1. The Psalms

2. Book of Prayers - Songs Written from a wide range of feelings and situations Written for a wide range of feelings and situations Joy, despair, praise, complaint, certainty, doubt, defeat, success, suffering, liberation

3. The Psalms are used in Liturgy Liturgies of the Temple and synagogue Liturgies of the Church: Mass and Divine Office Jesus prayed the Psalms Psalms are meant to be said aloud or sung in Public Worship

4. Four Categories of Psalms Adoration: praising God, worshipping God Repentance: asking God’s forgiveness, acknowledging sinfulness, iniquities Petition: begging God for something, healing, victory, Thanksgiving: giving God thanks for something

5. Primary Theme of the Psalms Adoration, Praise, Worship every Psalm has some form of this primary theme Praise: looks at God for God is God – not looking at oneself, not asking for anything Adoration 18, 100 The Psalms were written over about 1000 years Many authors including, David, Ezra,Solomon, Moses