“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1, ESV, emphasis mine). ESV Study Bible notes: The skies bear witness to the Maker.
As the sun of our Glorious Creator rises with new mercies each day (Lamentations 3:22-24, ESV) and sets each evening, offering spectacular views like this one, we can reflect on His faithfulness throughout the day, no matter what we face. What better way to begin and end our day than singing praises to our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ! “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night” (Ps. 92:1-2, ESV, emphasis mine). Giving thanks every day will change our attitude.
There are 150 Psalms, about half of which were written by David, poems that express a wide variety of emotions. With many reasons to read the Psalms, we can turn to them for comfort in times of pain or grief or when we feel alone, to name a few. As the Chronological Life Application Study Bible suggests, “They put into words our deepest longings, thoughts, and prayers.” This is because they were written by people experiencing all of life’s highs and lows, just like us. If we compare these praises, prayers, and sometimes pleas for help or mercy to the events in David’s life, we can see how they fit and offer the same grace to us today that he received then.
The Greek name for the book means “song” and was already established by the time of the New Testament. The Hebrew name Tehillim means “praises,” – which points to the use of the Psalms as songs of praises offered to God in public worship (ESV Study Bible). The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary calls it the “hymnbook of Israel” and a source of instruction, comfort, and blessing for the people of God by teaching His people how to worship, serve, and glorify God forever. But the book’s focus, along with the entire Bible, is on the Messiah as our hope and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Next time you feel alone, read 27 and 40. Comfort: 23; to learn a new prayer:136; to learn a new song: 92; forgiveness: 51; hope: 16; 17; 18; 23; 27; decisions or to understand why we should read the Bible: 119; and I could go on and on. When we learn to praise God in all circumstances, our attitudes will not be the only thing that changes.
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2, ESV, emphasis mine).
Brand, C., ed., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville: B & H Publishing, 2015).
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