The Washington times., 1913-04-19

The Hebrew name of the Book of
Psalms signifies Praises but in the
actual superscription of the psalms this
term of designation is applied only to
psalm CXIV. which Is essentially and
emphatically praise hymn. We may
observe that the notice at the end OF
psalm - suggests that the psalms in the
earliest times may have been known as
prayers, and. indeed. the title prayer
was prefixed to the very oldest of the
psalms-"Moses' Psalm tXC. How
ever, the same designation is in the
superscription applied only to three
psalms besides Moses psalm. and We
remember also that all of the psalms do
not have the devotional character other
special designations applied to particu-
lar psalms are song" inspiration,
Testimony etc. 1t is impossible for
us at this day to ascertain with cer-
tainty all the psalms written by David.
but the best commentators estimate
their number probably to exceed seven
ty. Nor are we able to discover the
authors of the other psalms or the
occasions Of their composition. We do
know this. however. that a limited num-
ber Of the psalms were written after the
return from the Babylonian captivity.
The titles prefxed to them are not to
be considered as unquestioned authority,
and, indeed. in many cases. they are not
intended to indicate the writer Of the
psalm, but rather the person who was
appointed originally to set the psalm to
music. 1t Is interesting to us TO know
that 1t was David who first introduced
the practice Of singing sacred hymns ir
the public worship Of God. The custom
was later restored by Ezra, who. It has
been supposed. chose these psalms from
much larger number. and perhaps
placed them In their proper order. We
90 not know why he rejected others of
the psalms, but presumably he put aside
those that were not inspired or calculat-
ed for general use. AS to the psalms
which we now have In our Bibles. their
authority is established not only by their
rank among the sacred writings and by
the absolute and invariable testimony
Of every age. but their authority Is like
wise attested by many intrinsic proofs
Of inspiration Not only do they
breathe through every part a divine
spirit Of eloquence, but they contain
mum nmnerIess i,rstrious h', prophe.es that
are frequently appealed to by the evan
gelistic writer's" We have only TO ada
that our Lord himself and His apostles
established without any question the
sacred character OF the entire Book OF
Psalms.
The Book Of Psalm is to this busy
age what an oasis Is to the Sahara. II
is to the Bible what a beautiful restful
sapphire is to q collection of priceless
dazzling gems. One turns instinctiyely
to the inspired songs therein to find ex-
preston for all human emotions. Is II
sorrow, or pain. or disbursement, or
thanksgiving. or joy, or praise that fills
ones heart? Then one may know that
the Psalmist experienced like emotions,
and may turn to the Book for song
of like emotion or mood. Surely from
this wonderful collection of inspired
Psalms we can find chapters and vei1Ds
that will prove helpful and inspiring
verses in the Bible, and many of the
favorite verses of every Christian are
In the Psalms. In the brief confines
of this article We cannot do more than
point out some verses of a few of the
most beautiful and most helpful of the
inspired Psalms.
In the first Psalm we have a striking
contrast between the happiness of the
godly and the unhappiness of the un-
godly. The Psalmist states. on the one
hand, the blessings that come to the
man that walketh not in the counsel of
the ungoldly,i but whose delight Is in
the law of the Lord" and gives the
assurance that whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper" Whereas on the other
hand. "the ungodly are not so, but are
like the chaff which the wind driyeth
away" and we are made to realize that