The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1 KJV
About the Book of Psalms
Psalms is Israel's songbook and prayer book, a collection of 150 poems arranged in five sections. It includes praise of God for creation and rescue, laments from people in trouble, thanksgivings, royal psalms about the king, and wisdom poems about how to live. Some are written for pilgrims traveling up to Jerusalem. The emotions are strikingly open: joy, anger, doubt and grief all appear, usually ending in renewed trust. The Psalms are the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament.
- Testament: Old Testament
- Genre: Poetry / Wisdom
- Chapters: 150
- Verses: 2,461
Who Wrote Psalms, and When?
Author: Many writers: David wrote about half, along with Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses and anonymous poets.
When it was written: Compiled over roughly a thousand years, with most psalms from about 1000 to 500 BC.
Main Themes in Psalms
- Praise
- Honest lament
- Trust in God's care
A Key Verse: Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The shepherd image in this short psalm has comforted readers for centuries and is among the best known verses in the Bible.
Reading Tip
Hebrew poetry rhymes ideas, not sounds: a second line often repeats or sharpens the first, so read in pairs. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Psalms, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
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Browse all 66 books on the Bible books page, or get a verse from the whole Bible with the main Bible verse randomizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Psalms?
Psalms has 150 chapters and 2,461 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Psalms?
Author: Many writers: David wrote about half, along with Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses and anonymous poets. When it was written: Compiled over roughly a thousand years, with most psalms from about 1000 to 500 BC.
What is Psalms about?
Psalms is Israel's songbook and prayer book, a collection of 150 poems arranged in five sections. It includes praise of God for creation and rescue, laments from people in trouble, thanksgivings, royal psalms about the king, and wisdom poems about how to live. Some are written for pilgrims traveling up to Jerusalem. The emotions are strikingly open: joy, anger, doubt and grief all appear, usually ending in renewed trust. The Psalms are the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament.
Can I get a random verse from only Psalms?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Psalms only. Every one of its 2,461 verses has an equal chance.