“The purpose of the individual poems as well as the entire collection process for the Psalter was to preserve the inspired words of Israelite songwriters as they expressed the heights (and depths) of their relationship with God. Their poems were preserved to guide God's people in later times in how to approach him no matter what experiences they were undergoing. Thus, there are songs of exultation and high worship, songs of respect for God's Word, songs of trust when evil prevails, songs of confession, and other expressions of true religion. Although the Psalms contain both doctrine, prophecy, and instruction, above all they were meant to be sung to God as expressions of delight in him. God's people today should use the Psalms in light of their original purpose” (Kendell Easley, Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible, 118).
