In answering the question ‘Who wrote the Psalms?, we see (as so often) a wide range of authors. It’s unusual for us to know much about who actually wrote the Bible, but 116 of the 150 psalms are given some kind of title, often linking them to real people whose stories are contained in other parts of the Bible. 73 of the 150 psalms are ascribed in some way to David, with Asaph and his family writing 12 of them and the Sons of Korah 11. Other named authors include Moses (Ps 90), Solomon (Ps 72, Ps 127), Heman (Ps 88) and Ethan the Ezrahite (Ps 89), with other psalms written by unknown authors.
We might wonder why it is important to think about who wrote the psalms, simply accepting them as God’s Word and therefore divinely inspired to guide us and help us. However, the Bible is very clear that individuals matter and often names people who would probably never get into any ‘Who’s Who’ of fame or fortune. Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 10-11, genealogies in Genesis and 1 & 2 Chronicles, lists in Romans 16 and 1 Corinthians 16 are irrefutable reminders that individuals matter, something which needs reiterating in modern society with its apparent disregard for individuality.
Eugene Peterson reminds us that ‘as a link to someone’s life (usually David’s) or as instruction for Israel’s temple worship, the introductory sentence ties the prayer to the historical: place, time, people.’ (‘Answering God’, P 48) The Psalms are not simply random prayers but are prayers and songs that arose from specific situations and expressed real sentiments, longings and hurts. It helps for us to understand that these are not abstract poems or prayers but are tied to real people in real situations crying out to a real God. It helps to know something of those people’s stories and challenges: the majority of psalms written by David were written in times of crisis, for example, and it can be helpful to be reminded that the most basic prayers (‘Help!’ and ‘Thanks!’) are expounded regularly in this book! Knowing who wrote the Psalms may not be hugely important to us, but I think it is significant that the editors of the psalter remind us of the significance of individuals in influencing our world.