Tag: Psalms

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 6  Read: Ezekiel 6  Listen: (2:49)  Read: Romans 9 Listen: (5:15)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

This week of Readers’ Choice looks back at reflections on prayer and devotion.

Peter, Singapore — Thank you for the encouraging reminder that we “do not pray boldly based on our merit, but on the merit of Jesus.” Also, I loved seeing the ways these two Psalms are linked. God’s Word is so beautiful and intricate!

This post was originally published on February 3, 2026, based on readings from Psalm 20.6-9 and Psalm 21.1-5.

Reflection: Boldly Asked and Answered Prayers — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

Psalm 20 and 21 mirror each other. The poetic pairing includes the people’s intercessory prayer for the king going out to battle and the king’s prayer of praise to God when returning from battle. 

The requests in Psalm 20 are answered and celebrated in Psalm 21. We hear proclamations of faith in Psalm 20 and hear testimonies of God’s faithful provision in Psalm 21.

The people ask the Lord to answer, giving the king what he desires. (Ps 20.1, 4) The king praises God for granting his desire and hearing the prayer of his lips. (Ps 21.2)

The people proclaim that the Lord will give his anointed victory. (Ps 20.6, 9) The king joyfully praises the victory given by God. (Ps 21.1, 5)

The people proclaim that they trust in the Lord for victory, not in the king’s chariots or horses. (Ps 20.7) The king rejoices that victory came, not through his strength or armaments, but through the Lord’s strength. (Ps 21.1, 8-9)

These boldly asked and answered requests can inspire our prayers, but there is a difference between boldness and brashness. There are several keys to these bold prayers.

These prayers focus on God’s nature. God is our savior, provider, and the one who fights all the battles that matter. We can boldly appeal to God’s nature.

These prayers recall God’s promises. God’s promises to his children are sure, and we can boldly pursue them in prayer.

These prayers request God’s power for God’s purposes. These are not self-focused trivialities but God-focused priorities. We can boldly ask God to grant his power to accomplish the purposes he calls us to.

These prayers embrace confession and humility. The king does not ride out to war in pride or self-righteousness. He rides out smelling of sacrifices and burnt offerings after confessing his and the nation’s sins and throwing his hopes on God’s mercy. We do not pray boldly based on our merit, but on the merit of Jesus.

Kings and priests were anointed with oil, symbolically pointing forward to Jesus, the ultimate anointed one. The gospel is the announcement of Jesus’ victory, which is for us and all who respond to the gospel. We are Jesus’ “anointed ones,” and he anoints us with the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray boldly, confessing our sins and our nation’s sins, sacrificing self-sufficiency, calling on God’s promises, and raising up a banner to call all people to join us in repentance and victory.

Prayer for the week:

We are taking a break from the Divine Hours Prayers this month. Each week, we will pray a prayer from Scripture or Christian history related to the week’s theme. This week’s prayer is related to our theme of prayer and devotion:

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits Thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly, day by day. Amen. — Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)

Read more: Praying for Rain

Elijah and James encourage us to keep planting seeds of truth in a drought and pray for rain.  Watch for clouds…that show that God’s Spirit is moving

Praying for Rain

Readers’ Choice is Here!

This month, we reshare your favorite Park Forum posts from this year. There’s still room for more. Tell us about one we should include.

What posts helped you pray?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 2  Read: Ezekiel 2  Listen: (1:38)  Read: Romans 5 Listen: (3:53)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Oct 3  Read: Ezekiel 3  Listen: (4:41)  Read: Romans 6 Listen: (3:28)
Oct 4  Read: Ezekiel 4  Listen: (2:56)  Read: Romans 7 Listen: (4:09)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

John Tillman, TX — To kick off this year’s Readers’ Choice, I want to start with a personal favorite: the “Songs of Ascent Playlist” series. Usually Erin and I work independently on whatever scripture comes up on our particular day. However, when all fifteen of the psalms of ascent landed within the five days of one week, it felt like a providential opportunity to do something thematic. Yesterday, I reposted the first one, which introduced the series, and today, I’m reposting one of Erin’s devotionals from the series. I’ve also added links to the other four at the end.

This post was originally published on July 29, 2026, based on readings from Psalm 126:1-2, Psalm 127:1-2, and Psalm 128:1-2.

Reflection: Songs of Ascent Playlist – Joy Chose You — Readers’ Choice

By Erin Newton

These three psalms of ascent are mountain peak songs: the rescue is complete; the singer arises out of the valleys of despair and enjoys the glories of restoration.

