Psalms - La Sainte Bible (Crampon 1904)
The Hebrew Psalter numbers 150 songs. The corresponding number in the LXX differs because of a different division of certain psalms. Hence the numbering in the Greek Psalter (which was followed by the Latin Vulgate) is usually one digit behind the Hebrew. In the New American Bible the numbering of the verses follows the Hebrew numbering; many of the traditional English translations are often a verse number behind the Hebrew because they do not count the superscriptions as a verse. The superscriptions derive from pre-Christian Jewish tradition, and they contain technical terms, many of them apparently liturgical, which are no longer known to us. Seventy-three psalms are attributed to David, but there is no sure way of dating any psalm. Some are pre-exilic (before 587), and others are post-exilic (after 539), but not as late as the Maccabean period (ca. 165). The psalms are the product of many individual collections (e.g., Songs of Ascents, Psa 120-134), which were eventually combined into the present work in which one can detect five "books," because of the doxologies which occur at 41:14; 72:18-19; 89:53; 106:48. Two important features of the psalms deserve special notice. First, the majority were composed originally precisely for liturgical worship. This is shown by the frequent indication of liturgical leaders interacting with the community (e.g., Psalm 118:1-4). Secondly, they follow certain distinct patterns or literary forms. Thus, the hymn is a song of praise, in which a community is urged joyfully to sing out the praise of God. Various reasons are given for this praise (often introduced by "for" or "because"): the divine work of creation and sustenance (Psalm 135:1-12; 136). Some of the hymns have received a more specific classification, based on content. The "Songs of Zion" are so called because the exalt Zion, the city in which God dwells among the people (Psalm 47:96-99). Characteristic of the songs of praise is the joyful summons to get involved in the activity; Psa 104 is an exception to this, although it remains universal in its thrust. Another type of psalm is similar to the hymn: the thanksgiving psalm. This too is a song of praise acknowledging the Lord as the rescuer of the psalmist from a desperate situation. Very often the psalmist will give a flash-back, recounting the past distress, and the plea that was uttered (Psa 30; 116). The setting for such prayers seems to have been the offering of a todah (a "praise" sacrifice) with friends in the Temple.
There are more psalms of lament than of any other type. They may be individual (e.g., Psa 3-7; 22) or communal (e.g., Psa 44). Although they usually begin with a cry for help, they develop in various ways. The description of the distress is couched in the broad imagery typical of the Bible (one is in Sheol, the Pit, or is afflicted by enemies or wild beasts, etc.)--in such a way that one cannot pinpoint the exact nature of the psalmist's plight. However, Psa 51 (cf also Psa 130) seems to refer clearly to deliverance from sin. Several laments end on a note of certainty that the Lord has heard the prayer (cf. Psa 7, but contrast Psa 88), and the Psalter has been characterized as a movement from lament to praise. If this is somewhat of an exaggeration, it serves at least to emphasize the frequent expressions of trust which characterize the lament. In some cases it would seem as if the theme of trust has been lifted out to form a literary type all its own; cf. Psa 23, 62, 91. Among the communal laments can be counted Psa 74 and 79. They complain to the Lord about some national disaster, and try to motivate God to intervene in favor of the suffering people. Other psalms are clearly classified on account of content, and they may be in themselves laments or psalms of thanksgiving. Among the "royal: psalms, that deal directly with the currently reigning king, are Psa 20, 21, and 72. Many of the royal psalms were given a messianic interpretation by Christians. In Jewish tradition they were preserved, even after kingship had disappeared, because they were read in the light of the Davidic covenant reported in 2 Samuel 7. Certain psalms are called wisdom psalms because they seem to betray the influence of the concerns of the ages (cf. Psa 37,49), but there is no general agreement as to the number of these prayers. Somewhat related to the wisdom psalms are the "torah" psalms, in which the torah (instruction or law) of the Lord is glorified (Psa 1; 19:8-14; 119). Psa 78, 105, 106 can be considered as "historical" psalms. Although the majority of the psalms have a liturgical setting, there are certain prayers that may be termed "liturgies," so clearly does their structure reflect a liturgical incident (e.g., Psa 15, 24). It is obvious that not all of the psalms can be pigeon-holed into neat classifications, but even a brief sketch of these types help us to catch the structure and spirit of the psalms we read. It has been rightly said that the psalms are "a school of prayer." They not only provide us with models to follow, but inspire us to voice our own deepest feelings and aspirations. - (NAB)

