Big Ideas · 28 · The Poet
Five books of Moses, five books of Psalms
The Psalter is divided into five books. Moses gave the nation five books of revelation; the Psalms are the nation's responses: praise, petition, and protest.
A songbook for the nation.
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Scribes gathered poetry from diverse traditions, added Israel's name, and redirected praises to Yhwh, while keeping each psalm's distinct voice. Like national songbooks for schools, the Psalter shaped moral character and opened priestly liturgies to all.
Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 447–448
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