Whenever God’s people gather, whether in grief or celebration, they sing. The style of music changes, but singing remains a deeply-rooted part of our heritage.
From the spontaneous choir at the Red Sea in Exodus 15 to the professional choirs David assembled among the Levites, songs run through the Old Testament like musical ribbons.
And in the middle of it all – at the very heart of the Bible – is the Book of Psalms, the hymnbook of the people of God.
Psalms, the Bible’s longest book, comprises five separate collections:
- Book 1 is Chapters 1-41;
- Book 2 is Chapters42-72;
- Book 3 is Chapters 73-89;
- Book 4 is Chapters 90-106; and
- Book 5 is Chapters 107-150.
Each of these collections ends with an outburst of an Amen or a Hallelujah.
Often when we cannot find words to express our fears, joys, longings, or sorrows. We find them in the pages of this book, as Psalm 100 exhorts us:
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Key Thought:
The book of Psalms – Israel’s hymnbook – teaches us to continually praise God for His greatness, goodness, and glory.
Key Verses:
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Ps 100:1-2).
Key Action:
Worship! Sing! Praise!