Praying the Psalms

Introduction to the Psalms

The Psalms have been the prayer book of the Church for the past two thousand years and the prayer book of Judaism for nearly three thousand years. Countless people have found encouragement, solace and comfort in this remarkable collection of poems and songs.

In the Psalms we encounter every possible response one can have to God, from profound love to deep disappointment, from great joy to heartbreaking sorrow, from soaring praise to quiet adoration. In the Psalms we probe the depths of our own hearts as we seek to understand both God and ourselves. In the Psalms we look into a mirror and we see reflected back the very depths of our own souls.

To understand the psalms we must understand their narrative context, as well as the mechanics of the poetry itself, lest we indulge in a purely subjective reading. This is the function of reading and study. But to experience the Psalms we must engage them from the heart through prayer.

Becoming intimate with the psalms will place you in the presence of God, draw you closer to Christ and deepen your faith better than any other spiritual exercise you may practice. Think of the psalms as a gift from God and think of prayer as your private time with him.

You will be rewarded beyond measure.