Psalms

I want to take a journey into Psalms this year, 2025. I just came up with the idea so first I have five days of catch up to get me rolling. I am using the book The One Year Book of Psalms published by Tyndale publications. I will take it chapter by chapter and see what and if I understand what the Psalms are telling me.

January 1-5

Psalm 1:1-6

There is joy if we do not follow the wicked or hang around sinners. Watch out for scoffers. Those who please the Lord do so by doing what he tells us to do. We thinks about pleasing Him day and night by doing what his laws say. And in doing what our Lord wants, we prosper. It relates us to strong trees growing along the banks of a river, strong, bearing fruit without fail. In contrast, God tells us this is not true of the wicked. The wicked, or those that do wicked things, are compared to chaff, worthless and scattered by the wind. Those will be condemned at judgment day.

Psalm 2:1-6

We are asked why nations rage? We are questioned why we waste our time with futile plans (useless things such as games, laziness). There are those who plot against the Lord and against his anointed. Many consider it slavery to be in God presence. They want to be free. But our ruler in heaven laughs, he scoffs at us and in anger He rebukes us. We should be terrified with his fury. He tells us, he is in control. He has placed His chosen king on the throne.

Psalm 2:7-12

God is in control of the earthly kings. He choses them. He will be their father. He wants them to act wisely and serve the Lord with reverent fear but rejoyce with trembling fear. We are to fear Him out of respect and find protection in Him.

Psalm 3:1-8

Here David is telling us of his sarrows and strifes. He is crying out to God for comfort. He tells us he is safe, to rest, to sleep. God will protect him and David owns that assurance of what the Lord will do. We should also feel safe knowing He will do as He promises. It is nice to know we can lie down and awake in safety, knowing the Lord is always with us.

Psalm 4:1-8

Once again, David is reassuring himself (and us) that when he calls upon the Lord, the Lord hears him. David speaks of the joy that the Lord gives us. David has reassured his readers that the Lord we keep him safe and will take care of his enemies. We learn that peace comes in believing in our Lord, trusting He will do what He says if we honor him and obey His laws. We all should lie down for sleep in peace knowing everything will be alright.

January 6

Though Psalms are poetic in nature, they teach us so much. We can learn prayer at its best. Some are geared toward instruction that we need to stay tune to the Word and God. Others help us to be part of our community. We also learn thanksgiving, blessings and special occasions. They are beautiful songs, expressions of experiences that we all can learn from.

Psalms 5:1-6

Here we see that David is starting out by getting God's attention (not that He isn't attentive to us always). He asks God to hear him; he says LISTEN to his cry and he tells God he would not pray to anyone else. David also acknowledges that he brings all request to God and he waits expectantly. This is probably the hardest for all of us...waiting. I find it interesting that in the next breath David assures God that he is aware of what God is and does. David mentions that God takes no pleasure in wickedness, does not tolerate sin, proud do not get to stand in God presence, God hates evil, liers, murderers and deceivers.

After reading this, something came to mind. Even though most of us would not murder, we must not forget that even to think of it, speak of it in anger, we are guilty of it! That is a wake up call.