Walking in the Psalms

Week 1: Psalm 34
July 5th with Erin Lonard

Erin Lonard began our reflection on the Psalms by inviting us to consider what it means to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” As we explored Psalm 34, Erin guided us through a meditation on how the psalm gives us a small glimpse of the bigger story that points to God, to who he is, and how he satisfies us. Through the imagery of hunger, Erin identified three types of spiritual hunger: seeking, starving, and satisfied. As you listen to, read, and reflect on Psalm 34 this week, consider what season you are in right now? Are you:

• • • Seeking – asking the question, is there more, or are you simply crying out to God? Psalm 34:17 holds a promise that for those crying out the Lord hears them.
    • Starving – are you in a season where you feel desperate-  for hope, comfort, strength? Verse 18 promises that God is near to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit.
    • Satisfied – do you find yourself in a season where you feel filled, satisfied? You have experienced God in a way that creates a desire for you to return to him again and again. Psalm 34:9 reminds us that when we revere and stand in awe of the Lord we will lack nothing. 

Week 2: Psalm 23
July 12 with Chris Griffith

Chris Griffith, pastor of Rhythm Church, invited us this week to ask the question, where does hope come from? Guided by Psalm 23, Chris challenged us to reframe where our hope can truly be found. Amidst the dark valleys, fears, hurt, pain, and death David penned his words to Psalm 23 believing that God’s goodness and mercy chased after him every day of his life. David found hope, not in what was to come or something he could grasp, but he found hope in what God had already done for him in the past. David remembered how God was faithful, how God had provided, how God came through for him and so he could with surety proclaim that God’s goodness and mercy would follow him all his days. The same is true for us today.

Kingdom Practices
For our time of practice, Dan and Kirsten lead us through a song meditation on Psalm 23. Similar to the practice of Visio Divina in which a piece of artwork is reflected upon, during the song meditation we invite you to slow down and listen to the words of Psalm 23. Pay attention to what comes to mind or notice what feelings come to the surface. We are inviting the Spirit of God to speak to us through the song. It is a time to look back and see where hope is. 

You may also wish to ponder these questions as you listen and reflect on the song or if you simply wish to reread Psalm 23.

• • • • What thoughts or emotions does the song stir in you?
      • Is there a word or phrase that stands out or provokes curiosity?
      • Is there a particular life circumstance that comes to mind, either past memories or current experiences?
      • What might God want to say to you through this song today?

Week 3: Psalm 88
July 19th with Christy Davis 

Guest speaker, Christy Davis, invited us to a grounded theology of grief and suffering through a meditation on Psalm 88. Psalm 88 is a psalm that repeatedly speaks of darkness, death, suffering, abandonment, and confusion. Christy challenged us to consider that emotions, particularly when we are encountering pain, suffering, injustice or grief, are neither good nor bad in themselves. Emotions ebb and flow as we live our lives and if we hold space for these emotions and pay attention our emotions will tell us things about ourselves and our world. Christy ended by asking, what is your own psalm 88? That is, what is the ache or the desire of your heart that you need to bring before God?

Kingdom Practices

For our time of practice, Dan led us through a song meditation on Psalm 88. Similar to the practice of Visio Divina in which a piece of artwork is reflected upon, during the song meditation we invite you to slow down and listen to the words of Psalm 88. Pay attention to what comes to mind or notice what feelings come to the surface. We are inviting the Spirit of God to speak to us through the song. 

You may also wish to ponder these questions as you listen and reflect on the song or if you simply wish to reread Psalm 88. 

• • • • What thoughts or emotions does the song stir in you?

      • Is there a word or phrase that stands out or provokes curiosity?

      • Is there a particular life circumstance that comes to mind, either past memories or current experiences?

      • What might God want to say to you through this song today?

Week 4: Sing at New Song
August 2nd with Warren Anderson

Warren Anderson guided us through an exploration of worship found throughout the Psalms. Psalms of praise exhort us to “sing a new song to the Lord.” When we gather together and collectively sing songs of praise to the Lord we participate in an ongoing dialogue with God. When we worship together we are learning submission to the Lord and to one another. Using the acronym, SING, Warren invited us to consider how congregational songs: 

• • • • Solidify our theology 
      • Inoculate us against narcissism by connecting us to a church family both past and present
      • Nourish and influence us
      • Give us comfort

Kingdom Practices

For our time of practice, we considered the following questions when reflecting on the role music and songs have played in our faith journeys. We invite you this week to spend time reflecting on the questions. Alternatively, you may wish to listen to a song that has helped form you spiritually over the years. 

• • • • What music was featured regularly in the worshipping community around the time you first started your faith journey?
      • How did that music form you spiritually?
      • Can you recall a specific instance when a congregational song ministered to you or to a loved one in a meaningful way?

Week 5: Psalm 126
August 9th with Cheryl You

Guest teacher, Cheryl You, challenged us to lean into our discomfort when it comes to our sorrow and grief. Using Psalm 126 as a meditation on grief, Cheryl described how psalms of lament give us permission to speak truthfully and honestly to God and to one another as we process grief together as the family of God. The psalms of lament teach us to hold our sorrows and our joys together. 

Kingdom Practices

For our practice we listened to a song version of Psalm 126 and meditated on these words of lament. We invite you this week to listen to Psalm 126 and to lean into any discomfort you may feel as you reflect on your relationship with grief and sorrow. Remember, God meets us in our discomfort. He shares in our sorrows. God holds us as we learn to hold our griefs and our joy together.

Week 6: Psalm 46
August 16th with Rebecca Moss

This week we explored Psalm 46. Often referred to as a “song of Zion” Psalm 46 serves as a confession of faith and trust in God. The psalmist challenges and invites God’s people to return to their faith in God when life gets stormy and the earth feels like it is giving way. God is our refuge and strength, and His presence in our lives reminds us where our true help comes from. The question for us is, do we notice and acknowledge the presence of God in our lives? Are we willing to surrender, be still before Him, and know that He is God?

Kingdom Practices

For our practice on Sunday we engaged in a song meditation on Psalm 46. We invite you this week to set aside some time to continue reflecting on Psalm 46. Whether you choose to read the verses or listen to the song, you may wish to consider the following reflection questions:

• • • • What thoughts or emotions does the song stir in you?

      • Is there a word or phrase that stands out or provokes curiosity?

      • What might God want to say to you through this song today?

Week 7: Psalm 74
August 23rd with Julian Davis Reid

On Sunday, our guests Julian Davis Reid and Tramaine Parker, led us through a musical reflection and practice of lament. Guided by the words of Psalm 74, a song of lament,  we were invited to sit with the groans and ruins of our world and our lives. What do you need to lament in this season of your life? What are the ruins you see or experience today that bring you to a place of lament?

In the second half of Psalm 74, we are invited to remember. Julian explained that when we remind God of all that He has done, we ourselves remember how faithful God has been to us. In turn, we rest in the truth that God will continue to be faithful.

We invite you this week to set aside some time to read or listen to the words of Psalm 74 and sit with these reflection questions:

• • • • What groans of weariness do you hear today?

      • What ruins bring you to lament?

      • What means of sanctuary are no longer available to you?

      • What do you need God to remember about past seasons of divine creativity and destruction?

      • How are your cries informed by the cries of the poor?

For further guidance please use this link to access the handout Julian provided.

Click here to learn more about Notes of Rest.