WORSHIP NOTES
Volume 10, No. 1Â (January 2015)
The Psalms, Israel’s hymnal, is a special gift to the New Testament people of God as well, as a source of comfort, inspiration, and texts for prayer and singing.
It is reported that Athanasius, an outstanding Christian leader of the fourth century, declared that the Psalms have a unique place in the Bible because most of Scripture speaks to us, while the Psalms speak for us.
(Bernhard W. Anderson, Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today, p. x).
We continue to survey distinctive facets of worship to be seen in each of the Psalms.
WORSHIP IS . . .
(Psalm 61) . . . drawing near to our faithful God, our Rock/refuge/strong tower, taking shelter under the shadow of His wings.
(Psalm 62) . . . embracing God as our only (4x) hope and refuge.
(Psalm 63) . . . sensing and quenching our thirst and appetite (vs. 5) for God.
(Psalm 64) . . . calling to God for protection from our enemies.
(Psalm 65) . . . glad homage to our Creator God, who invites us into His presence.
(Psalm 66) . . . a joyful celebration of God’s faithfulness and deliverance.
(Psalm 67) . . . joining in and praying for the praise of God among the nations.
(Psalm 68) . . . ascribing all power and justice and victory to the Lord.
(Psalm 69) . . . crying out to God in persecution but resting in His steadfast love and vindication.
(Psalm 70) . . . trusting in God’s greatness for deliverance and vindication.
(Psalm 71) . . . a lifelong response of praise for God’s faithfulness and glory.
(Psalm 72) . . . paying homage to our present and coming King.
(Psalm 73) . . . resting in God as the highest good of all.
(Psalm 74) . . . crying out to God even when He seems distant and uninvolved.
(Psalm 75) . . . dependence on a just God who will set all things right.
(Psalm 76) . . . bowing before the awesome power and majesty of God.
(Psalm 77) . . . pondering God’s mighty deeds in the past as hope for the future.
(Psalm 78) . . . bearing testimony of God’s just and powerful workings in the past before new generations.
(Psalm 79) . . . a cry for deliverance and vindication in the midst of persecution.
(Psalm 80) . . . a cry for restoration in the face of defeat and hardships.
(Psalm 81) . . . submitting to and celebrating the one true God.
(Psalm 82) . . . caring for the needy as God does.
(Psalm 83) . . . crying out to God to vindicate His name and His people.
(Psalm 84) . . . resting and rejoicing in God’s presence.
(Psalm 85) . . . a confident hope and appeal for God’s restoring mercy.
(Psalm 86) . . . basking in God’s love and faithfulness.
(Psalm 87) . . . joyfully anticipating joining the worship of all nations.
(Psalm 88) . . . crying out to God even when He seems to be absent.
(Psalm 89) . . . declaring and relying on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
(Psalm 90) . . . trusting God for His faithfulness and blessing on ourselves and our posterity.