Though our circumstances may be different every life is touched by hardship of some kind or another. Some of us may have lost a loved one, while others know the pain of divorce, marital unfaithfulness, or the heartbreak of wayward children. Perhaps you are exhausted from financial struggles or from dealing with sickness or the care of aging parents. Some of you may have lost your home, your livelihood, as well as the future you had anticipated and planned for. When we are desperate for words of encouragement and hope the Psalms can be a great source of strength as you hear God's voice to you through them.

No matter how different our lives, we have a couple of things in common. You may have picked up this book because you have a desire to know God and draw closer to Him, and you just want some help in doing that. We all need help. Or perhaps, like many others, you're hurting. Hard things have come your way and you're in need of a bit of hope. We all need that, too. And as always, our Loving Father has words for us - words of encouragement to draw us close and strengthen us for the journey. Let His words in the Psalms bring you the help and the hope He longs for you to know.