David and the Psalms-  

Our new sermon series will be focusing on the 23^rd Psalm. A psalm of David. I have to admit the Psalms traditionally have been something I struggle with in my bible study… I’ve always viewed them as poems and flowery words that sometimes contradict each other and confuse me…. This is probably because I’m not a poetic or prose person, I like the literal meaning of things that I don’t have to ponder too much on to get it…  

Then one day it clicked for me that the psalms are the songs of old, the hymns of the people of God that were sung, and would’ve been just as well known to the Israelites as we know the words and tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” They sung certain psalms at certain times of the year just like we sing our favorite hymns and carols at Christmas and Easter.  

King David had a long history with music and singing. Before he was anointed to be the next king of Israel, he was singing with the sheep. Once anointed, God used David’s gift of music and worship to move him closer to the throne. Saul, who was the king before David called for someone to come and calm him with music. (Read 1Samuel 16:14-23) 

Saul needed some relief from his own anxieties and stress. David was able to give him relief through worship and music.  

David continued to express the things going on in his world through the psalms. Centering on a cry for certain needs of forgiveness and safety and even joyful praises of God’s goodness!   

With David, we see the path of our own emotions, when we too are in despair and lose patience in waiting for God. However, God in his perfect timing makes an answer that leads us back to his love and protection. With God, we find joy. 

I know I have certain songs I turn to in certain times of my life… I bet you do too. You know the ones that lift you up out of a sad space, or the one that captures your love for your spouse or family… Or even the one that as soon as you hear it you can help yourself from dancing! We often know the words by heart and sing a long easily to the music we love…  

So after a long aversion to the book of Psalms, I finally get it… I finally see how they are woven into the fabric of our Christianity, how they too are the songs that help us express our emotions and desires to God, how they can lift us up out of the depths of despair and reorient our focus back on to the goodness of God.  

So here’s my challenge to you today:  

What are those songs you know by heart? The ones you turn to for the different chapters of your life?? Why do you think they speak to you? 

What do the psalms mean to you? Are they confusing or are you able to dive in and let the words surround you?  

Do you have a favorite Psalm? If not, I challenge you over the course of this sermon series to discover one…. Mine is Psalm 91 by the way….