I have been contemplating today how I will continue my path. I have just completed creating a six-week study of the Book of Ephesians in Bible lesson/question format; and as a result, I knew I wanted to spend some time in prayer and perhaps study prayer along the way, but how? I prefer grounding any of my efforts in scripture, no matter how far afield I may go along the way. The most logical place to start appeared to be the Psalms.
I didn’t want to simply start at Psalm 1 and plow through them one by one; instead I wanted the selections to more closely reflect my state of being that day or week. As a result, I have discovered a number of web sites that lay out the psalms by the church calendar (Book of Common Prayer Psalter), by topics, and by summary statements. I will begin with these, looking for revelation and, hopefully, an inner journey that will manifest in a more joyful, peaceful, and moderated outer life.
It is the Spirit I am pursuing in prayer. It is the Presence. It is an intimacy I believe is attainable; a listening place where direction is palpable and rooted in the holiness of God in Christ’s Spirit.
Meditations from Zion 
As usual, I admire your zeal. Only remember, the psalms were written in Hebrew long before Jesus. They are songs in the Jewish tradition. Most English translations are “informed” by Christian thinking. I would recommend at least a side-by-side reading with a Jewish translation. They are not markedly different, but you can enter the spirit of the poetry more readily if you are closer to the source. (Not suggesting you learn Hebrew…) Also, be selective. I remember as a teenager reading through the Psalms in order (like a book) and despite a strong motivation I found the going very tedious. Not a praying man myself, but I nevertheless wish you great joy in this journey.
Thanks. I really hope they will serve as a springboard for prayer and inner search. I’m really not planning to “study” them as a whole, but if something captures my imagination, I will dig a little deeper and, like you said, look at their background. For right now, I am interested where they will take me emotionally & spiritually.
IB ________________________________________