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’n Belangrike rede waarom die prediking uit die Psalms ’n aparte bespreking regverdig, is die feit dat die Psalms die omvangrykste verteenwoordiging van poetiese stof in die Ou Testament be vat. Dit is nie vir almal ewe maklik om poesie te lees en te verklaar nie.

In this article the most important elements of prayers in the Old Testament are used to serve as indicators for our present-day prayers. The key words and phrases for prayer in the Old Testament are discussed, while the form and contents of prayers in different periods of the Old Testament are considered to establish the main trends in the development of prayer according to different situations in the history of the people of Israel. A random selection of prayers from the different periods, with the exception of the prayers in the book of Psalms, are analysed to suggest some important indicators in understanding our relation toward God in our own prayers.

The significance of the task of Elijah as mentioned in Malachi 3:24: "to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" is examined in the context of the relevant utterances of Malachi about the sending of the messenger The question why the messenger of the Lord is named Elijah, is further clarified in the light of the activity of the historical Elijah on Mount Carmel, and the striking resemblances between the task of Elijah and that of Moses in binding the people to the Lord in the covenant relationship. The article concludes with a summary of the appearances of the name of Elijah in Ecclesiasticus and in the New Testament.

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