Welcome to the Weekly Digest!
Below you will find resources to help you on your journey through the Book of Psalms. We've provided you with a reading plan for the upcoming week, journaling prompts, a weekly Spotify playlist, and ideas for prayer. Be sure to check in every week to see what we have for you next as we continue to enrich our journey through the Psalms.
Reading Plan November 7th - November 13th
Psalms 46-50. Read and reflect on Psalm 46 in preparation for Sunday, November 14th's teaching. You can download the reading guide for the entire series here.
Scripture Memorization
Scripture memorization is an important discipline to introduce to our lives as a way to actively hide God's word in our heart. It allows us to not only internalize the text, but to share that truth with others more readily.
Memory Verses for Novem ber: Psalm 57:9-10 ESV
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Journal Prompts
* A quick note on journaling: if you're new to this practice, our journey through the book of Psalms will be a great way to get started. The most important step to forming this discipline in your life is to write anything and write often. Journaling is an incredible way to slow down, digest the content of a text, let your brain internalize thoughts that may come up, and keep a record for future reflection on what God was speaking to you during your reading. Journaling can take many forms such as written prayers, bullet points, stream of consciousness, or even poetry. Try some different methods and find the one that works best for you.
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions from Today's Teaching
Psalm 42
In your own words expound on the phrase “God created us with emotion and not just thought”.
Have you ever had that moment where circumstances said to you “where is your God?” Expound in that thought.
How has the enemy attempted to rewrite your history to discourage you?
Take a moment to journal some “deep calls” from your heart to your heavenly Father.
How is God’s love sovereign?
What is the title or topic of the sermon you should be preaching to yourself at this moment?
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions for This Week's Reading
Psalm 46
The main theme repeated in several verses throughout the passage is the truth that God is WITH US (see Ps. 46:7,11). David goes on to imply that God is present in our lives but He’s not just there with us, God is there FOR US, actively working in several different capacities as our
“our refuge and strength (v.1),” “our fortress (v.7,11).”
To be aware of God’s presence actively at work in our lives can be difficult at times, but David
shares two steps we can take to become more aware of God’s presence;
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)
“Come, behold the works of the Lord” (Ps. 46:8)
How are you currently taking pauses throughout your day to “be still” with God? What are some
things holding you back from being still with God?
In your time of being still, reflect on and write down the ways God’s presence has actively been
at work in your life recently.
Moving forward, how can you intentionally set up times to slow down, be still, and reflect on
God’s presence at work in your life in your daily schedule?
Psalm 47
In verses 3-4, the writer of this Psalm is reflecting on and praising God as he shares the history
of how God has rescued and delivered the people of Israel.
Take a moment to look back and reflect on where you were 10, 5, or even 2 years ago.
What are some of the PRAISE-WORTHY moments God worked through that time to deliver you
and bring you to where you are today?
Verse 7 gives us the theme and Subtitle of this Psalm; “God is King over all the earth.”
Is this truth of who God is as King and Creator of all true in your life?
How do your daily decisions and actions reflect that this truth about God is not just knowledge
but a strong belief that is lived out?
Psalm 48
Throughout the Psalm, the writer shares with us about “the city of our God (v1).” The location
God has chosen to make His dwelling is in that of Jerusalem, more specifically Mt. Zion, and the
people He chose to dwell among is the people of Israel. Thanks to the new covenant established by the death and resurrection of Jesus, God makes His dwelling among us in our earthly bodies (see Ephesians 2:11-22).
Look over and write in your journal the characteristics you see that God shows to His city and
people throughout the passage (v. 1-7).
Look over and write in your journal the response of God’s people to His faithful work in their
lives (v. 8-14)
Reflect and journal about how these answers found in the Psalm affect your life and personal
relationship with God.
Psalm 49
Psalms 49 repeatedly reminds us of this powerful truth. There’s no amount of money,
possessions, or anything we own or acquire in this life that can pay the ransom owed of our
lives. There is NOTHING anyone can do to redeem their lives from death or even avoid death
altogether. Jesus and his redeeming work on the cross is the only way to pay the ransom we
owe. We may not say out loud, “I don’t trust in what Jesus did, I can do this on my own,” but our
actions and the way we live our lives can speak those words much louder at times.
Does your life and the way you live daily reflect your trust in Jesus and all He’s done for you?
In what ways can you trust Jesus’ work more and your own work less?
“For when he dies he will carry nothing away,” -Ps. 49:17
Since you can’t take anything with you when you die, what are you leaving behind that is
significant to God and others?
Psalm 50
As this passage shows us the position God sits in as the ultimate and only judge of our lives, it
was crucial for the people of Israel in this time to make sacrifices on behalf of their sins and in
the search of God’s salvation. Throughout these verses, the writer makes it clear that God isn’t
judging the act of offering a sacrifice, but the person’s heart and intent behind the sacrifice
made (Ps. 50:8). God has no need for the animals being sacrificed by the people of Israel in this
time (v. 9-13), the sacrifice isn’t intended to fulfill God’s needs but it’s for people to have their
needs fulfilled by God.
In verses 14 and 15 of Psalms 50, we see that God wants more than rituals of sacrifice or the act
of Christian duty, God desires people to surrender their brokenness to Him and live a life of
obedience and trust in Him.
As we’ve learned in this Psalm, it’s not the action that pleases God but the heart and intent
behind the action. Two of the main actions we take on behalf of God that can become more of
a ritual that we do instead of a need we need met by God is reading His Word and
communicating to God through prayer.
Reflect and journal on your time in God’s Word and your time of prayer. What’s your intent and
heart behind this time with God?
Prayer
Psalm 42: “As pants the heart for cooling streams when heated in the chase, so longs my soul, O God, for Thee, and Thy refreshing grace.” In Jesus’ name (Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, “As Pants the Heart”). Amen.”
