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Daily Feed The PsalmsCategorizing the 150 PsalmsWhat are the Psalms?The psalms are the prayers of the people of Israel. All in all they number 150. There are two different ways of numbering the psalms. That is why in some bible translations, they give two numbers - meaning that the first number belong to one tradition of numbering and the other to a second tradition of numbering. One tradition of numbering is taken from the Hebrew text of the psalms. Another tradition of numbering comes from the Greek, the Septuagint. The difference in numbering is while in the Hebrew tradition one psalm is a combination of two psalms in the Greek (for instance, as in Psalm 116, which combines Psalm 114 and 115, the same is done in the Greek tradition, which also has one psalm that combines two of the Hebrew tradition. An example of this is Psalm 113, which combines Psalm 114 and 115 in the Hebrew tradition.Here is the numbering of both the Hebrew and Greek traditions: Hebrew Greek (LXX) 1 to 8 1 to 8 9 and 10 9 11 to 113 10 to 112 114 and 115 113 116 114 and 115 117 to 146 116 to 145 147 146 and 147 148 to 150 148 to 150 There are many ways also of categorizing the psalms. There is no one particular way of categorizing them. However, research in recent times have led many bible scholars to categorize them according to the following: Psalms on the Law Liturgical psalms Prophetic psalms Historical psalms Wisdom psalms Royal psalms (on the king) Laments Confidence psalms Thanksgiving psalms Hymns - hymns (general) - hymns on the reign of the Lord - hymns on Zion Psalms on the LawPsalms on the Law usually exalt the love of the law of God as the love of God Himself. There are many psalms which fall under this category. Psalm 1 is a good example. Psalm 119 is also a song praising the Law. This is the longest of all the psalms (176 verses)Liturgical psalmsLiturgical psalms usually presents an "entrance ritual" where the pilgrim coming to worship in the Temple was reminded of the way of life which the Lord demanded of those who gathered to worship in his presence. Some Psalms which represent this category of liturgical psalms are: Psalm 15, Psalm 24 and Psalm 134.Prophetic psalmsProphetic psalms usually reflect the concerns and prayers of the prophets of Israel. Examples of these psalms are: Psalm 95, Psalm 14, Psalm 50, Psalm 52, Psalm 53, Psalm 75, and Psalm 81.Historical psalmsHistorical psalms usually tell of the story of the prayers and the experiences of the people of Israel as they wandered for so many years in the wilderness and the desert. They also contain references to events and persons in history, like the Exodus and covenant in Psalm 114; Abraham in Psalm 47; and Moses in Psalm 103. Other examples of historical psalms is seen in Psalm 68, Psalm 78 and Psalm 106.Wisdom psalmsThe tradition of wisdom of the people of Israel was also expressed in the psalms. Psalms to note that belong to this category are Psalm 8, Psalm 104, Psalm 1, Psalm 37, Psalm 49, Psalm 111, Psalm 112, Psalm 119, Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Psalm 133, Psalm 91, Psalm 139 and Psalm 73.Royal psalmsThere are psalms which have to do with the role of the kings in the history of the People of Israel. These are grouped in a category of psalms called the royal psalms. Examples of this psalms are Psalm 72, Psalm 2, Psalm 89, Psalm 110 and Psalm 132.LamentsAt least 50 of the 150 psalms are laments. These psalms beseech God for help and mercy. In a way, laments are the prayers of the poor and the oppressed. Examples of psalms in this category are Psalm 22, Psalm 42, and Psalm 43.Confidence psalmsThis group of psalms is characterized by an extraordinary sense of trust in God. Six psalms can be said to belong to this category: Psalm 4, Psalm 11, Psalm 16, Psalm 23, Psalm 62, and Psalm 131. Other authors also include Psalm 127 and Psalm 121 in this category.Thanksgiving psalmsThanksgiving psalms usually give expression of thanks, often with reference to celebration with friends or the assembly. An example of this is in Psalm 30. Other thanksgiving psalms are: Psalm 32, Psalm 9, Psalm 10, Psalm 34, Psalm 40, Psalm 41, Psalm 92, Psalm 107, Psalm 116, and Psalm 138. These just mentioned are individual thanksgiving psalms. The communal thanksgiving psalms are: Psalm 65, Psalm 66, Psalm 67, Psalm 118 and Psalm 124.HymnsHymns are psalms in which the center of attention is the Lord himself; little or no reference is made to the ones singing the psalms. The hymns are of three kinds: Songs of Zion, Songs of the Reign of the Lord, and hymns in general.Songs of Zion Examples of Songs of Zion are: Psalm 46, Psalm 122, Psalm 132, Psalm 84, Psalm 87, Psalm 48, Psalm 76 Songs of the Reign of the Lord Examples of Songs of the Reign of the Lord are: Psalm 93, Psalm 96, Psalm 47, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, and Psalm 99 General Hymns This last category of psalms covers at least 19 psalms. Classic examples which belong to this category are: Psalm 146 and Psalm 148 Where are the psalms mostly used?The psalms are mostly used in the Eucharistic service during the liturgy of the word. After the first reading is proclaimed, there is a part of the liturgy of the word called the responsorial psalm. In this prayers parts of a psalm are taken and the responses to the prayers of the psalm are often from the psalm itself also.Another tradition where the psalms are used are in the praying of the breviary or the liturgy of the hours. The psalms here are either sang [as in the monastic tradition] or plainly recited in two choirs by the religious community. Many parishes have taken the initiative to pray the liturgy of the hours amongst the lay faithful with the parish priest leading the prayers. Dennis-Emmanuel Cabrera
April 4, 2005
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