The Book of Psalms is a divine, therapeutic resource that, if studied diligently, will bring the reader closer to the heart of God. The Psalms are truly a wonderful treasure! The Puritans would sing the Psalms as they made the treacherous sea journey from religious tyranny to freedom. Charles Spurgeon, in his masterful work, The Treasury of David, clearly communicated the value of the Psalms when he penned, “The delightful study of the Psalms has yielded me boundless profit and ever-growing pleasure” (preface). “When I approach the Psalms, I feel the impulse to say, ‘Take off your shoes for you are standing on holy ground’” (Yates ix). Studying the Psalms is a valuable study for Christians today.
Firstly, the Psalms are filled with power. Life is difficult at best! As such, we often need a word of hope and encouragement. The Psalms are filled with this divine power. How many times has Psalm 23 been read and meditated upon during life’s losses? Countless funerals and hospitals have been inundated with this encouraging Psalm. In addition, Psalm 91 has often been referred to as the 9-1-1 call directly to the throne room of the Almighty. Psalm 121 reminds its readers of the dependability of God and that He constantly cares for us. These are but a “drop in the bucket” of all the Psalms that display this power to help in times of hardship. For further study, see Psalms 27, 37, 46, 51, 119, 139, et al. The Psalms are filled with power!
Secondly, the Psalms are filled with praise. Many have affirmed that the praise of God is the overriding idea in the Psalms. In fact, W.O.E. Oesterley described the Psalms as “…the grandest symphony of praise to God ever composed on earth” (593). What better manual exists on praising God than Psalm 95? The Psalmist, in detail, shows just how to properly praise and adore our great God. Psalm 99 is another divine template of how to praise our King. Of course, no collection of Psalms detailing praise and thanksgiving would be complete without Psalm 100. The Psalms are filled with praise!
Lastly, the Psalms are filled with prophecy. The book of Psalms is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament book, many of which are the fulfillment of detailed prophetic utterances. In fact, Jesus told the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). Note the following as a sample of some of these prophecies concerning Jesus. His Deity was prophesied in Psalm 45:6-7 (cf., Hebrews 1:8-9), His Sonship in Psalm 2:7 (cf., Hebrews 1:5), His humanity in Psalm 8:4-6 (cf., Hebrews 1:6-9), His Kingship and Priesthood in Psalm 45:6-7 (cf., Hebrews 1:8-9), His suffering and death in Psalm 22 (cf., Matthew 27:46) and His awesome resurrection from the dead in Psalm 16:8-10 (cf., Acts 2:29-31). Repeatedly, it is spiritually faith-building to see that the Psalms are filled with prophecy!
The Psalms, if studied properly and diligently, prove that an intimate, daily walk with God is not only possible, but quite actual. The Psalms bring us closer to the heart of the God we serve. Study them prayerfully, study them regularly, and study them reverently to really come to know Him from Whom all blessing flow. May your study of the Psalms show that “you are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 115:15)!
Works Cited
Oesterley, W.O.E. The Psalms. London: S.P.C.K., 1939.
Spurgeon, Charles. The Treasury of David. Psalms 1-57. Peabody: Hendrickson, n.d.
Yates, Kyle M. Preaching from the Psalms. New York: Harper, 1948.
