Books of the Old Testament
The Psalms
- Kethuveem or The (Other) Writings
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Five Migilloth, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah,
Chronicles
from The Names and Order of the
Books of the Old Testament
by E.W. Bullinger
We come now to the third and last
division of the Old Testament, called Kethuveem;
or The Writings, i.e., the other writings;
and by the Greeks the Hagiographa or sacred
writings. The Lord’s name for this division was The
Psalms, using the figure of Synecdoche by
putting a part for the whole; i.e., calling the whole
division by the name of one (its first) book, The
Psalms. (Luke 24:44).
The Book of Psalms
T'hilleem - Praises
Our word psalms is the
Greek word psalmoi. This is the name given to
the book in the Greek version, the Septuagint.
This word occurs seven times in the New Testament. (Luke
20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33; 1 Corinthians 14:26;
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) Our word psalter
is another Greek word psalteerion, a stringed
instrument.
There is no proper correspondence between either of these
titles and the Hebrew title which is T’hilleem,
which is invariably translated praises. It is a
verbal noun derived from the word Hal or Hallel,
which we have as the first part of the word hallelujah
(praise ye Jah). The root meaning of the verb is
first to jump or dance about as light does,
then to throw light upon anything so as to illuminate
it or glorify it. Hence, the transition is
easy, to praise, for praising is setting
anything in the light.
T’hillim then may mean glorious-doings
or irradiations, which show forth God’s
glory and call forth praises. Exodus 15:11,
“fearful in praises,” i.e., to be feared for
glorious actions.
Isaiah 61:3, “the garment of praise:, i.e.,
a clothing of light (see Psalm 104:2). Habakkuk 3:3,
“His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was
filled with His praise", i.e., with the
glorious shining forth of His works which showed forth
His praise.
The Psalms are called T’hilleem because
they set God’s purposes in the light, and illustrate
them by causing them to shine forth to His praise. They
cover the entire field of Old Testament revelation. God’s
purposes are set forth in history and prophecy, as they
relate to Man, to Israel, or to the Earth; and light is
thrown upon them.
Manuscript and Massoretic authorities, the Talmud (Kiddushin
33a) as well as the ancient versions such as the Septuagint,
divide the Psalms into Five Books.
Book I
Book II
Book III
Book IV
Book V |
Psalms 1-40, ending with
a blessing and double Amen
Psalms 41-72, ending with a blessing and
double Amen
Psalms 73-89, ending with a blessing and
double Amen
Psalms 90-106, ending with a blessing and
"amen Hallelujah"
Psalm 107-150, ending with Hallelujah |
There are in all seven Amens,
and twenty-four Hallelujahs.
Ancient Jewish authorities assert that these five books
correspond to the five books of the Law (See the Midrash
on Psalm 1:1). Hence we may call:
Book I
Book II
Book III
Book IV
Book V |
The Genesis Book
The Exodus Book
The Leviticus Book
The Numbers Book
The Deuteronomy Book |
If we compare what is said
previously (The Law) as to the significance of the
Divine names of these books we learn that:
I
II
III
IV
V |
Genesis is the book of The
Beginning
Exodus is the book of Redemption
Leviticus is the book of The Sanctuary
Numbers is the book of The Wilderness
Deuteronomy is the book of The Word |
These books set forth in the
Light the purposes and counsels of God, past,
present, and future, and each Psalm-Book views these
counsels and purposes in their relation to the special
character of the corresponding Pentateuch-Book; the first
Psalm in each book being the key to, and the epitome of
the whole. The very first word of the Psalms - “Blessed”
(lit.O the blessednesses) - indicates the only
way of blessing for Man, for Israel, and for the Earth,
viz., delight in, and conformity to, the Word of God.
Book I - All the figures and illustrations are
taken from Genesis. A careful study will reveal this and
yield a rich reward.
Man is seen fallen from his position of blessing
(1-8); at enmity with God, and that enmity culminating in
Antichrist (9-15); but finally blessed by the gracious
and glorious work of “the man Christ Jesus” (15-41).
Book II - Here again the figures and
illustrations are from Exodus, while Israel is
the subject of God’s counsels. We see Israel’s Ruin
(42-49); Israel’s Redeemer (50-60); and
Israel’s Redemption (61-72).
The Great Redemption title, “Jah”,
occurs in the Pentateuch first in Exodus (15:13), and in
the Psalms first in the second, or Exodus Book (Psalm 68:4).
It opens with Israel’s oppression (42) and ends with
Israel’s glory (72).
Book III - Here the purposes of God are seen in
relation to the sanctuary; in its relation to
man (73-83); and in its relation to Jehovah (84-89). We
have in nearly every Psalm some reference to the
Sanctuary, Congregation &c.
It opens with absence from the Sanctuary (73) and the
enemy within it (74); and ends with God dwelling the the
assembly of His saints (89).
Book IV - In this fourth book we have
the same counsels of God in relation to the earth.
All the imagery is from the wilderness (mountains, hills,
floods, grass, pestilence, trees, etc., etc.). Blessing
for the earth is needed and desired (90-94). Blessing for
the Earth is anticipated (95-100). Blessing for the Earth
is enjoyed (101-106).
Book V - All the purposes and counsels of God
are centered in His word. Departure from that
Word brought in the ruin upon Man, upon Israel, and upon
the Earth. Only therefore through the Word can blessing
be restored., and the curse removed. The book opens with
Psalm 107 which gives the key, “He sent His word
and healed them, and delivered them from their
destructions.” While Psalm 119 is the great psalm of
the whole book; at once its key and its illustration. <--
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