What have you learned about the Book of Psalms after reading this journal?
How Have You Been Inspired after Reading this Journal?
How Have You Approached Your Problems Differently After Reading this Journal?
In What Ways Have You Begun To Address Your “Haters” Differently?
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Each Psalm was always written to someone or dedicated to someone. You will often notice the authors’ salutations such as, “(Written) to The Chief Musician.” Because each Psalm is a song, the author also declared that a musical instrument – particularly the harp – should accompany each one. In the introduction, the author would also describe the style of the music and the occasion.
Three themes woven throughout the first section of Psalms includes problems, promise and prophesy. The authors’ and characters’ lives were very similar to our own. They, too, were faced with seemingly insurmountable issues, insane situations and unbearable crises. But the Lord gave them the same promise of deliverance that he has given to us today.
In Psalm One, David begins by describing what it means to be blessed. He does not mention material goods or wealth, but highlights spiritual enlightenment, abundance and prosperity. The Psalmist warns us some relationships are not healthy. They can deplete our spiritual power and lead us astray. The truly blessed individual, according to David, meditates every day and every night on Gods word and law. He likens this individual to a tree planted in the Garden of Eden. This tree does not waver or topple in strong winds. Its leaves never even fall during a storm.
Thus, we learn that our strength comes from spending as much time as possible in God’s word. Perhaps for us, this means listening to a sermon while driving to work or meditating on God’s promises in the scriptures while jogging in the park. It might also mean swapping the tunes on our iPod for songs that glorify God, thus filling our spiritual fuel tanks.
David teaches us to mind the company we keep and exercise our spiritual muscles daily by meditating on God’s word. The promise and the prophesy in Psalm One is that God deeply roots us in good soil, preventing us from being blown away in the raging storm. David reminds us that God knows our path and will bless and prosper it when we abide by his word.
In the first section of Psalms, the writer often tells God all of his problems and even asks God if he is listening. He shares his true feelings of disappointment concerning the direction his life has taken. In some instances, he even asks the Lord when he is going to intervene on his behalf. This does not reveal a loss of faith, but rather that the writer is human and has a relationship so intimate with God that he can honestly say he feels God has forsaken him.
I, too, at times have felt that God was nowhere to be found – especially in some of my most trying times. The Psalmist teaches us that it is perfectly okay to tell God how we feel. More importantly, he teaches us by example that we should not end our prayers on such a negative note. He extends his prayer to remind God of his promises to deliver him. He also reminds himself that the Lord never breaks a promise.
Psalms 1 through 42 is filled with instances where David cries out to God, then speaks to and encourages himself. What if we learned to pray in that same manner? If I’m lonely, tell God exactly that. If I’m disappointed with how a situation in my life turned out, let him know it. I can tell the Lord everything I am going through because I am his child and he cares about me.
First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast your cares on him for He cares for you.” Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. My favorite example of David’s model prayer is found in Psalm 61 (KJV):
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the Earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto thy name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Here he talks to God and to himself. We are not responsible for getting knocked down, but we are responsible for getting up. I can have a pity party from time to time, when I’m feeling down, but I also have to know when to leave the party. To leave, I must engage in self-talk, reminding myself of the promises that God made and will always keep.
In Psalm 42:5 (The Message), David asks himself, “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” In Psalm 43, he asks God to plead his cause. He reminds himself and us in Psalm 46 (KJV) who God is and what he does for us:
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in (times of) trouble.