Psalm 151

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*Psalms • תהילים (Tehilim)*
Psalm 23 • Psalm 51 • Psalm 67 Psalm 69 • Psalm 89 • Psalm 91 Psalm 95 • Psalm 96 • Psalm 98 Psalm 100 • Psalm 103 • Psalm 104 Psalm 109 • Psalms 113-118 • Psalm 119 Psalm 130 • Psalm 137 • Psalm 143 Psalm 151 • Psalms 152–155
Complete Psalms 1–150
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Psalm 151 is the name given to a short psalm which is found in most copies of the Septuagint (an old translation of the Bible into Greek) but not in the Masoretic Hebrew text. The title given to this psalm in the Septuagint (This Psalm is ascribed to David and is outside the number. When he slew Goliath in single combat.) ^[1] indicates that it is supernumerary, and no number is affixed to it.

For many years scholars believed that Psalm 151 might have been an original composition by the compilers of the Septuagint. However, evidence of the Hebrew origin of Psalm 151 has been found at Qumran. Scroll 11QPs(a), dating from the first century AD, contains two short Hebrew psalms which scholars ^[2] now agree served as the basis for Psalm 151. (Also cf. Abegg, pp. 585–586.) One of these Hebrew psalms, known as "Psalm 151a", is reflected in verses 1–5 of the Greek Psalm 151, while verses 6 onward are derived from the other Hebrew psalm, known as "Psalm 151b". The composer has brought the two Hebrew psalms together in a manner that significantly changes their meaning and structure, but the influence of the Hebrew originals is still readily apparent.

The title of the psalm claims that it was written by King David after his battle with Goliath. The text expresses how David was the least of his brothers, and yet God chose him to be anointed king. It goes on to commemorate how David killed Goliath with the Philistine's own sword.

Hebrew Bible or Old Testament for details see Biblical canon
Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox Torah/Pentateuch Joshua (Jesus Nave) Judges Ruth 1–2 Samuel 1–2 Kings 1–2 Chronicles Ezra (see Esdras for other names) Nehemiah (see Esdras) Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Minor prophets
Roman Catholic and Orthodox include but Jews and Protestants exclude: Tobit Judith 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees Wisdom (of Solomon) Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus) (Wisdom of Sirach) Baruch, includes Letter of Jeremiah (Additions to Jeremiah) Additions to Daniel Additions to Esther
Orthodox (Synod of Jerusalem) include: 1 Esdras (see Esdras for other names) 3 Maccabees 4 Maccabees (in appendix but not canonical) Prayer of Manasseh Psalm 151
Russian and Ethiopian Orthodox includes: 2 Esdras (see Esdras for other names)
Ethiopian Orthodox Bible includes: Jubilees Enoch 1–3 Meqabyan
Syriac Peshitta Bible includes: Psalm 152–155 2 Baruch This box: view • talk • edit

The Eastern Orthodox Church accepts Psalm 151 as canonical.^[3] Roman Catholics, Protestants, and most Jews consider it apocryphal. However, it is found in an appendix in some Catholic Bibles, such as certain editions of the Latin Vulgate, as well as in some ecumenical translations, such as the NRSV.