to trigger a complete sentence memorise key words. Here is an example from Psalm 77 Key word 1 Key word 2 I cry aloud to God , CRY aloud to God and he will hear me ALOUD In the day of my trouble DAY I seek the Lord SEEK Initially learn key word 1. Peg […]
Note the parallelism in many of the verses – the second phrase ( in italics) reinforces the first – this is very common and helps memorisation. Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against […]
NRSV The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Heavens/Earth/World speech /knowledge speech/voice/voice/words […]
Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,2 both low and high, rich and poor together!3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me […]
O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands,4 if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause,5 let the enemy pursue my soul and […]
A great goal is to take one psalm each day over a thirty day period. Repeat this sequence 12 times over a year and you will you may be able to recite all 30 psalms, either portions of or in their entirety. Day 1 take one psalm from Psalms 1-5 Day 2 take one psalm […]
My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the […]
A visit to Kentwell Hall in Suffolk inspired hanging this psalm on a Tudor room/garden sequence. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand who seek after God. 3 They have all […]
O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.4 I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. 5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.6 I will not be afraid of many thousands […]
Consider seeing this poem in two major sections. Verses 1-3 could be a dream (night). Verses 4-6 are set in the Prairies on a golden day. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things […]