The Book of Psalms
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Introduction The Book of Psalms by Mark Batterson We’re going to camp in the Psalms this summer. They are some of the earliest recorded worship songs in history. Think of them as campfire songs, campfire stories. They have a profound ability to touch the deepest emotions of the human heart. In Psalm 119:11, King David says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” We want to encourage you to go beyond the weekend experience and hide the Psalms in your heart through the daily discipline of memorization. We don’t just want to get through the word; we want to get the word through us. There’s no better way to do that than to memorize scripture. The reason is simple: memorization allows the message to sink into your spirit in a way that’s impos- sible with reading. Don’t be surprised if you discover things you never noticed before! We are so excited about memorizing the Psalms, we’ve provided this booklet to help you engage. It will guide you through one Psalm each week and provide a short passage for us to memorize together. It also has space for sermon notes and journaling so you can record what God teaches you throughout the series. Mark it up. Make it your own. Finally, make sure to share what you are learning. We really do believe one summer can change your life and your relationship with God, but we are convinced it happens best in community. 1 Reading Plan Read 2-3 Psalms per day Week 1 Week 6 Psalms 119 Psalms 86-102 Psalms 1-16 Week 7 Week 2 Psalms 103-118 Psalms 17-33 Week 8 Week 3 Psalms 120 – 137 Psalms 34-51 Week 9 Week 4 Psalms 138-150 Psalms 52-68 Week 5 Psalms 69-85 Resources and music downloads available at http://theaterchurch.com/psalms The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed. -Patrick Henry 2 Hidden Week 1 Psalm 119 A Psalm of David 1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. 5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! 9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 4 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. 13 I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. 14 I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. 15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. 16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Memorization Tips Keep It Visible. Put a notecard with the verse in visible places: on you bathroom mirror, your desk at work, and in your phone. Journal What is the connection between your thoughts and your relationship with God? 5 “his heart would be kept by the word because he kept the word in his heart.” -Charles H. Spurgeon 6 Journal What “words of God” need to take root in your heart? Think in terms of promises to claim, truths truth to believe, or a Biblical example to follow. 7 The word of God hidden in the heart 8 is a stubborn voice to suppress. -Billy Graham 9 One of the many divine qualities of the Bible is that it does not yield its secrets to the irreverent and the censorious. -James I. Packer 10 psalm 23:5a the Good Shepherd Week 2 Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Memorization Tips Section Long Passages. Break the passage into small sections of 1-2 verses to focus on each day. 12 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. The sight of any trouble strikes terror into the heart of those who do not have faith, but those who trust Him say, “Here comes my food!” - Watchman Nee Chinese Missionary Under Communist Rule 13 Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time. - Oswald Chambers Journal Psalm 23 is incredibly comforting and grounding. It helps us trust God’s sovereignty. Pick a verse that touches you and start telling the Lord what it means to you. 14 Journal Recall a recent time when God fulfilled this Psalm in your life. Articulating and thanking God for His activity in your life is a powerful form of worship. All God’s giants hAvE bEeN wEaK mEn wHo dId gReAt tHiNgS fOr GoD bEcAuSe tHeY rEcKoNeD oN GoD bEiNg wItH tHeM. - J. HuDsOn TaYlOr 15 Now, God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair. - William Shakespeare 16 Psalm 37:6 Take Delight Week 3 Psalm 37 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. 6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Memorization Tips Write it down. Going analog engages the part of our brain that helps with retention. 18 23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. 26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. 28 For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. “In His will is our peace”. - Dante 19 Journal Map your life. There’s no better way to see how God has ordered your footsteps than to look at the path behind you. Here’s how to record your story: 1. Divide Life Into Chapters. Think in terms of school grades, seasons, transformational moments, rites of passage. 2. For each chapter, list in bullet points: a. Significant People b. Significant Places c. Significant Events i. Big Dreams ii. Big Decisions iii. Big Deals iv. Big Days 20 Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. -Corrie ten Boom 21 GO Where your best prayers lead you. -Frederich Beuchner 22 23 24 Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. - Albert Einstein 25 If you’re wrestling with some sort of decision, reflect for a moment and ask yourself, Am I being brave, or am I being safe? In the end, it depends on whether we think God can be trusted. - Gary Haugen, Founder of IJM 26 Dwelling Place Week 4 Psalm 84 A psalm of the descendants of Korah, a song. 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! 4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude 5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,[b] it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. 7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.[c] 8 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. Interlude 28 9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield! Show favor to the one you have anointed.