God-Breathed Hymnbook

The Book of Psalms contains a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper’s thoughts on God in praise and adoration. The Greek verb form, which the noun ‘psalm’ comes, basically denotes the “plucking or twanging of strings” indicating an association with musical accompaniment. Psalms served as the main songbook of ancient Israel and early churches; and today, the most widely read book of the Bible. Many people are drawn to these heartfelt words of veneration and automatically think of King David. Naturally, he’s called “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1). Expressly, David penned majestic masterpieces of spiritual literature that rings throughout eternity.

Due to a full range of human emotions, the psalms make us feel we’re not alone—that others have faced the same hurts we go through. It’s no wonder then, that we receive waves upon waves of comfort from these song-words. Adding depth to our understanding of the Lord’s wisdom, we get a taste if His all-surrounding compassion and hope. Subsequently, we easily relate to David’s anguish and his joy. Due to the theme of living real life in the real world, where two dimensions operate simultaneously, it’s like reading today’s news. There’s no denying pain and suffering in this earthly dimension, yet God’s people are to hope in His promises and endure to the end (Mark 13:13).

Practically all cycles of human troubles and triumphs are covered in this book. I suppose that’s one reason for its’ popularity. The other 65 books of the Bible are written from God-to-man, but these compelling love letters are written from man-to-God. Unstoppable storms of passion and honor for the Living God gave psalmists great heart satisfaction, leaving us a monumental legacy. Reading these gut-wrenching poems teach us how to cry out to the only worthy One who delivers and saves.

Let’s remember, just like David, we’re ordinary people who sin and need forgiveness, mercy and grace. I’m sure untold souls have gained insight and relief after poring over the Psalms in the midst of impossible situations. Even Jesus reached for them during His darkest hours “My God, My God why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1 Amp)