How Many Psalms are Anonymous?
Quick Summary
Many of the Psalms in the Bible are attributed to specific authors such as David, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. However, a significant number are anonymous, meaning they do not include a superscription naming the author. These psalms still offer profound insight into worship, prayer, lament, and praise, even without a known composer. Scholars believe these anonymous psalms may have been written by temple musicians or preserved oral traditions.
Introduction
The Book of Psalms is often referred to as the hymnbook of ancient Israel. Spanning 150 chapters, it encompasses a wide range of human emotions and experiences—joy and sorrow, thanksgiving and lament, hope and despair. While many psalms begin with a superscription that names an author or describes the context, others are entirely silent about their origin. These anonymous psalms hold a special place, inviting readers to engage without the frame of biography, focusing instead on the universal experiences of faith.
How Are Psalms Attributed?
In the Hebrew Bible, many psalms begin with a superscription that provides information about the author, the setting, or musical instructions. These introductory notes are part of the ancient manuscript tradition, and while not considered inspired Scripture by all, they are valuable for understanding context.
Authorship is most frequently attributed to:
David (73 psalms explicitly)
Asaph (12 psalms)
Sons of Korah (11 psalms)
Solomon (2 psalms)
Moses (1 psalm)
Heman the Ezrahite (1 psalm)
Ethan the Ezrahite (1 psalm)
The remaining psalms have no superscription indicating an author.
How Many Psalms Are Anonymous?
Out of the 150 psalms, approximately 49 are anonymous. These psalms lack an attribution in the Hebrew text and begin without reference to a person, event, or setting.
Here are some examples of anonymous psalms:
Psalm 1
Psalm 2 (though some link it to David based on Acts 4:25)
Psalm 10
Psalm 33
Psalm 43
Psalm 71
Psalm 91
Psalm 93
Psalms 94–100
Many of these anonymous psalms are deeply theological, poetic, and structured with great intentionality. Psalm 119, for instance, is the longest chapter in the Bible and structured as an acrostic, with each stanza beginning with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Why Are Some Psalms Anonymous?
There are several reasons a psalm may be anonymous:
Lost Attribution: The original heading may have been lost over time, or it may never have been included in early oral traditions.
Communal Origin: Some psalms may have arisen from community worship or temple rituals rather than a single individual, making authorship less relevant.
Deliberate Anonymity: The absence of a name may reflect a theological decision—a desire to focus on God rather than the psalmist.
Editorial Shaping: The final form of the Psalter was shaped by editors and compilers who may have chosen not to preserve attributions for some psalms.
Are Anonymous Psalms Less Important?
Not at all. Anonymous psalms are just as inspired, powerful, and spiritually rich as those attributed to well-known figures. Their lack of a specific author may even enhance their universality. Without a named voice, the reader is free to enter the prayer more personally.
Psalm 1, for instance, sets the tone for the entire book: "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked..." (Psalm 1:1, NRSV). Though anonymous, it forms the gateway into the theological and moral vision of the Psalter.
Psalm 91, another anonymous psalm, has comforted countless believers with its imagery of divine protection: "You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty..." (Psalm 91:1, NRSV).
Scholarly Insights and References
Biblical scholars note the importance of anonymous psalms in understanding the evolution of Israel’s worship traditions. The absence of authorship does not diminish their liturgical or theological value.
Tremper Longman III, in How to Read the Psalms, discusses how both attributed and unattributed psalms contribute to the worship life of the faith community.
John H. Walton and Andrew E. Hill, in Old Testament Today, note the editorial shaping of the Psalter and the theological intentionality behind its structure.
Walter Brueggemann, in The Message of the Psalms, emphasizes the form-critical approach that focuses more on the genre and function of the psalm than on the author.
These resources can be invaluable for those wishing to go deeper in understanding the literary and theological framework of the psalms.
Anonymous Psalms and Their Role in Worship
Historically, anonymous psalms have been heavily used in both Jewish and Christian liturgy. Their universal tone makes them adaptable for many settings:
Psalm 1 is often used in wisdom literature studies.
Psalm 91 is commonly read at funerals or in times of crisis.
Psalm 100 is a beloved call to worship: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth."
Because these psalms are not tied to a specific historical figure, they can often function more easily as communal prayers.
Final Thoughts
The anonymous psalms in the Bible remind us that sacred poetry does not always need a byline. Whether composed by kings, prophets, temple musicians, or unknown worshippers, these songs bear the full weight of Scripture. Their lack of attribution invites all of us to pray them as our own.
Their existence also testifies to the long and complex process of biblical formation—a canon shaped by community, devotion, and divine inspiration.
FAQ
Q: How many psalms in the Bible are anonymous?
A: Approximately 49 psalms have no superscription attributing them to an author.
Q: Are anonymous psalms considered Scripture?
A: Yes, they are fully part of the biblical canon and are considered inspired Scripture.
Q: Why do some psalms not name an author?
A: Reasons include lost headings, communal origin, or editorial choices.
Q: What are some famous anonymous psalms?
A: Psalm 1, Psalm 91, and Psalm 100 are among the most well-known.
Q: Do anonymous psalms have a different tone or theme?
A: Not necessarily. They cover the same range of themes: praise, lament, thanksgiving, and wisdom.
