Painted Picture

Psalms

Explain how they all tie in. All the series that is.

What is the heart?

How would you describe a heart to someone?

What is something you “love with all your heart?”

IT is said that who you are in your heart is reflected by what you put out.

Proverbs 27:19 ESV

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

But the heart is not always something that is cheerful and loving.

We associate heart with good feelings

We associate it with love

Sometimes what the heart is feeling is pain. Suffering. Heartache.

This is why people have trust issues right?

Show of hands, how many of you find it easy to trust?

In Proverbs, we see instruction on why we can’t.

Proverbs 3:5–8 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

EXPLAIN

Why am I explaining the heart?

Well...

The book is Psalms is a collection of works from various writers who are expressing a form a worship that comes from the heart.

We’ve done this before and we always get unfortunate results, but what kinds of music do you guys like?

Imagine these Psalms like Music. Each song tells a story. Each song is meant to make you feel something. Some songs are meant to make you feel joy and happiness.

Some songs are meant to make you feel sad and lonely.

Some songs are meant to provoke anger and frustration.

The Psalms are meant to express worship.

The Psalms are the sane way.

There are...

Some of lamentation.

Some of cheering.

Some of prayers.

But all of them reflect what was going on in the heart of the Psalmist during the time the Psalm was being written.

If you have your Bibles, turn to Psalm 51

Psalm 51 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

BREAK DOWN PSALM AS YOU READ