Praying the Psalms

Scripture:  Psalms 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.    Psalms 55:17 - Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.   Psalms 121:1-2 -  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

The Psalms contain the Word that God has for us about prayer, and the words He wants us to say to Him in prayer.  It is amazing that God tells us how we can speak to Him and have fellowship with Him!  As I pray the Psalms back to the Lord, it helps me to give thanks/rejoice,  and think about and confess and turn away from the sins in my life.  Also, I am encouraged to pray for others as I read the Psalms.  As I am praying the Psalms back to the Lord, I am looking vertically (upward) instead of horizontally (thinking about what I am currently facing).  Praying the Psalms is so convicting yet comforting and uplifting!

Psalms are poems and hymns/songs.  They are used as prayers. Not all Psalms are prayers, but they will all shape our prayers.  Each Psalm expresses the full range of emotions that any person goes through during his/her lifetime – joy, sorrow, desperation, anger, vengeance, praise, peace, and thankfulness.  Therefore, anyone can relate to the Psalms.   Psalms truly express the heart of prayer.  Psalms and Proverbs are very different.  The Psalms are vertical to God while the Proverbs are horizontal about people.  The Psalms are divine counsel from God, whereas the Proverbs are practical advice to people.  The Psalms include a collection of prayers/hymns, but the Proverbs are wise sayings.

I sometimes read the Psalms quickly since I’ve read them so many times, but it is important to slow down and meditate on them.  Now I am getting in the habit of reading a Psalm over and over again – asking the Lord to give me more of an understanding of it -- putting it to memory in part or in whole and/or personalizing it – making the Psalm my own ( as I am praying it back to Him).  An example of personalizing Psalms 1:1-3 is:  Blessed (am I) that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But (my) delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law (will I) meditate day and night.  And (I) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in (my) season. (My) leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever (I) do shall prosper (come to maturity).  (This is my desire.  I praise and worship You. There is none like You!!!)

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your Word that I can pray back to You!  Help me to daily read, meditate on, understand, and apply Your Word to my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)