Soak up the Psalms – Part 1

Bible Verses, Christian, Devos and Inspiration, Faith, mel's world, melissa mashburn, Thoughts, Women's Ministry, Work at Home Moms

Need Direction for your life? Soak up the Psalms!

I have been re-reading the Psalms these days in my quiet time and I have found so many amazing nuggets in there that I thought it would be a great this Speak to My Soul Sunday for all of us to sit back, relax, and “Soak Up the Psalms” together.

Take some time to really think about the truths in these verses. If you need direction in your life all you have to do is look at the Psalms and every question you might have on how to live your life is answered for you there.

I am going to take a few weeks to search the Psalms to show you just how amazing our God is and how He knows what we need even before we know. It is my hope that you take these verses and keep them close. I would recommend that you put them in a spiral index card holder and keep them with you. I keep them in my car, in my purse, and on my nightstand so my favorite verses are handy at all times.

When I want to sit back and reflect on just how awesome and awe inspiring God is I think about the words in Psalm 9:1-4 and speak them from my heart as if I were reading them directly to Him.

Psalm 9:1-4 (NIV)
1 [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.

4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.

If you struggle with your words or your mouth in any way, then take time to show God how important He is to you by concentrating on the words in Psalm 19:14 (NIV).

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

When I start to wonder about what is next for me, or what I should be doing I go straight to Psalm 20:4.

Psalm 20:4 (NIV)
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

When life seems to be swallowing me whole and the storms of life seem too high for me to handle on my own, I cling to the words in Psalm 27:1.

Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

When I feel like I am lost and need direction I almost always go back to Psalm 25:4-5.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

I am not very good about being patient, and often struggle with wanting the “answers” to the questions hidden in my heart. When I feel like I can’t wait one moment longer I seek out Psalm 31:24.

Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.

When truth is something you are trying to teach your children and you need to show them what God wants from us Psalm 34:12-13 is a great guide for us to use.

Psalm 34:12-13 (NIV)
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.

A great guide on how to live your life is written in the words of Psalm 37:3-5.

Psalm 37:3-5 (NIV)
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

And last, but certainly not least, for this week’s Soak up the Psalms is a verse that I had the privilege of diving into more deeply with Beth Moore’s book, “Get out of that Pit”. This verse and these three verses can bring so much hope, peace, love, and joy to those of us who struggle with the frustrations that come our way every day.

Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

It is my prayer that over the next couple of weeks we can dive in and discover the treasures that are waiting to be found in the Psalms. Come back next Sunday as we “Soak up the Psalms” again.

If you have a favorite Psalm from the first book (Psalms 1-40) let me know…I would love to hear about it and also why it has so much meaning for you!

Soaking up the Psalms,

8 Comments

  2. As always Mel, your message is good and thought provoking. Everything we need is there for our asking if we only read, learn and live the lessons in the Bible.

    Hugs!
    Kat

  3. i should be bathing in psalms right now…thanks for the great reminder of all the wonderful verses.

    indeed, i do have 2 favorites! but they will have to wait until you roll call them!

  4. There are so many vs I love in the book of Psalms40 vs 1&2 he turn to me and heard my cry” how many times have I turn to him crying my eye’s out feeling so helpless.
    and when fear hits me I remember Psalms 23 I quoted it word per word when I was going into surgery I was so scared and didn’t know if I would make it and while they where taking me in all I could hold on too was “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not fear & even through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will not fear evil,for you are with me my Lord” oh, how I remember that one so well I love the book of psalms and I love the Lords words in there are just for me and you.marina

  5. I haven’t visited blogland of late but I read this post and noted the last Psalm. I’ve been in a strange place of late, not knowing what to say or where I am going. I realise I want God to put a new song in my mouth.

    I’m stuck and maybe the new song will encourage me to move forward again.
    Thanks for this
    BG

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