Summer Series on the Psalms
In his 1557 commentary on the Psalms, theologian John Calvin said this:
I have been accustomed to call this book, I think not inappropriately, An Anatomy of the Soul; for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror.
(Preface, Commentary on the Psalms)
The OT collection of 150 psalms was not only the music book of ancient Israel but remained a central part of early church theology (being quoted dozens of times in the NT) and worship.
This summer’s sermon series will be taking us on a tour through various psalms. We will begin with Psalms 1 and 2, which set the stage for the rest of them. Then we’ll select various psalms that give insight into the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears that characterize human life and, especially, the walk of faith of the believer.
Given that senior pastor David Camera will be on sabbatical leave for part of the summer, we’ll be treated to a host of different preachers during this series, including Greg Lanier, Joel Trigger, Zach McIntosh, Luther Tate, Dr. Ben Shaw, Austin Slater, and Rev. Mike Glodo.
Listen
Reflection Questions
The questions below are great to use in a small group or for personal application. Click on the arrow or heading to expand and show the questions.
Kept by God (Psalm 121, June 13)
- What keeps you up at night?
- How can you cultivate a stronger awareness that God is good and is watching over you?
- Where do you need to know that God is personally keeping you and preserving you?
- What practices can you put in place to remember God’s provision?
Seek and Hide (Psalm 32, June 6)
- What is your typical reaction when you’ve sinned? Have you ever tried to hide it? What are the symptoms of sitting in silent shame?
- Have you ever experienced the relief of coming clean before God (and others)?
- Read Rom 4:1-12. How is Psalm 32 used there in Paul’s teaching in imputation (“counting”)?
Telling the True Story (Psalm 78, May 30)
- Why is it important for the individual Christian to see themselves NOT as the main character of the story?
- What blessings are there in seeing your place in the bigger story of what Christ is doing?
- How can you take on a more active role in helping prepare the next generation (even if you don’t have kids of your own)?
Divine Dignity (Psalm 8, May 23)
- How does the small-ness of humanity (one planet, one small sun, among billions of stars) serve to keep us humble before God?
- How does the big-ness of humanity (created a little lower than the angels and endowed with immeasurable dignity) balance this out?
- What are the implications for understanding the full dignity of mankind?
From Sleeplessness to Shalom (Psalm 4, May 16)
- What causes you sleeplessness most often?
- Why can a practice of praying for your enemies help you gain peace from anxiety?
- How can you cultivate the practice of praying for the brokenness in the world instead of simply getting mad about it?
- What steps can you take to develop a nightly habit of unburdening your cares before trying to sleep?
An Urgent Invitation (Psalm 2, May 9)
- Where do you see the nations raging against the rule of God today in your spheres? How are you tempted to respond?
- When you get concerned about the world, what are some things you can do to rest in Christ’s rule?
- Where do you have a low view of Jesus, who is the end-times judge of those who rebel against him?
- Reflect: we are invited in this psalm to take refuge in Jesus *from* Jesus.
There Is No Third Way (Psalm 1, May 2)
- What is countercultural about there not being a third way?
- How have you experienced the pattern in v1-2, namely, the company you keep impacting your thoughts, decisions, and destination in your life?
- How has the counsel of the wicked been junk food in your life?
- In what areas of life do you need to repent of walking in the way of wickedness?
- How is Christ the fulfillment of this psalm?
