There are several ways to organize our understanding of the Psalms. The structure of the Psalms easily divides them into five books. The Psalms can also be grouped by themes. The following seems to be a comprehensive list offering the main categories of literature. Some Psalms may develop more than one theme.
Psalms
Theme
Explanation
Psalm 1, Psalm 5, Psalm 7, Psalm 9, Psalm 10, Psalm 11, Psalm 12, Psalm 14, Psalm 15, Psalm 17, Psalm 24, Psalm 25, Psalm 32, Psalm 34, Psalm 36, Psalm 37, Psalm 39, Psalm 49, Psalm 50, Psalm 52, Psalm 53, Psalm 58, Psalm 73, Psalm 75, Psalm 82, Psalm 84, Psalm 90, Psalm 91, Psalm 92, Psalm 94, Psalm 101, Psalm 112, Psalm 119, Psalm 121, Psalm 125, Psalm 125, Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Psalm 131, Psalm 133
Didactic Psalms
Some of the Psalms were meant to teach or instruct the people. The heading “Maskil” means instruction.
Psalm 113, Psalm 118
Hallel Psalms
These Psalms were meant to be sung on the night of Passover. The word Hallel means “praise.”
Psalm 78, Psalm 105, Psalm 106
Historical Psalms
A handful of Psalms dealt with a portion of Israelite history – particularly the Exodus.
Psalm 110, Psalm 118, Psalm 16, Psalm 2, Psalm 22, Psalm 67, Psalm 68, Psalm 69, Psalm 72, Psalm 87, Psalm 93, Psalm 96, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, Psalm 99
Messianic Psalms
These prophecies foreshadow the coming and ministry of the Messiah.
(There are 55 psalms dedicated to the leaders of the temple singers. Some are listed here.) Psalm 4, Psalm 19, Psalm 20, Psalm 21, Psalm 31
Psalms for the Choir Director
Some Psalms were meant to be used by the congregation and choir as a part of worship.
Psalm 43, Psalm 46, Psalm 48, Psalm 76, Psalm 84, Psalm 87, Psalm 120, Psalm 121, Psalm 122, Psalm 123, Psalm 124, Psalm 125, Psalm 126, Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Psalm 129, Psalm 130, Psalm 131, Psalm 132, Psalm 133, Psalm 134, Psalm 135, Psalm 136, Psalm 137, Psalm 138, Psalm 139, Psalm 140, Psalm 141, Psalm 142, Psalm 143, Psalm 144
Psalms of Ascent
These Psalms were sung as people ascended to the height of the city of Jerusalem as a part of the pilgrimage for a feast.
Psalm 20, Psalm 67, Psalm 112, Psalm 122, Psalm 132, Psalm 134, Psalm 144
Psalms of Intercession
Intercession is a prayer requesting mercy and favor for another.
Psalm 3, Psalm 4, Psalm 5, Psalm 7, Psalm 11, Psalm 13, Psalm 16, Psalm 17, Psalm 22, Psalm 26, Psalm 27, Psalm 28, Psalm 31, Psalm 35, Psalm 41, Psalm 42, Psalm 43, Psalm 44, Psalm 54, Psalm 55, Psalm 56, Psalm 57, Psalm 59, Psalm 60, Psalm 61, Psalm 69, Psalm 70, Psalm 71, Psalm 74, Psalm 77, Psalm 79, Psalm 80, Psalm 83, Psalm 84, Psalm 86, Psalm 88, Psalm 89, Psalm 94, Psalm 102, Psalm 109, Psalm 120, Psalm 123, Psalm 129, Psalm 137, Psalm 140, Psalm 141, Psalm 142, Psalm 143
Psalms of Lament
Some Psalms were meant to plead for God’s comfort and deliverance from affliction.
Psalm 6, Psalm 25, Psalm 32, Psalm 38, Psalm 51, Psalm 102, Psalm 130, Psalm 143
Psalms of Penitence
These are Psalms that deal with man’s sin and his forgiveness.
Psalm 8, Psalm 19, Psalm 24, Psalm 29, Psalm 33, Psalm 47, Psalm 50, Psalm 65, Psalm 66, Psalm 76, Psalm 77, Psalm 93, Psalm 95, Psalm 96, Psalm 97, Psalm 99, Psalm 104, Psalm 111, Psalm 113, Psalm 114, Psalm 115, Psalm 134, Psalm 139, Psalm 147, Psalm 148, Psalm 150
Psalms of Praise
Psalms that offer praise to God are in this category.
Psalm 47, Psalm 93, Psalm 96, Psalm 99
Psalms of Sovereignty
Affirms God’s sovereign rule as Creator and Lord.
Psalm 8, Psalm 9, Psalm 18, Psalm 19, Psalm 21, Psalm 23, Psalm 29, Psalm 30, Psalm 32, Psalm 34, Psalm 36, Psalm 40, Psalm 41, Psalm 46, Psalm 48, Psalm 65, Psalm 66, Psalm 68, Psalm 75, Psalm 76, Psalm 81, Psalm 85, Psalm 91, Psalm 98, Psalm 100, Psalm 111, Psalm 116, Psalm 117, Psalm 118, Psalm 121, Psalm 124, Psalm 126, Psalm 129, Psalm 135, Psalm 136, Psalm 138, Psalm 144, Psalm 145, Psalm 146, Psalm 149
Psalms of Thanksgiving
Praises to God for His graciousness and favor, for the blessings He provides, form this group of the Psalms.
Psalm 5, Psalm 6, Psalm 7, Psalm 9, Psalm 10, Psalm 25, Psalm 28, Psalm 31, Psalm 35, Psalm 40, Psalm 54, Psalm 55, Psalm 56, Psalm 68, Psalm 69, Psalm 70, Psalm 71, Psalm 79, Psalm 83, Psalm 94, Psalm 109, Psalm 119, Psalm 129, Psalm 137, Psalm 139, Psalm 140, Psalm 143, Psalm 144
Psalms of Vengeance
These Psalms were prayers for God to avenge the enemies of Israel.
Psalm 2, Psalm 18, Psalm 20, Psalm 21, Psalm 45, Psalm 72, Psalm 89, Psalm 93, Psalm 94, Psalm 95, Psalm 96, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, Psalm 99, Psalm 101, Psalm 110, Psalm 132, Psalm 144
Royal Psalms
Expressions of the reign of the earthly king, as it speaks to the coming kingdom of a heavenly King.
Psalm 1, Psalm 37, Psalm 119
Wisdom Psalms
These Psalms speak to God’s will and direction, showing us the path of righteousness.