⁠Psalm 51⁠

Psalm 51 gives us incredible insight into how David viewed God even when he had gravely sinned. It’s a study in the nature of our Heavenly Father. David didn’t allow shame to make him cower before God. He didn’t see Him as a hard taskmaster to be feared, but rather as his safe place to run ‘to; not run ‘from.’

David learned throughout his life that being in God’s presence was the most precious thing he could ever experience. So, this Psalm isn’t self abasement from David, but instead, intense liberating repentance based on his absolute knowledge that just like us in our New Covenant reality, in times of greatest sin, we can come fearlessly, boldly, and confidently, before the throne of grace and receive God’s unfathomable mercy and forgiveness.

By Dianne Manusama

Psalm 46

Psalm 46 reminds us that God is not only supreme and powerful, but also eternally merciful.

By painting the picture of a God who rules over all creation, as well as the warring nations, the Psalmist reminds us of His love and mercy towards His people. That even in the midst of total chaos, our God invites us to be still and know that He is God.

By Bram Manusama

Psalm 139

To be human is to be made for intimacy - with other people vitally, but also with God primarily. In Psalm 139 we see how nothing is hidden from God. He knows us intimately.

This can lead us to do two things - run away from Him; or run towards Him. We run away because we're afraid - usually of rejection, abandonment, or humiliation. But David understands that that is not what awaits us, nor is running away anything but futile. No one can get away from God's presence.

Instead, He runs towards God's love - His love is intimately concerned with us, it is fiercely passionate for us, and it leads us into life in all its fullness. We can stop hiding.

By Ed Flint

Psalm 110

More than any other, Psalm 110 reveals the identity of the Messiah.

Jesus is the fulfillment of David’s prophecy in this psalm: Jesus has completed the work God assigned him setting us right with God, Jesus is Lord over all that we ever face, Jesus is our eternal priest caring and interceding for us, and Jesus is extending His kingdom over evil with us as His willing army in the fight.

By Ed Flint

Psalm 19 (NIV); Psalm 19 (Message)

The Psalms don't just tell us about God—they teach us how to speak to him. Psalm 19 invites us into an ancient prayer of orientation, that begins with the skies, delights in instruction, and ends with a simple prayer of surrender.

But to hear it well, we have to step outside our modern assumptions about science, faith, and religious rules—and learn to see the world a little more like ancient Israel did. It's an invitation to slow down, recover wonder, and allow the Holy Spirit to write God's ways on our hearts.

By Hannah Flint

Psalm 8

God of Humanity

The Bible answers the fundamental question of what it means to be human, by saying: it means to be in relationship with God.

It's less about who we are and more about whose we are. When we start with God, we experience life as it’s supposed to be lived: we see that God is enormous and powerful; we are small; our worship shuts the mouth of all that comes against us; God cares about the smallest details of our lives; and in our weakness he makes us strong. We come to God as we are, and he meets us there.

By Ed Flint

Psalm 96

At bread, we value the manifest presence of God above all else. Worship is essential for that.

Since the beginning God's people have sung songs of worship. We are commanded to do so; it's who we were created to be; and He alone is worthy of it. Worship will always be the ultimate goal for humanity.  So we're learning that as we bring our full selves- body, mind and spirit- to worship, trusting in the cross of Christ, we draw close to God, and He to us. Our worship welcomes in the King of the Kingdom. And wherever He is, his Kingdom comes.

By Ed Flint