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The last verse of Psalms expresses the purpose of all 150 Psalms . . .
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6, ESV)
The Psalms are meant to be sung, not read, as there is something about singing the Psalms that elevates the words from the page into salve for our souls.
Timothy Keller writes in his book The Songs of Jesus . . .
Psalms, then, are not just a matchless primer of teaching but a medicine chest for the heart and the best possible guide for practical living.
As I’ve read the Psalms through the years, I’ve noted three themes:
- Exultation of God’s Word
- Expression of Relationship
- Exclamation of God’s Power
Exultation of God’s Word
The Psalms begin with a classic verse about the importance of meditating on God’s Words . . .
They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season (1:2-3a, NLT).
And the longest chapter in the entire Bible is Psalm 119.
This chapter has 22 sections, each corresponding to one of the 20 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. If Psalm 119 were written in English, the first section would start with ‘A’ the next section ‘B’, then ‘C’, and so on.
What is the focused theme of Psalm 119?
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart (vv. 1-2, RSV).
Expression of Relationship
It’s difficult to attend a memorial service without hearing these words . . .
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters (23:1-2, ESV).
Psalm 23 is the most quoted and written about Psalm. It focuses, along with many other Psalms, on a God who loves us.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me (23:4a).
But my favorite chapter of Psalms isn’t Psalm 23 but Psalm 25, especially when it says . . .
Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! (25:6-7)
Exclamation of God’s Power
For spiritual warfare, for increasing trials in the end times, and for any emergency, memorize Psalm 91 (and others like it).
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you (91:7).
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (91:11).
From start to finish, in the Book of Psalms, we read of God’s people attacked by enemies, vilified by deceitful people, lives in danger, careers shattered, and death of loved ones, but there are multiple Psalms for each problem.
Find a few Psalms to memorize if you need to understand God’s Word, draw close to God in relationship, or need His power.
I know the Psalms are meant to be sung, but since I can’t sing, I’ve opted to memorize several Psalms for each of the three major categories (Word, Relationship, and Power).
They are Psalms 1, 4, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 46, 63, 91, 103, 111, 127, 131, and 139.
My favorite quote about the Psalms comes from C.S. Lewis in his book Reflections on the Psalms:
A man can’t be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it.
Let’s feast!