The Bible is not a book but a library, joining together dozens of writings, history, stories, poetry and letters. Almost the only common factor is that they all speak to us of God, revealing his nature, his awesome sovereignty and his tender love. The Old Testament is normally divided into three sections. The histories (including the Pentateuch, the basic first five books, the great Law of Israel) show God's loving guidance and correction of Israel from nomad beginnings through all the trials and infidelities of the settled civilization in Palestine. The Wisdom books (including the Psalms, the prayer book of Israel) express the wisdom of Israel drawn from God for the practical art of living.