Days 9-12, Psalms 42-72: What is the Point?

Prompted both by an inquiry today about what we are getting out of the reading of the Psalms, (from IFES, the international body of which TSCF is a part), and contemplating the Psalms I have been reading over the past few days, I have been thinking about what the point of this whole exercise is.

I know there are easy answers - pat answers that we give out, maybe because that is what is expected, maybe just repeating something we have heard from others, or simply we don't know the words to explain it any other way. I would be the first to claim that it is always thrilling to read the Word of God, but yet I must still acknowledge that that statement is not always reflected in the amount of time I do spend with the Bible not only in hand but diligently reading. As I was reminded in church this weekend (not that much reminder is needed) there are many distractions that would seek to minimise or completely negate our time spent listening to God from His Word.
"Psa 69:2  I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me."

Sometimes I just don't feel like reading - whether due to tiredness due to a busy day, wanting to read something else, or just 'not in the right mood'. Often there is a certain irony, because I am quite willing to remind myself at the time that the longer I leave it the less I will feel like it, and once I get into it I would enjoy it, yet I still hesitate to pick up the Bible (sometimes - other times I have no hesitation!).

"Psa 43:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

Sometimes the hesitation seems to come from a fear of hypocrisy - 'I won't do it now, because not being in the right mood, I'll just be doing it for the form of it, and that wouldn't be right':

"Psa 51:16  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering."

But reading the full context:

"Psa 51:10-19  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (11)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  (12)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  (13)  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  (14)  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.  (15)  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.  (16)  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.  (17)  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  (18)  Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.  (19)  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar."

I then am reminded that we rely on God first to renew our desire for Him, and to read His Word with the right frame of mind (without hypocritical pretence) - indeed, relying on our own will to 'make sure we read enough' is just as hypocritical as skimming over without really reading. With a renewed 'right spirit' by focusing on God and seeking His help rather than ourselves, He does delight in 'sacrifices of righteousness'. [Note earlier context of the Psalm talks about sin and iniquity that is being confessed and cleansed - we are dealing with a 'minor' iniquity here, but still appropriate to context].

Not that I should beat myself up over sometimes reading without being in a right mind - after all,

"Psa 53:2-3  God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, ... (3)  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

Fortunately:

"Psa 55:16  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me."

"Psa 54:4  Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul."

Don't get me wrong, please - I do enjoy reading the Word of God! I just acknowledge that there are times when I don't feel as 'up to it' as others, and then I lean on His help to renew my desire to listen to Him.

Having thus contemplated this introspection, we arrive again at the question of what the point of all this is? What are the Psalms for? What, in general, are hymns and church songs for?
"Psa 47:7  For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding."

Psa 66:1-3  To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:  (2)  Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.  (3)  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

Because we are overwhelmed by how great God is, and wish to express it!

Equally, to remind ourselves how great God is, causing us to be overwhelmed by all He IS!

"Psa 57:7-9  My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.  (8)  Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.  (9)  I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations."
"Psa 67:5  Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee."
To show/express to others the glory of the Lord! That they may also praise Him!

"Psa 59:16-17  But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.  (17)  Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy."
"Psa 61:5-8  For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.  (6)  Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.  (7)  He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.  (8)  So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows."
"Psa 67:4  O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah."

To consider the attributes/character of God, and all He has done for us. Again, both a reminder to us to focus our hearts and minds on Him, and to express the joy in our hearts for Him.

"Psa 71:17-24  O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.  (18)  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.  (19)  Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!  (20)  Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.  (21)  Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.  (22)  I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.  (23)  My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.  (24)  My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt."

And all these concepts rolled together into one!

So now come the pat answers, but yet I hope that the context I have given them shows that they are not just glib, but a sincere expression of why I enjoy doing things like Word Up.

For me, the first motivation is because I might in some way help others to understand and delight in the Word of God. To see and understand both the surface themes, the meta-narrative, the interwoven stories that all centre in the end about His Son, and the incredible depth which you can delve into the text while still discovering more about God.

Secondly, I recognise that I am greatly helped by doing this - I am more easily motivated to write down applications and interpretations, which leads to more meditation about what to say when I am writing for others than when I try to write down notes for myself - far too easy to just be lazy and 'do it all in my head'.

Thank you Lord, for this - another opportunity to study your glorious Word, and for the motivation to write about it and think more deeply about it. I pray that you might use these words for Your glory, that they might be a means of encouraging and building up others and provoking a greater desire for You. But Lord, even if no one ever reads this blog, thank you for the work you are doing in my life through this means, and I praise You for Li Lian's organisation of this, the others who have helped and encouraged her, and the participation of Raymond and Charissa in the discovery of Your Word, and their willingness to humbly share their thoughts for the help of others. All glory to You, for You Alone are Worthy!