Psalm 13 - A Psalm of Lament (Disorientation)

Try this three-part rhythm for pausing in the midst of your days for prayer:

Part I: Become present to the presence of God.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 13

1 How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Part III: Pray your own lament psalm- for yourself, or on behalf of someone who is suffering in your world.

• Describe the trouble in detail to God.

• Express your honest emotions: "Lord, I am feeling sad about…; "… angry…;  “… afraid…

• Bring him your honest questions: "Lord, why….?;  "How long, Lord, before you…?; "Where are you in…?

• Make your plea to God:   "Please, Lord…; "Remember back when you…; Do it again, Lord!”

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 13 set to music…

From the album Lament Songs (2020) by Porter’s Gate

From the album “The Psalms Project, Vol 2” (2012). thepsalmsproject.com

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 65 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm…

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 65 (NIV) out loud:

1 Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,

6 who formed the mountains by your power,
    having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

9 You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 65 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 65 set to music…

A simple lyric video of "Psalm 65 : Praise awaits you" performed by Sons of Korah from their 2005 album Resurrection. 

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Minor Prophet - Major Message

Uncomfortable Truths: Why we need the prophets

by Pastor Paul Dugan

“Everyone more or less believes in God. But most of us do our best to keep God on the margins of our lives or, failing that, refashion God to suit our convenience. Prophets insist that God is the sovereign center, not off in the wings awaiting our beck and call. And prophets insist that we deal with God as God reveals himself, not as we imagine him to be. These men and women woke people up to the sovereign presence of God in their lives. They yelled, they wept, they rebuked, they soothed, they challenged, they comforted. They used words with power and imagination, whether blunt or subtle.” (Peterson, Eugene H.. The Message Remix New Testament (p. 1160). NAVPress)

How to get the most from this Sunday’s sermon, from the lesser know prophet Zephaniah:

1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare us all to hear the Word of God in worship.

2. Watch the five minute video overview from the Bible Project HERE.

3. Take ten minutes to listen to the entire book in one sitting HERE.

Psalm 42 - A Psalm of Lament (Disorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try this three-part rhythm for pausing in the midst of your days for prayer:

Part I: Become present to the presence of God.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 42 (ESV):

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
    and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
    a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Part III: Pray your own lament psalm- for yourself, or on behalf of someone who is suffering in your world.

• Describe the trouble in detail to God.

• Express your honest emotions: "Lord, I am feeling sad about…; "… angry…;  “… afraid…

• Bring him your honest questions: "Lord, why….?;  "How long, Lord, before you…?; "Where are you in…?

• Make your plea to God:   "Please, Lord…; "Remember back when you…; Do it again, Lord!”

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 42 set to music…

From the album, His Mercy is More (2019) by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

From the album, The Psalms Project, Vol II, by Mike Janzen (2021). mikejanzentrio.com

©2015 Corner Room Music Official website: cornerroommusic.com iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-corner-room/955991912 Lyrics are from the ESV® B...

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 30 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving (Reorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try this three-part rhythm for cultivating a heart of gratitude…

Part I: Become present to the presence of God.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.

Reflect on the joys and challenges of the day. What are you thankful for? Where did you see God at work? What do you lament? What do you need to confess?

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 30 (ESV) out loud:

1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord,
    you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face; I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
    and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Part III: Reflecting on your day, pray your own psalm of thanksgiving:

• Describe an experience of pain or difficulty…

• Did you call on the Lord? If so, describe how.

• Describe your experience of God’s deliverance, provision, or guidance.

• Give him your thanks and praise.

The psalms were originally written as lyrics, sung by the people of God. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 30 set to music…

From the album “Songs for the Journey, Vol. 3” (2019) by the Shiyr Poets. theshiyrpoets.com

©2015 Corner Room Music Official website: cornerroommusic.comhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-corner-room/955991912

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Psalm 100 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your days with prayer, using this three-part rhythm…

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 100 (ESV) out loud:

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2  Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 100 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 100 set to music…

"Psalm 100" from "Psalm Songs, Volume 2." Download on iTunes or buy CDs at cornerroommusic.com. ©2018 Corner Room Music Official website: cornerroommusic.com...

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Medicine for My Soul

Learning to Pray from the Psalms

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Tucked away in the center of your Bible is a goldmine…the Hebrew Psalms. The Psalms are a “playlist” for all dimensions of the human experience, for all parts of the human soul.

