By David J. Stewart | July 2019
Good question, lots' of confusion. Some people say it can be either way, but technically, “Psalms” is not the name of a specific work; but rather, it is the name of a collection of works. So, to be accurate, each Psalm should be referred to as singular. Hence, the 23rd Psalm should be referred to as “Psalm 23.”
In contrast, one can say “Acts 16” because the book of Acts was divided up into chapters by Stephen Langton in the 13th century (1205 AD). But Psalm 23 is not Psalm chapter 23. The book of Psalms does not have chapters. Acts is a unitary work divided into chapters. The book of Psalms is a collection of individual Psalms.
Having said that, some people would contend that the Psalms is one of 66 books of the Holy Bible and; therefore, as such could be considered a definitive work. So I see no harm in referring to the individual Psalms as being either singular or plural. To each his own. From the reading I have done on this subject, there is much disagreement in opinion. It all depends on how you view the book of Psalms in the Bible—as either a collection of works, or as a unitary work divided into chapters. I think technically, the former is true. When God dictated His Words in Hebrew to the ancient writers, there were no chapter divisions.
You should always refer to individual Proverbs in plural (e.g., Proverbs 4:23), because each chapter is part of a collective whole. Men (and not God) put the chapter titles and divisions into the Scriptures, so the titles, notes, chapters, verses and divisions of the Scripture are NOT inspired by God as are the Words themselves.
All of the Scriptures are INSPIRED by God, and that includes the precious King James Bible of 1611 (which has often been edited and revised for spelling and typos, but never retranslated since 1611). 2nd Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” God has given the world the last English Bible translation we'll ever see until Jesus comes. Why do you think English is fast-becoming the international language? God knew what He was doing.
Thank God Who is worthy of all our praises for His holy Word!!!
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” —Jude 1:3
