How to read the Psalms: keys to biblical interpretation

The book of Psalms — the Psalter — is the prayer book par excellence of the Bible. St. Athanasius said that "the Psalms are a mirror of the soul"; St. Augustine said "whoever sings the Psalms speaks with God."

The five books of the Psalter

Book I (Psalms 1-41): Dominated by David. Themes: justice, protection, repentance. Book II (Psalms 42-72): Introduces the sons of Korah. "As the deer pants for streams of water." Book III (Psalms 73-89): The darkest. Laments after Jerusalem's destruction. Psalm 88 ends without hope. Book IV (Psalms 90-106): Turning point. "The Lord reigns." Book V (Psalms 107-150): The longest. Psalm 119 (176 verses), Songs of Ascents (120-134), final praise (146-150).

Literary genres

| Genre | Characteristics | Examples | |-------|----------------|----------| | Hymn | Pure praise | 8, 100, 148-150 | | Lament | Complaint + plea + trust | 13, 22, 42-43 | | Thanksgiving | Deliverance + gratitude | 18, 30, 116 | | Penitential | Repentance | 6, 32, 51, 130 | | Royal/Messianic | King and Messiah | 2, 72, 110 | | Wisdom | Reflection on law | 1, 37, 119 | | Pilgrimage | Ascent to Zion | 120-134 |

Hebrew poetry: parallelism

• Synonymous: second line repeats (Ps 23:1-2).
• Antithetic: second line contrasts (Ps 1:6).
• Synthetic: second line completes (Ps 19:8).

Christological interpretation

Jesus said: "Everything written about me in the Psalms must be fulfilled" (Lk 24:44).

Psalm 22: "My God, why have you forsaken me?" — the Passion. Psalm 110: "Sit at my right hand" — the Ascension. Psalm 118: "The stone the builders rejected" — the Resurrection.

How to pray the Psalms: lectio divina

1. Lectio: read slowly.
2. Meditatio: what does it say to me?
3. Oratio: respond to God.
4. Contemplatio: rest in God.