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Psalms of Solomon

A collection of 18 psalms, extant in Greek, probably translated from Hebrew. The consensus of virtually all scholars is that the book dates to the 1st or 2nd century BCE.|||Extant in Greek and Syriac. Eleven known Greek and five Syriac manuscripts that date from the 10th to the 16th centuries CE. First published in 1626 by Juan Luis de la Cerda.|||The consensus of virtually all scholars is that the book dates to the 1st or 2nd century BCE.|||Not contained in the Septuagint, and therefore not included in any scriptural canon.|||18 psalms reflecting the political and religious turmoil of the late Second Temple period. Express hope in the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel.|||Wright, R. B. Psalms of Solomon. Oxford University Press, 2007.|||Atkinson, K. " Psalms of Solomon." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.|||Psalms of Solomon — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/psalmsolomon.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Psalms of Solomon — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalms_of_Solomon|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And the Lord will raise up a king for them, the son of David, and he will judge the nations in righteousness." — Psalms of Solomon 17:21

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not contained in the Septuagint, and therefore not included in any scriptural canon.

Date & Provenance

The consensus of virtually all scholars is that the book dates to the 1st or 2nd century BCE.

Language & Manuscripts

Extant in Greek and Syriac. Eleven known Greek and five Syriac manuscripts that date from the 10th to the 16th centuries CE. First published in 1626 by Juan Luis de la Cerda.

Why It Matters for Study

18 psalms reflecting the political and religious turmoil of the late Second Temple period. Express hope in the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel.

" And the Lord will raise up a king for them, the son of David, and he will judge the nations in righteousness." — Psalms of Solomon 17:21

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And the Lord will raise up a king for them, the son of David, and he will judge the nations in righteousness." — Psalms of Solomon 17:21 " And the Lord will raise up a king for them, the son of David, and he will judge the nations in righteousness." — Psalms of Solomon 17:21

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Wright, R. B. Psalms of Solomon. Oxford University Press, 2007.
Atkinson, K. " Psalms of Solomon." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.
Psalms of Solomon — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/psalmsolomon.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Psalms of Solomon — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalms_of_Solomon|Background and scholarly discussion.