Wow! Ow! Help! Thanks! Sigh. Why? Ahh...
One way to think about the Psalms is as a catalogue of the human heart. Every emotion is captured, from agitated to zoned out. Some of the big categories fall right into the one word exclamations we use daily. The authors of the Psalm expand on those simple sayings to help the soul unfold a bit more. And that unfolding opens the door to being embraced by God.
Today, look through some of these exclamations and see which ones you relate to the most. Perhaps you could pray the Psalm listed afterwards, or use it as a springboard into more authentic conversation with God.
Wow! - The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! - Psalm 18:46
Ow! - But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me. - Psalm 69:29
Help! - You are my strength; come quickly to help me. - Psalm 22:19
Thanks! - I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. - Psalm 9:1
Sigh - How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? - Psalm 13:2
Why? - I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? - Psalm 42:9
Ahh… - Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord. - Psalm 107:43
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*There is an Ash Wednesday community dinner tonight at Brenna Rubio’s home. Details and sign up HERE
**As a church we’ll be reading a diverse group of authors who’ve written prayers similar to the Psalms. If you’d like to purchase the book, you can do so HERE.
***As a church we’ll be reading those prayers from that book and having an daily online discussion (participate however much you’d like) using our new church app, which is HERE