The Psalms play a crucial role in corporate and personal worship because Christians believe the richness of God’s Word ought to determine our prayers not the poverty of our own hearts. Why do we avail ourselves of the Psalms? The Psalms help us to know more intimately, love more fervently, and treasure more deeply our … Continue reading Prayer: Learning How to Answer God
Psalms
A Spiritual Workout – Using the Psalms to Transform Sadness into Joy
Our God specializes in transforming sadness into joy. The ultimate demonstration of this is our Lord’s resurrection which we celebrate every Sunday. Yet, God’s people have celebrated through the centuries that sorrow and suffering never have the last word in their lives. For example, King David offers a rationale for why we cannot remain silent … Continue reading A Spiritual Workout – Using the Psalms to Transform Sadness into Joy
A Scripture Prayer based on Psalm 120
As the pilgrims ascended for worship in Your city, the city of peace, where you and your glory dwells, they longed to encounter You there. We too long to have a fresh encounter with You. We long for the day when the final door will open and we will ascend and pass into your glory … Continue reading A Scripture Prayer based on Psalm 120
Martin Luther & Singing the Psalms
Martin Luther encouraged praying the Psalms by providing the common people with singable versions of metrical psalms in their own language. He acknowledged that, the common and ancient custom of the Christian church [was] to sing Psalms. St. Paul himself instituted this in I Corinthians 14:15 and exhorted the Colossians [3:16] to sing spiritual songs … Continue reading Martin Luther & Singing the Psalms
J.C. Ryle on Christ in the Psalms
A Greater than David is here! We have probably little idea how much deep truth is contained in the book of Psalms. No part of the Bible perhaps is better known in the letter, and none so little understood in the spirit. We err greatly if we suppose that it is nothing but a record … Continue reading J.C. Ryle on Christ in the Psalms
Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
Prayer: O God, open the eyes of our hearts to see You for who you are today – the risen Savior who conquers all of our enemies. Renovate our unbelieving hearts so that they burn with devotion and love for our risen Savior and Lord. I don't know about you, but I still get chills … Continue reading Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
Psalm 71:3 - Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. O Lord, you are a rock of refuge to which we may continually come. May the guilty come and find release from the … Continue reading Praying to Our Rock of Refuge – Psalm 71
How Does the Lord Fulfill His Purpose for Us?
In Psalm 57:2, David declares who He worship and why he worships amidst great affliction and difficulty: "I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me." It is most assuring to know that God has a plan and will fulfill it. David is on the run from a … Continue reading How Does the Lord Fulfill His Purpose for Us?
The God Who Walks with His People – A Prayer
Lord, You walk on the vault of heaven (Job 22:14) and on the wings of the wind (Psalm 104:3). Yet, You say that you will also walk among your people… be their God and take them to be your people (Leviticus 26:12). You walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day, … Continue reading The God Who Walks with His People – A Prayer
Praying Psalm 1 and 2
Psalm 1 - Father, oh to be the blessed and fulfilled man of this Psalm. May this portrait of a life of wisdom be the compelling desire of all of our hearts. Free us from conducting our lives and making our decisions based upon the advice of those who are hostile to you. May we … Continue reading Praying Psalm 1 and 2
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