As a new church school year begins, the covenantal character of Psalm 145 particularly strikes me. Instruction of covenant youth occupies a huge portion of my thoughts lately. I serve as the secretary for our church's Youth Education Committee and we've been busy getting materials and instructors lined up for the church school year. I … Continue reading Generational Praise, Psalm 145
Plants and pillars, Psalm 144
Reformed folks emphasize the covenant, God's promises to believers and their children throughout all of history, and Psalm 144 contains two beautiful similes for covenant children: sons like plants full-grown and daughters like a palace's corner pillars (Psalm 144:12, ESV). What beautiful images of children who grow into godly adults doing what God created them to … Continue reading Plants and pillars, Psalm 144
The thirsting soul of Psalm 143
Christians battle the devil, the world, and our own flesh. The conflict often wages on all three fronts. We grow weary and long for victory, or at least furlough from the front lines. In Psalm 143, David conveys his weariness and his awareness of personal sin. Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to … Continue reading The thirsting soul of Psalm 143
Poured out complaint, Psalm 142
While David was hiding in a cave, he poured out his heart in this lament to God. Most of us become uncomfortable when praying aloud, but David emphasizes that this prayer is vocalized. With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. I pour out … Continue reading Poured out complaint, Psalm 142
Passing by safely, Psalm 141
David was obviously in deep distress when he wrote this psalm. No biblical author, inspired by the Holy Spirit, portrays a wider range of human emotions than David in his psalms. When we struggle emotionally, we can remind ourselves that we are in good company. David was a man after God's own heart. The psalm … Continue reading Passing by safely, Psalm 141
Executing Justice, Psalm 140
Psalm 140 begins darkly, but ends in the light. It was written by David, who was persecuted and maligned by Saul and his counselors as well as betrayed by Doeg. It applies to believers today who are persecuted and betrayed, not only in other lands, but also in our own society where evil flourishes and deceit thrives—sometimes … Continue reading Executing Justice, Psalm 140
Completely known, Psalm 139
Psalm 139 contains well-known verses that have become a rallying cry for the pro-life movement, but I maintain that the entire Bible affirms the unborn child's personhood. And Psalm 139 contains so much more than those few verses speaking about God creating a child in the womb. The entire psalm speaks about God's intimate and … Continue reading Completely known, Psalm 139
Fulfilled purpose, Psalm 138
What a gift the Lord gave in setting aside one day each week for worship and rest! Although Old Testament Israel celebrated the Sabbath on the last day of the week, we worship on the first day to mark Christ's resurrection. As we worship and rest today, Psalm 138 reminds me that I should thank … Continue reading Fulfilled purpose, Psalm 138
Weeping in Exile, Psalm 137
Psalm 137 is a sad dirge that records the Israelites' lament in exile. They had been torn from their homes, their infants ripped from their arms; they had watched in horror as those homes were torched and those babies were dashed against stones. After that horrible trauma, their captors had the audacity to taunt them, asking … Continue reading Weeping in Exile, Psalm 137
His steadfast love endures forever, Psalm 136
No question about what title to choose for Psalm 136! The first line of every verses praises God for his wonderful works, while each second line in this antiphonal psalm proclaims, "for his steadfast love endures forever." We've used this psalm in the past as a litany at Thanksgiving gatherings. The leader reads initial lines and … Continue reading His steadfast love endures forever, Psalm 136
Glenda Faye Mathes 