Timeless Psalms
Most of us can think of a song that we know from our youth or maybe before our time that is simply a timeless classic. One of those songs that never gets old to hear and that no matter what is going on in the world, you can turn that song on and it just feels good to listen to. Perhaps you even have a go-to song when you are sad or when you want to dance. When a song comes on and it’s ‘your jam’, you get to moving and it stirs something inside of you that brings you joy. That is what the book of Psalms has become for me.
The name “psalm” means melody or song. The book of Psalms is a collection on 150 songs written by multiple authors and organized perfectly in the Bible. There is much to be said of the structure and organization of the book of Psalms that is very interesting. It is the longest book in the Bible and contains the longest chapter in the Bible (chapter 119). It is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament book. It is divided into five books that correspond to the first five books of the Bible. However, this is not a study of the book of Psalms, but rather a discussion of how deep, inspirational, and beautiful the book is and how the word of God is so relevant in our lives.
“What I came to learn from reading the book of Psalms is that it addresses so many human emotions that I could relate to. So much so, that the book of Psalms became my go-to “album” in times of need.”
Music has always inspired me and has brought a lot of enjoyment and comfort in my life, as I am sure many of you can relate to. Growing up I never enjoyed reading much, but I did love music and would spend countless hours listening to it and even playing it. I dreamed of becoming a rock star and playing in a band that traveled. Most of the music I was drawn to was worldly, secular music, with some Christian songs sprinkled in. Being an instrumentalist from a young age, I never paid much attention to song lyrics and rarely looked them up unless it was perhaps my favorite song at the time. Admittedly, I am the guy that sings along to songs and has no clue what the lyrics actually are – so I make them up as I go. Some people may find this annoying, but I enjoy it. I guess the reason behind it is that even when I took the time to look up lyrics to the songs I was listening to, they seemed uninteresting, empty and vain. I didn’t have a desire to waste my time and pay attention to that. My childhood dream of becoming a rock star and playing in a band stuck with me until my mid-twenties, when I started to realized it was a path that God was pulling me away from.
As I started attending church regularly and reading my Bible, worship music started to stand out to me like never before. Honestly, at first, I did not like some of the music and was judgmental of the songs or how they were performed. However, after studying John 4:23 and understanding that God is seeking true worshipers that worship Him in spirit and truth, I came to the realization that there is more to worship than just the music. I started paying way more attention to the lyrics. I started checking my heart attitude of what worship was supposed to be in the first place. I learned that God wants my heart and that I needed to be focused on Him during worship; focused on singing to Him, and not focused on the music or the musicians. The musicians were never playing for me in the first place, they were playing for the Lord.
Once my perspective had changed, I started gravitating heavily towards the book of Psalms, knowing that it was full of lyrics for songs. I started reading a psalm every day and I realized that God is actually the best lyricist in the universe! Go figure! Instead of being inspired by music that people come up with, I was now being inspired with lyrics that God came up with. My desire to worship the Lord in spirit and truth grew and I started putting music to the words of the psalms I was reading. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was writing music that meant something. Music that had lyrics worth paying attention to.
Take for example Psalm 33. It starts off with a charge to praise the LORD with a harp, to sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song and play skillfully with a loud noise. (I can play pretty loud, and I’m working on the skillful part.) After reading this I was immediately intrigued as I love playing stringed instruments and writing new music. The words that follow this charge created the most profound lyrics possible for a praise and worship song. Consider verses 4-9: “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” That is so beautifully written and well said.
What I came to learn from reading the book of Psalms is that it addresses so many human emotions that I could relate to. So much so, that the book of Psalms became my go-to “album” in times of need. When I’m feeling down, I turn to Psalm 42, as it reminds me to pour my soul out unto the Lord, knowing that I will yet praise Him for the help of his countenance (his presence). In times when I am feeling defeated, I remember the end of Psalm 33 – “Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” In times of feeling thankful, I go to Psalm 136 – “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” I am lead to Psalm 145 when I desire to sing praises: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” These are awesome words of truth that I can sing to the Lord.
The list of examples goes on, but you get the point. Sometimes all it takes is one verse to stir up the feeling inside of praise, rejoicing, crying, dancing, or singing! When I truly allow the words from the book of Psalms to be in my heart, they become a song that I can go back to over and over again and never get tired of hearing it.
Perhaps you aren’t an artist or musician but you have an appreciation for music. Maybe you’ve never considered the depth of the words of God contained in the book of Psalms, but we can all truly relate to them. Even if there is no music being played to these words, the meaning of them is still so impactful.
Although the book of Psalms was put together so long ago that we have no recording of the music put to them, the lyrics are timeless and still apply to every human being today. Thank God we can put new music to it, and are even encouraged to do just that (Psalm 33:3). Even if you can’t sing, Psalm 98:4 says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord – it doesn’t say you have to be a professional singer. Thank God for that! If you haven’t had a chance to spend quality time in the book of Psalms, I encourage you to allow God to speak to you through it and allow the Psalms to become timeless psalms in your life.
Lastly, it’s words like ones in Psalm 33:18-19 that we can hold on to concerning our salvation: “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Our God, who created the heavens and the earth, sees us and hears us and is the one that delivers our souls from death. All throughout the book of Psalms we can see the theme of salvation and know that our God saves! In fact, over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth and lived a sinless and perfect life that we could not, then died on the cross to take the penalty for the sins of the whole world, was buried, and three days later rose from the dead in fulfillment of the scriptures! Jesus took the penalty for our sins that we could not pay, and by believing on the finished work that He did for us, and by putting our faith in him, we are saved. Romans 10:9 tells us: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” This is the promise from the God of our salvation.
If you have any questions about your own salvation, or if you would like to get more details of how to study the Bible, or even join a Bible study, please reach out to us!
Mark Rhodes, along with his wife, is a leader of LIFE Fellowship, where he leads worship and coordinates services. He also leads a Bible study, and he serves as administrator of the LIFE|Line ministry.
LIFE|Line is a ministry of LIFE Fellowship, a fellowship of Midtown Baptist Temple.
