Ligon Duncan speaking at the Sing Conference - 6 Great Themes in Psalms

Summary

The Psalms teach us how to worship God through various themes such as hope, God's goodness, His power, and the importance of constant worship. They remind us that worship is not dependent on circumstances, and even in times of despair, we can call on God. The Psalms emphasize that God is the center of everything, and that everything in life serves to praise Him. They also encourage us to express all our emotions in worship, acknowledging both joy and sorrow as integral parts of our relationship with God.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Psalms teach us how to worship God, describing acts of worship and embodying attitudes of reverence and joy.
• 😀 The Psalms are filled with hope, encouraging us to keep going even when life is tough and we feel overwhelmed.
• 😀 God's goodness is a central theme in the Psalms, reminding us that the Lord is good in all He does.
• 😀 The Psalms teach that God hears and answers His people, offering rescue and grace to those in need.
• 😀 The Psalms reveal the amazing power of God, highlighting His unique deeds and greatness.
• 😀 We can call on God from anywhere, even in our deepest despair, and He is always present to hear us.
• 😀 The Psalms remind us that it is always time to worship, no matter the circumstances.
• 😀 Worship is not just for times of joy but is essential even in the darkest moments of life, as seen in Job's and Margaret's stories.
• 😀 The Psalms emphasize that God is the center of everything, and our lives are meant to glorify Him, not ourselves.
• 😀 Everything in life is meant to serve God's praise, and His good purposes will ultimately prevail, turning even evil into something that serves His plan.
• 😀 Our feelings, including despair and hopelessness, must be reckoned with and expressed in worship, as shown in Psalm 88.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Psalms as discussed in the script?

The Psalms are primarily focused on worship, teaching us how to worship God, expressing attitudes and feelings of worship, reverence, and joy.

What is one key theme found in the Psalms according to the script?

One key theme in the Psalms is hope, providing encouragement for those who are struggling, reminding them that joy comes in the morning after sorrow.

How does the script describe the importance of God's goodness in the Psalms?

The script emphasizes that God's goodness is central to the Psalms, as demonstrated in the story of Dianne Sartell, who, despite great tragedy, declared 'The Lord is good in all He does.'

How does the Psalms teach us about God's responsiveness to our prayers?

The Psalms teach that God hears and answers His people, with verses like Psalm 72:12 reminding us that God will rescue those in need when they cry out to Him.

What does the script say about God's power as reflected in the Psalms?

The script highlights that God's power is incomparable, with the Psalms praising God's deeds as amazing, acknowledging that no one can match His might.

What does the script mean when it says that we can call on God from anywhere?

The Psalms teach that we can call on God no matter where we are, even from the depths of despair, as seen in Psalm 130, which encourages us to cry out to God from any situation.

How is worship emphasized in the Psalms according to the script?

The script stresses that it is always time to worship, using examples like Job, who worshiped God even after losing everything, and Margaret, who sang the doxology while grieving the loss of her son.

What application does the script offer about the role of God in our lives?

The script teaches that God is the center of everything, and our lives are meant to serve His glory, not our own desires or achievements.

How does the script describe the purpose of everything in life?

Everything in life is meant to serve the praise of God, and the script highlights that all things, even those that seem evil or unjust, will ultimately bow to God's purposes.

What does the script say about expressing feelings in worship?

The script encourages expressing even the darkest feelings in worship, as seen in Psalm 88, where the psalmist voices complete despair. The Psalms affirm that all emotions, even despair, are valid in our worship of God.