Our 31st Word is Psalm
The simple definition is a prayer or spiritual expression set to music.
“A psalm of David. When he fled from his son of Absalom.” (Psalm 3 Title)
The book at the heart of the Bible, literally and, many would argue figuratively, is Psalms. In an unfiltered, almost shocking way, this collection of writings describes the ups and downs of real people trying to live by faith.
In some, the author is close to waving the white flag. Here he’s describing the heaviness of guilt. There it’s the double whammy of being terrified by some looming disaster and mystified that God doesn’t seem to care. As we read, we don’t even notice that we’re slowing down, gawking, rubbernecking. Who can’t relate to such feelings?
In other spots the writer’s joy dazzles like the rising sun. These readings are painful to read in a whole different way. We think “Have I ever been that alive?” But again, we can’t seem to turn away. So we squint, hoping to soak in a smidgen of all that glory. One day, perhaps we will come to love and trust God like that.
Those who read the Psalms and who are honest, tend to agree: as a group, these writings are marked by the same sort of “spiritual schizophrenia” that grips most of us most days, as we careen wildly between belief and doubt. Our English word psalm is a translation of a Hebrew noun that means “song or melody”.
basically then, a psalm is a prayer or declaration about God that is meant for singing. The Bible includes 150 of these ancient compositions, making the book of Psalms, at least in English, the longest book in the Bible. Together these laments, praises, and songs of trust make up the worship manual of ancient Israel. they’re the “hymnal,” so to speak, that Jesus would have used. about half the collection is attributed to David, explaining how he got the title, “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1).
It’s interesting that even though the Psalms were originally meant tobe sung, nobody preserved a single chord chart. We don’t have a clue what the original tunes might have sounded like. Even so, the Psalms remain the ultimate collection of “oldies but goodies.” People can’t get enough of them! bible Gateway, a popular searchable online Bible, reports that its users read the Psalms more than they read any other book of Scripture. That should tell you something.
Whatever the state of your soul, hopeless or hopeful, discouraged or delighted, whatever your need, rescue, a quick reminder of what’s true, a reason to rejoice, or just hearing another struggling saint say a version of “Me too”, the Psalms have hot you covered.
“You’re not alone,” these ancient songs sing softly, “Others have been where you are. And behind all your mess, and through all your struggles, stands One who will never abandon you. He’s big. He’s good. He alone is worthy of your attention and affection. By faith, praise Him!”
It’s said that the late Billy Graham made it his practice to read five psalms every day, in order to make his way through this rich old songbook each month. As spiritual habits go, you would be hard pressed to develop one more useful than that.
Questions to Ponder
- Do you have a favorite psalm?
- What is it about that ancient song resonates with you?
No Thought Police 