We’re halfway through This Is the Old Testament, our thematic overview of the Old Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish our look at the books of Wisdom Literature and begin the last sections of the Old Testament, the Major and Minor Prophets.
What Is Psalms? The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 musical poems and prayers written by David and others that represent the full range of human emotion in worshiping God.
How Psalms Fits Into the Story: The Psalms are deeply relational and give us a window into who God is, how He acts, and how His people can respond. The struggle to understand how God’s attributes—particularly His sovereignty and goodness—relate to life experiences is a major theme throughout the Psalms. These words, often in the form of prayers, were written by people who had not lost their faith in God as they navigated the mountaintops and valleys of life. Like us, they wrestled with how God was dealing with them both personally and as a community.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you find it easier to pray or worship God in certain moods or seasons? How do the emotions conveyed in Psalm 116 influence your understanding of what you can bring to God?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
I loved how this psalm really gave several different life examples/experiences where even still David was finding a way to praise the lord. Reflecting on it, there have been times where I’ve been so so blessed and dont give God enough credit and and then times where I’ve been low that i feel like, “Jesus where did you go!? You ditched me!” So i loved seeing an example of praising God in every season
Amen
Amen.
@Victoria. You and I are walking similar paths. I have been doing TBR and waiting on Gods will if there will be a man in my life that is in a relationship with Him. I have dated for many years and know in my heart a relationship will not work unless we both both seek God and His will. As a bonus I have brought Men back to God and wish you the best with the conversation you will have.
I find I worship better when things are going well, but find it hard when things are going bad. I know that I should worship at all times.
Psalms is, and has always been, one of my favorite books. Today’s reflection question hit me hard. As an ICU nurse, I get a front row seat to another families highs and lows. So often I get frustrated and ask God why from a place of deep disrespect and that’s not what will nurture my relationship with the Lord. Instead, I should come to him seeking that understanding that only he can bring.
I’m always wowed by God’s faithfulness and kindness. The key verse for Psalms today. It was just what our family needed yesterday and I’m excited to share it with our kids this morning. We are wrapping up our first respite (short term) foster care placement and the boys we are fostering go back to their regular foster placement tomorrow when they come home from vacation. Our kids have been teary over their leaving and my husband and I keep thinking about their future. It’s been an eye opening experience and I keep looking for God’s goodness in this hard situation. This verse was a helpful reminder last night before I went to bed that God is gracious and righteous. He will guard these little boys and he can save them, those who are helpless in this situation and the world. ❤️ I’ve read different Psalms here and there and might need to add reading them into my routine more regularly.
ANNA CYR – I love that you said it “disrupted the flow”. I think I overlooked v15 but in v16 I saw Jesus (I am your servant) and the Virgin Mary (the son of your female servant – see Luke 1:38). Maybe this a miniature of how Jesus came to “disrupt” life as we know it to bring us to a more glorious life with him through his sacrifice??