  • édition numérique par Richard Bourret
  • Domaine public

  • Headings


    1
    Livre des PSAUMES


    Psaume 1
    2 Psaume 2
    3 Psaume 3
    4 Psaume 4
    5 Psaume 5
    6 Psaume 6
    7 Psaume 7
    8 Psaume 8
    9 Psaume 9
    10 Psaume 10
    11 Psaume 11
    12 Psaume 12
    13 Psaume 13
    14 Psaume 14
    15 Psaume 15
    16 Psaume 16
    17 Psaume 17
    18 Psaume 18
    19 Psaume 19
    20 Psaume 20
    21 Psaume 21
    22 Psaume 22
    23 Psaume 23
    24 Psaume 24
    25 Psaume 25
    26 Psaume 26
    27 Psaume 27
    28 Psaume 28
    29 Psaume 29
    30 Psaume 30
    31 Psaume 31
    32 Psaume 32
    33 Psaume 33
    34 Psaume 34
    35 Psaume 35
    36 Psaume 36
    37 Psaume 37
    38 Psaume 38
    39 Psaume 39
    40 Psaume 40
    41 Psaume 41
    42 Psaume 42
    43 Psaume 43
    44 Psaume 44
    45 Psaume 45
    46 Psaume 46
    47 Psaume 47
    48 Psaume 48
    49 Psaume 49
    50 Psaume 50
    51 Psaume 51
    52 Psaume 52
    53 Psaume 53
    54 Psaume 54
    55 Psaume 55
    56 Psaume 56
    57 Psaume 57
    58 Psaume 58
    59 Psaume 59
    60 Psaume 60
    61 Psaume 61
    62 Psaume 62
    63 Psaume 63
    64 Psaume 64
    65 Psaume 65
    66 Psaume 66
    67 Psaume 67
    68 Psaume 68
    69 Psaume 69
    70 Psaume 70
    71 Psaume 71
    72 Psaume 72
    73 Psaume 73
    74 Psaume 74
    75 Psaume 75
    76 Psaume 76
    77 Psaume 77
    78 Psaume 78
    79 Psaume 79
    80 Psaume 80
    81 Psaume 81
    82 Psaume 82
    83 Psaume 83
    84 Psaume 84
    85 Psaume 85
    86 Psaume 86
    87 Psaume 87
    88 Psaume 88
    89 Psaume 89
    90 Psaume 90
    91 Psaume 91
    92 Psaume 92
    93 Psaume 93
    94 Psaume 94
    95 Psaume 95
    96 Psaume 96
    97 Psaume 97
    98 Psaume 98
    99 Psaume 99
    100 Psaume 100
    101 Psaume 101
    102 Psaume 102
    103 Psaume 103
    104 Psaume 104
    105 Psaume 105
    106 Psaume 106
    107 Psaume 107
    108 Psaume 108
    109 Psaume 109
    110 Psaume 110
    111 Psaume 111
    112 Psaume 112
    113 Psaume 113
    114 Psaume 114
    115 Psaume 115
    116 Psaume 116
    117 Psaume 117
    118 Psaume 118
    119 Psaume 119
    120 Psaume 120
    121 Psaume 121
    122 Psaume 122
    123 Psaume 123
    124 Psaume 124
    125 Psaume 125
    126 Psaume 126
    127 Psaume 127
    128 Psaume 128
    129 Psaume 129
    130 Psaume 130
    131 Psaume 131
    132 Psaume 132
    133 Psaume 133
    134 Psaume 134
    135 Psaume 135
    136 Psaume 136
    137 Psaume 137
    138 Psaume 138
    139 Psaume 139
    140 Psaume 140
    141 Psaume 141
    142 Psaume 142
    143 Psaume 143
    144 Psaume 144
    145 Psaume 145
    146 Psaume 146
    147 Psaume 147
    148 Psaume 148
    149 Psaume 149
    150 Psaume 150

    Version
    Revised Standard Version (1966) - English
    Nova Vulgata - Latin
    Biblia del Pueblo di Dio (BPD) - Spanish
    Vulgata - Stuttgart 1969 - Latin
    Bíblia Sagrada Ave-Maria (1957) - Portuguese
    CEI (1974) - Italian
    EinheitsÜbersetzung der Heiligen Sc - German