A few years ago, I was challenged by a small group at church to write my own psalm. At first, I was not certain this was allowable from a conservative theological sense, but as I read what a psalm is, a praise to the Lord, I went ahead and wrote one out.
Many of us who are familiar with the book of Psalms in the bible know it is filled with praises to God, but many pages are also filled with one pouring out their heart from a painful, weary, and broken place. Psalms is encouraging to the soul, and whether the author was David or unknown, this book always points back to the faithfulness of God no matter how hard or difficult of a situation the psalmist was facing.
Whether your soul is in a place of heartache, weariness, feelings of defeat, or joy, may I encourage you to write a short (or long) psalm of praise? It does not need to be filled with false praises or a conjuring of fake feelings for God, but rather a real and true baring of your soul to God who cares and loves you right where you are at. Even if you do not know the exact emotions of your heart, this process of writing can help clarify as you take time to reflect or examine the contents of your heart.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thought [or cares]!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
~Psalm 139:23-24
December 2016
O Lord, how much longer must I wait?
You have given me my garden to tend; yet I desire to expand my land. Is this desire from you? A passion I cannot deny?
Please do not let the fire die. But, should this burning come from your servant alone, then burn it as rubbish and set my path straight.
Strip me from any selfish ambition and remove the impurities from my heart. Use me as your broken vessel, and you be glorified alone.
I know your timing is perfect. You have been faithful as I reflect.
Thank you, O Lord, for being steadfast in your love. You are God and I am not.
And finally, I must share a song my friend Cheri recently shared with me called Dream Small by Josh Wilson. So fitting with this psalm I wrote!
2 Comments
Alyson Rockhold
June 6, 2022 at 11:48 amWow! I love your psalm! Thanks for sharing it. I also appreciate the encouragement to write my own psalm.
Suzette Katopodes
June 14, 2022 at 6:23 pmI have never encountered this idea of writing out a psalm. This is something new to me. I love the way yours turned out! And I can see how the process of would bring clarity. I think I’ll give it a try.