Foundations: Books V of Psalms
Part 3: Psalms 107 | 18 Day Devotional
Throughout Book V of the Psalms, God reveals Himself not only as powerful and sovereign, but also tender, gentle and desperately longing for relationship with us. He is our protector, provider, and friend. He knows every intricate detail of who we are and what we’ve done, yet still goes to great lengths to make it possible to be in intimate relationships with us. Even in His discipline, it is always done with great depth of love. This is the perfect devotional if you want to feel understood, pursued and loved by God.
Psalm
145:3 (ESV)
"Great is the Lord,
and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable."
Introduction
We will be reading through
Book V of the Book of Psalms. In this section we find both the shortest chapter
in the whole Bible, as well as the longest. We find teaching, history,
testimony, and confession. As well we see the deepest passion of God’s heart revealed:
to be in close relationship with His people.
This compilation of songs is
full of exuberant singing and praise and worship. In nearly every psalm the
Lord is praised for who He is and His great and mighty works. It is not just
about the works, though. As we move through the psalms we see the works are
really about His heart. Everything the Lord does is to draw His people closer
to Him.
A predominant theme of Book V
is the Word of God. The psalmists love God’s Word, whether it is written, sung
or spoken, or revealed to the heart.
Throughout this section God’s Word is often called the Law, the Book,
the Testimony, the Precepts, and other names. The reason for these other names
is because of the purpose they are being used for. Sometimes the Word of God is
used for repeating History to teach the next generation. Other times those same
passages may be used for Testimony, which reveals the heart and glory of God.
We also see as we read
through this Book how desperately the psalmists, and likewise we, need to hear
the Voice of God speaking directly to our hearts. They wait on Him for
encouragement, for peace, for direction and wisdom, for conviction and hope.
The heavy reliance on God’s
Word for right living, hope for the future, and all eternity is clear
throughout this section of the Psalms. The examples of psalmists who wake up
early to spend time in the Word, who spend time in the Word again before bed,
who memorize it, love it, and sing it, will give us encouragement to deepen our
love for God’s Word and our commitment to ingesting it. As we grapple with
God’s sovereignty, His power and might, His tenderness, and His love, we will
be drawn into His embrace through the words of these 44 psalms.
A challenge: Some have
considered the Psalms boring, or repetitive, or redundant. As we go through
these passages we must remember this is not a story, or narrative, or letter,
as other books of the Bible are. These are songs made especially for our soul’s
benefit. There are most certainly sections repeated, and themes that seem
redundantly similar. However, as we soak in these truths, not just skimming
over them, our hearts will be transformed more and more to be worshippers of
God.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Ask the Lord to show you a picture of you today as
a worshipper of God. Ask Him to reveal to you an area of growth He wants to
work in you as you go through these 44 chapters of praise.
2. Reflect on your relationship with the Word of God.
Do you love it? Do you memorize it? Do you meditate on it each day? Ask the
Lord to grow your passion for His Word. Ask Him to give you a word, thought, or
picture about how necessary the Word is for your daily living.
3. Rhema words (words the Holy Spirit speaks directly
to your heart that grow your understanding of Scripture and your intimacy with
the Lord) are necessary for each believer and evidenced throughout this book.
a. Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes and ears
as you read through this book.
b. Ask Him to give you joy and increased intimacy with
Him as you learn to hear His voice even more clearly and to obey Him even more
quickly and confidently.
c. Ask Him to quicken your spirit to His conviction
and encouragement, and to give you rhema words each day as you read through
these passages.
