THE PSALMS, A SUMMARY OF SCRIPTURES AS A WHOLE

In the Companion Bible, published for the first time in 1922, E.W Bullinger showed convincingly that the book of Tehillim (Psalms) is nothing less than a reflection of the main themes contained in the five books of Mosheh (Bereshit, Shemot, Bemidbar, Wayyikra and Devarim). These themes are in fact the main themes of Scriptures as a whole – they constitute the Almighty’s proper "design for living" for mankind of all ages. Here is a summary of Bullinger’s explanation of the outline of the Book of Tehillim. It is based on the claim that Tehillim is, in fact a compilation of five separate smaller books, a fact that is also recognised in ancient commentaries like those of the Massoretes, the Talmud and the Midrash. In the Midrash it is said: "Moses gave to the Israelites the five books of the law; and corresponding with these, David gave them the five books of the Psalms".

BOOK I (1-41). THE GENESIS BOOK: CONCERNING MAN. The counsels of the Almighty concerning man. The blessings that follow after obedience (Tehill 1:1 and Beresh 1:28). Obedience is man’s tree of life (Tehill 1:3 and Beresh 2:16). The splendour bestowed upon man (Tehill 8 and Beresh 1:27). Disobedience will bring ruin (Tehill 2 and Beresh 3). The coming of a Seed that will restore everything (Tehill 22:30 and Beresh 3:15). The book concludes with a benediction and double "Amein".

BOOK 2 (42-72). THE EXODUS BOOK: CONCERNING ISRAEL AS A NATION. The counsels of the Almighty concerning Israel’s ruin, Israel’s redeemer and Israel’s redemption. Israel’s ruin (Tehill 42:9 and Shem 3:7). Israel’s redeemer (Tehill 70:5 and Shem 15:2). Israel’s redemption (Tehill 68:19 and Shem 14:13). The book concludes with a benediction and a double "Amein".

BOOK 3 (73-89). THE LEVITICUS BOOK: CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF YAHWEH. The counsels of Yahweh concerning the set apart place in relation to man and the set apart place in relation to Yahweh. References to the Set apart place, the House of Yahweh, the Assembly or Tsion in nearly every psalm. The book concludes with a benediction and "Amein, HalleluYah".

BOOK 4 (90-106). THE NUMBERS BOOK: CONCERNING ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH. The counsels of the Almighty concerning the earth, showing that there is no hope or rest for the earth, apart from Yahweh. Its figures and symbols are from the world as a wilderness (many references to mountains, hills, floods, grass, trees, pestilence, etc). Characteristic of this group of psalms is Tehill 96:11 "Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad" – The first letter of each word in Hebrew spells the Name of the Almighty: "Yismechu hashamayim vetagail ha-arets". The book concludes with a benediction and "Amein, HalleluYah".

BOOK 5 (107-150). THE DEUTERONOMY BOOK: CONCERNING YAHWEH AND HIS WORD. The counsels of the Almighty concerning his Word, showing that all blessings for Man (Book 1), all blessings for Israel (Book 2), the prosperity of the temple (Book 3) and all blessings for the earth and the nations (Book 4) will only come through living by the words of Yahweh (Devar 8:3). This book starts with Tehill 107 in which it is written: "He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions" (verse 20). When the living Word, Y'shua the Messiah, came, He began his ministry by quoting repeatedly from the Book of Devarim in Matthew chapter 4. The book concludes with five Psalms (one for each of the 5 books, and again corresponding to the 5 books of Mosheh) – each Psalm beginning and ending with "HalleluYah".

The fifth "Book" of Tehillim

is about Yahweh and his Word

and the deliverance brought about by his

Word. This may be seen in the first Psalm of this book, Tehillim 107:20 "He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions."

Through his Word Yahweh will deliver us from:

  1. The hand of our adversaries Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of Yahweh say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary.
  2. Our distress and troubles Psa 107:6 Then they cried out to Yahweh in their distress, He delivered them out of their troubles.
  3. Those judging our souls Psa 109:31 For He stands at the right hand of the poor, To save from those judging his being.
  4. Death, tears and falling Psa 116:8 For You have delivered my being from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from falling.
  5. The oppression of man (causing us not to guard his orders) Psa 119:134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I might guard Your orders.
  6. False lips and a treacherous tongue Psa 120:2 Yahweh, deliver my being from false lips, From a treacherous tongue.
  7. Our persecutors who are too strong for us Psa 142:6 "Listen to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are too strong for me.
  8. Our enemies Psa 143:9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Yahweh; I take refuge in You.
  9. The great waters brought about by the hand of foreigners Psa 144:7 Send forth Your hand from above; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, From the hand of foreigners.
  10. Those whose mouth is filled with falsehood and whose right hand is filled with lies Psa 144:11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth has spoken falsehood, And whose right hand is a right hand of lies.