Hard to choose, but Psalm 27: I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Not only a hope of God's goodness in this present life, but a hope of resurrection.
Although Psalm 23 is the one that I recite while on the trail, when I am sitting with my bible and sense the need, Psalm 25 does it for me. Rarely are the sentiments expressed in that psalm incongruous with my inner state, never is that psalm inadequate to the task of raising me up again.
Wow. There are so many psalms I love. Currently Ps 103 is on my heart. I've developed a digital prayer/music guide to 90 different psalms: https://www.mypsalm.org/
I find that it depends on circumstances. Sometimes it's 139. Sometimes it's 90 with its sense of timelessness. And when everything has fallen apart, there is 88.
I also love the passages where the psalmist tells God to "wake up and come and help me." It's OK to complain to God.
I have turned many times to Psalm 13. The first time I read it I realized I can complain to God, I can even tell him off, but in the end...I realize his love for me and all I have. I can eventually praise him again. The last two verses turn my heart back to him.
Psalm 84, closely followed by Psalm 89, partly because it's a maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. He only got to contribute one psalm, though it does go for 52 verses...
Psalm 27 is my favorite... I’ve had various troubles relating in my family, and “if my father or mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up” has been an anchor for teaching me to trust the Lord. The whole psalm has so much that I love - the image of being set in God’s tent high on a cliff above the enemies that would harm me, shouting aloud praises to God, trusting God as a shield and a rock, etc. I also have memorized psalm 23, as probably many others have, because we have a pond in our back yard and I particularly like the image of being led by still waters and seeing our pond as a gift from God.
Psalm 77 and especially Psalm 46 in our time the way the geopolitical world is going with much uncertainty etc. Also every one should read NT Wrights book The Case for the Psalms. Even if you don’t understand or agree with Wright on some issues you can appreciate it much. Also read Martin Luthers introduction to all 150 Psalms. Excellent.
Hard to choose, but Psalm 27: I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Not only a hope of God's goodness in this present life, but a hope of resurrection.
My latest favourite is Psalm 88, because I feel like it is saying the darkness belongs to God too
Although Psalm 23 is the one that I recite while on the trail, when I am sitting with my bible and sense the need, Psalm 25 does it for me. Rarely are the sentiments expressed in that psalm incongruous with my inner state, never is that psalm inadequate to the task of raising me up again.
Yes Peter, a favourite of many, for good reasons.
Wow. There are so many psalms I love. Currently Ps 103 is on my heart. I've developed a digital prayer/music guide to 90 different psalms: https://www.mypsalm.org/
A happy and blessed 2024 to you!
Paul Dugan, San Luis Obispo, CA
And to you Paul!
I find that it depends on circumstances. Sometimes it's 139. Sometimes it's 90 with its sense of timelessness. And when everything has fallen apart, there is 88.
I also love the passages where the psalmist tells God to "wake up and come and help me." It's OK to complain to God.
Yes, depends on the day.
I have turned many times to Psalm 13. The first time I read it I realized I can complain to God, I can even tell him off, but in the end...I realize his love for me and all I have. I can eventually praise him again. The last two verses turn my heart back to him.
Psalm 84, closely followed by Psalm 89, partly because it's a maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. He only got to contribute one psalm, though it does go for 52 verses...
Psalm 27 is my favorite... I’ve had various troubles relating in my family, and “if my father or mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up” has been an anchor for teaching me to trust the Lord. The whole psalm has so much that I love - the image of being set in God’s tent high on a cliff above the enemies that would harm me, shouting aloud praises to God, trusting God as a shield and a rock, etc. I also have memorized psalm 23, as probably many others have, because we have a pond in our back yard and I particularly like the image of being led by still waters and seeing our pond as a gift from God.
Love Psalm 19 - especially from v 7 to end and Psalm 118
Psalm 77 and especially Psalm 46 in our time the way the geopolitical world is going with much uncertainty etc. Also every one should read NT Wrights book The Case for the Psalms. Even if you don’t understand or agree with Wright on some issues you can appreciate it much. Also read Martin Luthers introduction to all 150 Psalms. Excellent.
I don’t know to choose a favorite. It’s impossible.