The Apocryphal Psalms

We’re approaching the end of our time in the book of Psalms, and so it’s a chance to explore something a bit different.

We’ve been reading through the 150 Psalms that make up this collection in our Bibles. We’ve looked at how these Psalms are a profound compilation of hymns, prayers, and poetry that cover all sorts of human experience and emotions.

Beyond these 150, however, lie a lesser-known set of psalms, often referred to as the Apocryphal Psalms. Psalms 151-155, though not included in the canonical Bible, are well enough recorded that it’s worth having a look at them!

(They are surprisingly tricky to find as a collection, so I’ve copied them into a separate document that I’ll post as well – just in case you wanted to have a read!)

The term "apocryphal" refers to texts that are outside the standard biblical canon. The Apocryphal Psalms, particularly Psalms 151-155, are found in various manuscripts, including the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and some Dead Sea Scrolls. They are not included in the Masoretic Text, which is the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible, nor in most Bibles, but they do appear in some Orthodox Christian traditions.

So they’re not common, but they are out there and they must have had a life of their own in their own time to have been preserved.

Let’s take a look at them and see what stands out.

Psalm 151

Psalm 151 is often attributed to King David and is considered an autobiographical hymn. It begins with David reflecting on his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy and his anointing by Samuel.

"I was small among my brothers, and the youngest in my father’s house; I tended myfather’s sheep. My hands made a harp, my fingers fashioned a lyre. And who will tell my Lord? The Lord himself; it is he who hears. It was he who sent his messenger and took me from my father’s sheep, and anointed me with his anointing oil."

This psalm is unique because it provides a personal perspective from David himself, reinforcing his humble origins and divine selection. It has been suggested that this psalm might have been a later addition to enhance the legendary narrative of David's rise to kingship, emphasising the idea of the youngest and least expected being chosen by God. This follows other biblical stories where God selects the least likely candidates to fulfil Their purposes.

Psalm 152

Psalm 152 is sometimes referred to as the Prayer of Manasseh. This penitential psalm is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, traditionally attributed to Manasseh, the repentant king of Judah.

"O Lord, I have sinned, I have transgressed, and I have sinned against Your commandments. I have set up idols and worshipped them. But now I bend the knee of my heart, begging for Your kindness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions. Absolve me, O Lord, absolve me, and destroy me not with my transgressions."

The attribution to Manasseh is significant because it links the psalm to a historical figure known for his repentance. This connection emphasises the enduring theme of repentance and forgiveness in Jewish religious literature, illustrating the process of returning to God after straying.

Psalm 153

Psalm 153 is a call to righteousness and a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. It gives a warning to the faithful to live justly and to follow God’s commandments.

"Turn away from evil and do good, and dwell forever in the land. For the Lord loves justice and will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip."

This psalm's focus on moral behaviour and divine justice is consistent with the wisdom literature found in the Psalms we’re more familiar with, as well as the Proverbs. It has been suggested that Psalm 153 aims to instruct a community on ethical living. This psalm is a message of encouragement to those who may feel oppressed or overlooked, affirming their ultimate justification by God.

Psalm 154

Psalm 154 is a beautiful hymn of praise, celebrating God’s creation and providence. It invites believers to observe the wonders of the natural world and to glorify God for Their magnificent works. It has fairly clear echoes of other Psalms with natural imagery, as well as borrowing lines from Isaiah 55.

"The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. For the Lord has redeemed Jacob and will be glorified in Israel. Shout for joy, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains. For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

The vivid imagery and celebration of nature in Psalm 154 align it closely with the other creation psalms, such as Psalm 19 and Psalm 104. It’s thought that these psalms served a liturgical function, likely used in worship settings to acknowledge God's creative power and the wonder of creation.

Psalm 155

Psalm 155 is a song of deliverance, expressing gratitude for God's intervention in times of distress. It tells how God has rescued the writer from difficult situations, reaffirming God’s role as a deliverer and protector.

"You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Therefore my heart will sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."

The theme of deliverance in Psalm 155 resonates with other psalms of thanksgiving, like Psalm 30. A psalm like this could have been used in communal worship settings, particularly in rituals of thanksgiving after a crisis or during religious festivals. Again, the language of transformation from mourning to joy reflects a common biblical motif where God turns all things for good.

The theme here is divine deliverance and thanksgiving. It celebrates God's ability to transform sorrow into joy and despair into hope. This psalm encourages believers to trust in God's deliverance, no matter how desperate the circumstances, and to always offer thanks for God’s saving grace.

So, that’s a little synopsis of these bonus psalms. They seem harmless enough, so why aren’t they included in the main collection of psalms?

Well, scholars have got a few different ideas about why they didn’t make the cut.

First, their origins and authorship are uncertain. Many of these texts were found in various versions and translations over time. There isn’t necessarily a clear original text and so it wouldn’t be obvious which version to establish in the canon.

Second, their theological themes and language sometimes differ from the established psalms, suggesting they may have been written in a different cultural or religious context. Looking back on our Bibles, written over a range of time, this might feel like less of a concern, but one can imagine that if there were texts that felt, at time of putting together the scriptures, like natural outliers, then it makes sense to leave them out.

On the other side of this, some of these psalms seem to borrow almost too closely from other biblical texts. Psalm 155, for instance, appears to quote Psalm 30. That suggests that the writer might have had access to that Psalm already (hence the different times of writing). There would be no real benefit to including some psalms that say almost identical things to other psalms.

Last, the process of putting together the biblical canon was meticulous and selective – some of the criteria was an aim to preserve texts deemed most authentic and divinely inspired. Those selecting must have believed that these texts were neither the most authentic or, perhaps, divinely inspired.

And so it is, that Psalms 151-155 are not part of most bibles. Despite their exclusion, there are still key messages that resonate with us; those of humility, repentance, righteousness, creation, and deliverance, echoing the timeless truths found in the canonical psalms. Exploring these psalms can help our understanding of the breadth and depth of ancient faith, as well as offering some insight into the decision making behind what was and wasn’t included in the scriptures that we have today.