Can one imagine our Bible being comprised of only sixty-five books, and having no Psalms included? What would our spiritual journey be like if we didn’t have those 150 songs of yearning, enjoyment and praise? If there was no 23rd psalmu our lives would be much the poorer.
These outpourings of the soul written mainly by the shepherd and then king David have lifted many a soul from despair and guided many a weary traveller. Psalms are read at funerals, sung or said every week in some churches and devoured at many a sickbed. Their popularity could be because of the raw emotion they display.. They fit into our worrying moods and how often do we say ‘ That was written just for me.’
We don’t have to be a shepherd, king of even a murderer to appreciate the relativity to our own lives. Even those of the world who never have heard of the psalms, may unwittingly be found quoting them.