Tonight’s Bible study looked at some of our favourite psalms, including:
- Psalm 23. One of the most beloved of psalms, this talks of our relationship to God (our Shepherd), His supply, rest, refreshment, healing, guidance, purpose, testing, protection, faithfulness, discipline, hope, abundance and blessing as well as the consecration and anointing He gives us. One of the most popular psalms to be put to music, this psalm is a favourite to be read or sung at funerals (since it talks of the ‘valley of the shadow of death’), but it sustains many in life as well!
- Psalm 8. Written by David, this psalm contrasts God’s majesty and our lowliness and we can well imagine David as a shepherd, lying out in the fields at night, gazing at the majesty of God’s creation and marvelling at such a mighty God caring for him.
- Psalm 139. This psalm reminds us of God’s omniscience and the fact that we are securely known by Him – including our thoughts, words and actions. The psalm marvels at our creation (we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’) and reminds us of the sanctity of life, but also reminds us how loved we are and how God has plans and purposes for our lives.
- Psalm 27. This psalm exudes confidence in God and also expresses David’s heart for God and for worship. No matter what comes against us, we can be confident because God is with us to help us and use us. Fear has no place in our lives.
- Psalm 19. This psalm extols God’s power in creaiton and in His word, but we particularly focussed on Ps 19:14 which prays for the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts to be pleasing in God’s sight. We need God’s help to be pure in both thought and word.
- Psalm 124. This psalms reminds us of the help God gives us, both seen and unseen. Where would we be without God? God’s help is real and very present throughout all the trials of life.
- Psalm 130. Ranging from the depths of despair (‘out of the depths I cry to You‘) to the confidence of help from a God who does not keep a record of sins but in whom is full forgiveness, unfailing love and full redemption (not to mention mercy!), this psalm also urges us to wait for the Lord, something we rarely find easy to do. We can have confidence to wait and hope, however, because of who God is.