Laughing and dreaming—the scene probably looks like Maria twirling and singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” It’s pure joy. It’s not only restoration of finances, but also of the soul.

Psalm 127 is the disclaimer amid the hill-frolicking joy. Restored fortunes, restored joy only lasts if it’s built by the Lord.

Finally, Psalm 128 returns to the restoration of blessings.

Restoration plus the Lord equals blessedness.

For those who were reading and singing these songs after the exile or during their routine visits and escapes from everyday duties, taking time for joy is spiritual discipline.

“Count your blessings” is said as a reproof for not being grateful. In other ways, it can be a good reminder to acknowledge the goodness of life here and now.

Donna Ashworth wrote a poem called “Joy Chose You,” which highlights the rarity of joy. Two lines help us here:

             “Joy does not arrive with a fanfare
            on a red carpet strewn
            with the flowers of a perfect life…

             … joy is supposed to slither through
            the cracks of your imperfect life…”

Whenever someone compliments our kids’ behavior or our relationship, my husband and I exchange a calm and knowing smile. Through fire and by God’s grace—that is the only answer we can give them. Like the psalmists here, we have been rescued (this time at least and in this area) so we have been granted moments of restoration and now we worship.

Have you taken time to count your blessings? Do you stop for a moment to acknowledge where God has restored you?

Admittedly, there are still many broken pieces in my life. I am still praying for a way out, a helping hand, an ease to a burden, but so far those are still unanswered.

The songs of ascent remind us that life is not just one mountain to climb but a series of peaks and valleys. We are not on a linear path from rescue to worship; it’s an ebb and flow, an up and down, an ascent and descent.

But here, now, let joy slither into the cracks of your imperfect life. Donna Ashworth says “joy chose you,” and I believe that “our God of joy chose you.”

Songs of Ascent series:

• From War to Peace, by John Tillman
• From Badlands to Highlands, by John Tillman
• Joy Chose You, by Erin Newton
• Songs in the Dark, by John Tillman
• Unity Tour, by Erin Newton

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Come now and see the works of God, how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people. — Psalm 66.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Songs of Ascent Playlist – Songs in the Dark

In your “playlist” of prayers, you need songs that cry out, “How long, O Lord? Even if your back has never been plowed with furrows, others’ backs have been.

Songs of Ascent Playlist – Songs in the Dark

Readers’ Choice is Here!

There’s still room to include your favorite. Tell us about a post we should share again.
What posts helped you pray?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 1  Read: Ezekiel 1 Listen: (4:47)   Read: Romans 4 Listen: (4:08)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

John Tillman, TX — To kick off this year’s Readers’ Choice, I want to start with a personal favorite: the “Songs of Ascent Playlist” series. Usually Erin and I work independently on whatever scripture comes up on our particular day. However, when all fifteen of the psalms of ascent landed within the five days of one week, it felt like a providential opportunity to do something thematic. I’ll repost the first one today because it introduces the concept and series, but I’ll add links to the other four at the end and put one of Erin’s devotionals from the series on tomorrow.

This post was originally published on July 27, 2026, based on readings from Psalms 120, 121, and 122.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 120.5-7

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, 
that I live among the tents of Kedar! 
6 Too long have I lived 
among those who hate peace. 
7 I am for peace; 
but when I speak, they are for war. 

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— 
where does my help come from? 
2 My help comes from the Lord, 
the Maker of heaven and earth. 
3 He will not let your foot slip— 
he who watches over you will not slumber; 
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel 
will neither slumber nor sleep. 
5 The Lord watches over you— 
the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 
6 the sun will not harm you by day, 
nor the moon by night. 
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— 
he will watch over your life; 
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going 
both now and forevermore. 

Psalm 122.6-9

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 
“May those who love you be secure. 
7 May there be peace within your walls 
and security within your citadels.” 
8 For the sake of my family and friends, 
I will say, “Peace be within you.” 
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, 
I will seek your prosperity.

Songs of Ascent Playlist — From War to Peace — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

Fifteen “Songs of Ascent” follow Psalm 119. What are they?

Federico Villanueva (Asia Bible Commentary) highlights two theories. One says they were sung by worshipers “ascending” the steep roads to Jerusalem’s temple. Another says they were sung by post-exile Jews, struggling up the metaphorically steep path to resettlement. These explanations do not rule one another out and probably are both true.

The Psalms scroll is carefully edited and assembled. Human artistry and divine inspiration were partners not just in writing these poems but in curating and arranging them. These fifteen songs of ascent are a divine playlist of rescue, restoration, and worship.

