Psa. 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
As I read through this psalm, I felt I was connecting with the heart of an older saint who was concerned about waning personal worth in the eyes of his LORD. The psalmist is addressing the LORD, as YHWH, the self-existent eternal God. This is the name by which God identified Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 6) in connection with his call to serve as God’s vessel in bringing about the deliverance of His people; God was clear in making the connection that He was the same God who had made covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the God of Israel (their descendants). This is a precious truth to a psalmist of Israel.
When I looked up the Hebrew for trust, I found that it was a reference to protection and refuge. The psalmist is basically stating that he is looking to YHWH to supply all his needs. The psalmist is very transparent as he reveals a bit of doubt by asking God never to let him be ashamed or disappointed in that trust. I can’t help but connect with his heart. I think this reflects the same heart of the man who prayed, “Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) I have prayed that prayer more than once.
Spurgeon: “Jehovah deserves our confidence; let him have it all. Every day must we guard against every form of reliance upon an arm of flesh, and hourly hang our faith upon the ever faithful God.”
Psa. 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
I love it when I feel like God is talking to me through these studies. When I first read through this Psalm a few times in preparing for the study, I immediately assumed these verses were in reference to deliverance from enemies. In light of the previous verse, I think that the deliverance the psalmist is asking for is from that measure of doubt. He knows that his deliverance rests in the righteousness of God to provide according to His word.
Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
It seems to connect with the words of David as expressed in Psalm 34.
Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
The psalmist wants to be free from any thing that would detract from his faith in YHWH. The second phrase of verse two is basically a poetic repetition of the first phrase. He is asking God to hear his prayer and strengthen his faith.
Psa. 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
The NRSV translation seems to have the least confusing translation: “Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”
The psalmist is asking God to be a strong secure place of refuge in which he can confidently find protection and provision. He confidently declares a personal connection to YHWH as “my” rock and “my” fortress, his personal source of strength and protection. That is another amazing privilege accorded each person who places their faith in God; we can each one have personal, intimate fellowship with Him. He doesn’t have human limitations. He is everywhere present and all-knowing.
Psa. 71:4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
At this point the psalmist changes direction to pray for deliverance from:
the wicked or ungodly – This thought positions the psalmist with the godly. In other words, the psalmist’s enemies would also be God’s enemies.
the unjust or those with distorted morals – I thought this was an interesting correlation. Those who are unjust do have distorted morals which are a perversion of what is true.
the cruel or soured man – After looking up these words, my thoughts took an interesting direction. Soured was defined as “turning from sweet to sour.” It’s a description to me of someone whose life experience has produced in him/her a hard heart and a desire to torment and cause pain to others.
Spurgeon: “Two hands are here mentioned: they grasp and they crush; they strike and they would slay if God did not prevent….”
Psa. 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
The psalmist is stating that his confidence in the provision and protection of the “LORD,” YHWH, is just as it has been since his childhood. Important to note is that the psalmist is emphasizing that YHWH is his LORD (master, sovereign). I think this is key in our expectations of God. The more we are yielded to Him as LORD in our lives, the more confident we are of His response to our prayers—even when we may not understand that response.
Psa. 71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
As I read through the Hebrew for “holden up,” my choice would have been sustained. I think the psalmist is acknowledging the fact that he is a special creation of God (as is every individual) and that the miracle of birth is an act of God. The psalmist is thankful for the gift of life and recognizes that this gift is from God.
It could also be that the psalmist is emphasizing the fact that as far back as he can remember, he has known God as his Creator, provider and protector.
Spurgeon: “Where goodness has been unceasingly received, praise should unceasingly be offered. God is the circle where praise should begin, continue, and endlessly revolve, since in him we live, and move, and have our being.”
Psa. 71:7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
In my thinking this verse gives more support to the psalmist being David. The Hebrew for the word wonder references “conspicuousness…token…sign.” God’s provision and protection of David was very obvious to many. God had very publicly blessed him for his faith and punished him for his sin. Through it all, David had remained faithful to God and willing to submit to His will.
Spurgeon: “The believer is a riddle, an enigma puzzling the unspiritual; he is a monster warring with those delights of the flesh, which are the all in all of other men; he is a prodigy, unaccountable to the judgments of ungodly men; a wonder gazed at, feared, and, by and by, contemptuously derided.”
Psa. 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
The psalmist is declaring his desire to continually voice his praise for God’s glory and honor. Again, I connect with his heart. It’s so easy to get caught up in the cares and demands of life that we forget that God wants us to realize that He has a hand in or on everything that is allowed to touch those who are looking to Him in faith.
1Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Psa. 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
As we grow older and recognize that we are more and more limited in what we can do, it’s a natural thing to think that we are less useful and, therefore, less valued by God and subject to be forsaken by Him. The psalmist is very transparent. His desire is to continue to serve God with His empowerment and direction.
I remember hearing Chuck Smith speak one time about ministering to Corrie ten Boom in her later years and encouraging her to realize that you can be a powerful minister for Christ as a prayer warrior even though bedridden. No matter how spiritually mature we may become, we all need encouragement at times, especially as we find ourselves more limited in our abilities.
Spurgeon: “Old age robs us of personal beauty, and deprives us of strength for active service; but it does not lower us in the love and favour of God.”
Psa. 71:10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
Psa. 71:11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
I couldn’t help but think of the mentality today to accuse or make judgments against a person of faith when he/she is in a weak position or considered more vulnerable for whatever reason. It seems that at the time the psalmist wrote this psalm, he was in such a position. We humans have a terrible tendency to assess God’s blessing or disfavor based on our own thinking and expectations. This truth is vividly portrayed in the book of Job, as well as by the lives of many of God’s prophets. It continues to be true today. We tend to think that God’s favor is evidenced by financial success, health, fame, etc. The word of God in no way supports such thinking; in fact, it is very clear in stating that God’s ways are very different from ours.
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Psa. 71:12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
At the times we are weakest and most vulnerable, it is natural that we need a special sense of God’s presence in our life. I personally believe that this is a prayer that always gets an immediate response. Sometimes it is in the form of physical provision; sometimes it is a touch of the Spirit through the Word; sometimes it may come through the ministry of another person of faith. God is not limited in the ways and means He may choose to use to strengthen the faith of His children.
Psa. 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
Again, these are words that indicate David to be the author of this Psalm. There are many times that David prayed for God to bring down judgment on his enemies. He was a warrior, and his mentality was that his enemies were God’s enemies and deserving of that judgment. The judgment he was seeking against these particular enemies was that they be covered with shame and disgrace.
I couldn’t help but make note that the Hebrew for adversaries is “satan.”
Psa. 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
Psa. 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
Psa. 71:16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
The Hebrew for hope in verse 14 is a reference to patience while waiting for God’s provision, and the psalmist goes on to say that he will praise God throughout that time. He is determined to continue to be bold and public about his trust in God; he is not going to buckle just because times are tough. Verse 15 seems to indicate that he realizes God has provided for him even when he was unaware of God’s hand in the provision. Or maybe he is saying that God has helped him so many times he can’t begin to number them. In verse 16, he makes a commitment to live life in the power of the LORD. He knows that everything he has accomplished for good has been through God’s provision and enablement, and only God deserves the praise.
These are very important truths for every person of faith. If we would but learn to submit to God’s leading and provision, we would experience more spiritual success in life and would certainly be looking to give God the praise and glory.
Trust → Submission → Patient endurance → Spiritual blessing → Praise
Spugeon: “When I cannot rejoice in what I have, I will look forward to what shall be mine, and will still rejoice.”
Psa. 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
The psalmist is declaring that he has been a student of God’s word since childhood. I would assume that teaching to have come through his parents, religious leaders, and personal experience. In all that time, he had boldly declared God’s works on his behalf.
I can’t help but again make application to David. David was a shepherd boy who experienced miraculous deliverance from wild animals as he tended his flocks, from the giant Goliath as he boldly confronted him in the name of the LORD, as a mighty warrior against Israel’s enemies, from the murderous intent of Saul, etc.
Psa. 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
The psalmist, now an old man in the faith, wants the privilege to minister to yet one more generation of young people. His desire is for God to allow him once again to declare the power and might of his God. It should always be the heart of the “old” person of faith to share the faithfulness of God to those that will place their faith in Him. This made me think of the words of the Apostle Peter.
1Peter 5:1-3 “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Personal note: There are some Christian writers that write some wonderful historical fiction that emphasize this very truth through many of their characters—Michael Phillips, Judith Pella, and George MacDonald (even though some of his writings show that he tends toward universalism). It’s wonderful to be able to read for enjoyment and be challenged spiritually in the process.
Spurgeon: “Nothing shall make God forsake those who have not forsaken him. Our fear is lest he should do so; but his promise kisses that fear into silence.”
