Where Do I Start in the Bible? The Psalms! | Psalm 138, Psalm 121, Psalm 23

Get ready to have your soul stirred! Today we take a deep dive into the powerful pages of the Psalms. These writings are like a raw, honest conversation between humans and our Heavenly Father, full of all the emotions we feel – from despair to hope. We’ll discover the top three Psalms that people just can’t get enough of… Each one offers a unique message of faith, protection, and comfort. 

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Transcription:

It’s crazy how we find out what’s happening in the world and in the lives of our family and friends in social media sized bites, right? We learn about what’s going on, on Instagram, on Facebook, on X [formerly known as Twitter]. Hi America, your host of the Bible for Busy People. This week we’re talking about, okay, so I want to read the Bible. Where do I start? Last time I recommended the gospel of John. That’s what my uncle taught me when I was 16 years old, and he steered me in exactly the right direction. So many stories about Jesus’ life, some of the very best can be found in John’s gospel.

Today, I want to tell you about the Psalms. You’re going to find the Psalms right smack dab in the middle of your Bible, and they are bite-sized pieces in the buffet of God’s word, most of them, with the exception of like Psalm 119. That’s a long one, but there are songs of praise. There are poems that a bunch of different people wrote. King David wrote the most of them. He actually wrote 73, and yes, they’re bite-sized, something easy to digest before you run to work or hop on the school bus. But that is not the thing that I love best about the Psalms, these praise songs, these poems in the heart, the middle of your Bible. I love that they are authentic cries from very real people who walked with God on this planet and sometimes didn’t understand what was going on in their lives. Does that sound familiar? For every emoji on your iPhone, there is a Psalm. There is a reflection of what you’re feeling in the Bible. You are not the only person to feel this way, to feel abandoned by God, to wonder if he left the building like Elvis, to wonder if things are ever going to get better.

In the Psalms, you’re going to receive the gift of gut level honesty from the people who wrote them, and you’re also going to hear their love and worship of God. So often it was God who turned their problems back into praise. He’s the kind of God who can turn a worrier into a worshiper, and I don’t know about you, but that’s good news. I actually found a compilation of the most retweeted Psalms. I don’t know what you would say now, the most re-X’d Psalms. I don’t know what the verbiage is, but let’s just go with it. The most retweeted Psalms. So we’re going to read three together today, beginning with Psalm 138. Here we go.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. 2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. 3 As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. 4 Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. 5 Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great. 6 Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. 7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.

These are like faith statements, right affirmations. Verse eight now, and my favorite.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

So, you hear all sorts of things going on here. This person who wrote Psalm 138 understands that God is for him, but he’s also saying, “Hey, I’m in trouble. Help but I know you’ve got to plan God.” That’s what he’s saying. That’s the third most retweeted Psalm. Let’s check out the second most retweeted Psalm. Psalm 121. Interesting note. This is a song for pilgrim’s ascending to Jerusalem.

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! 3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

When I read that Psalm, it makes me picture a parent sitting on the edge of a child’s bed and watching over them as they sleep. The Lord God never sleeps. He’s always watching over you, looking after you caring for you, and that just fills my heart with peace. I don’t know about you. Now, this one is not going to surprise you. The most retweeted Psalm, according to this compilation I found on the interwebs, is Psalm 23. It’s probably the most centering Psalm for when you’re in a crisis. A beautiful irony because the Psalms are in the middle of your Bible in the center. Join me now. Maybe you need these words today. Let them be a balm for your spirit. Normally we read in the New Living Translation. This is the New King James.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Oh, amen. Right? Doesn’t that make you feel so good? So loved. Listen, just like the Gospel of John, you can turn to any of the Psalms in the middle of your Bible and find comfort or affirmation or a song of praise for your own heart. Until next time, you are really loved.

Thank you for making time for the Bible, for Busy People today. If being part of this community is a blessing to you, it’s super easy to share this podcast with someone you love. We’re all about spreading the hope of Jesus like butter. So, if you’ve got a moment to write a review, boy, we’d really appreciate that. Maybe you need a little prayer today, or you are ready to take that next step with God. I invite you to check out our show notes. You’re going to find lots of encouragement there. This podcast is one branch on a tree called Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and thrive in God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.