Singing Praises in Psalms

We have been studying the Old Testament in Sunday School this year.  Today we discussed the book of Psalms - a collection of poems originally sung as praises to God.  The Psalms can be compared to our Hymns today.

A quote that I really liked from the lesson today from the First Presidency said: "Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings.  The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.  Some the the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns.  Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning and inspire us to endure to the end."

As I have studied some of the Psalms this week, I came across several scriptures that I loved.  Here are a few:

Psalm 27:1-  "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 100 - "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."