The Psalms are a summary of Israel's faith history, a collection of all important biblical traditions - a small Bible. The commentary consistently focuses on the final form of each Psalm and unfolds, through numerous excursions, the late Hellenistic-Maccabean faith world as well as the nuanced moods of Israel's prayers, which provide the religious framework for the message of the New Testament. The volume addresses introductory questions, comments section by section, and explores the impact of the Psalms in theology, art, literature, and music.