The Youth Corner: Our Quiz on the Book of Psalms

The Triennial Bible Calendar calls for the reading of the Psalms during the spring. This book expresses the meditations of the human soul in its numerous moods. It is the most widely read of all books of the Bible and its influence throughout history on personal lives is incalculable. In Judaism, the Psalms form the largest part of our worship services.

It seems almost irreverent to compose a quiz on the Book of Psalms, and in fact, very few questions on this book are to be found in the International Bible Contests of past years. On another level, however, Psalms is also a book to be studied and its various elements recognized. It is in that spirit that the following questions are presented:

1. According to the Psalms, if you “desire life” how should you conduct yourself?
2. What is the Hebrew name given to the Book of Psalms and in which section of the Bible is it found?
3. Which words from the Psalms have become the widely accepted oath of allegiance to Zion?
4. Which chapter, recited as part of Hallel, is the briefest in all the Bible? Can you recite it by heart?
5. Tradition attributes most of the Psalms to King David. Can you name at least three other people or groups to whom chapters are ascribed?
6. Where is man admonished against walking, standing and then sitting with bad company?
7. Psalm 119 is quite distinctive in form and content. What can you tell about this chapter that makes it so different? When and how is it recited in some Jewish circles?
8. Can you list at least 5 different themes clearly dealt with in the various Psalms?
9. What very affectionate and loving terms towards Zion are expressed in one of the later psalms?
10. There are many references in Psalms to extreme weather conditions. Can you describe some of these?
11. Which two words, found frequently in Psalms, are usually never translated in the English versions of the book?
12. Psalm 118 can very well be describing Israel’s current struggle against the enemies that surround it. To what insect does the Psalmist compare his enemies and how does he envision the conclusion of the battle against them?
13. List at least five of the musical instruments mentioned in the Book of Psalms.
14. Some of the David Psalms mention events in his life. What are some of the major incidents referred to?
15. Which well known kibbutz in Israel derived its name from the opening words of a psalm?

Prepared by H.D.H.

Answers

Printed on page 36 of the issue.

1. “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it” (34:13-15).
2. T’hillim is in the section called Kethubim. The latter is also called by the Greek name Hagiographa or simply “The Writings.”
3. “If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand fail. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not place Zion above my chiefest joy” (137:5-6).
4. Chapter 117: “Praise the Lord all nations. Laud Him all peoples, for His mercy is great toward us. The truth of the Lord endures forever, Hallelujah.”
5. Asaph (Chapters 50, 73-83), Solomon (72, 127), Moses (90), The Sons of Koraḥ (42-49), Heman (88).
6. At the beginning of the very first psalm in the book.
7. It is an octuple (8) acrostic which means that each group of eight verses begins with the consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm is also the longest in the book and in its entirety is devoted to praise of the Torah. Nearly every verse in the chapter refers to Jewish law. When someone is ill or is being memorialized, verses beginning with the letters of that person’s Hebrew name are recited.
8. Thanksgiving (66, 116), National Lamentations (44, 74), Penitence (6, 32, 38, 130, 142), Personal Lamentations (26, 23, 73); also, psalms in praise of God, celebrating victory, admiring nature, and praise of the king.
9. The reference is to Psalm 102, verse 15: “For your servants take pleasure in her stones and love her dust.”
10. Hail, snow, frost, etc., (147:16-18), storm and thunder, earthquake (?) and flood (Psalm 29), a downpour, thunder and lightning (77:18-19).
11. Halleluyah and Selah.
12. Bees. He enters the gates of victory with the help of God to whom he then gives thanks.
13. See Psalms 92 and 150 where we have the following mentioned: Asor (10 stringed instrument), Nevel (lute), Kinor (harp), Shofar, Tof (tambourine), Minim (stringed instrument), Ugav (harp), Zelzelim (cymbals). Of course, we are not certain exactly what these instruments were. The English equivalents are theoretical.
14. Psalm 51 begins by telling us that it was recited when Nathan appeared before David after the Bathsheba incident. Psalms 54, 57 and 59 are related to David’s adventures with King Saul. See also Psalms 34, 52, 56, 60 and 63.
15. Ayelet Ha-shaḥar (Psalm 22).