The beauty of the Psalms

The book of Psalms commonly referred to as Psalms is a collection of 150 songs about God.  The word Psalms literally means “Songs of Praise”, written by a number of different authors over a period of more than 500 years. The book covers a range of subjects which contains valuable information on a range of human emotion and experiences.  Some Psalms were used for worship whilst some are more intimate and used personally.  Some are long and some are short, some give instructions and some provide valuable information about some important questions of life.  The words, phrases and sentences found in the Psalms are still as powerful today as the days they were written over more than 500 years ago. One of the most outstanding Psalms that has given comfort to people facing tough life challenges is the famous Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul (Psalm 23:1-3)

I attended a Christian women’s retreat recently and was extremely blessed.  The theme of the retreat was “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  It was about relaxing, slowing down, taking it easy and acknowledging God and his mighty works in our lives, community and the whole world. Psalm 46 helps to illustrate these points. Hope this Psalm will minister to your heart whilst it assures you that God is always with you.

 

Psalm 46 – New International Version (NIV)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Amen