Before I commence my SUMMARIES, or SUBJECT-CONTENTS of the Psalms, I
would desire the reader to bear in mind that the Psalms contained in
this Book of David are of five different kinds.
1. Some Psalms are Prophecies concerning Christ, the church, the
different states of the church, and the various afflictions of the
saints, &c. To this class belong all those Psalms which contain
promises and threatenings,—promises concerning the deliverances and
salvation of the godly; and threatenings concerning the destruction of
the wicked.
2. There are some Psalms which teach us what we ought to do, and what
we ought not to do, according to the law of God. To this kind belong
all those Psalms which condemn human doctrines, and extol the majesty
and authority of the word of God.
3. There are Psalms of consolation; which comfort and lift up the
hearts of those who are distressed, tempted, and afflicted by Satan
and the world: and which, on the other hand, rebuke and terrify
tyrants. To this class belong all those Psalms which minister
consolation to the godly, and threaten the oppressors with the
judgments of God.
4. There are supplicatory Psalms, wherein the prophet and others in
their afflictions call upon God in prayer and implore his help. To
this class belong all those Psalms which complain of persecutions from
the wicked.
5. There are also Psalms of thanksgiving; wherein thanks are rendered
to God for all his mercies and benefits, and for his deliverance in
various times of need. To this class belong all those Psalms which
celebrate the praises of God and laud him for his works. These are the
principal Psalms in the whole Book; and these peculiarly come under
the denomination of Psalms: for the whole Book was expressly written
to praise God and to worship him according to the First Commandment.
Hence, in the Hebrew, the Book is called SEPHER IL CHILLIM: that is,
the Book of Praises and Thanksgivings.
The reader, however, is to bear in mind also, that the Psalms are not
to be understood in a superstitious manner. He is not to suppose that
every Psalm must be divided into these five particulars in certain
verses; for some Psalms contain two of these particulars, some three,
and some all five of them: for, very often, the same Psalm contains
prophecy, doctrine, consolation, supplication and thanksgiving. But I
have just made these remarks, that the reader may know that the Psalms
contain these five particulars; for knowing that, is of great help,
not only to the understanding of them, but to the perceiving of their
order, to the bearing of them in memory, and to the perfect knowledge
of them.