When I wrote about a bird in the Cleveland airport, my mind went to Psalm 84. I share another “bird story.” A few years ago, we had a problem down at the church house. We had too many birds–specifically, they had gotten into our Family Life Center. They were messy! Again, my mind goes to …
Category Archives: Psalms
Psalm 84: Dwelling in a Lovely Place
I was in the Cleveland airport waiting for my next flight. The weather outside was typical of early April in northern Ohio–overcast, blustery, even cold. All around me, people were astir with attention focused on one thing–a single sparrow that had found her way into the warmth and hospitality of the airport. I don’t know …
Sunday: I will worship (Psalms)
The last twelve psalms of Book II (Psalms 61-72) deserve to be better known than they are in the contemporary church. A personalized reading of the psalm instills in me the desire to worship God with all of my being, committed to praise. Hear me, O God, listen to my prayer; I call to you …
After Easter: Building on God’s Foundation
On Easter, most Christian churches have their biggest Sunday attendance of the year. No Sunday of the church year surpasses Easter in total attendance. Surveys show that more Christians are in church on Easter than any other Sunday of the year. Not only do most of the members show up on the same day (quite …
Continue reading “After Easter: Building on God’s Foundation”
Progress on the “Psalms Project”
Yesterday I was able to post another set of devotionals in the “Psalms Project.” For those who may not be tracking this project, I am writing a “Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally.” For each psalm, the project includes a brief comment, a reading guide that provides insights and outlining ideas, and a prayer …
A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally
At the start of 2013, for several days I published entries from my current writing project: A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally. My goal is to write at least one devotional guide each day–and to stay ahead of those who began the new year reading a psalm each day. [It is always a …
Continue reading “A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally”
Psalm 4
This psalm continues a series of short psalms that call upon God to deliver, expressing confidence in God’s willingness to act. Reading: Psalm 4:1-8 If the psalmist’s plaintiff cry seems too directional in demanding that God act, the first verse can be understood as a request. “May God answer, may God give me relief, may …
Psalm 3
The next twelve psalms (3-14) generally belong to the category of psalms of deliverance and praise. The NIV Study Bible notes suggest a 5+1+5+1 pattern. Psalms 3-7 are followed by Psalm 8, a creation psalm which declares the glory of God. Psalm 8 is also recognized as a Messianic psalm with a clear reference to …
Psalm 2
The first book of the Psalms (1-41) is framed by blessings (1:1, 2:13, 40:4, 41:1). In addition to the “blessed is the man….” of Psalm 1, one finds “blessed are all who take refuge in him,” “blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,” and “blessed is he who has regard for the …
Introduction to the Psalms: Psalm 1
The purpose of the division of the Psalms into five books (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) is not clear. The divisions may be based on the use of the names of God, traditional collections, or other factors. Recent studies have suggested the possibility of thoughtful structures, often chiastic (as in the NIV Study Bible, 2002). …