Singular in beauty and scope, the book of Psalms exquisitely captures the interchange between God and humanity as does no other biblical book. From joy and love to hate and despair, from creation to consummation, the wide range of expressions and theological themes is matchless. For Jews and Christians alike, the book of Psalms-with its songs and prayers-is the quintessential reservoir of comfort, hope, assurance, and instruction for faithful living. In this volume of Reading and Interpreting the Bible, Alex Varughese equips readers with a detailed introduction to the Psalms, including guidelines for interpretation. He then skillfully illustrates his interpretive method by applying it to eight representative psalms. This accessible approach makes this volume an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to explore this sublime biblical book. Reading the Bible with understanding is challenging. Without sound guidance, making sense of the different literary types, settings, and cultures found in the Scriptures can be overwhelming. The Reading and Interpreting the Bible Series opens the door to a proper and accessible method of biblical interpretation. Each volume concentrates on a specific literary type found in the Bible, highlighting its features and function. Social, political, and religious settings are examined, and a critical analysis of the biblical text brings to light its message and relevance for today. Readers will find in these volumes numerous illustrations of how to interpret specific texts, which can be used as a pattern for individual or group Bible studies.