Psalms

My husband and I host a community group through our home church for college-aged young adults. Since August, we’ve been reading through the book of Psalms – a truly daunting task, but one that has been well worth it. Psalms is the longest book of the Bible at 150 chapters, and we’ve sectioned it out into 10 chapters per week where we read a few and then discuss what verses jump out at us individually. Psalms is also my absolute favorite book of the Bible hands down – being a book of worship songs, it has always spoken to me in a very deep, personal way.

Being the way that I am, I of course had to make a playlist of the worship songs I have downloaded on my phone that correspond with different Psalms, and seeing as tonight is our group’s final foray into the book, I thought going through a few of those songs that I’ve shared with our group and have included on my playlist would be a good idea.

Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters I’ve been a fan of All Sons & Daughters for a few years now – their musical style reminds me a lot of The Civil Wars, who I also enjoy quite a bit. Great Are You Lord actually draws from multiple chapters in the book of Psalms (more than are listed here) and explores themes of greatness and adoration. Psalm 63:3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! You give life, You are love/You bring light to the darkness/You give hope, You restore/Every heart that is broken/Great are You, Lord Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. It’s Your breath in our lungs/So we pour out our praise, pour out our praise/It’s Your breath in our lungs/So we pour out our praise to You only Psalm 150:1-2 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! All the earth will shout Your praise/Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing/Great are You, Lord

Psalm 13 by Shane & Shane Being from North Texas myself, I’m pretty partial to Shane & Shane and have driven past their home church more times than I can count. Their Psalms projects that they’ve done over the years are so absolutely amazing, and Psalm 13 was one of their originals and expresses themes of remembrance, patience, restoration, trust, love, and rescue. I love the live version they did of this a few years ago! Psalm 13:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long, O Lord, will You forget me/How long, Lord, will You hide/Hide Your face from me Psalm 13:2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? How long must I wrestle with me/And every day have sorrow in my heart/Sorrow in my heart Psalm 13:3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparks to my eyes, or I will die. Look on me, Lord, answer me/Give my eyes life or I will sleep in death/I will sleep in death Psalm 13:4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. My enemies say I will overcome him/And my foes rejoice even when I fall/I don’t want to fall Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will trust in Your unfailing love/My heart rejoices in Your salvation Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. I will sing to the Lord/For He’s been good to me

Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy) by Shane & Shane Psalm 23 is probably the most universally known chapter in this entire book. Because of that, I feel like it can lose its meaning to some people over time as it gets heard over and over, but this should instead be looked at as an opportunity to rediscover the message in this beautiful psalm of King David. Shane & Shane are one of many artists who put these words to music and expressed these themes of grace, mercy, the cross, and the Shepherd. This song would be a great addition to an Easter setlist, as well. I was blessed enough to be able to perform this at our home church with some of my favorite fellow singers and it’s an incredibly emotional song to lead worship to live. Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want Psalm 23:2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. In green pastures, He makes me lie down Psalm 23:3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. He restores my soul and leads me on for His name/For His great name Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death/I will fear no evil/Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death/You are on my side Psalm 23:5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. You prepare a table right before me/In the presence of my enemies Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Surely goodness, surely mercy/Right beside me all my days/And I will dwell in Your house forever/And bless Your holy name

Psalm 34 (Taste and See) by Shane & Shane Psalm 34 is one of my absolute favorite books of the whole Bible, to the point where it feels like David wrote it directly for me. Shane & Shane’s version instantly became my favorite of their Psalms pieces the minute I heard it because it was just so wonderful scripturally, musically, and melodically. It deals with themes of blessing, praise, and glory. Psalm 34:4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. I sought the Lord, and He answered me/And delivered me from every fear Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Those who look on Him are radiant/They’ll never be ashamed, they’ll never be ashamed Psalm 34:6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard me/And saved me from my enemies Psalm 34:7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. The Son of God surrounds His saints/He will deliver them, He will deliver them Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him. O taste and see that the Lord is good/Oh, blessed is he who hides in Him Psalm 34:9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. O fear the Lord, all you saints/He’ll give you everything, He’ll give you everything Psalm 34:11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Magnify the Lord with me/Come exalt His name together/Glorify the Lord with me/Come exalt His name forever

