Psalms Week 1

 After readings that included a lot of death and destruction and the frequent sin of idolatry, we're going to enter into the Psalms.

The book of Psalms is a compilation of writings from a variety of authors and written over a long period of time.  Most often we associate the Psalms with David, but others such as Moses, Solomon, Asaph, and the sons of Korah are named as authors.  There are different types of psalms; however, the most common types are these: praise, lament (both individual and communal), thanksgiving, royal (about Jerusalem and/or the king), and wisdom.  As you read, try to put each psalm into a category based on the major theme or message.  For us, the psalms have many uses.  We can read them as the testimonies of God's people or as the heartfelt prayers of God's people or as words of praise and thanksgiving to God.  When we find it hard to pray, we can go to the psalms and join with the psalmists as they bring their prayers/songs to God.  You may also want to find musical settings to these psalms online as another way to enter into the text and to feel some of what the psalmist was trying to say.  Enjoy this journey through the psalms; praying that they provide a blessing to you as you read. 

Our guiding questions are these: What stood out to you in the reading?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might what you read change the way you live?

Please post a comment below with some of your questions, comments, and reflections from this week's reading.