Who is the founder of the Jewish Psalm tradition?

Answer 1

According to the 2nd edition of the Encyclopaedia Judaica, found online through my local public library, the author is reputed to be David.

However, more recent study of the original Hebrew text (as well as Greek translations) has led to the belief that there were several collections of "psalms" that were compiled at some point to form what we now know as the book of Psalms. Believed to be the earliest collection, Psalms 3-41 are known as "Davidic" in reference to the reputed author above.

Psalms 42-83 rarely use YHWH and instead use the term 'Elohim' so frequently that they can be distinguished from the rest of the Psalms. For this reason, these psalms are referred to as "elohistic".

At any rate, the short answer is that there is no definitive answer.

I would recommend going to the library (or your library's website) to read material that can more fully explain how the original psalms became what we now know as Psalms.

Have a great day!

Jake, Librarian