Christ is Risen by Bethel Music I know I mentioned in my last post how much I LOVE Bethel’s Victory album, so just get ready to see a lot of it in my posts. There are a lot of versions of this song out there, but this one by Bethel and Hunter Thompson is my absolute favorite, dealing with themes of victory, salvation, Heaven, and Christ. This is another one that would be a great addition to an Easter setlist! Psalm 44:8 O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. Hallelujah, Christ is risen from the grave/Hallelujah, Christ is risen from the grave/And all throughout eternity, our song will be the same/Hallelujah, Christ is risen from the grave

Psalm 51 (Wisdom in the Secret Heart) by Shane & Shane Yes, Shane & Shane will be a recurring theme in this post because they’ve just put so many of these wonderful chapters to music. In Psalm 51, David discusses themes of cleanliness, forgiveness, wisdom, renewal, salvation, and compassion in a way that starts out so self-depreciating and ends much more triumphantly as he remembers Who exactly is on his side and forgives him of all his trespasses. Psalm 51:2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. Wash me thoroughly and cleanse me from iniquity/And teach me wisdom in the secret heart Psalm 51:4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. My sins not far, but right in front of me/Against You and You alone, God I am guilty Psalm 51:5 For I was born a sinner – yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity/And in sin did my mother conceive me Psalm 51:6 But you desire honestly from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Behold, You delight in the truth in the inward me/And You teach me wisdom in the secret heart Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O God/Renew a right spirit within me, O God Psalm 51:11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Cast me not away from Your presence/Take not Your Holy Spirit Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation/And teach me wisdom in the secret heart Psalm 51:15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. Open my lips and my mouth will declare Your endless praise/And teach me wisdom in the secret heart

Psalm 63 (Better Than Life) by Shane & Shane This psalm of David’s is such a short, sweet, to-the-point message to God about a time in his life where he was in the wilderness of Judah. Dealing with themes of love, life, praise, satisfaction, and joy, David writes a song of praise during a time where many people would have a difficult time doing so. Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for your in this parched and weary land where there its no water. O God, You’re my God, I seek You/O my soul, it longs for You/My flesh faints for You in this land/This dry land where there is no drink Psalm 63:2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. I’ve looked upon You in this place/Beholding Your power and glory, Lord Psalm 63:3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! Because Your love is better than life is Psalm 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. I will praise You as long as I’m alive Psalm 63:5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. In the face of precious Jesus/Oh, my soul will be satisfied Psalm 63:7 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. You have been my help, in the shadow of Your wings/I’ll sing for joy

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong UNITED The time has still not passed where you can “escape” hearing Oceans played on Christian radio at least once a day, and while that definitely annoys some people, I am not one of them. Hillsong UNITED has put out so many phenomenal worship songs, and Oceans is one that will surely stand the test of time. The lyrics can get a little repetitive, but one thing I learned in my time as a college music student is that repetition WORKS. Ancient sacred chant music was extremely repetitive, and that technique is still used today to get a point across, no matter how “simple” it may seem to think about faith, grace, guidance, rest, and trust. While we think we know these things like the back of our hands, the concept of what God has done for us can get lost in the shuffle and we sometimes need a good reminding. Psalm 80:18 Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more. And I will call upon Your name/And keep my eyes above the waves when oceans rise Psalm 119:94 I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. My soul will rest in Your embrace/For I am Yours, and You are mine Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders/Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me/Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander/And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior

One Thing Remains by Passion I was first introduced to Kristian Stanfill at a Disciple Now conference my youth group attended when I was 17 years old, and he’s still one of my favorites today. This song addresses so many things: faithfulness, God’s love, strength, power, hope, God’s Word, promise, provision, and victory. I love worshiping to this song and feeling that truth in my soul over and over again: that He NEVER gives up on me. Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Your love never fails, it never gives up/It never runs out on me Psalm 103:5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! And on and on and on and on it goes/Yes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul/And I’ll never, ever have to be afraid/’Cause this one thing remains Psalm 108:4 For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Higher than the mountains that I face/Stronger than the power of the grave/Constant in the trial and the change/This one thing remains

