LEX

the SPIRIT of the Psalms

in John, when Jesus is talking to the woman at the well, He declares that a day is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23)

i go to a Bible church where worshiping in Truth is a matter of course. it's a very heady, intellectual church. i like it for this reason because i know that when i sit under the teaching of the pastors, elders and other teachers, i don't need to worry too much about discerning the truthfulness of their words.

but one thing i often find lacking is the Spirit. it becomes very easy to dig deep into scripture and become so lost in the details that we forget about the spirit who wrote those words. so this afternoon i was flipping through the Psalms and came across several of my favorites which remind me how simple and glorious worship can be. now i'm not saying that an intellectual study of the Word is a bad thing. it certainly is a very good thing. but i also think we (i) can become so wrapped up in our (my) intellect that we (i) forget about goodness of our God which is declared in the following verses:

Psalm 73:23-28

Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory. Whom have I on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from ou shall perish; You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to You. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers, who do His will! Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

posted by Alexia & Jeffrey @ 3:34 PM