Psalms: Summary & Key Themes

The Book of Psalms at a glance, before you read it.

Written by	David and others
Written for	Israel’s worship
Type	Poetry
Chapters	150
Position	Book 19 of 66 · book 19 of the Old Testament

Summary

Psalms is Israel’s songbook: 150 prayers of praise, lament, thanksgiving, trust and confession, many by David.

Main themes

worship
honest prayer
trust in God

Key verse

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

How to read Psalms

With 150 chapters, try a few a week alongside another book rather than straight through. Ask three questions as you go: what did this mean to the first readers, what does it show about God, and what does it ask of me?

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