What Are the Five Different Types of Psalms?

Because the subject matter and content are so varied in the Psalter, a number of types or categories of psalms have been suggested. For an overview of the approaches to studying Psalms see Allen Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1: Psalms 1–41, Kregel Exegetical Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2012), 65–80. Because of the complex content of the psalms, some may be categorized as more than one type. A helpful classification of the psalms is:

1. Psalms of Praise and Thanksgiving

This is often thought of as the typical psalm, because these are frequently the most familiar; examples are Pss 21, 30, 32, 34, 40, 146, and 148.

These psalms often are related to specific incidences of personal deliverance. They include a proclamation of praise to God, a report of deliverance, a renewed determination to praise, and often instruction for corporate praise.

2. Hymnic Psalms

Some praise psalms are more specifically hymnic in structure, rather than related to personal deliverance. These have the common elements of: (1) call to praise; (2) cause for praise; and (3) concluding exhortation to praise. They often include a superscription regarding the choir or a musical notation. Examples are Pss 33, 36, 105, 111, 113, 117, 135.

3. Songs

The headings/superscriptions of 15 psalms specifically identify them as songs (18, 45–46, 48, 65–68, 75–76, 83, 87–88, 92, 108). These psalms were to be sung, and some include additional musical direction. These are all psalms of praise, except Pss 83 and 88. A specific group of songs are the songs of ascents (Pss 120–134).

4. Laments

The most numerous and common psalms are laments, making up about a third of the psalms. These psalms are cries or prayers of help in times of distress. The lament psalms include (1) an introductory plea to the Lord; (2) the specific lament describing the issue; (3) confession of trust in the Lord despite the circumstances; (4) petition for help; and (5) conclusion of a vow to praise the Lord despite circumstances and regardless of deliverance. Examples of personal laments are Pss 3, 4, 12, and 22.

There are a number of national lament psalms as well. These are focused more specifically on the circumstances faced by the nation of Israel as a whole and follow the same pattern. Examples are Pss 44, 60, and 83.

5. Imprecatory Psalms

Some of the lament psalms have an imprecatory element, calling for specific judgments to fall on the enemy. The verb “imprecate” means “to pray evil against” or “to invoke disaster upon.” These prayers are the plea of God’s people for justice for atrocities committed against them personally or against the nation of Israel by the Lord’s enemies; examples include Pss 5, 10, 17, 35, 58, 59, 69, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140. These psalms may seem unloving and contrary to a biblical perspective. However, they are truthful and transparent expressions by the righteous, asking God to act on behalf of His people and for His name’s sake. This is particularly true in times of warfare when destruction of the enemy was essential to the survival of the king and his people. Moreover, in these psalms, the psalmists do not take vengeance into their own hands but pray for God to execute just judgment. Imprecatory psalms were prayers for God to act according to the righteous requirements of His Word in its laws and covenants.

Some have thought that these prayers are contrary to a NT ethic. However, martyred believers in heaven offer an imprecation, asking how long before God will bring just retribution on their murderers (cf. Rv 6:10-11). Both OT and NT believers did not rejoice in the death of evil people. However, they did look forward to God’s justice, when God would bring judgment on the wicked in accordance with His word, and make the world right (2Th 1:6-10).