1.  They are hymns, prayers, and poems.  The Psalms are “the hymn book of ancient Israel” (I Chronicles 16:7-36)  They were quoted and sung by Jesus and the early Church (Matt. 26:30; 27:46; Luke 23:46; I Cor. 14:15-26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Acts 4:25ff)

2.  A gradual process over 600-700 yrs. (from David to after the exile)  Divided into 5 Books:  Book 1 – Pss. 1-41  Book 2 – Pss. 42-72  Book 3 – Pss. 73-89  Book 4 – Pss. 90-106  Book 5 – Pss. 107-150

3.  73 Psalms are attributed to David (Note: headings are not part of the Psalms themselves so accuracy is not certain).  Other authors to whom psalms are attributed:  Asaph (I Chronicles 6:39; 9:32)  Sons of Korah (Ex. 6:21; I Chronicles 9:19; II Chronicles 20:19)  Solomon  Moses  Heman  Ethan

4.  Wisdom – Ps. 1, 119  Praise – Individual (40, 103) and communal (124, 113, 150)  Lament – Individual (13) and communal (80)  Theodicy – Ps. 37, 73  Penitential – Ps. 51  Messianic – Ps. 2, 22, 110  Imprecatory – Ps. 58, 109, 137

5.  “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

6.  They provide a _______ for believers about how to ____________ ourselves to God (i.e. Praise, Lament, Complaint, Confession, Thanksgiving).  They teach that we are ___________ to be open and _____________ with God. Prayer is not necessarily the language of people who are always good or spiritual.  They show us how _____________ may be expressed even in the most ____________ situations, as well as in good times.  They remind us that _________ alone is our King, and that He is in ___________ of our lives, both personally and _____________, and is concerned about all that happens to us.