For several years now it has been my habit of reading through the Psalms and Proverbs every month. It has been a tremendous blessing of growing in my understanding of worship - in the Psalms, and practical application for living - in the Proverbs.
The Book of Psalms is a book of worship and sometimes called the first hymnal. Each and every Psalm captures the writer's response to God from various points and perspectives. In the Psalms we see that God and worship are many-faceted. There is not a narrow range of worship expression. Among them we find exuberant, passionate praise and overflowing gratitude. God is adored, exalted and glorified. But we also see the different psalmists pouring out their hearts in laments to God - their fears, their heartaches, their disappointments and desperation. We see them cry out for God's help in times of trouble, trial, temptation and sin.
Many of our worship songs and hymns today are based on many of these Psalms. Each Psalm not only expresses the heart of the composer, but also the heart of God. The more we read, meditate, sing, and pray the Psalms, the more we will worship in truth, authenticity, and passion. The Psalms offer an invitation for us to go deeper with the Lord than ever before.
The Psalms are masterpieces of worship. Above all, the Psalms teach us that worship is for God. Though we are always blessed in our worship, the goal of worship is not our gain, but God's glory. In the timeless words of Psalm 108:3-5:"I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth."
I would encourage you to make a plan and spend some time every day in the Psalms. It will deepen your walk and worship with the Lord as you begin a new year in Him! mjm
