Reflecting on the first line of psalm 71, the word shame struck me. Why might the writer experience shame? What does Psalm 71 – shame, have to teach us? Psalm 71 Psalm 71 – no shame, begins with a cry to God to not let him be put to shame. “In you, Lord, I have taken […]
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When we are troubled and suffering, we want to be rescued immediately, as is the case in Psalm 70 – come quickly. Psalm 70 Psalm 70 is also found in Psalm 40:13-17. Because of this, many commentaries skip over it, referring us to Psalm 40. However, Psalm 70, the second shortest psalm in the book […]
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Have you ever felt like you were drowning or mired in mud and unable to move forward. That is the situation of David in Psalm 69 – drowning. He is in desperate straits. Let’s see why. Psalm 69 Psalm 69 – Drowning, is a psalm of disorientation. The writer, David, is in deep despair. As […]
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In Psalm 68 – God Arise, the psalmist issues a call to action. He wants God to arise to the occasion, to defeat the enemies of Israel. It is both an appeal to God and statement of confidence in what God is doing. Psalm 68 Psalm 68, another psalm attributed to David, begins with David […]
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Psalm 67 begins with the phrase, “May his face shine on us,” or in other translations, “smile” on us. What does it mean to have God smile upon us? Let’s explore this through Psalm 67 – God smiles. Psalm 67 Psalm 67 – God smiles, is a simple psalm of praise and blessing. The psalmist […]
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There are many ways to praise God. Last week we looked at praising God in silence in Psalm 65 – Praise Awaits! This week we look at another way to praise God in Psalm 66 – Shout for Joy! What are the psalmist’s reasons for shouting for joy? Psalm 66 In Psalm 66 – shout […]
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In Psalm 65 – praise awaits, what is it waiting for? Why would praise wait before speaking? Is there a reason to think first? What can we learn about praise from Psalm 65? Psalm 65 Psalm 65 – praise awaits, begins with the words, “Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion.” As one commentator states, “The […]
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The musical Wicked, based on the book of the same name, explores the nature of wickedness. Who determines what is wicked? Society? Is the wicked one the one who looks different or the one who is beautiful based on society but acts unkindly? Psalm 64 – wicked, explores this question. Psalm 64 In the first […]
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In Psalm 63 – thirst, the writer speaks of his thirst. What does he thirst for? What do you thirst for? Psalm 63 Psalm 63 – thirst, begins with the writer searching for God. The superscription tells us that this psalm was written by David when he was in the desert. David thirsts for God, […]
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One meaning of only is “no one or nothing more besides; solely or exclusively.” So true of our God as we learn in Psalm 62 – only. No one is better than God, our one and only. Psalm 62 Psalm 62 – only, another psalm attributed to David, starts with the writer waiting and resting […]
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