Psalms as a Picture of True Christianity

Today's reading from Terry Johnson's article outlined several reasons why Psalms are an important part of Christian worship. As I reflected on this, I realized how influential the Psalms can be in helping believers to live a life pleasing to God. Through their laments, pleadings, questions, resignations, and praises to God they set an example and precedent for Christians of all times. They exemplify a life in which an understanding of God's character and actions are ultimately the basis for every action. Whether it is David in Psalm 3 placing his utmost hope for protection in God himself or if it is the psalmist in Psalm 96 calling the whole earth to praise God because of His greatness, the Psalms depict a life lived in light of and in dependence on God. They point out to their readers who God is and how that in turn is to affect their lives. All these things are lessons that would greatly aid Christians today, if learned correctly. And what better way to meditate on and remember an important truth than to put it to music and sing it?