Why the Book of Psalms Is for You - Your Daily Bible Verse - March 28

Why the Book of Psalms Is for You
By Dane C. Ortlund

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”  –Psalm 1:1-2

The Psalms Speak to Our Humanness

The Psalms are not written for the experts. They’re written for ordinary Christians leading ordinary lives—lives that are marked by depression, discouragement, despair, frustration, or maybe even numbness toward God or anger toward others. Deep disappointment with the way life is unfolding, guilt, a sense of shame—the Psalms address these pervasive, universal human realities and concerns.

The Psalms engage directly, explicitly, and repeatedly with such things. So, the Psalms are going to help you live the Christian life. That’s what they’re there for! And they'll help you live in a way that is trusting in the Lord and mindful of his goodness, even in the darkness that we are often walking through.

Why the Book of Psalms Is for You from Crossway on Vimeo.

Reflect on today’s verse with us. Share your thoughts in the Your Daily Bible Verse discussion on the Crosswalk Forum. 

Photo credit: Unsplash/alabaster_co

Editor’s Note: This post is adapted from “ESV Devotional Psalter” by Dane C. Ortlund. It originally appeared on Crossway.org; used with permission. All rights reserved.

Related Resource: Praying Through Psalms 60: Victory in Hopeless Ground

What do you do when the battlefield stretches in every direction, and it looks like God Himself brought the defeat?

Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for a devotional on Psalm 60 — a raw, honest lament born out of being surrounded on all sides, where David dares to say You did this, God — and still picks up the banner and calls Him Lord.

Jaime unpacks the historical backdrop of David fighting enemies to the north, east, and south all at once, and shares a breathtaking story from her years near Death Valley — where barren, salt-crusted flats that look permanently dead suddenly erupted into a once-in-a-century bloom of purple wildflowers. Sometimes the victory is already buried right beneath the most hopeless-looking ground, waiting for God's rain to bring it to life. If this episode helps you navigate life with prayer and intention, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!