Fifth Book of Psalms - Psalms 107 to 150

The Fifth Book of Psalms covers SL 107 to 150 and closes the Book of Psalms. They speak of God's trust and grace, the pleadings of the Psalmist and the community to God's mercy and justice, and the code of conduct that should govern the government of peoples. Through metaphors, parallelisms, repetitions, and other writing techniques, the authors of the Book of Psalms portray the most basic essence of people and peoples as a collective unit. A series of experiences of suffering, persecution, despair, violence, and injustice arise in human life. As described in the Psalms hundreds of years ago, these still mark individuals and societies today, shaping them. Therefore, the themes related in the Fifth Book of Psalms are timeless, and various cultures pray the Psalms with equal faith and devotion.

The Book of Psalms

The Book of Psalms comprises a collection of 150 poetic texts and is divided into five parts, called Psalm Books or Booklets. Each Book closes with short hymns of praise to God. The division into five parts was considered to correspond to the five books of Moses, and it is assumed that each passage in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, called Torah by the Jews) was read in parallel with the corresponding Psalm. Its main forms are lamentation, supplication, praise, and gratitude. The five Books are:

• Book I  - Psalms 1 to 41
• Book II  - Psalms 42 to 72
• Book III  - Psalms 73 to 89
• Book IV  - Psalms 90 to 106
• Book V  - Psalms 107 to 150

The name of  Psalms, given to the one hundred and fifty liturgical songs, is derived from the Greek  Psalmoi and was coined for the Greek translation in the century. III a. C. Before that, it may have had other names in Hebrew, such as  Mizmorot, a  term meaning "Songs." De Tefillot's " Prayers " title could have been in use. Tehillim, which means "Praises," was the name that eventually prevailed in the Hebrew Bible.

The Word of God and Justice among Men of Peace

The victims' reaction can trigger the violence of revenge and aggression, perpetuating the chain of evil. The suffering brought about by the harrowing experience of evil (the enemy's persecution, the deadly threat of disease, the frailty of life approaching death, the interior and relational disorder of sinჴ€¦) is the context for the believer/Psalmist to cry out for God, asking for help, compassion, help, forgiveness. From the personal and peoples' vulnerability, which experience the danger of existence, interior transformation and the belief that it is possible to be reborn in the trust and hope of God's mercy is born. The pleas that relationship to violence and anguish are already a cry for liberation, a call for help, and a promise of a better future in the goodness of God.

The Fifth Book of Psalms

The themes of the titles of the Fifth Book of Psalms are, above all, testimonies of the glory of God. Supplicant, the Psalmist believes that the goodness of God will show itself, no matter how difficult the circumstances and injustices committed by the people. God's face is revealed and transmitted in faith and trust. His action is full of justice and mercy and serves as a model for action for kings and rulers. For all this, the Psalmist never tires of singing the glory of God in his

