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The Psalms draw me in during my time with the Lord. I tend to avoid negative feelings by watching TV, eating or shopping. Pretty much anything that distracts me from the pit in my stomach. Hanging out in the Psalms helps me feel. And feel like it’s ok to feel.

King David experienced every range of human emotion we experience or imagine. Extreme grief, shame over sin, anger and frustration – at God no less. He felt separation and distance from God and He experienced great joy in the Lord’s presence. The Bible records it all.

Praying the Psalms helps bring up my emotions and process them. This book reminds me of God’s goodness, faithfulness and mighty acts. And none of that changes when I express my negative feelings to Him.

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What Does Spurgeon Have to Do With it?

With these sentiments toward Psalms, I appreciated the opportunity to read and review Spurgeon and the Psalms. Charles Spurgeon, an English preacher (called “The Prince of Preachers”) in the 1800’s, wrote sermons, books and commentaries that influenced so many that he continues to be held in high regard in Christian circles today.

Spurgeon wrote that “No one needs better company than the Psalms.” He called them “the school of patience, the soul’s soliloquies, the little Bible, the anatomy of devotion, the Holy Land of poesy, the heart of Scripture, the map of experience, and the tongue of saints.” During his pastoral ministry Spurgeon preached through the Book of Psalms and these sermons later became published under the title The Treasury of David. The introduction of Spurgeon and the Psalms explains that a short passage from these sermons accompanies each of the 150 Psalms.

This beautiful book, in leathersoft black with gold gilded edges, feels good to hold. Each Psalm, presented with its own commentary, makes the small volume perfect for daily times of devotion with the Lord.

The New King James Version is beautifully written and Spurgeon’s commentary poetic, but I personally find it a little difficult to follow. To be transparent, though, I think God is calling me to slow down with Him. So I plan to keep at it.

*** Full disclosure – I received a copy of this book for free as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid.

The Link Up

I already shared Karen Girl Friday’s post Not Separating God’s Goodness from His Holiness on Facebook and Twitter, and now I share it here. Dig into the important read.

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My husband Chuck has a small band of brothers who serve as an accountability group for him. In some seasons they meet weekly, in some they barely see each other. But in all things, they are a support system. They pray God’s Word for each other, encourage each other and come to the rescue on many a repair project.

This group (consisting of 2 Chris’s and a Darrell), came right alongside him as we broke the news of his cancer diagnosis. They came over the night before Chuck’s biggest surgery and laid hands on him, read God’s Word over him and prayed for his healing. Darrell even held me up with his arm as I began to cry. They bless us immensely.

One Chris sent us a scripture passage and prayed it over Chuck this week. I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
³O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

⁴I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
⁵They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
⁶This ^[c]poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them. Psalm 34:1-7 NASB 1995

Replace the pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

Praying for you in this. And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit. It would mean so much to me. And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.