Rising Sun by All Sons & Daughters This is seriously one of my top 5 favorite worship songs of all time. Praising God’s glory, that He is our Redeemer and our Savior, it absolutely overwhelms my soul and fills my heart with pure joy. Psalm 96:8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. We lift high His glory/Shown throughout our stories/We praise Him as the children of God Psalm 107:2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Our great Redeemer, glorious Savior/Your name is higher than the rising sun/Light of the morning, You shine forever/Your name is higher than the rising sun Psalm 150:1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise His name forever/Speak it loud and clear now/Oh, praise Him, all you children of God

Endless Alleluia by Bethel Music This song is on my heart a lot lately with the Christmas season quickly approaching. Listening to it forces my mind to quiet down so my heart can truly listen to Cory Asbury sing words of praise and adoration and remember that there’s nothing better, nor will there ever be anything better, than Him for me. Psalm 104:33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! Let our voices rise, all creation cries/Singing out an endless alleluia/From this moment on, join with Heaven’s song/Singing out an endless alleluia

Better Is One Day by Matt Redman I heard this song for the first time when I was about 8 years old and it has remained a favorite of mine from that moment forward. The older I’ve gotten, the more I realize that there’s no where my soul would rather be than in Heaven even if it were for just one day as opposed to absolutely anywhere else on earth. Psalm 27:4 The one thing I ask of the Lord – the thing I seek most – is to live in the house all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. One thing I ask and I would seek, to see Your beauty/To find You in the place Your glory dwells Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. My heart and flesh cry out for You, the living God/Your Spirit’s water for my soul/I’ve tasted and I’ve seen, come once again to me/I will draw near to You, I will draw near to You Psalm 84:1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I fain with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty/My soul longs and even faints for You/For here, my heart is satisfied within Your presence/I sing beneath the shadow off Your wings Psalm 84:10 A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house/Better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere

From the Inside Out by Hillsong UNITED Another worship classic, I’ve been singing this song since I was in high school and it still rings every bit as true now as it did then. Glory, grace, mercy, surrender – all of these things can be so easily taken for granted or done halfway, but not ever by God. Psalm 123:1 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. In my heart and my soul, I give You control/Consume me from the inside out, Lord/Let justice and praise become my embrace/To love You from the inside out

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) by Chris Tomlin This song is one of my favorites out of Chris Tomlin’s repertoire because it shows a side of God that a lot of people don’t think of on a day to day basis. This song shows the side of Him that is fierce, a Warrior, the Commander of Heaven’s army. Going through themes of faith, trust, suffering, and trials, it’s a wonderful reminder that He is before us and behind us, and mortal men can do nothing to us compared to Him. Psalm 139:5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind/The God of angel armies is always by my side/The One who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine/The God of angel armies is always by my side

Psalm 145 by Shane & Shane Naturally, we’re going to wrap this post up with one last Shane & Shane song. I have a deep appreciation for this song both musically and scripturally. We performed this as a worship team around 2 or 3 years ago and I can’t lie, I got totally wrapped up in the technicality of the harmonies around the melody and all the different intricate parts of each instrument. Once those pieces finally clicked together, I was able to fully enjoy David’s praises of God’s greatness and righteousness. Psalm 145:2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Every day, I will praise Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Great is the Lord/So worthy of praise/Great is the Lord Psalm 145:4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. One generation will commend Your kingdom to/One another, they will speak of You Psalm 145:5 I will meditate on your majesty, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. I will meditate on Your wonder and they/They will speak of Your glorious splendor/Of Your majesty, every day I’ll praise Thee/Forever and ever Psalm 145:8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is gracious and slow to anger/He is rich in love, He is good to all Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Lord, You are gracious, You are slow to anger/Abounding in love, You are good to all Psalm 145:16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. For You open Your hand/And satisfy desires of all things/My God, the King

If you made it to the end of this blog post, THANK YOU. You are the real MVP, I know this one was pretty long, but this is a project I’ve really loved doing and hope it blessed you in some way like it did me.