I had missed the main point, which is that the Book of Psalms comprises a sampling of spiritual journals, much like personal letters to God.
The Psalms do use an inherently different approach, not so much representing God to the people as the people representing themselves to God.
I come to the Psalms not primarily as a student wanting to acquire knowledge, but rather as a fellow pilgrim wanting to acquire relationship.
More than any other book in the Bible, Psalms reveals what a heartfelt, soul-starved, single-minded relationship with God looks like.
From "The Bible Jesus Read"
