Royal Psalm

biblical literature

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July 13, 2026

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The "Royal Psalm" is a classification within biblical literature, specifically referring to certain psalms in the Old Testament's Book of Psalms. These psalms are grouped not by their literary form, but by their content, which features the king of Israel. They portray the king as a representative of God to the community and the community to God.1

The Book of Psalms itself is a collection of 150 sacred songs or poems, known in Hebrew as Tehillim ("Songs of Praise"). It is the third and final section of the Hebrew Bible, called the Writings. The psalms express a wide range of emotions and theological themes, reflecting Israel's faith and experiences across different historical periods. They have played a significant role in the worship and prayer life of both Judaism and Christianity.12

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biblical literature
Psalms
The Royal Psalms are grouped on the basis not of literary characteristics but of content. They all have as their life setting some event in the life of the pre-exilic Israelite kings—e.g., accession to the throne, marriage, departure for battle. Gunkel pointed out that in ancient…
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The Royal Psalms are grouped on the basis not of literary characteristics but of content. They all have as their life setting some event in the life of the pre-exilic Israelite kings—e.g., accession to the throne, marriage, departure for battle. Gunkel pointed out that in ancient…
Read More