How Psalms Differs from Other Books

This year as a church, we are reading and rereading the Psalms. How does this book differ from the other 65 inspired books of the canon? What words are used over and over? In the list below, I have only recorded one term, but my Logos searches included related terms in Hebrew and English. This list includes only words used over 100 times and found throughout the book rather than in one kind of psalm alone such as lament or praise.

“Yes,” you may say, “but there are 150 psalms so we should expect more usages in this large book.”

I only include here terms that are used overwhelmingly more in psalms than any other place in either OT or NT. Also, Psalms has 30,147 Hebrew words whereas Jeremiah has 33,002, Genesis 32,046, and Ezekiel 29,918 (counts by Logos). So at least three other books are very similar in length.

1. Enemy. More than 100 occurrences. Far more in Psalms than any other book.
2. Joy and rejoice. More than 100 occurrences. Far more in Psalms than any other book.
3. Lovingkindness (Mercy KJV; Hesed Heb). More than 120. Far more in Psalms than any other book.
4. Sing. More than 160 occurrences including all forms of praise and exalt. Far more in Psalms than any other book.
5. Save. More than 160 occurrences. Far more in Psalms than any other book.
6. “O Lord”, “O God”, You, Your, Yours (capitalized for deity). Just under 2,000 occurrences. Far more in Psalms than any other book.
7. I, me, my, mine. More than 2,000 occurrences. Far more in Psalms than any other book. References to deity excluded.

Other terms were used frequently, but not over 100 times, or they were commonly found in other books.

1. Anger. 50 times. Also found in the prophets.
2. Trust, believe. More than 60 occurrences, only surpassed by the Gospel of John. Far more in Psalms than any other book of the OT, but found commonly in many NT books.
3. Fear. 70 times. Also found in Proverbs.
4. Wicked. 80 times. Also found in Proverbs.
5. Bless. 100 times. Also found in the Pentateuch.
6. Nations. 100 times. Also found in the prophets.

We think of psalms as a songbook, but perhaps it is more accurate to think of it as a prayer book. If you, like I, feel particularly weak in the art and discipline of prayer, and long to see more answered prayers, perhaps we should study this book written largely in the first person to God Himself about enemies, mercy, and salvation. Perhaps then we would learn to sing in private and corporate prayer like David.