As we wrap up 2022, we also wrap up our time reading through the Psalms as a church. Many in our church family have read the daily devotion, Deeply Rooted, along with hearing teaching each Sunday morning through the Psalms. It has been a meaningful experience, reminding me of other times I found myself pouring over the Psalms.
Throughout my life, the Psalms have been like a trusted friend, a balm to my soul, consistently offering me encouragement and strength. Through many seasons in over forty years following Jesus, the Psalms have been used by Him to strengthen and center my faith on His truth.
The Psalms are raw, emotion-filled, jubilant, worshipful, praiseworthy, and soul bearing. Although we sometimes think of this portion in scripture as songs of praise to God, 70% of the book is words of lament, mixed with worship and praise. I actually love that fact, as it gives us permission to grieve, ask questions, and pour out our hearts before the Lord. He can handle every emotion we bring to Him. God knows our hearts and wants us to come to Him in our times of distress, fear and anxiety – along with great joy and praise. Oftentimes my own prayers become like some of the Psalms, beginning with a cry of need or desperation, then ending in praise to God for His faithfulness. In this way, the book of Psalms has been a great teacher to me.
Psalms teach us to pour out our hearts.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
Psalms teach us to wait for the Lord.
“We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name.” Psalms 33:20-21
Psalms teach us to remember and to tell others of God’s faithfulness.
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.” (143:5) “We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done…That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children.” Psalms 78:4-6
Psalms teach us to praise.
“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!” (148:1-2) “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalms 150:6
Psalms point us to Jesus.
Psalms 22 and several other chapters prophetically point to Jesus, the One worthy of our praise! “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth.” Psalms 115:1
As we wrap up our year in the Psalms, may those pages in your Bible be worn and marked up, turned to often in the coming years, as a trusted friend and your daily bread.
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, time with her three teen-aged children, traveling, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for more than two decades and serving on the Women's Ministry team has been one of her greatest joys!