How Many Psalms did David, Moses, Asaph, Solomon Write?
Quick Summary
How many Psalms did David write? What about Moses, Asaph, and Solomon? The Book of Psalms includes contributions from several figures across Israel’s history. David is the primary author, but not the only one. This article explores how many Psalms each figure wrote and what their contributions reveal about worship in ancient Israel.
Introduction
The Book of Psalms is often described as the prayer book and hymnbook of the Bible. It’s a collection of 150 individual songs and prayers, composed across centuries and compiled into five books. The Psalms give voice to every human emotion—joy, sorrow, trust, lament, anger, and praise. While King David is the most well-known contributor, others like Moses, Asaph, and Solomon also played a role in shaping this sacred anthology.
Let’s explore how many Psalms are attributed to each of these figures and what each voice adds to the larger collection.
Psalms Written by David
David is the most prolific and recognized author in the Book of Psalms. Of the 150 Psalms, 73 explicitly name David as their author in the title or superscription.
These include iconic psalms such as:
Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd"
Psalm 51: David’s confession after his sin with Bathsheba
Psalm 139: A prayer celebrating God’s intimate knowledge
However, the total number of Davidic psalms may be higher. Some scholars suggest that other psalms without attribution still reflect David’s style or context. The New Testament also quotes several psalms and attributes them to David (e.g., Acts 4:25 refers to Psalm 2).
Total Psalms Attributed to David: 73 (possibly more)
Psalms Written by Asaph
Asaph was a Levite and one of the chief musicians appointed by David to lead worship in the tabernacle (see 1 Chronicles 16:4–5). Twelve psalms are attributed to Asaph: Psalms 50 and 73–83.
These psalms often carry a prophetic tone, calling the people to righteousness and remembering God’s justice. Psalm 73, for instance, wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked and the ultimate justice of God.
Total Psalms Attributed to Asaph: 12
Psalms Written by the Sons of Korah
The Sons of Korah were descendants of the Levitical family of Kohath, and they served as temple singers. Eleven psalms are attributed to them: Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88.
Their compositions are rich in imagery and often reflect deep longing for God’s presence—such as the well-known line, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God" (Psalm 42:1).
Total Psalms Attributed to the Sons of Korah: 11
Psalms Written by Solomon
Solomon, David’s son and the builder of the First Temple, is credited with writing two psalms: Psalm 72 and Psalm 127.
Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, praying for justice and prosperity in the king’s reign. Psalm 127 focuses on the futility of work without God’s blessing and the gift of children.
Total Psalms Attributed to Solomon: 2
Psalms Written by Moses
Moses, the great leader and lawgiver of Israel, is traditionally credited with one psalm: Psalm 90.
This psalm is one of the oldest in the entire collection. It contrasts God’s eternal nature with human frailty, opening with the words: "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations."
Psalm 90 has often been quoted in times of reflection or grief, reminding readers of the brevity of life and the enduring nature of God.
Total Psalms Attributed to Moses: 1
Other Contributors
A few other psalms are attributed to lesser-known figures:
Heman the Ezrahite – Psalm 88
Ethan the Ezrahite – Psalm 89
These contributors were likely temple musicians or sages. Their psalms contribute to the broader diversity of the Psalter.
Anonymous Psalms
Out of the 150 psalms, 48 are anonymous, having no author named in their superscription. These psalms include:
Psalm 1: A foundational wisdom psalm
Psalm 119: The longest psalm, an acrostic meditation on the law
Though the authorship is uncertain, these psalms hold a central place in worship and theological reflection.
Summary Chart of Psalm Authorship
AuthorNumber of PsalmsDavid73Asaph12Sons of Korah11Solomon2Moses1Heman the Ezrahite1Ethan the Ezrahite1Anonymous48
Why It Matters
Knowing who wrote the psalms helps us appreciate the range of voices and settings represented in the Psalter. The psalms were not all written by kings. They came from worship leaders, sages, prophets, and anonymous authors whose songs of joy and lament have endured for millennia.
Understanding the authorship also deepens our engagement with specific psalms. For instance, reading Psalm 51 in light of David’s repentance gives it emotional weight. Reading Psalm 90 as Moses’ voice brings us closer to the wilderness generation.
