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The Psalms have been called the ''Hymnbook of the Bible,'' placing the singing and honesty of God's people at the very center of the faith. Throughout the Bible, but in particular in the Psalms, singing is not offered as merely a pleasure, but an essential ingredient to the healthy Christian life.

It is worth noting that each book in the Psalter culminates with a word of praise, a doxology (cf. Psalm 41:13; 72:18-19; 89:52; 106:48, 150). The book of Psalms concludes with five “Hallelujah” psalms (Ps. 146-150). The final compiler of the Psalms wanted to have the last word to be one of praise to God. The book of Psalms reminds God’s people of the central importance of worshipping God and recalling his goodness, love, and wondrous deeds on their behalf.

The Psalms represent the full range of human emotions. Many Psalms are characterized by doubts and complaints, frustrations and pain. Other Psalms are expressions of praise and thanksgiving. The psalms and our emotions: the psalms arouse various emotions: reverence (5:7), shame (44:9), fear (56:3), sadness (6:6-7), anger (5:10), love (18:1), joy (16:11), doubt (73), and revenge (88).