Psalter, (Psalms), of Solomon
## Overview and Content The Psalms of Solomon is a collection of 18 poetic, non-canonical psalms composed in Hebrew (though surviving primarily in Greek and Syriac translations) during the 1st century BCE. They are attributed pseudonymously to King Solomon, following a common ancient practice of ascribing wisdom literature to this famed figure (1 Kings 4:29-34). The psalms cover themes of piety, sin, punishment, and hope for national restoration.
## Historical Context and Authorship Scholars date these psalms to the mid-1st century BCE, likely written by Pharisees or a similar pious Jewish group in Jerusalem. The historical references within the text point to the Roman general Pompey's conquest of Jerusalem in 63 BCE (Psalm of Solomon 2, 8, 17). The psalms reflect the trauma of this event, interpreting it as divine punishment for Jewish sin and corruption, particularly by the Hasmonean rulers.
## Theological Themes and Messianic Hope A central theme is the contrast between the righteous (the hasidim or pious ones) and sinners. The psalms emphasize God's justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness, even in times of national disaster (echoing themes from books like Lamentations and Isaiah). Most significantly, Psalm of Solomon 17 develops a strong messianic expectation—the hope for a coming Davidic king, called "the Lord's Anointed" (Messiah), who will purge Jerusalem, gather the dispersed tribes, and rule in righteousness and wisdom. This reflects and develops the hope found in biblical texts like Isaiah 11:1-5 and Jeremiah 23:5-6.
## Relationship to Biblical Literature While not Scripture, the Psalms of Solomon stand in the tradition of the biblical Psalter, using similar poetic forms and language. They bridge the theological world of the later Old Testament writings (like Daniel) and the New Testament era. The messianic figure described is a human, political, and military deliverer, distinct from the transcendent "Son of Man" figure in Daniel 7:13-14, showing the diversity of Jewish messianic hope before Jesus.
## Significance and Legacy These psalms are a primary source for understanding Palestinian Judaism in the century before Christ. They reveal the piety, scriptural interpretation, and political theology of one important Jewish group. The collection helps modern readers appreciate the Jewish context from which early Christianity emerged, including the fervent hope for a Messiah to restore God's people.
Biblical Context
The Psalms of Solomon do not appear in the Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox biblical canons. They are part of the collection known as the Pseudepigrapha—Jewish religious writings from the Second Temple period (circa 516 BCE–70 CE) that are attributed to famous ancient figures but not considered Scripture. They interact with and expand upon themes from the canonical Psalms and Prophets, particularly concerning sin, exile, and messianic hope.
Theological Significance
The Psalms of Solomon are theologically significant for illustrating Jewish belief in God's active justice in history, the connection between national morality and divine blessing/cursing (Deuteronomy 28), and the development of messianism. They present a Messiah who is a human descendant of David, a righteous ruler who will execute judgment and establish a purified kingdom. This contributes to our understanding of the diverse Jewish expectations that formed the backdrop for the proclamation of Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 22:42, Luke 24:21).
Historical Background
The psalms were composed in the tumultuous period following the Hasmonean dynasty's decline and the Roman takeover of Judea. No original Hebrew manuscripts survive; the text is known from Greek manuscripts in the Codex Alexandrinus (5th century CE) and later Syriac and Slavonic versions. Their discovery and study have provided historians with a direct window into the beliefs of a devout Jewish sect reacting to a profound political and religious crisis.