The Book of Psalms covers a wide variety of topics and is commonly categorized into different types. Containing 150 psalms divided into five books, the Psalms range from songs of praise, laments, and songs of thanksgiving among many other types. Because Psalms have varying contents, they are categorized with similar Psalms, thus creating the need for different “types” or categories.
To understand why there are different types of psalms, one must consider the historical approaches to the different psalms, recognize that these songs are often categorized in different ways, and remember that the purpose of the various psalms is to worship God and relate to Him through many different emotions and moods.
Ultimately, the Book of Psalms is the divinely inspired product of multiple authors, who expressed a wide array of emotions when praising God through their songs.
What Are the Historical Approaches to the Psalms?
The various historical approaches to the Book of Psalms help to explain why there are different categories of psalms. One of the popular, but older means of studying the Psalms was to consider the historical-grammatical background of an individual psalm to determine the occasion for why it was written.
Some psalms, such as Psalm 51, already include information about the historical background, but others require more study to determine the context. The historical-grammatical approach did include the recognition of types of psalms but focused on understanding the songs according to their historical context in Scripture.
Another historical approach, which is widely used today, was developed by Hermann Gunkel (1862-1932), a German Old Testament scholar who started form criticism. Form criticism largely influenced the systemization of types or genres of Psalms.
Gunkel’s approach “considered that the Psalms were to be sung with ritual acts in Israel’s worship” (“Psalms,” Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament). This approach does examine the historical context of individual psalms but views each psalm as having a specific function in the worship practices of Israel.
According to Gunkel’s form criticism, types of psalms can be established since different psalms were used for the different aspects of worship. Thus, they could be categorized together based on their similar features.
For instance, thanksgiving psalms all have similarities through their emphasis on praise and gratitude that the Lord had delivered them from their troubles (see Psalm 34 and 66). One can see how Gunkel influenced the use of “types” of psalms. By noting the similarities of the various psalms, they can be grouped into different types.
What Are the Different Ways of Categorization?
Using this method to determine the different types can be helpful in studying individual psalms or groups of psalms in the same category. However, biblical scholars often group them in different ways, some using four, five, seven, or eight categories.
Others also recognize minor categories of psalms that seem to have a mix of different types. The following list includes the types of psalms according to Gunkel’s form criticism:
- Psalms of Lament. These psalms include two separate types, including individual laments and Israel’s corporate laments (see Psalm 12 and 13). As an expression of lament, the Psalmist cries out to God for help, explaining his sorrow, but ends with praise.
- Psalms of Thanksgiving. As was shown earlier, a psalm of thanksgiving gives praise to God for His deliverance (see Psalm 21, 32).
- Hymns. Also called praise psalms, hymns are songs of worship. These psalms are directed toward praising the Lord (see Psalm 113 and 135).
- Royal Psalms. A royal psalm presents the king as a representative of God and was often sung at special events involving the king of Israel (see Psalm 2 and 45).
While there are other ways of classifying the Psalms, these are well-used categories. Many biblical scholars also recognize that Psalms can include a mixture of different types and minor genres, such as the wisdom psalms or songs of ascent (also called pilgrim psalms).
Wisdom psalms often contrast the wicked and the righteous. In a manner similar to the wisdom literature of Scripture (e.g., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.), these practical psalms offer insight and teaching about godliness (see Psalm 1 and 14).
The songs of ascent are psalms that were sung as the Israelites traveled to Jerusalem to worship the Lord (see Psalm 121 and 126). They were used to worship God, but also to express emotions, such as crying out to God for help (Psalm 129).
There are overlaps with some of the Psalms. For instance, specific royal psalms can sometimes be referred to as Messianic psalms because of the prophecies, which reference Christ (Psalm 22). Significantly, multiple psalms of different types are referenced in the New Testament as being fulfilled in Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.
For example, Psalm 34:20 specifically states that not one of Messiah’s bones would be broken. Christ’s legs were not broken on the cross since He had already died, and the Romans did not have to break his legs as they did for the other victims (John 19:32-33).
Worshiping God in Every Circumstance
While Hermann Gunkel is often recognized as the developer of genres for the Book of Psalms, he was not the first person to group the Psalms into types since earlier scholars also noted that there were different types of psalms based on the content and style of individual psalms.
Gunkel helped to systematize the types, but there are multiple ways of classifying the psalms, which allows for flexibility when considering overlapping psalms. Generally, however, the Psalms present the worship of God during varying situations and from a multitude of different emotions.
Since the Psalms have different content and form, based on the human authors as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, it is no surprise that there are different types of Psalms. All these songs of praise offer unique perspectives in worshiping the Lord and remind believers that they can praise God in any and every circumstance.
As Psalm 34:1 says, “I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises” (NLT). Believers can worship God during times of sorrow and hardship (Psalm 38:9-11), as well as when gratitude is overwhelming in their hearts because of the Lord’s deliverance (Psalm 28:7).
In this way, followers of Christ can adhere to the biblical admonition to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).
Why Do the Types of Psalms Matter?
Scholars have recognized similarities between the Psalms, indicating the need to categorize them in “types” or “genres.” Studying the types of psalms in Scripture is helpful in gaining a better understanding of the Book of Psalms and their purpose in worshiping the Lord.
While there are multiple ways of classifying the Psalms, believers can use these various types of songs to worship their Lord and Savior in all circumstances. By His guidance and inspiration, God reminds His followers through the Psalms that praises can be offered amid the diverse emotions and events in life.
For further reading:
What Are the Penitential Psalms?
What Are the Psalms of Praise?
5 Encouraging Psalms to Give Hope in Difficult Times
6 Beautiful Psalms That Teach Us about Forgiveness
7 Powerful Psalms That Teach Us about Love
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