The Psalms -- Topical Classification

A. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

1) The Lord is our judge and defense (Psalm 7:8-10).

2) The refuge of the poor (Psalm 14:6).

3) Rock, fortress, strength and high tower (Psalm 18:2).

4) Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

5) The King of glory (Psalm 24:10).

6) "My light and my salvation" (Psalm 27:1).

7) Shield (Psalm 28:7).

8) "My hiding place" (Psalm 32:7).

9) "Our refuge and strength" (Psalm 46:1).

10) "A God full of compassion (Psalm 86:15).

11) "Our dwelling place in all generations" (Psalm 90:1).

B. PSALMS THAT PRAISE GOD

1) Extolling the goodness of God (Psalm 85; Psalm 95; Psalm 100; Psalm 136).

2) Praising God's glory, wisdom, power and majesty (Psalm 18-19; Psalm 29; Psalm 62; Psalm 66; Psalm 93; Psalm 97; Psalm 99; Psalm 118: Psalm 147).

3) God as Creator and Preserver of all of His works (Psalm 33; Psalm 89: Psalm 104).

4) His infinite knowledge (Psalm 139).

5) God's eternity contrasted with man's temporal nature (Psalm 90).

6) Divine providence seen in God's wonderful works in behalf of His chosen people, Israel (Psalm 105).

7) The Source of all help, who keeps His people (Psalm 121).

8) The whole creation praises Him (Psalm 148).

C. CHRIST IN THE PSALMS

1) The coronation hymn (Psalm 2).

2) The crucifixion Psalm (Psalm 22).

3) The resurrection Psalm (Psalm 16).

4) The reign of the righteous King (Psalm 45; Psalm 72; Psalm 110; Psalm 132:11).

5) Messiah's manhood (Psalm 8:4-5).

6) Messiah's Sonship (Psalm 2:7).

7) His deity (Psalm 45: Psalm 6; Psalm 11).

8) His holiness (Psalm 45:7; Psalm 89:18-19).

9) His priesthood (Psalm 110:4).

10) His kingship (Psalm 2:6; Psalm 89:18-19,27).

11) His eternity (Psalm 61:6-7; Psalm 45:17; Psalm 102:25-27).

12) His universal sovereignty (Psalm 72:8; Psalm 103:19).

13) His obedience (Psalm 40:6-8).

14) His zeal (Psalm 69:9).

15) His sufferings (Psalm 69:4,9).

16) His betrayal (Psalm 41:9).

17) His death (Psalm 22:1-21; Psalm 69:20-21).

18) His resurrection (Psalm 16:10).

19) His ascension (Psalm 68:18).

20) His coming again to judge (Psalm 96; Psalm 97; Psalm 98).

D. SOME HISTORICAL PSALMS

1) The exodus & crossing the Red Sea (Psalm 136:10-15).

2) The period of wandering (Psalm 114).

3) The period of Judges (Psalm 106:34-46).

4) David's early period when fleeing from Saul (Psalm 7, Psalm 11, Psalm 34).

5) David's reign (Psalm 24; Psalm 30; Psalm 51).

6) Absalom's rebellion (Psalm 3; Psalm 55).

7) The glory of Solomon's reign (Psalm 72).

8) The fall of Jerusalem (Psalm 74; Psalm 79).

9) The Jews in Babylon (Psalm 80; Psalm 137).

10) The restoration (Psalm 85:1-6; Psalm 126).

E. PSALMS CONCERNING MAN

1) Exaltation of man (Psalm 8 -- fulfilled in the Perfect Man -- Heb. 2:5-9).

2) Man's sinfulness (Psalm 10; Psalm 14; Psalm 36; Psalm 55; Psalm 59).

3) The wicked contrasted with the godly (Psalm 1; Psalm 4; Psalm 5).

4) The follow of the wicked and of those who trust in riches (Psalm 37; Psalm 49; Psalm 53).

5) The fate of the ungodly (Psalm 9; Psalm 11: Psalm 73).

F. PSALMS OF TRUST AND THANKSGIVING

1) Trust (Psalm 3; Psalm 16; Psalm 20: Psalm 27; Psalm 31; Psalm 34; Psalm 42; Psalm 61; Psalm 62; Psalm 91).

2) The Shepherd (Psalm 23).

3) God our refuge (Psalm 46).

4) "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving" (Psalm 100).

5) "Pay thy vows unto the Most High (Psalm 50).

6) "My help cometh from the Lord" (Psalm 121).

G. PRAYER PSALMS

1) For mercy in time of trouble (Psalm 6).
2) Prayers of assurance (Psalm 27; Psalm 116).
3) Penitence, seeking forgiveness (Psalm 51).
4) For destruction of the deceitful (Psalm 55).
5) For deliverance (Psalm 70).
6) For mercy (Psalm 86).
7) For help in trouble (Psalm 142).
8. For guidance (Psalm 143).

H. THE LORD'S CHURCH (TYPICAL)

1) Safety of "The City of God" (Psalm 46).
2) The beauty and glory of Zion (Psalm 48; Psalm 87).
3) Love for the House of God (Psalm 84; Psalm 122).
4) Unity among brethren (Psalm 133).

I. PSALMS CONCERNING EXPERIENCES IN RELIGION & IN LIFE

1) Magnifying the Word of God (Psalm 19; Psalm 119).
2) Praise (Psalm 96; Psalm 98; Psalm 100; Psalm 103; Psalm 107; Psalm 136; Psalm 145; Psalm 148-150).
3) Worship (Psalm 43; Psalm 84; Psalm 100; Psalm 122; Psalm 132).
4) The vanity of life (Psalm 39; Psalm 49; Psalm 90).
5) The home (Psalm 127).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets