Psalms 8, 23, 121 and 137 are Judeo-Christian writings of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) written around 1000 BC in present-day Egypt and Israel. These writings express praise to God and were written with the intent to be sung; in fact, the word psalm literally means “to pluck the strings” (“Before reading […]”). These pieces also convey a multitude of emotions ranging from euphoria to hostile anger. In “Psalm 8” the excellence of God and all his creations is praised, especially humanity, because God “made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor” (“Psalm 8”) . This praise towards God is a constant theme throughout the psalms. Fittingly, the Hebrew word for psalm, tehillim, means “songs of praise.” Furthermore, “Psalm 23” conveys God's eternal protection and the “goodness and mercy [that] will follow” those who believe in his greatness (“Psalm 121”). A similar theme is addressed in “Psalm 121” when it is stated that “the Lord will protect you from all evil: he will preserve your soul” (“Psalm 121”). God is portrayed as a divine protector in many psalms, as shown above, but is also questioned for bringing hardship upon his people, as in “Psalm 137.” The anger and sadness of the Jews exiled from Jerusalem are preserved in the words of this psalm: “We wept when we remembered Zion” (“Psalm 137”). This unique expression of specific feelings toward God is what distinguishes the Psalms from other parts of the Hebrew Bible (“Before you read […]”). The individual themes of trust, of God as divine protector, and of lament are set forth in Psalms 8, 23, 121, and 137. The theme of trust is very pertinent in many psalms, particularly in Psalms......at the heart of the sheet ......h like the sun and the moon. These Judeo-Christian psalms embody the theme of God's immeasurable power and show that He is the most powerful force in the universe. Works Cited “Before Reading: Psalms 8, 23, 121, 137.” Elements of literature: world literature. Ed. Patricia McCambridge. Austin: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 2006. 76. Print “Psalm 8.” Elements of literature: world literature. Ed. Patricia McCambridge. Austin: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 2006. 77. Print “Psalm 23.” Elements of literature: world literature. Ed. Patricia McCambridge. Austin: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 2006. 78. Print “Psalm 121.” Elements of literature: world literature. Ed. Patricia McCambridge. Austin: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 2006. 79. Print “Psalm 137.” Elements of literature: world literature. Ed. Patricia McCambridge. Austin: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 2006. 80. Print.