This volume offers one of the best available introductions to the psalms of the Bible. Specially designed for general readers, James L. Crenshaw's new book will help beginning students read the psalms with understanding and appreciation. The book examines the composition, historical background, and major features of the book of Psalms, explains the various approaches to the Psalter, and offers in-depth interpretations of four notable psalms - 24, 71, 73, and 115, - to show how one might fruitfully engage the text. This excellent volume will quickly become a favorite resource for study of the psalms.