Who Wrote the Psalms?
Quick Summary
The Book of Psalms includes 150 individual songs, prayers, and poems composed by multiple authors across centuries. King David is traditionally considered the primary author, with 73 psalms directly attributed to him. Other contributors include Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman, and Ethan. Some psalms remain anonymous. This diverse authorship reflects a rich tapestry of human emotion and divine praise, shaped over Israel’s long history of worship.
Introduction: One Book, Many Voices
The Book of Psalms has long been considered the heart of Scripture—a place where human words rise to God and where God’s character is praised, questioned, and adored. It’s the songbook of Israel and the prayerbook of the church. But who actually wrote it?
The answer is more layered than you might think. While David is often called "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Samuel 23:1), he isn’t the only voice that sings in this collection. The Psalms reflect communal worship, personal lament, royal thanksgiving, and divine instruction—and they come from many mouths.
In this post, we’ll walk through the known and possible authors of the Psalms, explore what the superscriptions tell us, and reflect on how this collection continues to speak today.
Breakdown of Authorship in the Psalms
Of the 150 psalms:
73 are attributed to David
12 to Asaph (Psalms 50, 73–83)
11 to the sons of Korah (Psalms 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87, 88)
2 to Solomon (Psalms 72, 127)
1 to Moses (Psalm 90)
1 to Heman the Ezrahite (Psalm 88)
1 to Ethan the Ezrahite (Psalm 89)
49 are anonymous, though some may still reflect Davidic or temple tradition
“The Psalms are not the work of a single pen, but of a community’s response to God through time.” — John H. Walton, The Lost World of Scripture, p. 91
Table: Attributed Authors of the Psalms
| Author | Number of Psalms | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|
| David | 73 | Psalms 3, 23, 51, 139 |
| Asaph | 12 | Psalms 73–83, Psalm 50 |
| Sons of Korah | 11 | Psalms 42, 46, 84, 85 |
| Solomon | 2 | Psalms 72, 127 |
| Moses | 1 | Psalm 90 |
| Heman the Ezrahite | 1 | Psalm 88 |
| Ethan the Ezrahite | 1 | Psalm 89 |
| Anonymous | 49 | Psalms 1, 91, 119 |
What the Superscriptions Tell Us
Many psalms include introductory notes—called superscriptions—that tell us who wrote the psalm, its musical setting, or its intended use. For example:
“A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom” (Psalm 3)
“A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David.” (Psalm 30)
However, some superscriptions may refer to dedication rather than authorship. The Hebrew phrase “of David” (le-David) can also mean “for David” or “belonging to David.” So while tradition holds that David authored many, some may have been composed in his honor or style.
David: The Heart Behind the Harp
David is undoubtedly the central figure in the Psalter. His life was marked by poetic expression—from shepherding songs to royal laments. His psalms include:
Psalms of lament (e.g., Psalm 13)
Psalms of confession (e.g., Psalm 51)
Psalms of praise (e.g., Psalm 103)
Royal and messianic psalms (e.g., Psalm 2, Psalm 110)
His raw honesty and spiritual depth continue to give voice to our own prayers.
Other Authors: From Temple to Wilderness
Asaph was a Levitical musician appointed by David (1 Chronicles 15:17). His psalms often focus on justice, worship, and national lament.
The Sons of Korah were a group of temple singers. Their psalms include themes of longing for God’s presence and trust in God amid chaos (see Psalms 42–46).
Moses, in Psalm 90, brings the oldest perspective—reminding us of human frailty and divine eternity.
Heman and Ethan, both noted in 1 Chronicles as wise men and musicians, contributed a psalm each (88 and 89, respectively), both deep and theologically rich.
Psalms from the Community
Some psalms—especially corporate laments and praise hymns—don’t include an author at all. These anonymous psalms may have emerged from Israel’s worshiping community, sung and preserved across generations. Think of them as the “folk hymns” of Israel: rooted in memory and faith.
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is one such anonymous psalm. Yet it reveals deep familiarity with Torah and a heart for God’s instruction.
For more on this, see Longest Chapter in the Bible (Psalm 119)
How the Psalms Were Collected
The Book of Psalms was not compiled all at once. It’s divided into five books, possibly to mirror the five books of the Torah. These divisions hint at careful editorial work by scribes over time:
Book I: Psalms 1–41
Book II: Psalms 42–72
Book III: Psalms 73–89
Book IV: Psalms 90–106
Book V: Psalms 107–150
The final form was likely shaped during or after the Babylonian exile, as a way to preserve Israel’s theological identity in song.
Meaning for Today: Singing with the Saints
Knowing who wrote the Psalms deepens our reading:
When we pray David’s words, we join a man after God’s heart.
When we sing Asaph’s lyrics, we echo temple musicians.
When we lament with Korah, we remember God is near even in exile.
When we read anonymous psalms, we are reminded that worship belongs to the whole community of faith.
The Psalms are a multigenerational conversation with God—filled with tears, joy, silence, and shouting. Whether written in palaces, deserts, or temple courts, they remain our faithful companions.
FAQ
Who wrote most of the Psalms?
King David is credited with writing 73 of the 150 psalms.
Are all the psalms written by David?
No. Other authors include Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous community voices.
How old are the Psalms?
Some may date as far back as 1400 BCE (Moses), while the final compilation likely occurred post-exile (c. 500 BCE).
Do the psalm titles always reflect authorship?
Not always. Some superscriptions may indicate dedication or association rather than authorship.
