Psalms 152–155 facts for kids

Psalms 152-155 are special songs or poems found in some old versions of the Bible. Most Bibles have 150 psalms, but these four are extra! They are mostly found in a very old Bible translation called the Peshitta, which is in the Syriac language.

Psalms 154 and 155 also exist in a Hebrew version. These Hebrew copies were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Along with Psalm 151, which is found in some versions of the Septuagint, these psalms are sometimes called the 'Five Apocryphal Psalms of David'.

What Are Psalms 152-155?

These psalms are like extra chapters of the book of Psalms. They are not in every Bible. They are often called 'apocryphal' psalms. This means they are not part of the main collection. They are still very old and interesting.

Where Were They Found?

Most of these psalms are known from the Peshitta. The Peshitta is an ancient translation of the Bible into the Syriac language. Syriac is a language related to Aramaic. It was spoken in parts of the Middle East a long time ago.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Two of these psalms, Psalm 154 and Psalm 155, were also found in Hebrew. They were part of the amazing discovery known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. These scrolls are very old manuscripts. They were found in caves near the Dead Sea. They give us a peek into ancient times.

Why Are They Special?

These psalms are special because they show us that not all ancient Bible collections were exactly the same. Different groups of people had slightly different sets of holy writings. They help us understand the history of the Bible.

The 'Five Apocryphal Psalms of David'

Sometimes, Psalms 152-155 are grouped with Psalm 151. Psalm 151 is another extra psalm. It is found in some versions of the Septuagint. The Septuagint is an old Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. Together, these five psalms are called the 'Five Apocryphal Psalms of David'. They are thought to be written by or about King David.