Psa. 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
It’s like the psalmist is overcome with the desire to praise his God as he thinks about the opportunity to once again declare His truth to another generation. He knows that the younger generation needs to recognize how great and righteous and mighty God is. They need to know that there is no other being like Him. God tells us this many times through the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 43:10–11 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
Isaiah 44:8 “Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.”
Isaiah 45:5–6 “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.”
Isaiah 45:21–22 “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Isaiah 46:9 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me….”
As I have grown older, I find that I long to share God’s truth so much more fervently than ever before. I’m sure that is due to God’s blessing in growing me up in Him through the teaching of His Spirit. I am focused on continuing to encourage my children to make God the center of their lives. I’m trying to teach my grandchildren the awesomeness of God. I want them to know that they are surrounded by miracles that we take for granted and that these miracles are acts of the mighty hand of God. I try to emphasize to them how much He loves them and specify the many ways He has shown and continues to show us that love. I want them to look forward to heaven. I want them to love Him and know that He loves them better than anybody else can—even Grandma. I want them to know that it is important to obey Him with every choice they make in life.
Psa. 71:20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Psa. 71:21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
The psalmist acknowledges that he has experienced “great and sore troubles” during his lifetime. He also recognizes that they were part of his experience because of judgment at the hand of God or because God allowed it for His greater purpose. The second half of verses 20-21 seems to refer to the psalmist’s expectation for resurrection and the blessings that will accompany it.
We know that Job looked forward to seeing the LORD in his flesh after death.
Job 19:26 “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God….”
David knew that he would one day see his baby son again.
2Samuel 12:23 “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
I know that both Isaiah and Daniel were given messages regarding future life in eternity, but I don’t know how these more ancient men of faith knew that truth. It had to be have been revealed to them, even though we aren’t specifically told how, in the same way that Cain knew what was an acceptable sacrifice to God.
Psa. 71:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
Psa. 71:23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
Psa. 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Yet another indication that David authored this psalm. The psalmist is declaring his praise for the LORD with the psaltery (the Hebrew also includes lyre) and harp, and David was known as a musician who sang and played the harp. He was first brought to Saul as one who could calm his spirit through the beautiful music he played (1Samuel 16). When a musician is inspired, it is only natural to want to express himself in song. The psalmist was clear that his songs would praise God, declare God’s truth, and express the joy of his redemption. That is a wonderful guideline for the music directors of our churches today. The songs we sing should praise God, declare His truth and express the joy of our salvation.
The psalmist also states that he would be faithful to declare God’s righteousness. It sounds as though the psalmist’s prayer for judgment upon his adversaries (v13) had already been answered. If not, then this is certainly a statement of confidence that it would be.
Spurgeon: “Till men are redeemed, they are like instruments out of tune; but when once the precious blood has set them at liberty, then are they fitted to magnify the Lord who bought them.”
Psalms 72:0 ¶ A Psalm for Solomon.
This would appear to be a psalm directed to Solomon but having obvious foreshadowing of the coming Messiah, the last King of the Davidic line that will reign for eternity. The last verse in the psalm indicates that it could have been written as a blessing from King David to his son.
After reading several commentaries, I liked Spurgeon’s synthesis the best. “The best linguists affirm that this should be rendered, of or by Solomon. There is not sufficient ground for the rendering for. It is pretty certain that the title declares Solomon to be the author of the Psalm, and yet from Ps. 72:20 it would seem that David uttered it in prayer before he died. With some diffidence we suggest that the spirit and matter of the Psalm are David's, but that he was too near his end to pen the words, or cast them into form: Solomon, therefore, caught his dying father's song, fashioned it in goodly verse, and, without robbing his father, made the Psalm his own. It is, we conjecture, the Prayer of David, but the Psalm of Solomon.”
Psalms 72:1 ¶ Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
Psalms 72:2 ¶ He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
The prayer calls for God to bless Solomon with the ability to judge in His righteousness. The prayer is for Solomon to rightly represent God as he applies the law of God to make righteous judgments. This was how every king of Israel was supposed to rule---as God’s faithful representative before the people.
Point is made that King Solomon will be ruling over God’s people—all His people, including the poor. Every person was to benefit from righteous judgment—not just a chosen few.
Oh, that our governments today functioned in righteousness before God!
Psalms 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
Psalms 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
The prayer is that the land will experience peace and prosperity (from the Hebrew) during his reign. The father calls for his son to treat the poor and needy with compassion and destroy those that defraud or harm them.
