Category: Psalms

Today you should read: Psalm 150

Praise the Lord!

I enjoy this Psalm for many reasons! First, I enjoy it because it tells us to praise the Lord with music! Sure, the ram’s horn, lyre, harp, and flutes, aren’t used in worship services at our church, but we certainly use our electric guitars to praise the Lord! We definitely praise God with “loud clanging cymbals!”

Second, I enjoy this Psalm because it both tells us why we should praise the Lord and how we should praise the Lord. We praise God for “his mighty works” & “his unequaled greatness.” It gives us reasons why we sing and play music to the Lord! If you have been around Center Point for any time, you might have heard of the A-C-T-S method of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.  This Psalm involves both adoration (Praise him for his unequaled greatness!) and thanksgiving (Praise him for his mighty works).

Lastly, I enjoy this Psalm because it is a great conclusion to the entirety of the collection of Psalms. You could say that this is a summary of all the Psalms that have come before it. In the Psalms we see a variety of emotions from joy (Psalms 16, 98, 100, 126, and more) to sorrow (Psalms 4, 6, 23, 32, 42,  and more). Psalm 150:6 concludes the collection with “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Whatever we go through, times of joy or times of sorrow, we can take comfort and praise the Lord!

Since the Psalms are a collection of songs, one of my favorite things to do is to find music set to these words! As we begin to study other passages of Scripture, I encourage you to read and listen to the Psalms throughout the year! Here are a few albums that sing the Psalms:

The Corner Room, Psalm Songs, Vol. 1

The Corner Room, Psalm Songs, Vol. 2

Shane and Shane, Psalms Live

What has been your favorite Psalm we have read this summer? Answer in the comments below.

By: Lucas Taylor — West Campus Pastoral Ministry Aprrentice

Today you should read: Psalm 149

Psalm 149:1-5 is one of the most popular Psalms about praise and worship through music. Although musical praise and worship can be necessary in mourning and lamentation, this specific Psalm reveals the exuberant, joyful, grateful side of praise that we mostly associate with church services and Christian radio. In light of this popular passage of scripture, I want to keep this post shorter than usual and encourage everyone reading this to take some extra time to praise the Lord through worship music. I attached a few Youtube links to some of my personal favorites but please feel free to pick some songs that God has been using in your life as well.

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us:

Grace Alone:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ:

Poverty nor Riches:

A Mighty Fortress:

There is a Fountain:

By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor

Today you should read: Psalm 148

In the closing handful of psalms, David and the other writers focus on an important aspect of not only corporate worship, but of all worship of God: they wrote a series of PRAISE psalms. These weren’t empty praises either. These were specific, heartfelt songs to God, not empty emotionalism. As my friend and fellow pastor Zack Thurman always says, “Worship is when you set your heart’s affection AND mind’s attention on who God is and what He’s done.” That seems to be what the psalmist does in 148, and this example is definitely something we want to emulate.

The psalm is rich in its content. Specifically, it talks about praising God as Creator and Sustainer of all things. Most of the verses tie to creation and God’s handiwork. And yet, the psalmist evokes us — the central focus of God’s creation — to join the party! Plus, there is a hint of foreshadowing here on the bigger picture of God’s redemption story.

This ESV commentary note sums it up well:

This hymn of praise calls on all of God’s creatures to join in praising him: from the heavenly hosts, to the heavenly bodies, to the inhabitants of sea and land, to all mankind. The concluding note, regarding God’s special people Israel, may refer to some particular event such as the return from exile, or it may be a more general reference to the protection God has given his people; in either case, God’s favor for Israel is put into the larger context of his plan to bring light to all mankind through Israel. — ESV Study Bible

What praise do you have to offer the Lord today? Be specific. What about God’s character makes you want to lift Him high? What attribute of Jesus causes you to adore Him? What has He done that makes your heart leap out of your chest? Let’s fill our comment section today with masses of praise to our Almighty Creator God!

By: Todd Thomas — Worship & College Pastor

Today you should read: Psalm 147

Good morning / evening (depending on when you read this) Center Point family and Jumpstart readers.  I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Psalms this summer as much as I have. The psalms reflect the full range of human emotions from tremendous joy & praise to deep despair & agony.  Psalm 147 is all about PRAISE! Some Bible historians believe it was written after the return from Babylonian captivity and read, or sung, upon the completion and dedication of the temple.  There are three parts in the psalm:

• Verses 1-6 — God’s power in Israel and Babylon and in the skies above.
• Verses 7-11 — God’s power on the earth with plants and animals.
• Verses 12-20 — God’s power in giving his people what they need.

As I meditated on this psalm I was struck by the powerful words used to describe our God: rebuilder, healer, powerful, understanding, supporter, provider, giver, sender, and satisfier. God is indeed the only thing worthy of our complete devotion and praise.  

v.6a) The Lord supports the humble.

v.10) He takes no pleasure in human might.

v.11) The Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

These verses spoke to my heart today.  We live in a world that often praises the proud, mighty, and “intellectuals” who deny the very existence of God.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” 1st Corinthians 3:19

How did God speak to you today through Psalm 147?  Please use the comment section so that others can be blessed and encouraged by your insights.

By: Mike Pepper — Leadership Team