 They reward evil for good. 17 How long, Lord? 19 Let them not rejoice. 28 My tongue shall talk of thy righteousness.
36:	WICKEDNESS	WICKEDNESS OF MEN CONTRASTED WITH GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS A Psalm of David A. (1-4) The way of the wicked B. (5-12) Tje way of God
37:	FRET NOT	FRET NOT BECAUSE OF EVIL-DOERS (acrostic) A Psalm of David 7 Wait patiently. 13 The wicked’s day is coming. 25 I have not seen the righteous forsaken. 40 Jehovah helps them that take refuge in him
38:	PENITENCE	PRAYER OF A SUFFERING PENITENT A Psalm of David 4 My iniquities…are too heavy for me. 18 I will declare mine iniquity. 2 Make haste to help me.
39:	VANITY	VANITY OF LIFE A Psalm of David A. (1-5) 5 My life-time is as nothing before thee. B. (6-11) 6 Every man walketh in vain show. C. (12-13) 12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah.
40:	HELP	PETITION FOR HELP A Psalm of David 2 Jehovah brought me out of the pit. 5 God’s works cannot be numbered. 7 I come to do thy will. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness. 12 Innumerable evils have compassed me. 14 Let them be put to shame. 17 Make no tarrying, God. (Note: 13-17 are repeated in Ps. 70)
41:	SICKNESS	PRAYER IN SICKNESS AND UNDER PRESSURE FROM ENEMIES A Psalm of David 1 Blessed is he that considers the weak. 5 My enemies speak evil against me. 8 “An evil disease cleaves fast to him.” 10 Jehovah, have mercy upon me. DOXOLOGY: 13 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

BOOK II OF PSALMS (Chapters 42-72)

CHAP	KEY WORDS	OUTLINE
42:	PANTING	Songs of the sons of Korah (Chapters 42-49) LONGING FOR GOD for the sons of Korah (He is east of Jordan among strangers) A. (1-5) 1 My soul pants after thee, O God. 4 I remember that I went with the throng and led them to the house of God. B. (6-11) 10 My soul is cast down.
43:	JUDGE	JUDGE ME O GOD 3 …bring me into thy holy hill. 4 Upon the harp I will praise thee. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
44:	LAMENT	NATIONAL LAMENT for the sons of Korah A. (1-8) 1-2 Our fathers told us…You drove out the nations. (SELAH) B. (9-26) But now you hast cast us off. 22 For thy sake are we killed all the day long… 23 ...cast us not off for ever.
45:	WEDDING	ROYAL WEDDING SONG (Messianic) for the sons of Korah 6 Thy throne, O God is forever and ever:… 7 God hath anointed thee…above thy fellows.
46:	BATTLE	ZION’S BATTLE SONG for the sons of Korah A. (1-3) 1 God is our refuge. (SELAH) B. (4-7) 4 There is a river that makes glad the city of God. (SELAH) C. (8-11) 8 Come, behold the works of Jehovah. (SELAH)
47:	KING	JEHOVAH GOD IS KING! (Messianic) for the sons of Korah A. (1-4) 1 Clap your hands all ye peoples. (SELAH) B. (5-9) 5, 6, 7 Sing praises! 8 God reigns!
48:	ZION	ZION’S GLORY! for the sons of Korah A. (1-8) 1 Great is Jehovah…in the city of our God. 4, 5 The kings came and were amazed. 8 It will be established forever. (SELAH) B. (9-14) 11 Let Mount Zion be glad.
49:	RICHES	FOLLY OF TRUST IN RICHES for the sons of Korah A. (1-4) 1 Hear all ye peoples. 4 I will open my dark saying upon the harp. B. (5-13) 10 They leave their wealth to others. (SELAH)