In joy or in the valley, God's people turn to the Psalms. These 150 poems are Israel's hymnbook and the Spirit's school of prayer for every generation. The Psalter has five books (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), each ending in doxology, the whole closing with "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD." Main types: psalms of praise (8, 100) lift our eyes to God's greatness; laments (13, 42) teach us to bring tears to God — Scripture gives pain this much room; thanksgiving psalms (30, 116) remember rescue; royal psalms (2, 110) point to Christ. How to read them into life? Read slowly — one psalm a day is plenty. Read aloud — psalms were made to be sung and spoken. Pray them — put your own situation into the "I" of the psalm. Start with Psalms 1, 23, 42, 103 and 121. The BiblePro app offers audio Psalms — let God's Word water your heart even on your commute.