The psalms help us gather the whole of our lives (including the messy parts) in raw, honest prayer before God.  Their rich variety gives voice to the full range of our human experience in the real world.  Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, God meets you right where you are in the psalms. They help you become real in God’s presence and in the presence of others. 

The Psalms have changed my life. They have become medicine for my soul.

This post we are introducing the psalms of TRUST.

It is not surprising that the most well-known and beloved prayer of the Christian Faith, besides the Lord’s Prayer, is a psalm of trust- Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalms of trust are usually written in the first person as prayers or affirmations of faith and confidence in God. They express absolute dependence on God as creator, deliverer, protector, sustainer, and guide. Key words and images include: refuge, rock, shelter, hope, deliverer, shepherd.

Other psalms of trust (click on link for guides to each): Psalm 3; Psalm 4; Psalm 9; Psalm 11; Psalm 16; Psalm 20; Psalm 21; Psalm 23; Psalm 27; Psalm 40; Psalm 46; Psalm 48; Psalm 62; Psalm 63; Psalm 68; Psalm 71; Psalm 73; Psalm 75; Psalm 84; Psalm 86; Psalm 91; Psalm 121; Psalm 131; Psalm 139; Psalm 144.

Here’s how to practice praying your own psalm of trust

“Lord, you are my…

“I depend on you to…

“Without you, I am…

“Even when…, I trust you to…

“I am confident that you will… 

For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.

For more on the Psalms:

Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.

For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.

For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.

Praying those Difficult Psalms

The cursing psalms have always been perplexing to the people of God. Didn't Jesus teach us to love (not curse) our enemies? What do we do with their negative emotions- such as anger, vengeance, and contempt?

First, we need some context. These psalms fall into the category of ancient Hebrew lament literature. They are raw and honest prayers arising from hearts that bear before God a gut reaction to violence, evil, and injustice in the world- particularly when it results in the suffering of the weak and vulnerable. 

Here is a classic example of a cursing psalm:
1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
2 There on the poplars we hung our harps,
3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.
6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!”
8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.
9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.  (Psalm 137)

Followers of Jesus pray these prayers "Christianly" when we pray them against spiritual foes, rather than human ones. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. We can boldly take up the cursings as 'spiritual warfare prayers' for the defeat of the devil and all his devices (Eph 6:10-20).

Other cursing psalms include: Psalm 7, 10, 35, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 64, 69, 83, 109, 120, and 129.

Here are some prompts for praying your own “warfare prayers”:

• “Father, we lament the evil and injustice of our world...

• “We lament how this evil affects the most vulnerable...

• “King Jesus, you are our defender. You
  ambushed evil and defeated the devil on the cross. You will win the final victory when you return. In the mean time, we stand against…

• “In Jesus’ name, Father, frustrate the devil’s plans to…

• “Bind up all forces of darkness now at work in…

How to put on the full armor of God:

Helmet: “We take up your helmet of salvation. Keep our minds renewed in your salvation Story, and our identity grounded in Christ.
Breastplate: “We take up the breastplate of your righteousness. Protect our hearts against all the devil’s accusations. Protect our relationships against all disunity and resentment.
Shield: “We take up the shield of faith. Protect us from all unbelief and cynicism.
Belt: “We take up the belt of truth. Keep us grounded in your Word. Equip us to speak only truth, and only in love.
Shoes: “We put on the shoes of the gospel of peace. Protect us in all fear. Make us bold and loving witnesses to your good news in this world.
Sword: “We take up the sword of the Spirit. May we use your Word to expose and demolish all lies and deception.

“By the authority of the Name of King Jesus, Amen.
*Eph 6:10-20

This is part nine in a ten-part series on learning how to pray the psalms. To return to part one, click here. Click here for part ten.

For an index to digital prayer guides to more than one hundred individual psalms, click here.

Clueless in Caesarea

How to recognize a divine appointment right in front of your nose

Acts 10

by Pastor Paul Dugan

To return to part one of the Luke-Acts series, click here.

Are you looking for a place to explore faith and meaning in this uncertain world?

Check out Alpha.

Ready for a Divine Appointment?

How to join Jesus in his resurrection work in your world.

Acts 8:26-39

by Pastor Paul Dugan

To return to part one of the Luke-Acts series click here.

Are you looking for a place to explore faith and meaning in this uncertain world?

Check out Alpha.