Journey Through The Psalms with Dale Smith

TO THE READER

 

The Psalms. These words alone might serve as a sufficient introduction to one of the most treasured books in the Bible. The Psalms have served to comfort the saints and convey the majesty of God. Herein is their beauty. They present to us our lamentable condition. They lead us on to God's throne where a vision of his holiness reinforces our deplorable state. They carry us to Calvary where we see God's love and mercy displayed. The Psalms ultimately guide us to praise and thank God for his mercy in our lives. The Psalms are for pilgrims. They serve as spiritual signposts left by God's travelers who have gone on before us. Use them in that way.

 

The Psalms are songs. They were written to be heard. They were written to be sung. Try singing them. Begin with the first psalm and meditate on it. Roll it around in your mind. Search for a progression in thought. Examine the psalm for meaningful repetition. Read it out loud. Look for a melody init or create your own and the sing it. Apply the psalm to yourself. Ask, ‘What is God trying to teach me through these verses?’ or ‘How should my behavior be different now that I have read this portion of scripture?’ Don’t walk away from the psalm after reading and investigation it, only leave the psalm after it has investigated you.

 

This guide also contains selected quotes from various Puritan authors. Why the Puritans? The Puritans were pilgrims. They strove to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. They hungered for God. They thirsted for his presence. In their writings one finds a depth of emotional intensity, a clarity of thought, and a fervor in spirit that is often lacking today. For this reason they serve as a perfect companion to the Psalms.

 

 

Love in Christ,

 

Dale W. Smith