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In this episode, we tour Psalms 81–89 and discover a powerful thread running through these songs: God desires to bless His people, draw near to them, and remain faithful even when they fail.

Psalm 81 begins with joyful celebration of the Exodus, but God reminds Israel that blessing flows from listening to His voice. Rather than portraying God as harsh and eager to punish, these psalms repeatedly show Him ready to bless His people when they return to Him.

We then explore Psalms 82–83, where God is presented as Judge over every nation and every lesser spiritual power. Israel’s God is not merely a local deity; He is the Most High who rules over all.

Psalms 84–87 shift our attention to the beauty of God’s presence. The psalmists delight in the Tabernacle, celebrate Jerusalem, and use names such as Lord of Hosts and Most High to proclaim God’s greatness. Along the way, we see recurring themes of drawing near to God, righteousness, and God’s steadfast chesed love.

Psalm 86 gives us a beautiful model for prayer: “Guard my life, bring me joy, teach me, and give me an undivided heart.” It also looks forward to the day when all nations will worship the Lord.

Finally, we wrestle with Psalm 88, the darkest psalm in the Psalter and the only one that does not end with praise. Yet Psalm 89 immediately answers with worship and a reminder of God’s covenant with David. Even when God’s people wander, He promises that He will not remove His steadfast love.

As Book Three of the Psalms closes with a doxology, these songs leave us with a lasting hope: God remains faithful to His covenant, His kingdom, and His people.

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In this episode, we continue our tour through Psalms 73–80, where the psalmists wrestle with one of life's hardest questions: Why do the wicked seem to prosper while God's people suffer? Again and again, these psalms remind us to shift our perspective and remember one unchanging truth—God is still King.

We begin with Psalm 73, where the psalmist honestly struggles with envy and discouragement before declaring, "But God..." We explore how God's presence becomes our true strength and examine connections between this psalm and the New Testament, including Jesus' words about the "pure in heart" and Paul's language of those who were once "far off" but have been brought near.

As we move through Psalms 74–76, we see God revealed as the righteous Judge of both Israel and the nations. Though evil may seem to triumph for a season, these psalms proclaim that God will judge wickedness, remain faithful to His covenant, and ultimately receive worship from all peoples. Along the way, we notice recurring images of shepherds and sheep, reminding us that God continually cares for and leads His people.

Psalms 77–80 repeatedly look back to Israel's history, especially the Exodus, to remind God's people of His faithfulness in the past. Even in seasons of doubt, when it feels as though God has forgotten His chesed—His steadfast covenant love—the psalmists choose to remember His mighty acts. We also discover why knowing the stories of Genesis through Samuel enriches our understanding of these songs, as the psalmists continually draw from Israel's history to strengthen hope in the present.

Finally, Psalm 78 challenges every generation to pass on the story of God's faithfulness. Parents are called to teach their children God's works and His instruction so that the next generation will place its hope in Him. The section concludes with Psalm 80, where Israel is pictured as God's carefully tended vine and the people cry out for a faithful leader—a hope that ultimately points us forward to the coming Son of Man.

Throughout these psalms, we see a consistent message: when life is confusing and evil seems to prevail, God's people remember who He is, what He has done, and confidently place their hope in the God who remains in control.

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In this episode, we continue our tour through Psalms 63–72, discovering a recurring pattern that runs throughout these songs: life's circumstances may rise and fall, but God's people always have reasons to praise Him.

David begins in Psalm 63 by expressing a deep longing for God, reminding us that worship is not dependent on our circumstances but on the unchanging character of the One we worship. As we move through these psalms, we see God rewarding the righteous, actively working in His creation, and faithfully caring for His people. From the praise of all the earth in Psalm 66 to the missionary heart of Psalm 67, we are reminded that God's blessings are meant to display His glory among the nations.

We also explore the vivid imagery of Psalm 68 as God is portrayed as the victorious King taking His throne, and we see how these psalms continue to build on the larger story of Scripture. In Psalms 69 and 70, David honestly acknowledges his own sin and his need for God's help, while Psalm 71 provides a beautiful model for overcoming discouragement by remembering God's lifelong faithfulness and responding with praise.

Finally, we conclude with Psalm 72, which closes Book Two of the Psalms with a glorious vision of the righteous King whose reign extends to the ends of the earth. While originally connected to Solomon, this psalm ultimately points us to the greater King, the Messiah, whose kingdom will never end. The book closes with a doxology, reminding us that no matter how many hardships we encounter along the journey, praise belongs to God.

As you listen, notice how these psalms continually connect back to the larger story of the Old Testament. To help you recognize those connections, we've created a companion PDF that traces the story of the Old Testament and highlights the events and themes the psalmists often reference. It's available on our website for $1.99 and is a great resource for individuals and families who want to read the Psalms with greater context and confidence.

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The Psalms often read like someone's personal prayer journal. They give us an honest look at what it means to follow God through seasons of fear, betrayal, discouragement, and hope. Again and again, the psalmists bring their deepest struggles before God, only to return to the unchanging truth of who He is.

In this episode, we journey through Psalms 52–62, beginning with the heartbreaking events behind Psalm 52 found in 1 Samuel 22. We contrast the actions of the foolish with the character of the righteous as Psalms 52 and 53 remind us that while people may reject God, He sees every action and will ultimately judge evil.

As we continue, we discover a repeated message throughout these psalms: God is still on His throne. Whether David is surrounded by enemies, betrayed by friends, or overwhelmed by fear, he continually returns to God as his refuge, deliverer, and King. We explore beautiful truths such as God recording every tear we shed (Psalm 56), inviting us to cast our burdens on Him (Psalm 55), and surrounding His people with His steadfast covenant love (chesed) even in the darkest moments.

