Understanding Ascription: Giving Glory to God

What is an Ascription?

In the Bible, an ascription is a literary device that identifies the author, occasion, or purpose of a psalm or passage.

Examples include Psalm 3:1-2, attributed to David during a time of distress, and Psalm 18:1-2, which opens with a declaration of trust in God. These ascriptions help readers understand the context and intent behind the text.

The Purpose and Examples of Ascriptions

Ascriptions in biblical texts serve to anchor readers in the historical, liturgical, or theological background of a passage.

In Psalm 18:1-2, the ascription identifies this hymn of deliverance as authored by David, framing his declaration of trust in God’s protection as rooted in personal experience. Similarly, Psalm 51:1-2, attributed to David after his repentance for sin, situates the prayer within a moment of moral failure and divine mercy. These ascriptions guide readers to interpret the psalms through the lens of their authors’ lives and God’s redemptive character.

By clarifying the context, ascriptions deepen our understanding of how Scripture connects human struggles with divine faithfulness, preparing the way for exploring their broader implications in worship and theology.

Ascriptions in Worship and Interpretation

Ascriptions shape both the theological and liturgical framing of biblical texts, guiding readers to approach Scripture with awareness of its original context and divine focus.

In Psalm 22:1-3, the royal psalm’s ascription (assuming a Davidic or messianic context) directs attention to God’s sovereignty over human suffering and His intimate knowledge of the afflicted. Similarly, Psalm 137:1-4, rooted in post-exilic longing, uses its historical setting to frame worship as a dialogue between human grief and divine faithfulness.

By anchoring Psalms 22 and 137 to their specific audiences - whether royal figures or exiled communities - their ascriptions teach that God is both a compassionate participant in human pain and a covenant-keeping redeemer. These insights help readers view ascriptions as theological lenses, not just headers, a theme explored further in the next section.

How to Read Ascriptions Correctly

To read biblical ascriptions accurately, readers should approach them as theological guides rather than mere historical footnotes.

First, distinguish historical context from theological message: for example, Psalm 18:1-2’s ascription attributes David’s hymn to a personal deliverance, but its core declaration - "My strength and my shield" - points to God’s unchanging faithfulness. Second, consider liturgical use: Psalms like 22:1-3 and 137:1-4, framed by their historical settings, were likely used in communal worship to connect human suffering with divine sovereignty. Third, avoid overinterpreting disputed details, such as debates over David’s authorship of certain Psalms, which should not overshadow the text’s theological focus on God’s redemptive character.

By anchoring ascriptions to their liturgical and theological roles, readers gain a clearer lens for understanding how Scripture invites both reflection on God’s nature and participation in His covenantal promises.

Going Deeper

Scholars debate the historical accuracy of certain biblical ascriptions, such as the traditional attribution of many Psalms to David.

While these discussions remain unresolved, they highlight the importance of focusing on the theological messages within the texts. For deeper exploration, consider commentaries on the Psalms or studies on liturgical theology.