“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). In my estimation, there is no better place to “see” the heart of God than through the Psalms. The Psalms, which fall into the poetry section of our Bibles, are made up of 150 Psalms, divided into 5 different books. The Hebrew word for Psalms means songs of praise, and many of the Psalms are just that. The entire 150 Psalms are thought to be composed over a 1,000-year period. While God is ultimately the Author (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), He used several different human penmen to record His Words. David is attributed with writing 73 psalms in this collection, while Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Heman, Ethan and Moses are the other penmen of this great assortment. Each of the five books of the Psalms has a unique literary structure. Every book begins with our relationship to the Lord, and each book ends with a doxology (expression of praise) to the Lord. As we briefly note each of these five books, we shall see a unique place that God occupies in our everyday affairs.
Firstly, in Book 1 (Psalms 1-41), we see God beside us. A great example of this is found in Psalm 1. Here the man who walks beside God is like a “tree, planted by the rivers of water.” This man is flourishing, prospering and growing because he walks beside God. The last psalm in book 1 (Psalm 41) is another fitting example of God beside us. The one who daily “considers the poor” (Psalm 41:1) has the blessing of God walking beside him, which includes “preservation” (Psalm 41:2), “compassion” (Psalm 41:3-10) and salvation (Psalm 41:11-13).
Secondly, in Book 2 (Psalm 42-72), we see God before us. A notable example of this is found in Psalm 46. Even if “the earth be removed” (Psalm 46:2), God is still God! It is He that goes before us in trials and turmoil. It is God that is always there, even amid horrific circumstances. Following God, we will always find help (Psalm 46:1). Psalm 72 is a Psalm from Solomon, but is certainly a Messianic Psalm, wherein Solomon, by inspiration’s pen, saw God planning and preparing the time when all of mankind can serve God (Psalm 72:11). It is a time when all of the earth will see the wonderful planning of God in redemption and this terrestrial ball will be filled with His glory (Psalm 72:19). We are so blessed today to see this plan unfolded in its entirety!
Thirdly, in Book 3 (Psalm 73-89), we see God around us. Psalm 78 is a psalm of Asaph, wherein he recounts the history of Israel and demonstrates how God has been at work the entire time. He encourages Israel to retell these wonders to the next generation and even unto the children which had not yet been born (Psalm 78:6). What a lesson for us today. We must share with others, beginning in our homes, the mighty deeds that God has performed! Psalm 89 continues this same idea of proclaiming God’s greatness to everyone (Psalm 89:1), which greatness is clearly seen in God blessing mankind with His Son, the seed of David (Psalm 89:35-36), and then, this book closes with adoration and praise for the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!
Fourthly, in Book 4 (90-106), we see God above us. Psalm 90, a psalm of Moses (the only psalm that Moses is credited with penning), is a psalm wherein God is shown to be eternal and everlasting, but man’s life upon this earth, in contrast, is shown to be very brief. Psalm 106 wonderfully closes with the doxology of God, Who is, “everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 106:48). Amen!
Fifthly, in Book 5 (107-150), we see God among us. Of course, nowhere do we see God among us more than Psalm 119, where His Word is our guide and stay. One can never be “among God” unless His Word is among him or her as well. Psalm 119 is a beautiful acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet, which contains 22 letters. Each 8-verse stanza begins with a corresponding Hebrew letter. Psalm 119 is a great treatise on the Law of God. Psalm 128 is another splendid example of God among us. When God is among our homes, our families are blessed (“wife as a fruitful vine;” “children as olive plants about thy table,” Psalm 128:3). Then, this book closes with a Psalm of praise (Psalm 150) extolling God for His “power” (v. 1), for His “mighty acts” (v. 2) and concludes with the call for everything that has breath to praise the Lord (v. 6).
Walking with God is a choice that each must make. To walk with God means that we obey His Word. Surely one of the remarkable things we see in the Psalms is reverence for God, both for His blessings and for His Book. May we each deeply drink of the wonderful treasures that are ours to behold within the Psalms, and may we each daily walk with God!
