Sometimes life is too hard. Sometimes we make matters worse. Sometimes the tears won’t stop. Or that sense of burden hanging over us. Sometimes we don’t even feel like praying.
But God in his kindness has given us words for moments like this. One writer says of Psalm 6 “Whatever the original circumstances, the Psalm gives words to those who scarcely have the heart to pray, and brings them within sight of victory.”
Psalm 5: Coming in and Going out in a Hostile World
Before we go out we need to come in—come in to God’s presence and get our bearings before heading out into a hostile world. David in Psalm 5 shows us how to do this, and how to live in a world that is opposed to God and very often opposed to God’s people without becoming bitter or resentful, but remaining confident and compassionate.
Psalm 4: Peace & Joy under Pressure
Do you struggle to find peace amidst the unfairnesses and injustices of life? Imagine being able to sleep peacefully without your mind racing and tumbling over a thousand and one things. Imagine having a joy that is rooted, not in circumstances, but in somewhere that nothing can touch.
That's what David points us to in this Psalm - not in a theoretical way, but like watching a live video feed: He starts out crying "Answer me" and finishes falling asleep in peace - because... well you'll have to listen to find out.
Psalm 3: Dealing with Disaster
The psalms do not portray a sugar coated version of Christianity, they shows us what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ in the nitty gritty of life. Psalm 3 was not written in a cosy armchair, it was written in the epicentre of disaster.
David had lost everything: his throne, his reputation, his friends, his family. Even his life was on the line, yet rather than panicking, David clung to God. His life may have been turned upside down, but his God never changed.
Psalm 3 shows us how the believer can enjoy God's peace even amidst the painful storms of life.
Psalm 2: Christ in the Crosshairs
Psalm 2 is all about a great and mighty king. This is the king of kings; the one whom every king, president, taoiseach, and prime minister must bow down before, worship and obey. Of course, this could only be King Jesus himself.
This psalm shows us that there are many mighty people who despise King Jesus and want to overthrow him, but that wonderfully, his victory has never been in doubt.
Psalm 1: How to be Happy
Over the next few months, we will be looking at the Book of Psalms. These are the only songs God has given us to sing in his praise and as we consider the message of these psalms, our praise will be enriched.
The first psalm is a wonderful introduction to the book. As we sing through the psalmbook, we are confronted with a wide range of emotion, including hurt and despair; yet right at the start God is telling us that it is possible to be happy and blessed.
This is the first part of our study in this psalm, in the second part we considered how Jesus Christ is the blessed man who is described here.