The book of Psalms in the Bible contains 150 psalms, hymns, and prayers. However, the authorship of the Psalms has been a subject of much debate. Based on textual evidence, various psalms in the collection are attributed to different authors:
David
King David is named as the author of 73 psalms in the superscriptions or titles of the psalms. Some examples are Psalm 3, Psalm 18, Psalm 24, Psalm 51, and Psalm 139. Many of David’s psalms reflect events in his life, such as God’s deliverance, struggles with enemies, confession of sin, and more. Based on this evidence, David is considered the primary author of the Psalms.
Asaph
Asaph was a Levite and chief musician appointed by David to lead worship (see 1 Chronicles 15:16-19, 16:4-7). Twelve psalms in the book are attributed to Asaph in their titles: Psalms 50, 73-83. These psalms mainly focus on praising God and warning others against sin and rebellion.
Sons of Korah
The sons of Korah were Levite temple singers (see 1 Chronicles 6:31-48, 2 Chronicles 20:19). Eleven psalms (42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88) identify them in their titles as authors. Their psalms express deep longing for God and tend to emphasize God’s greatness and goodness.
Solomon
Two psalms are specifically attributed to King Solomon in their titles – Psalms 72 and 127. Solomon’s psalms reflect themes related to his reign, such as justice, righteousness, and prosperity under the king.
Moses
The title of Psalm 90 identifies Moses as the author, making it the oldest psalm in the collection. This psalm is a prayer reflecting on human mortality and God’s eternity.
Heman
Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman the Ezrahite in the title. Heman was one of the chief musicians appointed by David (1 Chronicles 6:33). This somber psalm laments affliction and nearness to death.
Ethan
Psalm 89 is ascribed to Ethan the Ezrahite in the title. He was another musician appointed by David (1 Chronicles 15:17, 19). This psalm praises God’s covenant with David but ends on a note of lament.
Anonymous
Approximately 50 psalms in the book do not have any author named in the title. These are considered anonymous psalms. Some speculate they were written by multiple temple singers and poets over a long period of time. Themes vary, but often focus on praising God.
Compilation
Although the book of Psalms features multiple authors, there was likely an editor or compiler who collected and arranged the psalms into the unified book. Many scholars believe this was likely Ezra the priest after the Jews returned from Babylonian exile, around 450-430 BC. However, the compiler is unknown.
In summary, authorship of the Psalms involves:
- David – 73 psalms
- Asaph – 12 psalms
- Sons of Korah – 11 psalms
- Solomon – 2 psalms
- Moses – 1 psalm
- Heman – 1 psalm
- Ethan – 1 psalm
- Anonymous – approx 50 psalms
Though written by multiple human authors, the collection still forms a unified book under divine inspiration, providing rich prayers, praises, and poetry for worship.
Evidence of Davidic authorship
There is good evidence that many of the psalms were composed by King David:
- The titles or superscriptions of 73 psalms specifically name David as author.
- These titles are considered reliable and ancient, some dating back to the time the psalms were written.
- The psalms attributed to David have a distinctive style and themes reflective of his life.
- Details in certain Davidic psalms correlate with events in David’s life recorded elsewhere in Scripture.
- Many Davidic psalms express themes central to his reign such as Zion, the kingship of Israel, God’s covenant with David, etc.
- Ancient Jewish and Christian tradition affirms David’s authorship of many psalms.
- David had musical skill and poetic abilities (1 Samuel 16:18, 2 Samuel 1:17-27).
- As an accomplished musician, it makes sense David would compose songs for worship.
Though some scholars dispute Davidic authorship of various psalms, there are good textual and historical reasons to accept David as the primary author of the Psalms.
