Psalm 19 – “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world” (19:1-3).

The great sun is compared with both a “bridegroom” and “an eager athlete.” And then these famous words:

“The instructions of the Lord…

Psalm 17 – “O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips” (17:1).

“I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you” (17:4-5).

“Hide me in the shadow of your wings” (17:8).  The wicked people of this world “are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—like young lions hiding…

Psalm 12 – “Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts” (12:1-2).

People don’t seem to care any more whether they lie or do violence to others. Reading the words of this psalm make me realize that probably every generation has looked around and seen terrible things, things that put us to shame as a people. But…

Psalm 9 – “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High” (9:1-2).

My enemies fell before you. “You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever and ever” (9:5).

The destruction that has come from these enemies will be forgotten, but “the Lord shall endure forever; he has…

Psalm 6 – “O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chasten me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak” (6:1-2).

My soul is troubled. Please deliver me, “for in death there is no remembrance of you; in the grave who will give you thanks?” (6:4-5).

“I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief” (6:6-7).

“Depart from me, all you workers of…

The Psalms are songs or hymns – poems – that have been ascribed to David. About 73 of the 150/151 Psalms are attributed to him, and whether they truly are his or not, they do seem to reflect the thoughts of one who is charged with leadership of a nation or peoples. The reading schedule is very difficult to follow through the psalms because the schedule sometimes requires that one read four or five psalms and they seem easier to absorb one at a time like all…