Would you arrange a playlist of songs by date of release or alphabetically? Probably not, unless your only purpose was historical. Playlists are arranged for different reasons.

During one break from college, I made a “mix-tape” for the girl who is now my wife. I didn’t arrange the songs alphabetically or by release date. I arranged them so that each song added to the message that I loved her and (even though I wasn’t quite ready to ask) wanted to marry her. My father drove me back to college. During the three-hour drive, we listened to the tape. He picked up on the message and asked. “Son, are you trying to tell this girl something?”

These psalms of Hebrew poetry were gathered, curated, and assembled post-exile to tell us something. They tell us how God’s people, despite their sins and distress, are still wooed and welcomed by God, back into his presence.

Appropriately, this story begins with lament in Psalm 120. If you are ascending to a high place, you start from a low place. The singer of Psalm 120 is in a low place, captured among those hungry for war, and far from the peace of God’s temple.

Psalm 121 lifts our heads to our destination and source of help and hope. We do not rely on the strength of our legs to make this climb. God will not let us slip.

Psalm 122 celebrates the enduring hope still ahead of us—the peace of God that is beyond understanding and beyond this world.

Whatever low place you are at, God’s love calls you to ascend. Wherever you are in your ascent, keep your eyes on the heights to come. No matter how war clamors around us, peace is coming to drown it out.

Keep singing. And keep climbing.

Songs of Ascent series:

• From War to Peace, by John Tillman
• From Badlands to Highlands, by John Tillman
• Joy Chose You, by Erin Newton
• Songs in the Dark, by John Tillman
• Unity Tour, by Erin Newton

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name. — Psalm 97.2

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Songs of Ascent Playlist — From Badlands to Highlands

Every trip to the temple was a lowercase “exodus” from life’s daily enslavements…seek freedom and forgiveness at the mountain of God.

Songs of Ascent Playlist — From Badlands to Highlands

Read more: Songs of Ascent Playlist – Unity Tour

The psalmist reflects on the diverse and varied community that had taken the trek up to Jerusalem, those who ascended the mountain together.

Songs of Ascent Playlist – Unity Tour

Links for today’s readings:

Aug 5  Read: Isaiah 65 Listen: (5:00) Read: Psalms 142-143 Listen: (2:35)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 143:8

8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.

Reflection: Two-Item Wishlist

By Erin Newton

In 1 Kings 19, there is a story of an exhausted and downtrodden prophet, Elijah. Fleeing from Ahab and Jezebel, who sought to kill him, he cries out to God, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.” But he lies down and falls asleep. An angel wakes him to say, “Get up and eat.” So he eats the divinely supplied bread and water…then goes back to bed. The nap and meal repeat a second time, finally restoring Elijah with energy and hope for the next task.

When decisions seem overwhelming, we often suggest someone should “sleep on it.” We might even cry ourselves to sleep during times of deep sadness. Cranky children are told to take a nap. Our sluggish thinking and snippy attitudes are blamed on a bad night of sleep.

We know that sleep is good for us. But what about the hope of the coming morning? Isn’t that sometimes even more encouraging?

I love this verse for the fact that the night is still assumed. The psalmist is weary from his or her day. Maybe she is existentially exhausted (a phrase I’ve used just this past week). Maybe he is being wrongfully accused or purposely bullied.

Psalm 143.8 is a sigh of resignation—resigned hope that things are not okay right now, that night is coming no matter what, but that the sunrise brings new possibilities. Maybe I’ll feel the love of God tomorrow.

I try to begin my days asking God to make himself known to me, especially when I wake up knowing it will be full of dreaded appointments, hard conversations, and unmet expectations. When I drove to the high-risk pregnancy doctor back in 2016, my only prayer was that I would feel God’s presence in that room. That would sustain me. That would be enough to help me endure.

The psalmist asks for two things: Let me know you love me. Show me what to do. We could live our whole lives just asking God for these two things. A two-item wishlist.

The two requests also function fairly well alone. I can rest in God’s love for me when I do not know what to do or where to go. I can also do what God calls me to do with gritted teeth, not feeling God’s love very clearly at that moment.

When the next sunrise comes, ask God for these two things—love and guidance.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good and to those who are true of heart. — Psalm 125.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Unprecedented Spirit

The very Spirit promised in Joel and poured out in Acts is a deposit, a guarantee, of the inheritance God has for each of us in Christ.

Unprecedented Spirit

Read more: When Celebrating Earthly Kingdoms

No matter our country or party, by echoing jingoistic patriotic divisiveness we risk diluting the gospel of Christ.

When Celebrating Earthly Kingdoms