The Psalms make up a powerful book of the Bible that impacts us all in many ways and on many levels. Why is it that this book tends to draw us deep into places of the heart that can transform how we view situations and our lives?
First and foremost, it is God’s Word. We all know, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). We also know that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). But what is it about the Psalms that make them unique?
The unique character of the Psalms is that it is an entire book devoted to God as the audience. All of the Psalms are written to God, or about God. Yes, the entire Bible is focused on revealing the glory of God and His Son Jesus. The fact that we are reading a poetical book that drips with God’s glory, His goodness, His faithfulness, and the author’s emotions, however, is unique in how it helps us relate to God.
Finally, the raw and vulnerable emotions the authors display when they speak with God are unparalleled. They hold nothing back; they pull no punches. They empty their hearts before a holy God, trusting that they are safe and welcome to do so. It’s in these moments that I know I can open my heart and pour out my life to God knowing I am welcome.
These points, and many others, make the Psalms stand out to us, drawing us in for times of devotion and study. To help us in this area of utilizing the Psalms for devotions, I wanted to point out the ESV Devotional Psalter, a new product from Crossway.
The ESV Devotional Psalter is a tremendous book that is perfect to use during our times with the Lord. As I share more about this, let me dive a bit into the details of what makes this particular book special.
I love the look of the book. The pages are an off-white, antique color that gives you a sense of the book’s depth and history. The text is written in black in a highly readable font. most The beautiful part of this book, however, is that the title (Psalm 1, Psalm 2, etc.) and the verses are in a burgundy that really makes the text pop.
The content is just right for devotions, as it contains all 150 Psalms with a devotional after each one. It highlights an aspect of the Psalm it corresponds with and helps us to dive a bit deeper into the text.
Truth be told, when I showed my wife, she raved about it and brought it to her women’s ministry to show all of the women. They loved it!
I highly recommend this book and think it is perfect for your devotional times. Honestly, it’s also a great gift for a friend, child, spouse, ministry leader, or a complete stranger. The ESV Devotional Psalter will allow you to dig deep into God’s Word and help you truly encounter God by engaging with the Psalms.
You can find out more information on the ESV Devotional Psalter by going to Crossway.org.
Cory lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife and 3 beautiful children. He loves getting to serve local churches and pastors in his role with Salem Church Products.
