Why I Love and Need the Book of Psalms
- Sherry Coyle
- Nov 5, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 23
Recently, I found myself "camped out" in a particular psalm for a few mornings during my quiet time. I just love the Book of Psalms. If you were to look at my present Bible, which has been my primary study Bible since March 2016, you would find just about every psalm of the 150 total with either some markings, dates, or writing alongside the margins. Some with all three. With each of the Bibles I've used throughout the past thirty-six years of my adult life, this would be the case.
The markings and notes or the repetitive times I've meditated on a particular psalm, indicated by multiple dates recorded, don’t reveal that I’m an Old Testament scholar, or keen student of ancient hymns and prayers, or some super Christian—no, I'm nothing of the sort—but just that I came to an experiential understanding very early in my life that I’m desperate for God, in every desperate-feeling, desperate-looking reality I encounter. So very desperate and so very needy every day, even when my life circumstances are faring well.
Our time on this fractured, groaning planet is often hard. And so unpredictable. Very uncertain. The Psalms, in powerful, poetic language, speak right into the raw realities that life sometimes brings: Joy is overtaken by sorrow. A companion turns into an enemy. Godly pursuits are hindered by sin. Success shifts to failure. Acceptance is replaced by rejection. Clarity becomes clouded by confusion. Hope battles with despair. Faith gives in to fear. Worship wanes and pulls out a welcome mat for woe.
So often, what we thought should happen... was supposed to happen... even fervently prayed would happen, doesn't.
And what I very much appreciate about the Book of Psalms is that the psalmists talk honestly and openly to their loving Creator about it all.
Throughout my Christian journey, I’ve had many days, and even long seasons, when the honest, heartfelt words of a specific psalm—perhaps a verse, a section, or the psalm in its entirety—spoke directly into my challenging situation, articulating exactly how I was feeling.
However, what I truly love most, more than the raw, blunt emotions they authentically convey, is the fact that they continually direct my attention away from the heavy toward the heavenly. And this is what I need to be focused on, no matter what life consists of in the moment, but never more so than when I'm consumed with an earthly mindset that the truth in a psalm is exactly what I need to absorb.
How thankful I am that the Lord chose to include the Book of Psalms in the Bible. He gave us this collection of God-breathed, inerrant words that herald hope and offer a lifeline, as we journey through this often tumultuous life, which does its best to stir up tumultuous emotions.
Fellow sojourner, I have no way of knowing what you're specifically facing this day or this season of your life, or exactly how you're feeling and faring; yet, if you're a redeemed child of God, these truths I do certainly know:
Almighty God, your loving Father, is right with you and has never left your side.
His Son understands—understands like no other—all that you're going through, and all that you're feeling.
His Spirit resides within, ready to assist.
If you need a beautifully written reminder of these comforting truths and more, amid your trying realities—loss, failure, confusion, injustice, hardship, discouragement, pain—don't settle for how you're feeling. Pick up God's Word, turn to the Book of Psalms, and allow the Creator's presence and perspective to alter your thinking.
And, most importantly, because the psalms always compel us to worship, let your heavy heart go, and begin to worship. Truly, the psalms lead us to lift high, to elevate and magnify our matchless God, especially during the pressing times that the Enemy means to use to keep us low.
I believe this is the greatest value of this ancient, inspirational book.
The highest form of worship we can give is not when we're singing resounding praise songs during Sunday morning corporate worship, as heartfelt and exalting as this can be.
No, it's when we're in the darkness of the moment, when we're alone in our despondent thoughts and hard realities, and through pain and tears and unknowns, with hands lifted high toward Heaven, still proclaim the goodness and glory of our great God who is beyond worthy of our adoration, no matter what, come what may.
This is why I love, why I need, the psalms.
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