Black Psalmody Database
Choral Settings of the Psalms by Black Composers
About the Psalter
The Psalter is the first book of the final section of the Tanakh, or the Torah-Hebrew Bible. It is also the longest book of the Christian Bible with 150 Chapters. The word "Psalm" comes from the Greek work psalmoi which means "songs sung to a harp or instrument." Psalms were typically sung by an individual or a group and was accompanied by an instrument.
Types of Psalms
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Hymns
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Communal Laments
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Individual Laments
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Royal Psalms
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Psalms of Thanksgiving
Authorship
King David authored 73 psalms. There are approximately 76 additional psalms attributed to him but its authorship cannot be confirmed.
Asaph authored a dozen psalms.
The Korahites authored 11 and have 12 attributed to them.
King Solomon authored Psalm 90.
Two are authored by the Ezrahites:
Psalm 88 (Herman) and Psalm 89 (Ethan).
The rest of the psalms have no author or attributor.
The Psalms are divided into five books:
Book One: Psalms 1-41
Book Two: Psalms 42-72
Book Three: Psalms 73-89
Book Four: Psalms 90-106
Book Five: Psalms 107-150