Along the way, we revisit one of God's covenant names, "The Lord is My Banner," and see how His kingship and faithfulness echo the themes introduced earlier in the Psalms. We also consider the lasting heritage of those who fear the Lord and the hope of dwelling in God's presence under the reign of His King.

These psalms remind us that faith doesn't ignore hardship—it brings every hardship to God. No matter what we face, God remains strong, merciful, and faithful. He sees our tears, knows our circumstances, and calls us to trust Him, praise Him, and find our refuge in His steadfast love.

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In this episode, we continue our tour through the Psalms, stopping to notice the themes, connections, and biblical images that prepare us for deeper study later. Rather than diving into every detail, we're acting as tour guides, pointing out the landmarks that help us understand the bigger picture of the Psalms.

We begin with Psalms 42 and 43, where the psalmist longs for the living God in a world filled with lifeless gods. As the psalmist wrestles with discouragement, he repeatedly finds hope in God's chesed—His steadfast, covenant love. We also discover why being in God's presence, at His house, was the source of true joy and delight for Israel.

Moving through Psalms 44–50, we see a recurring message emerge: the God of Israel is the true King over every nation. Though Israel was a small nation surrounded by powerful empires, these psalms remind God's people that their King reigns above every earthly ruler and every false god. Along the way, we explore the Messianic hope found in Psalm 45, the comforting promises of Psalm 46, and the majestic descriptions of God's power and kingship that fill Psalms 47–49.

Finally, Psalm 50 reminds us that God never desired sacrifices for their own sake. Sacrifices were never meant to "fix" sin; they were God's gracious means of restoring relationship with Him. That truth prepares us beautifully for Psalm 51, where we see that genuine repentance and God's mercy bring the forgiveness that every sinner needs.

Throughout these psalms, one message rises above the rest: our God is the living King. He reigns over every nation, remains faithful through His steadfast love, and continually invites His people into His presence.

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In this episode, we explore several psalms that deepen our understanding of God's character and the life of faith. We begin with Psalm 17 and the Hebrew idiom "the apple of Your eye," discovering the powerful image David uses to describe God's protection and care for His people.

Next, we dive into Psalm 18, examining the rich imagery David uses to describe God as his rock, fortress, and deliverer. We also wrestle with David's claim to be "blameless" and see how it connects back to the righteous person described in Psalm 1.

We then look at Psalms 20 and 21 as a pair. Psalm 20 records the people's prayers and requests for the king, while Psalm 21 celebrates God's answer. Along the way, we see how Psalm 21 reaches beyond David and points us back to the Messianic hope introduced in Psalm 2.

Finally, we turn to Psalm 37, where the psalmist provides practical guidance for living faithfully in difficult times. Even when life is hard and the wicked seem to prosper, God's people are called to trust, delight, commit, wait, and rest in Him, knowing that He is their help and deliverer.

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In this episode, we continue our journey through the Psalms by exploring Psalms 11, 12, 13, and 15. Together, these psalms wrestle with a question that believers have asked throughout history: What do we do when wickedness seems to be winning?

Psalm 11 contrasts the righteous and the wicked, reminding us that while evil may appear powerful, the righteous can find refuge in God. He sees what is happening and remains firmly on His throne.

That theme continues in Psalm 12 as the psalmist looks around and sees a world filled with deception, corruption, and unfaithfulness. Yet the psalm ends with hope as God promises to arise and act on behalf of those who are oppressed and vulnerable.

Psalm 13 brings us into a more personal struggle. The psalmist cries out, "How long?" as he waits for God to intervene. Many of us know what it feels like to wait for answers, relief, or justice. Yet even in the midst of uncertainty, the psalm concludes with a declaration of trust. The psalmist places his hope in God's chesed—His steadfast, covenant faithfulness and loyal love.

Finally, Psalm 15 paints a picture of the righteous life. Rather than simply defining righteousness as a belief, the psalm describes the actions and character of those who desire to walk closely with God. It challenges us to consider how our faith shapes the way we speak, act, and treat others.

As we study these psalms together, we see a recurring pattern: the reality of wickedness, the struggle of waiting, the faithfulness of God, and the call to live as His people. These ancient prayers remind us that even when life feels uncertain, our hope rests not in circumstances but in the steadfast love of God.

Parents: As you read these psalms with your children, ask them, "What do people do when they trust God?" Compare their answers with the descriptions found in Psalm 15 and talk together about what trusting God looks like in everyday life.

Join us for a summer of Psalms.

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Psalms 1 and 2 serve as the introduction to the entire book of Psalms, giving readers the lens through which the rest of the collection should be understood.

In this episode, we explore the two paths presented in Psalm 1. The righteous delight in God's Torah, meditate on it day and night, and become like a fruitful tree planted by streams of water. In contrast, the wicked reject God's instruction and ultimately face judgment. Right from the opening psalm, readers are confronted with a choice: Which path will they follow?

Psalm 2 then shifts our attention from individuals to nations and kings. The rulers of the earth rebel against God and His purposes, believing they can throw off His authority. Yet God's response is clear: He has established His King, and no earthly power can overturn His plans. While human kingdoms rise and fall, God's King will ultimately reign overall.

Together, Psalms 1 and 2 provide the foundation for the entire book.

Parents, this summer we want to challenge you to read through the Psalms with your children. As you read, encourage them to listen for the vivid images and pictures found throughout the poems. Have them draw what they hear and then ask a simple question: "What does this teach us about God?" For an extra challenge, choose one psalm and memorize it together as a family. These ancient songs were meant to be remembered, prayed, and carried in the hearts of God's people.

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