• Psalm 107 - God Saves From All Perils
• Psalm 108 - Hymn and Supplication
• Psalm 109 - Prayer Against Enemies
• Psalm 110 - God's Promise to His Anointed
• Psalm 111 - Hymn to the Works of God
• Psalm 112 - Praise of the Honored Man
• Psalm 113 - The Mercy of God
• Psalm 114 - Hymn about the Exit from Egypt
• Psalm 115 - God, True and One
• Psalm 116 - Thanksgiving Hymn
• Psalm 117 - Invitation to Praise the Lord
• Psalm 118 - Triumphal Song of Thanksgiving
• Psalm 119 - Greatness and Mystery of God's Law
• Psalm 120 - Supplication Against the Cursers
• Psalm 121 - God, Help, and Protection
• Psalm 122 - Song in praise of Jerusalem
• Psalm 123 - Prayer of Trust in God
• Psalm 124 - Liberation of the People of Israel
• Psalm 125 - Confidence in Times of Oppression
• Psalm 126 - Song of Restoration
• Psalm 127 - Divine Providence in Creation
• Psalm 128 - Family Blessings and God's Grace
• Psalm 129 - God the Deliverer of Israel
• Psalm 130 - Song of Hope in God
• Psalm 131 - Prayer of Humble Trust
• Psalm 132 - God's Promises to David
• Psalm 133 - Fraternal Union in God
• Psalm 134 - Invitation to the Praise of God
• Psalm 135 - The Wonders of God
• Psalm 136 - Thanksgiving Hymn
• Psalm 137 - Along the Rivers of Babylon
• Psalm 138 - Thanksgiving Hymn
• Psalm 139 - The Wisdom and the Mystery of God
• Psalm 140 - God's Help Against the Wicked
• Psalm 141 - Supplication to God in Adversity
• Psalm 142 - Prayer of the Persecuted Righteous
• Psalm 143 - Supplication to God in Affliction
• Psalm 144 - Thanksgiving for Victory
• Psalm 145 - Praise to the Provident King
• Psalm 146 - Hymn of Praise to the God of Mercy
• Psalm 147 - Wonders of God for Israel
• Psalm 148 - Hymn of Praise of the Universe
• Psalm 149 - Hymn of Victory and the Kingship of God
• Psalm 150 - Final Praise to God

Who Wrote the Psalms?

The earliest collection of Psalms, the oldest, is attributed to King David (Psalms 3ჴ€“41), the ancestor of Jesus Christ and the most charismatic ruler of the nation of Israel. Another collection attributed to this author is constituted by Psalms 51 to 72, the date on which the exile began. Psalms 42 to 49 are attributed to the sons of Korah, Levites, who served in the temple and reported the pilgrimage and the defeats. Most of them predate the destruction of Jerusalem. King Solomon is the author of at least two Psalms. Psalms 73 to 83 are attributed to the sons of Asaph, the father of Joah and a character mentioned in the Old Testament Bible, being before the exile. Psalm 50, attributed to Asaf, joins the Davidic collection 3 to 41. Even so, the authorship of many Psalms remains unknown.

The Joy of Living in Communion with God's Law

The Psalms are prayer-poems addressed to God, the privileged way to address and speak with Him. Depicting the commoner, with his failures, insecurities, fears, and hopes, we can still identify with the Psalmist and be inspired today in Psalms to make prayers and supplications to God in times of trouble or express our gratitude for some blessing received. Despite being written in Antiquity, the Psalms still move, sensitize, awaken feelings, inspire and enchant. In them, we can identify anguish and joy, deeply human feelings, praises, supplications, teachings of reflection on spiritual wisdom, and prophetic words. Written for different situations, some Psalms are intimate, revealing the author's relationship with God; others provide guidelines and advice for life; others are compositions for specific liturgical events such as rituals and pilgrimages.

The Power of Prayer

The Psalms elevate our thoughts to the Divine, and prayer is the power of the word. Prayer is the language of faith. Any thought, word, or image addressed to God is called prayer. Through it, we come into contact with our God within; therefore, it is powerful in transforming life. Prayer can produce miracles, turn dreams into reality, and give us hope for change, harmony, and peace with ourselves and the world. Each Psalm and the Fifth Book of Psalms reflect these principles well and have an intention that helps us to meditate and walk beside our God. For many theologians, the Book of Psalms has a prophetic or messianic tone as its verses refer to the coming of Christ into the world of men to guide them through the uncertainty and doubts of Human existence. The prayer has the power to call the Spiritual Universe full mode, honest, sincere, conscious, for spiritual self-protection, family protection, and those who are dear to us, to have peace of mind, spiritual and physical, for prosperity and success, to protect health and relationships, to ward off negative energies and, above all, to connect us to something bigger than ourselves. From this peace, well-being, hope, and goodness in front of everyone and everything results. Faith can change our lives. It gives us tranquility and spiritual strength to face challenges. It helps us to meditate on our mission in life and to create a balanced and healthy environment for ourselves and those we love. When you pray, fill your heart with love and determination. The Psalms will guide you on a path of peace and communion with the higher energy.