As well as being examples of poetry and song, the Psalms are chiefly prayers. We may well try to categorise these prayers (according to subject matter such as lament, thanksgiving, petition and so on), but the psalms themselves are not arranged in this kind of order. As Eugene Peterson comments, ‘experience arrives randomly’ (‘Answering God’, P 107) and it is helpful to realise this when reading through the psalms sequentially. The sheer randomness of the subject matter reflects the fact that life throws all kinds of things at us: what is important is learning to practise a sense of the presence of God in the midst of this.
The psalms teach us to pray, anchoring us in a sense of God’s greatness, majesty, creativity and character (see, for example, Ps 8 and Ps 19) and helping us to see ourselves in relation to God. Many psalms help us to understand our sinfulness (for example, penitential psalms such as Ps 6, 32, 38, 51, 130 and 143), as well helping us to recover a sense of ‘the unnumbered details of grace, of mercy, of blessing to be appreciated and savoured.’ (ibid., P 114) In focussing our attention on all God has done, continues to do and will do in future for us, we are rescued from subjectivism and can enter the wider country of God’s salvation. Ps 103 in particular is useful for showing us the vast scope of God’s salvation, embracing as it does forgiveness, healing, redemption, restoration and relationship.
The Psalms teach us also that we can approach God no matter what our emotions or circumstances. The psalmists approach God in anger, confusion and frustration (Ps 22:1-2, Ps 74:1, Ps 13:1) as well as in joy and thanksgiving (Ps 146:1, Ps 100:4-5). We can come when we feel forsaken (Ps 88:3-5, Ps 31:12) and depressed (Ps 42:5). Our joys and fears are all welcomed by God and we don’t have to pretend with a God who desires truth in the inmost parts (Ps 51:6). The Psalms do help to restore our perspective (see Ps 73), but they are also a vivid reminder that prayer needs to be authentic and sincere, and part of an ongoing relationship, not formulaic, remote or ritualistic. We find passion in prayer in the Psalms; this passion needs to fuel our prayers on a daily basis.
