psalms – Page 4 – 300 words a day

From strength to strength

The mom of my friend died the other afternoon. We talked together a few hours before. He knew it was coming. He was anticipating the arrangements, the conversations, the travel. He was feeling weary. I knew the feeling. Some of you do, too. A couple hours before we met, I had been reading a prayer. […]

by Paul Merrill

Bittersweet fun

A new person that came into the group, and she fit a certain stereotype to a T. Her clothing reflected a style that passed out of vogue about 20 years ago. I was powerless. I knew a friend in that group would completely agree with my judgment and be equally amused. So after a tiny […]

by Jon Swanson

I am restless in my complaint.

So I took my own advice yesterday morning. I read Psalm 55. I am familiar with the prayer, particularly the part in the middle where David talks about being betrayed by a close friend. If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But […]

by Jon Swanson

On the heavens and mosquitoes.

It was Monday, and my brain was moving very slowly. I turned to Psalm 19, as I’ve been trying to do all year. “The heavens declare the glory of God,” I read. I started thinking about sitting on the deck to watch the heavens. Early morning when the house gives us shade. It’s cool. The […]

by Jon Swanson

David found strength in the Lord his God.

“But David found strength in the Lord his God.” It’s a simple sentence near the end of 1 Samuel. It’s easy to skip over because of what comes before it. “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.” This was one of the worst […]