Book of Psalms — New World Translation Study Guide
Section: Hebrew Scriptures · Chapters: 150 · Written by: David, Asaph, Sons of Korah, and others · Approximate date: c. 1000–430 BC · Theme: Worship, Prayer & Praise to Jehovah
Summary of the Book of Psalms
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering the full range of human experience — praise, lament, thanksgiving, and trust in Jehovah — providing a rich guide to heartfelt prayer and worship of Jehovah.
Why the Book of Psalms Matters Today
Psalms is the prayer book of Jehovah's people and the songbook of the Kingdom. It is also the most explicit declaration of the divine name in all of Scripture: Psalm 83:18 states that Jehovah alone is 'the Most High over all the earth' — a key proof-text for the Kingdom-preaching work today. The Psalms model honest prayer across the full range of human experience: praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, doubt, confidence. For any Witness whose prayer life feels formulaic, Psalms breaks open the possibility of speaking to Jehovah authentically about anything.
Key Verses in Psalms
- Ps 23:1
- Ps 46:1
- Ps 83:18
Notable Passages in Psalms
Psalm 23:1
The opening 'Jehovah is my Shepherd' captures the intimate, personal relationship of trust and dependence on Jehovah that flows throughout the entire Psalter.
Psalm 46:1
The declaration that 'God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress' affirms Jehovah as the reliable source of stability in any crisis.
Psalm 83:18
The statement 'that people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth' captures the central JW mission to vindicate Jehovah's name.
Study Questions for Psalms
As you read the book of Psalms, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:
- How do the psalms of lament (such as Psalms 22, 42, 88) teach us to be honest with Jehovah about our feelings during times of suffering?
- What does Psalm 83:18 teach about the importance of Jehovah's name, and how does this motivate Jehovah's Witnesses in their ministry?
- How do the enthronement psalms (such as Psalms 93, 96–99) contribute to our understanding of Jehovah's Kingdom and his right to rule?
- What does Psalm 119 — the longest psalm — teach about the proper attitude we should have toward Jehovah's law and word?
- How do the Messianic psalms (such as Psalms 2, 22, 110) foreshadow Jesus Christ, and which specific events were fulfilled?
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms
- Who wrote the book of Psalms?
- Multiple writers across nearly a millennium contributed to Psalms — David (73 psalms), Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman, Ethan, and others, with Ezra likely compiling the final collection around 460 BCE.
- When was the book of Psalms written?
- Psalms was composed over approximately 1,000 years, from Moses' Psalm 90 around 1473 BCE through psalms written after the return from exile, with Ezra completing the collection around 460 BCE.
- What is the main theme of Psalms?
- Psalms is the inspired prayer and praise book of Jehovah's people, covering worship, lament, thanksgiving, and trust. Its central message is that Jehovah is worthy of all praise and is the refuge of all who call on his name.
How to Study Psalms with JW Study
Track your progress through all 150 chapters of Psalms in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters as you read, save personal notes on key passages, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.
Reading Plans That Include Psalms
The book of Psalms is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.
- NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation, all 66 books, in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
- Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Year — Read all 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures over the course of a year. (365 days, 929 chapters)
- Psalms & Proverbs in 60 Days — Soak in the wisdom and poetry of Psalms and Proverbs over two months. (60 days, 181 chapters)
- Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in 90 days with a steady, focused schedule. (90 days, 1189 chapters)
- Wisdom Literature in 90 Days — Read Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, the poetry and wisdom of the Bible. (90 days, 243 chapters)
Related Bible Study Topics
Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:
- Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
- Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
- Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
- Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
- The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
- The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
- What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
- What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
- God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
- The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today
Continue Reading the Hebrew Scriptures
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