Getting Into the Current of the Psalms

Written By Juliette

Diving into God’s word in directionless times.

There’s just something about the Psalms. I’ve heard many people say that, and have appreciated different Psalms at different times, but only now am I starting to really get into their current.

No part of me can hide when I dive into the Psalms. They put into words deep desires that I can hardly bear to admit to myself, let alone to others. What place is there in our (appropriately) grace-centred faith for sometimes wishing God would just crush the wicked? The Psalms provide that space. What can lift my spirits to the heights that the wonders of the world around us deserve? Nothing lifts me like reading Psalms 146 - 150 with a landscape in view.

The Psalms can be chewed on and swallowed. They can be inhaled and yelled from the rooftops, or slip out through tears. It’s no wonder they’re quoted so often in the New Testament.

During a particularly directionless time in the past year, I began to kneel alone in a small room just before bed and read five Psalms out loud. Generally, by the time I’d reached the third Psalm of the evening, I was reading loudly and boldly as these God-soaked words drowned out whatever was occupying my mind. Each night I did this, I would go to bed full of confidence in my God and awareness of His presence all around. The current of the Psalms guided me through that directionless time, and remain an ever-present well of clarity and strength.

Pick a Psalm you like and try reading it, out loud, every morning for a week. You’ll be surprised how much of it sticks in your memory, and hopefully even more surprised by how much the current of the Psalms can change you.

Recommendations of psalms to read and memorise:

  • Psalm 13

  • Psalm 16

  • Psalm 23

  • Psalm 27

  • Psalm 51

  • Psalm 73

  • Psalm 90

  • Psalm 121

  • Psalm 139

Andrew Fermor

Andrew Fermor (27) works as a youth lawyer.

Juliette
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