THE PSALMS: POETIC SONGS and PRAYERS of PRAISE

This article is also published on Medium.com

Introduction. Looking for joyful ways of God’s love and Glory to shine on you.

No matter what storm you face, you need to know that God loves you. He has not abandoned you. (Franklin Graham)

Through the dark and stormy night Faith beholds a feeble light. Up the blackness streaking, Knowing God’s own time is best, In a patient hope I rest For the full day-breaking! (John Greenleaf Whittier)

This morning the sun is hiding behind gray clouds. The rain tumbling down from the heavens. The wind whistling eerily through doors and windows.

Family many, many miles away and sadly silent. You so desperately need to feel your Heavenly Father’s warming and soothing presence.

You close yourself into the safety and comfort of your personal prayer closet. Take in hand the Bible, to search for God’s consoling and compassionate Word. You seek your Father’s presence in prayer. Relying on God the Holy Spirit to guide your hand and heart to the verses needed to draw you closer to Almighty God.

“He heals the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 147:3, ESV)

In our darkest times. When the sky is gray, and the winds are cold and chills us to the very bone. We feel so exceedingly alone. Our belief in God, our Heavenly Father is all we have. It should be enough? It must be enough!

As we read God’s words of comfort, “He heals the brokenhearted.” (v.3a) We repeat these words, they take root in our heart. His sun, His words, His love and peace shines in our soul. We read on, “and binds up their wounds.” (v.3b)

WHY? Do we feel so sad and alone? For the dark sky and storm is outside our home. God, our Heavenly Father is within the words of His Bible. God the Holy Spirit dwells within our spirit. Now, we are not alone. He never leaves us alone.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?

The Lord is on my side as my helper;

I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. (Psalm 118:6–7, ESV)

Our Heavenly Father has indeed lifted us up from despair. Almighty God has kept His loving promise. He has healed our broken heart. We continue on, with this prayer of love, this poetic song by David. These loving words, “and give thanks to the Lord.” (v.19)

We glimpse out the window. The sun has chased away the clouds once more. The birds sing softly their praise.

Then another thought, the rains that we allowed to spoil our day.

He covers the heavens with clouds.

He prepares rain for the earth.

He makes grass grow on the hills. (Psalm 147:8, ESV)

What right have us to feel sad on a dark and rainy day? “Praise the Lord!” (v.20b)

“We sing a new song, A song of praise.” (Psalm 40:16, ESV)

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God. (Psalm 40:3:a, ESV)

The sun is shining now.

The clouds have been chased away; their gloom no longer felt in our heart. The wind has lost its bluster. The birds once more harmonize their praise to the One who is their creator. We indeed sing our new song of praise and happiness. Our Lord’s love fills us with joy and gladness. His love and peace overflow, we are once more thankful to Him. “Great is the Lord!” (Psalm 40:16b, ESV)

God’s Holy Word is His source of love and power and true miracles. Yes, true miracles. When we seek God in prayer. Sincerely turn to Him in honest and humble prayer time. Confessing our need for forgiveness when in doubt. He is always there close by. His loving presence, a soothing and healing balm. His loving presence, a blessing to a troubled soul. His loving presence indeed heals a broken heart. Yes, true miracles.

Spending time with our Almighty God in His Word. For yes, He is the Word, He wrote it. David the King may have put quill and ink to parchment. It was his love for Almighty God that inspired his words. God the Holy Spirit breathed into David’s soul the prayer, the song. David then penned the words we now read.

Yes, we sing our new song. We praise our Lord. For it is He, our Heavenly Father, who has lifted us from sadness to peace and His loving embrace. For He has “set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40:2b, ESV)

The Psalms are God’s tools to help us rejoice. Praise His Holy name in all situations.

The Book of Psalms is God’s treasure chest, stocked full of gems of wisdom. Prayers of hope, comfort, strength, assurance and of course God’s steadfast and everlasting love.

There will be, sadly, times when aches and pains drain our life and body of all energy. Simple spiritual exercises, such as repeating to us, “In God I trust.” (Psalm 56:4, ESV)

Whatever strikes, God is stronger.

Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You. (Jeremiah 32:17, ESV)

Actually memorizing some of our favorite verses from the songs and prayers found in the Book of Psalms. Teach and help us to be prepared, no matter what.

Through sorrow to praise!

A common theme throughout these inspirational and uplifting prayers. Is that they show all true and faithful obedient believers. To be satisfied in God. In God, we have all that is needed in life. And so much more.

When we are completely satisfied in God. Then our heart is glad.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure. (Psalm 16:2, ESV)

Join me today and give our thanks to our Father.

in Your presence there is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

Conclusion.

The love, truth, hope and comfort in the Psalms, I have referred to are given by God. Reading and being blessed by the Book of Psalms, is being loved by God, Himself. These poetic songs and prayers, bring strength in times of personal battles. For they remind us that our Heavenly Father is always close by.

These personal prayers grant to us such peace.

We gain contentment from words written by a person facing hardship far worse than ours. God Almighty brought David through victorious.

The Book of Psalms brings God’s peace and contentment through God Himself. In a God who never changes. In God’s utter commitment to each of us, His beloved people.

Through the Book of Psalms, we realize what an honor and a privilege it is to be a child of God.

The Book of Psalms is a collection of poetic love songs and prayers to God.

To be loved and blessed by the Creator of all that there is worthy of praise and thanksgiving.

Through the Book of Psalms, we are reminded that we are never alone. God, our Heavenly Father is always close by.

With God Almighty anything is possible.