Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Happy Independence Day weekend, and thanks for spending time with God’s Word. If you missed last week’s “Psalm Summer,” please review. Again, after I consulted numerous “most popular” Psalm lists, today’s winners are Psalms 46, 121, and 139.
Now relax and bask in the serenity of “Psalm Summer.” (Joke, since Psalms often speak about desperation and destruction along with hope and trust in God.)
Psalm 46 was authored by “the sons of Korah.” Within the Psalm’s 11 verses, there is landscape imagery and powerful expressions of faith during times of chaos and crisis when God’s presence and protection are most needed. Conversely (me talking here, not from the Psalm), our Almighty God appreciates it when you praise, worship, and offer thanksgiving to Him during times of success, good health, and happiness.
Here are the first three verses of Psalm 46. The opening words are often quoted alone:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Then the author turns from nature to what must be Jerusalem. He writes with confidence that God’s presence ensures the city will not fall:
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
The second-to-last verse of Psalm 46 can be found on gifts in both secular Hallmark stores and religious bookstores. (With so many Psalm quotes on merch, the authors are earning millions in heavenly royalties.) This famous verse reads:
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“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The last verse of Psalm 46 records a message to be remembered during dark times. It first appears in verse 7 and then at the end in verse 11:
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
These final two verses of Psalm 46 are often repeated throughout the book of Psalms in various forms. They are an invitation to trust God because of who He is.
Next is Psalm 121. The author is not named, but the subtitle reads, “A song of ascents.” Then, the Psalm 122 subtitle says, “A song of ascents. Of David.” Therefore, David is likely the writer of Psalm 121.
By tradition, Psalm 121 was known as the "Pilgrim's Song," since it was sung by groups of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Psalm 121 offered them comfort, knowing that God was watching over them as they journeyed to His Holy City. We will read the Psalm’s eight verses that speak of God as the ultimate source of help and watchful guardian. You can hear the pilgrims singing:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Lastly, we examine Psalm 139, “of David.” Its 29 verses are deeply personal, as if we are listening to David having a therapy session with God. The first four verses read:
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
What David writes rings true for all of us. God knows every fiber of our being because He created us. David expresses God’s omnipresence, from which he can never escape:
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10).
David marvels at God's role in creating him with emotional poetry:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:13-16).
David concludes, pleading with God to improve his ways and lead him “to everlasting”:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting“ (Psalm139: 23-24).
Psalm 139 resonates with readers because David speaks to humankind about our relationship with God, while his magnificent writing penetrates our hearts and minds.
Stay tuned for the next installment of “Psalm Summer” whenever the Lord calls me to write one before the frost is on the pumpkin.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Join our effort! Click to attend a major Shroud conference July 31- August 2 in St. Louis. Contact: <MyraAdams01@gmail.com>
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