What are the Psalms of Solomon?

TL;DR:

The Psalms of Solomon is a pseudepigraphal collection of psalms written around 60 BC. While the Psalms of Solomon are not considered inspired Scripture, they reflect the messianic hopes prevalent among Jews during the Second Temple period, which offers a backdrop to the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the fulfillment of these messianic prophecies.

what does the bible say?

The Psalms of Solomon is a pseudepigraphal collection of eighteen psalms written around 60 BC, reflecting the messianic hopes and struggles of Jews during the Second Temple period under Roman oppression. Though not inspired Scripture, these psalms echo themes found in biblical passages like Psalm 72, emphasizing a righteous king who seeks justice, defends the poor, and fulfills God’s purposes. The Psalms of Solomon reflect the longing for a faithful Messiah. Notably, the collection contains the earliest recorded reference to the Messiah as the "Son of David" (Psalm of Solomon 17:21), a title later central in the New Testament to describe Jesus (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32). The psalms envision a messianic figure who purifies Jerusalem, gathers the exiles, and establishes God’s eternal kingdom, foreshadowing Christ’s mission and reign (Luke 1:31–33; Revelation 22:16). While the Psalms of Solomon reflect cultural expectations of a militaristic Messiah, Jesus fulfilled these hopes in a radically different way, bringing spiritual salvation and ultimate freedom, revealing the tension between human expectation and God’s redemptive plan.

from the old testament

King Solomon died hundreds of years before the pseudepigraphal work of Psalms of Solomon was published. Solomon did write Psalm 72 in the Bible, and the Psalms of Solomon share a similar theme with that chapter. For example, both Psalm 72 and the Psalms of Solomon emphasize the ideal king who rules with justice, defends the poor, and seeks God’s guidance. While Psalm 72 portrays Solomon’s hope for a righteous reign and ultimately points forward to the Messiah, the Psalms of Solomon, written centuries later, reflect the longing of the Jewish people for God to raise a faithful ruler during times of oppression, highlighting messianic expectations in a historical context.

from the new testament

A notable feature of the Psalms of Solomon is their early reference to the Messiah as the "Son of David" (e.g., Psalm of Solomon 17:21). This represents the earliest recorded instance of the Messiah being explicitly called the "Son of David," a title that becomes central in Christian theology and is repeatedly applied to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 1:1; Matthew 21:9; Luke 1:32).
The Psalms of Solomon present this messianic figure as a righteous leader who will purify Jerusalem, gather the exiles, and establish God’s eternal kingdom, foreshadowing the mission and reign of Jesus Christ as revealed in passages such as Luke 1:31–33 and Revelation 22:16.

implications for today

The Psalms of Solomon is a pseudepigraphal collection of eighteen psalms written in approximately 60 BC, around the time the Romans invaded Israel. King Solomon died hundreds of years before these psalms were published, so it's unclear to scholars why this collection of psalms is named after him. Solomon wrote Psalm 72 in the Bible, and the Psalms of Solomon share a similar theme with that chapter, so perhaps, they were named after Solomon because it was his writing that inspired the writer(s) of the Psalms of Solomon.

The Psalms of Solomon are not inspired Scripture and are classified as being from the intertestamental period. However, they are still an interesting piece of history as they were likely used in worship and religious services, similar to the hymns and modern worship songs we sing in our churches today. It’s noteworthy that within these psalms, the Messiah is referred to as the Son of David for the first time in recorded history.

Though not actual Scripture, the Psalms of Solomon provide valuable insight into the cultural ideas about the Messiah at the time of writing—beliefs that carried over into the Jewish expectations about the Messiah's earthly ministry and what they thought it would look like. Common themes include typical ideas that the Israelites had about the Messiah, particularly that He would rescue them from oppression with a focus on military victory on earth.

Jesus came to bring freedom to the oppressed, but He did differently from what the Jews expected. This tension of expectation versus reality was evidenced throughout Jesus' earthly life and beyond. Jesus didn't come as a military hero. He came as a sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29). He will come again and reign as king of the world.

understand

The Psalms of Solomon (c. 60 BC) is a pseudepigraphal work reflecting Jewish messianic hopes.
The Psalms of Solomon contains the earliest mention of the Messiah as the "Son of David," later applied to Jesus.
The Psalms of Solomon envision a righteous Messiah, foreshadowing Jesus’ spiritual salvation and eternal kingdom.

reflect

How does knowing that the Psalms of Solomon reflect expectations of the Messiah help you appreciate the way Jesus fulfilled God’s plan?
How does the title "Son of David" deepen your understanding of Jesus’ role and lineage as presented in the New Testament?
How can the historical longing for a righteous leader encourage you as you look to Jesus?

engage

How do the messianic expectations in the Psalms of Solomon compare with what the New Testament reveals about Jesus’ mission and kingdom?
Why would the early Jewish community have expected and longed for a militaristic Messiah, and what does that reveal about their cultural and political context?
How can studying non-Scriptural writings like the Psalms of Solomon help us better understand the backdrop of faith and expectation that surrounded Jesus’ first coming?