Here are some ideas we have put together so that you can explore some of the themes Psalm 145 talks about. This psalm of praise, attributed to David, is written as an acrostic poem, with each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The psalm encourages us to remind each other of God’s qualities from one generation to another. You are welcome to think and pray about these questions in any way you wish. You may like to write or draw a creative response to

‘My power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12: 9 I have been thinking about this verse from the Apostle Paul, and what life as a disabled person tells me about it. I experience weakness all the time. My limits of energy, whether physical, mental and emotional, are always with me. Pain and exhaustion are my ‘reward’ for any kind of activity. I have lots of ideas and dreams and goals, but never enough resources for them. This is frustrating, and I am often tempted to

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (ESV) This month we have been exploring Psalm 40. It is a psalm which remembers God’s goodness to us, and particularly how He is here for us in our inevitable times of trouble. Attributed to David, the psalmist shows humility throughout, acknowledging God’s help and generosity for rescuing him. David, God’s chosen leader of Israel, with the wealth and power that position must have brought, describ

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6 (ESV) During July we explored Psalm 12 together. This is a psalm that laments the lack of justice and basic decency in society, complaining strongly that the good people have vanished, leaving the greedy and the selfish to rule. The psalmist despairs at the lies and deceit that seem to be everywhere, and the arrogance of those who are only interested in thems

During June, we were exploring Psalm 121. It is one of the psalms that is described as the ‘songs of ascents’. These particular psalms would come into their own during times of pilgrimage. As a community would travel together, perhaps to the temple in Jerusalem for example, they would sing these songs together, reminding each other of the goodness of God, and why they were making pilgrimage together in the first place. As we talked, we imagined lifting up our eyes as a comm

"Hear my cry, O God Listen to my prayer..." Psalm 61:1 ESV Throughout May we were exploring Psalm 61. It has been described as ‘The Psalm of the Exile’. It is set, like several others we have looked at, at a time when David is fleeing from people who are after his life. He is far way from everyone and everything that he loves. He cries out to his God from ‘the end of the earth’, and remembering how God has been with him in the past gives him faith that his cries will be liste

For those of us with chronic illness, it can be a challenge to know our worth. Identity often includes achievements, a job or a role. When we have to give up everything we used to do, it can be a painful grieving process. It can also open us up to judgement from society, which values productivity over being, and also over well-being. Society equates productivity, success, achievement and independence with worth. People with no visible productivity are often seen as useless an

"Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck." Psalm 69:1 ESV Recently we have been exploring Psalm 69 together. This psalm sees David sinking ‘up to his neck’ in trouble and wondering when (and if…) God might turn up and help! When reading the psalm, it is not difficult to imagine the pain David must have been feeling. Standing up for what is good and true has resulted in betrayal, ruin and ridicule from near and far. Where is God in all this? One thing we appre

“I will ponder the way that is blameless"... from 102:2 (ESV) During February we were exploring Psalm 101 together. This psalm gives us a fascinating look at what kingship looks like, with much to say to us today about good and wise leadership of any form. David immediately sets out the issues that are the most important to him. Looking through different translations of Verse 1 we find these are displayed in words such as mercy, grace, love, kindness and justice. God’s ju

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 (ESV) During January we were exploring Psalm 23 together. Undoubtedly one of the most well-known psalms, it has been a source of comfort and inspiration to its readers and hearers throughout the centuries. One of the interesting things we noticed straight away is in the very first few words. The Lord, in other psalms, is described as ‘the king of glory’