It is a sad commentary that mistreatment of the poor and needy is a common theme throughout history. In American politics today, the poor and needy are used as pawns towards achieving the personal agendas of those they are supposed to represent—often willing pawns because they have been taught to expect handouts and not taught a proper work ethic.
Psalms 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
Psalms 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
Psalms 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
These verses call for Solomon to be respected throughout coming generations. They call for his rule to be one of prosperity and peace.
In these verses one can begin to see application to the Messiah, the last king of the line of David, because His reign will truly last for eternity.
Clarke re verse 6: “The word “gez” which we translate mown grass, more properly means pastured grass or pastured land; for the dew of the night is intended to restore the grass which has been eaten in the course of the day. “
Spurgeon made the following beautiful application to Jesus: “Where Jesus reigns he is known as the true Melchizedek, king both of righteousness and peace. Peace based upon right is sure to be lasting, but no other will be. Many a so called Holy Alliance has come to the ground ere many moons have filled their horns, because craft formed the league, perjury established it, and oppression was the design of it; but when Jesus shall proclaim the great Truce of God, he will ordain perpetual peace, and men shall learn war no more.”
Psalms 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
This verse calls for the kingdom to stretch from sea to sea, east to west, Dead Sea to Mediterranean Sea, and from “the river” (both the Euphrates and Nile are mentioned in the Hebrew), north to south or south to north, to the ends of the earth. I think that the reference is to the land God promised to Abraham.
Genesis 15:18 “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates….”
Numbers 34:2–12 “Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:) Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon: And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea. And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border. And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor: From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad: And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border. And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham: And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward: And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.”
Psalms 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
Psalms 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Psalms 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
In these verses the psalmist calls for all those in the surrounding kingdoms as well as those from afar (like Tarshish) to show deference to King Solomon by bringing gifts and serving him.
It’s interesting to note that Sheba is specifically mentioned since we know that the Queen of Sheba sought him out and gifted him lavishly. Note that the Hebrew for “kings” makes reference in general to royalty.
Psalms 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psalms 72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
Psalms 72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Once again, the psalmist expresses confidence that Solomon will attend to the needs of the poor and helpless, that he will protect them from suffering deceit and violence from those who would oppress them, and that he will value all lives the same regardless of social standing.
“save the souls” - This phrase seems to speak of spiritual salvation, the greatest need of all men. Charity and humanitarian aid serve by supply physical needs. Though such works are kind, they are insufficient unless given hand-in-hand with an expression of God’s love and the gospel of salvation that can supply all their needs for eternity.
Psalms 72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
The prayer of blessing again takes on a prophetic nature by expressing confidence that he will be given of the gold of Sheba. It also calls for him to be covered in prayer and praised daily by the people.
Psalms 72:16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
The reference to a “handful” of grain is a reference to abundance (from the Hebrew). The prayer is that during Solomon’s reign the nation will be blessed with abundant harvests of both fruit and grain.
Psalms 72:17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
The prayer is that the name of Solomon will endure forever through his progeny.
This prayer will find its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah, a descendant of David through Solomon. Truly, all men will be blessed in Him and all nations will call Him blessed for eternity.
Psalms 72:18 ¶ Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
Psalms 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The psalmist closes his prayer giving praise to the LORD God, the God of Israel—the only One who is a true worker of miracles. His name will be blessed for eternity and the whole earth will be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen is like a double exclamation point to that truth.
Though God is truly the God of all people, He has by sovereign right set apart the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as favored among the nations. The beautiful truth is that as a child of the King in Jesus, I am a part of the spiritual family of Israel, as is every other true believer in Jesus.
Galatians 3:26–29 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Psalms 72:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
The book of psalms is divided into five books:
Book 1 = Psalms 1-41
Book 2 = Psalms 42-72
Book 3 = Psalms 73-89
Book 4 = Psalms 90-106
Book 5 = Psalms 107-150
This seems to be a statement identifying the end of Book 2 (noting the use of the plural “prayers”) as well as a possible statement of authorship of this psalm.
Guzik: “David authored most of the Psalms in Book Two, and Asaph composed the first 11 Psalms of Book Three, so this is a good marking point.”
Pastor Stephen Cole: “…the Book of Psalms as we have it today was the result of a process spanning about 1000 years. It began with individual psalms, the earliest being Psalm 90 by Moses (ca. 1400 B.C.). More than half were written by David (ca. 1000 B.C.). Then the individual psalms were grouped into collections of books for corporate worship, and finally the books were arranged into the final book, probably around 444 B.C. (Ezra’s time).”