One more look at the Book of Psalms

In my last column, I mentioned some details of the Book of Psalms, but I need to expand on those ideas.

This book, 150 expressions of his divine majesty, has a unique ability to strengthen our most profound and intimate connection with Adonai, the Lord. The time spent with each psalm is a great opportunity for quality time with God.

Adonai can speak to us in each psalm. He reminds us that as our loving father and creator, he is always with us. The Lord is with us always, and in every situation, as he has been with countless others throughout the centuries.

Every psalm is a reminder that in spite of the many appearances to the contrary, and even though we are not always faithful to him or his will, Adonai, the Lord, is with us, loving us, providing for us, protecting us. We are never alone. He is with us at every hour and throughout each day.

Even when the psalms speak of God’s work in the lives of others, they are reminding us of the fact that just as he worked wonders and blessings in their lives, and accompanied others through their difficult moments, the Lord will accompany us in our times of joy and in difficult and anguished-filled moments too.

The psalms are poetic prayers and hymns mostly directed to God that celebrate God and thank God for always providing and always guiding us to true happiness with him in this world and beyond.

The psalms testify to both the immanence and transcendence of God. The Lord is present and relevant to the here and now. He is an essential part of our everyday existence. The Lord also is inviting us to join him in looking beyond our current limited purview to begin to contemplate the possibilities at our grasp when the eternal is part of our considerations.

So unique are the psalms in bringing together those who pray with him that they are an essential part of the official prayer life of the Church. Psalms are organized in a four-week cycle of morning, evening and other prayers. This grouping of the psalms and other biblical and patristic texts are called the Liturgy of the Hours, Breviary or Christian Prayer. The daily contact with these prayers is a requirement for the ordained and religious men and women. It also is recommended for all the baptized.

Make the psalms a regular part of your time spent with Adonai, the Lord. Go to the Liturgy of the Hours or just go to your favorite psalm. Let yourself be loved through that psalm, and in offering it as prayer, love Adonai right back. That truly is quality time!

Psalms for specific needs
 

• Comfort: Psalm 23, Psalm 19
• Help me mature in my faith: Psalm 73, Psalm 78
• I feel so discouraged: Psalm 34, Psalm 103
• Forgive me: Psalm 32, Psalm 51
• Help me with despair: Psalm 123, Psalm 46
• Thank you: Psalm 100, Psalm 105
• I feel so alone: Psalm 17, Psalm 139
• Your mercy is great: Psalm 57, Psalm 143
• Protect me: Psalm 91, Psalm 121
• Help me with sadness: Psalm 31, Psalm 55
• I need your light: Psalm 27, Psalm 119
• Help me Lord, I’m in trouble: Psalm 46, Psalm 70