A Historical Survey of Psalm Settings from the Time of the Reformation Through Stravinsky's "Symphonie des Psaumes"

Though perhaps we shall never know the music to which these religious lyrics were written, the poems have never ceased to be the source of inspiration for the spirits of men since they were first sung. Each psalm seems to have an underlying purpose with a personal message for each reader. In the Book one can find a reply to every sort of question, for the Psalms are filled with expressions of emotion brought about by all human experience. The collection of these 150 songs or psalms makes\ud up what is known as the Hebrew hymn-book or the Book of Psalms