Context and Meaning
The meaning behind the Psalms as a whole is not labeled specifically for they all have different meanings in and of each individual chapter. There is a re-occurrence throughout the twelve psalms of a theme of the judgment from God and how the people of the bible must follow the Law of God yet he bestows infinite amounts of mercy upon them. According to Hermann Gunkel there are many genres of Psalms including: Hymns, Communal Laments, Individual Laments, Individual Song of Thanksgiving, Wisdom Poems, Pilgrimage Songs and Liturgies. Several in not all of the Psalms of Asaph are categorized as communal laments because they are concerned for the well being of a whole community of people. Communal laments encompass a description of some sort of severe destruction followed by a cry out to God for help and a reference to his great mercy of the past. The communal laments are different from the individual laments because of the use of “we” versus the use of “I.” The psalms are ridden with thanksgiving and praise for God as well. Many of these psalms forecast destruction or devastation in the future of their tribes. Matching those forecasts stride for stride however are predictions of God’s mercy and saving power for the people of this time period. Some of the Psalms of Asaph are not labeled as just from Asaph but as “for the leader.” Some interpret this to mean that they were written to be read by an oracle and proclaimed and front of a large audience, or simply that it was a cue to the lead singer or chief musician. Another characteristic to these psalms is the use of the word “selah” which has been interpreted many ways. One way to interpret it is as a direction for the cantor or musician and another is to see it as a signal for a pause. The exact definition or derivation is not known but it occurs 71 times in 39 Psalms.
Read more about this topic: Psalms Of Asaph
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