Psalms Quiz

Comprehensive

BACKGROUND NOTE: Psalms is not a "book" in the sense that Joshua and Isaiah are books. The word "psalm" comes from the Greek and means song. However, as used in English, "psalm" generally refers to a sacred song or hymn. As used in the Bible, it refers primarily to the 150 divinely inspired sacred songs (not "chapters") compiled into the "book" of Psalms in the Old Testament. However, there also are songs or psalms elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., the "Song of Moses" in Deut. 32). Many of the psalms in the book of Psalms were written by David, but certainly not all of them. Since the psalms are songs, they are written in Hebrew poetic form. A poem in Hebrew consists of a series of strophes, corresponding to the paragraph in prose. Each strophe consists of a series of lines or stichs. Hebrew poetry does not have rhyme or meter. To oversimplify, instead of a pattern of parallel rhyme and meter, the stichs of a Hebrew poem display various types of parallelisms based on content.

HOW TO TAKE THIS QUIZ: This quiz emphasizes the psalms that are (or should be) familiar both to Jews and Christians. Most of those included in here are Messianic Psalms, those psalms that refer to the Messiah. Each question consists of a passage that you must identify. DIRECTIONS: First, write the number (only) of the psalm in the text box. Second, click the mouse anywhere outside the text box to see if you are correct. You can also click the "Information" button to read additional information about the quoted psalm. You can look at this information before or after submitting your answer; it does not identify the psalm. Moreover, it contains interesting facts about the psalm, making it of interest to read even if you can identify the psalm. If you cannot determine the correct answer, you can click the "Answer" button.

1. Yahweh said to my Lord:
       "Sit at my right hand
   until I make your enemies
       a footstool for your feet."

   Psalm:                    

2. I envied the arrogant
       when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
   They have no struggles;
       their bodies are healthy and strong...
   Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
       in vain have I washed my hands in innocence...
   When I tried to understand all this,
       it was oppressive to me
   till I entered the sanctuary of God;
       then I understood their final destiny.

   Psalm:                    

3. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;
   with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations...
   You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
   I have sworn to David my servant,
   I will establish your line forever
   and make your throne firm through all generations."

   Psalm:                    

4. I have set the LORD always before me.
   Because he is at my right hand,
   I will not be shaken.
   Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest secure,
   because you will not abandon me to the grave,
   nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

   Psalm:                    

5. The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
   Day after day they pour forth speech;
       night after night they display knowledge...
   The law of the LORD is perfect,
       reviving the soul.
   The statues of the LORD are trustworthy,
       making wise the simple.

   Psalm:                    

6. Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
   according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions...
   You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
       you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
   The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
       a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

   Psalm:                    

7. Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
       who walk according to the law of the LORD.
   Blessed are they who keep his statutes
       and seek him with all their heart...
   How can a young man keep his way pure?
       By living according to your word...
   Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
       then I will keep them to the end.

   Psalm:                    

8. Why do the nations conspire
       and the peoples plot in vain?
   The kings of the earth take their stand
       and the rulers gather together
   against the LORD
       and against his Anointed One.
   "Let us break their chains, they say,
       and throw off their fetters."
   The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
       the Lord scoffs at them.
   Then he rebukes them in his anger
       and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
   "I have installed my King
       on Zion, my holy hill."
   I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
   He said to me, You are my Son;
       today I have become your Father.

   Psalm:                    

9. The earth is Yahweh's and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;
   for he founded it upon the seas
   and established it upon the waters...    
   Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       be lifted up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
   Who is this King of glory?
       Yahweh strong and mighty,
       Yahweh mighty in battle.

   Psalm:                    

10. O LORD, you have searched me
        and you know me.
    You know when I sit and when I rise;
        you perceive my thoughts from afar...
    Where can I go from your Spirit?
        Where can I flee from your presence?
    If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
        if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

    Psalm:                    

11. Even though I walk
        through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
        for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff ,
        they comfort me.

    Psalm:                    

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