PSALM 137 This is one of those Psalms that is not on the ‘approved reading list’ for children in the church. It deals with intense anger, with this shocking image: “Happy is the one who takes your babies and dashes them against a rock.” Now, what’s the deal with that? Remember, the psalmist is not recommending murder, violence, or […]
PSALM 136 Did you know that the phrase, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever,” is a favorite phrase in the Bible? It is used forty-four times. The prayers that have the most impact on our lives are generally prayers of thanksgiving. When we are thanking God, we are focusing on God and […]
PSALM 135 Every Sunday morning I start my day by going into Wesley Hall and sitting by myself and just listening to the worship band as they begin to warm up for the 8 a.m. service. The music stirs my soul and ushers me into the presence of God. Then I go to worship in the Sanctuary and listen […]
PSALM 134 Hardly anything is more powerful than an encouraging word. In Psalm 134 the people of Israel are encouraging those who serve them in the Temple. As the people were leaving after a day of worship, they would encourage the temple workers, the priests, who were about to enter for the night shift. They encouraged them to keep […]
PSALM 133 In my first year of seminary, I was serving as a youth pastor of a church in Marietta, Georgia. Across the street from the Methodist Church was a very strong and vibrant Baptist church. I do not know what happened, but apparently they got to arguing among themselves about something, and the argument turned into a big […]