Psalms is one of my favorite books in the Bible because of its relevance to everyday life. They speak to our vulnerable human existence providing hope and comfort in relatable emotions. Here are a few of my favorites:
I love Psalm 13 because it speaks to the human condition. It's natural when life becomes difficult for us to question God or to feel as though God has forsaken us or stopped hearing our prayers. Seeing that David felt these same emotions, only to remember that God has never let him down before and is therefore trustworthy. Even when He seems distant, we must trust in God's mercy and salvation, for He will always come through.
Psalm 13 -
"How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me."Psalm 55:22 is a reminder that God is there to bear our burdens, our worries, our hardships, our anxiety... When we speak to God, He listens and gives us the strength to persevere.
Psalm 55:22 -
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be shaken."
The story behind why Psalm 73:26 is personally one of my faves is a long one, so I'll save that for another day and another post. This Psalm speaks to me because one of our inevitable failings as flesh and bone is our failing bodies. We are dying since the day we were born. But God is eternal. The Lord is all we need.
Psalm 73:26 -
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Whenever I need a bit of encouragement I reread this excerpt from Psalm 62. It's a great reminder that the Lord is our rock, our stability in an uncertain world.
Psalm 62:5-8 -
"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
Rejoicing in love because God recognized your pain is a beautiful concept. Gratitude and love outshines suffering.
Psalm 31:7 -
"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul."
Patience is a virtue. These verses from Psalm 37 remind us that our patience will be rewarded. For each the time will come so keep a happy heart as you wait.
Psalm 37:3-4 -
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. … Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”