One A Week Psalm Project

Psalm 41

What might the story of this Psalm tell us?

- A person who is desperate to be accepted by God?

- A person who desperately hopes he has made the right decision?

- A person who is looking for guidance? for guidance from God?

The Psalms are a story, a story of the life lived, the thoughts thunk, the desires and fears expressed, from a series of players. The experiences of people who lived, were kings, workers, farmers, had families, friends, enemies, struggles and joys…

The Psalms are a story, stories of lives lived, thought thunk, desires and fears expressed from David and others who lived. Farmers, king, royality, artists, leaders, followers, people hunted, lauded, those with friends, family, those who were on show, those who needed to hide…

One A Week Psalm Project

Psalm 40

Layers upon layer.

The layers of colour build up, some parts turning to brown because of the mix of colours, some completely hidden, some just slightly peaking through.

It’s not as pretty as the beginnings when there are less colours interacting, and there’s less going on but it has a greater weight with the layers. It feels more substantial. Maybe that’s just justification for something that didn’t quite work. But I also don’t think it’s untrue.

The layers build depth even if they end up being hidden. The bits that are scratched off offer a tiny glimpse underneath. The white over the top highlights the peaks and shallows.

One A Week Psalm Project

Psalm 39

Ps 39:5 Everyone’s life is but a breath.

What does it mean to live with this understanding?

Ps 39:12-13

For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.

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The silence I long for and seek takes away from other things I could be doing. A constant question is how do I determine what is worthwhile to spend my time on?

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Creative reflections

One A Week Psalm Project

Ps 36

Thankfully no one is out to get me in quite the way they were David.

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The middle part of the Psalms is beautiful but almost hidden away amongst everything else.

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The process of spiritual disciplines is the process of training yourself to be aware of what’s happening within and around you.

And then training yourself not to allow this to become an anxiety loop of ultra awareness.

Ps 35

One A Week Psalm Project

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Sometimes silence is loud and overwhelming.

Today it is soft and soothing.

My window offers interesting observations about the changing seasons and it is far more engaging.

This Psalm is long.

I feel some of the anger of the Psalm today.

Ps 34

One A Week Psalm Project

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Vrs 10

The Lord is good.

No-one is good except the Lord,

those who seek the Lord

lack no good thing.

Psalm 33

One A Week Psalm Project

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Ps 33:16-17

What are the ‘vain hopes’ we put our trust in?

Am I putting vain hope in myself? In my abilities? In others? In job choice/s?In dreams? In the chance and change of work / life / home / security / health?

How can I more fully put my trust in God?

Through this project I feel I am learning to listen, in particular, to my body.

But learning to listen is useless without the ability to then take steps that are needed as a result of the listening.  

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The silence of those around me

The silence of music

The silence of focusing

The silence of making

The silence of meditation

The silence of prayer

The silence of driving

The silence of walking

The silence of gardening

The silence of wind

The silence of listening

The silence of reading

The silence of contemplation

The silence of doing the dishes

The silence of thinking

The silence of the day

The silence of others walking

The silence of others being around

The silence of patting the cat

The silence of the night

The silence of rain

Psalm 32

One A Week Psalm Project

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