How Many Books are Within the Full Book of Psalms?

Psalms is broken down into five “books”. It’s a love story, the history of the Israelites, along with other poetry and hymns.

The Book of Psalms

There’s so much to unpack in Psalms that I struggled with what to highlight in my notes overview. But when stripped down to its most basic, it’s a collection of praise, prayers, and remembrance of what God’s done. It’s a beautiful reflection of who He is.

The book of Psalms models for us how to be in true relationship with a God that we can’t see.

It’s also a book of worship.

Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, with 150 chapters, divided into five sections, called books. Some think it reflects the Jewish Torah or Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy). I’m unsure when the Psalms were officially divided into these sections, but the earliest copies found in the Dead Sea Scrolls included 5 books as well. I was even lucky enough to see them at an exhibit a few years ago!

Book 1: Chapters 1-41
Book 2: Chapters 42-72
Book 3: Chapters 73-89
Book 4: Chapters 90-106
Book 5: Chapters 107-150

Open Bible page displaying Psalm 107:1-12, with highlighted verses and decorative floral background.

Who Wrote the Psalms?

Before my study, I thought that David wrote all the Psalms, but he only wrote about half of the chapters (73). The rest were written by:

Asaph (a Levite music leader)
the sons of Korah (descendants of Moses’ cousin)
Solomon
Moses
Heman the Ezrahite (musician and grandson of prophet Samuel)
Ethan the Ezrahite (Levite musician)

Open book page showing Psalm 90, including a prayer of Moses with the text 'Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.'

Use Psalms as Your Own Prayers

I love that you can read these and pray them as your own. The hymns, prayers, petitions, laments, and praises of these poems are timeless, so they can be applied to so many situations in your very own life.

Take Psalm 139 for example. I read this when I need a reminder that I am not alone.

PSALM 139:1-10

1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

The Book of Psalms SIMPLE Notes

In order to break down the basics for you in your study of the book of Psalms, I created these notes to get a quick overview. Use it as a supplement to your study today!