Psalm 33:1-22 (NIV)

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;

  it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the Lord with the harp;

  make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;

  play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;

  he is faithful in all he does.

5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;

  the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

  their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;

  he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;

  let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;

  he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;

  he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,

  the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

  the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the Lord looks down

  and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches

  all who live on earth—

15 he who forms the hearts of all,

  who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;

  no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

  despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

  on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death

  and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;

  he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,

  for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

  even as we put our hope in you.

1. The command to praise with our whole being. (vv.1-5)

Engaging Heart, Mind, Soul, Strength

Jesus replied… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

2. The practice of praise and the renewal of our minds. (vv.6-19)

Knowing God’s word, power, purposes, people, love

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1–2 

3. The practice of praise and growing in faith together.

Becoming a waiting, trusting, hoping people

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8  (See Psalm 27:14, 37:7, 40:1,130:5-6) 

NOTES:

PERSONALIZING THE PSALMS

In your time alone with God in scripture reflection, solitude, prayer and journaling, begin with a breath prayer like "Holy Spirit, come," or listen to a song from the playlist. This summer we are focusing on one Psalm per week. Consider using one or more of the practices to reflect on the Psalm.

• Journaling: Write out the Psalm in your journal. Make notes in the margins to amplify or clarify words. Be creative with doodling, drawing, highlighting words or phrases, collaging with cut-out words or pictures. Take your journal with you wherever you go this summer. At the end of the summer you will have a journal full of your own reflections, thoughts and prayers!
• Reading: Take time to slowly read aloud the Psalm. What words or phrases stand out to you? What questions do you have? What feelings arise in you? Which physical response seems appropriate: hands raised or open? head bowed or lifted? standing or seated?
• Memorizing: Commit to memorizing one or more verses.
• Praying: How does this Psalm inspire praise, confession, lament, gratitude, or guidance for yourself, others or the world?