TYPES OF PSALMS
57 of the psalms are actually and technically called “psalms” in their headings. Typres of Psalms include:
PSALMS (Hebrew tehillim, sg. tehillah). Psalm appears to mean a song accompanied by a stringed instrument like a lyre or harp. Another word translated “Psalm” is mizmor, “trimmed. Psalm 23 is a mizmor.
SONGS (Hebrew shirim, sg. shir). Psalm 30 is both a shir (song) and a mizmor (Psalm).
PRAYERS (Heb. tephilloth, sg. tephillah). Psalm 17.
MIKTAMS (Heb. miktam). The meaning of this word is uncertain, but it might refer to a carefully crafted poem. Six pslams are called miktam in their headings: 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60.
MASKILS (Heb. maskil). These seem to be primarily psalms for teaching or meditation, especially on godliness or godly living, but the word may also mean “skillful.” Psalm 47 contains this word (“sing to him a psalm of praise”), perhaps urging believers to a life of godly praise. “Psalms for reflection” might bring all these meanings under a single term. There are 13 maskil psalms in the Bible: 32, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142.
OTHER CATEGORIES:
Seven Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143) have been grouped as the Penitential Psalms ever since about 250 AD. Luther suggested that the Psalms be categorized into five basic groups, which can be helpful:
1) MESSIANIC PSALMS that speak about Christ and his work (2, 22, 110, etc.).
2) TEACHING PSALMS that emphasize doctrine (1, 139) or history (105, 106)
3) COMFORT PSALMS that emphasize forgiveness and peace (4, 23, 37, 91, etc.)
4) PRAYER AND PETITION PSALMS (3, 137, 143 etc.)
5) THANKSGIVING PSALMS (103, 104, 136, etc.)
Many psalms would fit into more than one of those categories.
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