75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for praise psalms.
The Call to Praise
- Prologue: Hallelujah
The Cause for Praise
- Summary statement (e.g. His Greatness, Lord of creation; His Grace, Lord of History)
- Specific illustrations
Conclusion
- A renewed call to praise, exhortation or petition.
- Epilogue
Examples: Psalm 33; Psalm 36; Psalm 105; Psalm 111; Psalm 117; Psalm 135; Psalm 136; Psalm 146.
Example: Psalm 33
- Call to Praise – vs 1
- Summary Statement – vs 2-4
- Specific illustrations – vs 5-9
- Conclusion – vs 10
For more: Claus Westermann, The Praises of God in the Psalms (1965). You’ll probably have to track it down in a library.
Psalms of Lament: Their Form
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Their Form
Resources: Psalms
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