b'By Reverend Melissa Anne RogersThe Psalms are the Songbook of Israel, the crown jewel of the Old Testament. These are the words of our ancestors in faithyet are every bit as relearnt to our lives today. These prayers and songs were written by people who walked faithfully with God and were just as human as we are. They help us know who God is and how God loves us. They give us insight into how we came to be, the importance of the covenant relationship we have with God, our own sin and need for forgiveness. These songs help us understand the whole of scripture and the journey of the people of God from the beginning.They are quoted more in the New Testament than any other book.They were used for personal devotion, and in worship, and often sung by people on a journey, ascending to a place of worship. The Psalms are honest words to God, and include the range of human emotions. There is expansive praise, deep despair, and humbling self-reection. The Psalms invite us to open our hearts to fellowship with God, going directly to the Father with our outpouring of praise, our frustration when we spiritually slump, and our self-righteous anger when God doesnt answer as we want. Let the Psalms guide your prayer life!'