Psalms attributed to David
The following 73 psalms have superscriptions or titles attributing them to David:
Psalms 3-9, 11-14, 16, 18-22, 24-30, 32, 34, 36-39, 41, 51-55, 57, 59-63, 65-67, 69-71, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 138-139, 141-143
Some highlights among the Davidic psalms include:
- Psalm 3 – A psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son
- Psalm 18 – A psalm of David recounting God’s deliverance
- Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
- Psalm 51 – David’s prayer for forgiveness after sinning with Bathsheba
- Psalm 139 – You have searched me, Lord, and know me
David’s psalms cover a range of themes and emotions rooted in various experiences over his life. He wrote of intimacy with God, cries for help, praise, confession, prophecy, and more. His rich poetry still resonates today.
Psalms of Asaph
The following 12 psalms identify Asaph as author in their titles:
Psalms 50, 73-83
Some key psalms of Asaph include:
- Psalm 50 – God the righteous judge
- Psalm 73 – Struggling over the prosperity of the wicked
- Psalm 75 – God judges with equity
- Psalm 78 – Remembering God’s goodness to Israel
- Psalm 80 – Plea for Israel’s restoration
Asaph’s psalms contain exhortations to praise God, warnings against sin, meditations on the problem of evil, and recollections of God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s failures.
Psalms of the sons of Korah
The following psalms name the sons of Korah as authors:
Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88
Key psalms include:
- Psalm 42 – As a deer pants for water, so my soul longs for you
- Psalm 84 – How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty
- Psalm 88 – Dark psalm of one forsaken and near death
The sons of Korah express deep longing for God and his presence, interspersed with laments over affliction.
Psalms of Solomon
Two psalms are attributed to Solomon in their titles:
Psalms 72, 127
Psalm 72 is a prayer for the king, reflecting themes of justice and righteousness. Psalm 127 teaches that unless the Lord builds a house, builders labor in vain.
Other psalm authors
In addition to the major authors discussed above, a few other authors are named in psalm titles:
- Moses – Psalm 90
- Heman – Psalm 88
- Ethan – Psalm 89
These psalms represent the oldest and the darkest psalms in the collection.
Themes and content
The psalms cover many themes, reflecting human emotion and real life. Major themes and content include:
- Praise – Psalms of exultation and joy praising God’s attributes and works (Pss 8, 33, 103, 150)
- Lament – Psalms crying out to God over suffering, persecution, doubt (Pss 10, 44, 74, 137)
- Thanksgiving – Psalms thanking God for blessings and deliverance (Pss 9, 30, 118)
- Confession – Psalms repenting and asking forgiveness for sin (Ps 51)
- Wisdom – Psalms teaching wise living through fear of the Lord (Pss 1, 37, 49)
- Messianic – Psalms prophesying Christ’s coming kingdom (Pss 2, 16, 22)
- Royal – Psalms on Jerusalem, Zion, the Davidic kingship (Pss 2, 20, 101)
- Pilgrimage – Psalms for going up to Jerusalem and the temple (Pss 122, 134)
The psalms run the gamut of human experience and emotion before God. Through poetic beauty, they guide believers in worship, prayer, and righteous living.
Compilation
Though written by multiple authors, the psalms form a unified collection likely compiled after the Jews’ return from exile in Babylon. Reasons include:
- Similarities to other post-exilic books (Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah)
- Lack of reference to king or kingdom suggests post-exilic setting
- Seems to be compiled from earlier smaller collections e.g. David, Asaph, Korah
- Doxologies divide psalms into five “books” (Pss 41:13, 72:18-19, 89:52, 106:48)
The compiler is unknown, but many propose Ezra the priest as responsible for the final collection. The psalms were likely compiled for use in rebuilt temple worship after the exile.
Enduring value
Though written thousands of years ago, the book of Psalms continues to inspire worship and devotion through its timeless poetry:
- Speaks to the full range of human experience and emotion
- Guides personal and corporate worship
- Inspires heartfelt praise, repentance, thanksgiving
- Provides comfort and hope amidst suffering
- Points to Christ through Messianic psalms
- Illustrates God’s faithful dealings with his people
For these reasons, the Psalms endure as the bible’s most widely used book for spiritual nourishment and worship.