1. The psalms in the Book of Psalms were used in Israel’s worship in the temple and in the synagogue. They continue to be used in the synagogue today and some Christian denominations chant one psalm each Sunday in worship. This means that the Laments are used in worship then and now as well as the Songs of Trust and Praise Songs.Not all music that helps us needs to be praise. Not all music that means so much to us needs to be “Christian.” What is a song that has helped you through a difficult time? How did that song help? What is a song that gives you joy? Why does that song give you joy?

2. The Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) is not one we refer to very often. I confess I have never preached from it. Most English translations clean it up a bit from what it reads in the Hebrew. We read stories of passion, listen to music about the passion of love, and watch television programs and movies that show the passion of love, but somehow we don’t want that in the Bible. But God loves us passionately, even more than a husband can love a wife or a wife love a husband. That love between spouses includes physical and emotional love too. That love between us and our spouse is perhaps the greatest love we experience. Yet, God’s love is greater. How would you explain God’s love to someone? How do we experience that love?