Are we losing the next generation? This question weighs heavily on the minds of parents. We often turn to our own methods to "win the children." But God cares far more about our hearts! He has given us instructions about how to help them love Him and follow Him. Psalm 78 shows the importance of telling the next generation about the wonderful works of God and His faithfulness through our failings.

Have you ever had so much on your mind you couldn't sleep? Asaph felt that way when he was overwhelmed by his troubles. We can relate. But by the end of the Psalm, Asaph is praising God. He focused on God's powerful salvation. In sorrow, when we look inward, we sink deeper into discouragement. Remember God's powerful salvation when overwhelmed by your troubles, and find confidence in Him again.

We were made to worship. We are often wowed by the things around us, people, and new inventions. Our eyes, thoughts, and tastes are drawn to things that are powerful. We can also look at the world around us and greatly fear the magnificent or the unknown. Psalm 76 describes God’s majesty over His people, His enemies, and all of heaven and earth. Asaph summarizes the song with a call to worship.

Have you had a stiff neck? It hurts. A "stiff neck" is a metaphor in Scripture - often referencing an animal that resists its master with stubborn pride. We treat God similarly at times, unwilling to yield to Him. God is judge, so we must humble ourselves before Him with thankfulness. Psalm 75 serves as a "quiz" of sorts to test our hearts and reveal whether we are truly humble before our Judge.

God's people lament as the temple burns to the ground. Hope is lost, God seems far away, and the enemy threatens to destroy them. On top of that, it was Israel's unrepentance that led to this destruction. God warned them. Maybe you can relate, watching your hopes burn to the ground at the hands of evil, maybe a result of your own evil deeds. Psalm 74 reminds us to look to our King of Salvation.

Things we see in the world around us are at times, troubling. As we work hard to do what's right, we struggle to make ends meet while those who cut corners seem to gain wealth easily! Those set on evil seem to be winning! Such observations tempt us with envy and doubt. Feelings are not new to God's people. In Psalm 73, Asaph, who went through this, teaches us what to do when we are slipping.

Desires can be strong. We want something so badly; we feel it in our bones. Some of these desires are broken by the Fall. But some of these desires reflect the image of God in us. Often, we waste our lives trying to satisfy our desires with the things of this life. Studying Psalm 72, we learn to set our affection on the Perfect King Solomon longs for in David's line, King Jesus and His Kingdom.

We are all getting older. Aging is not an easy process. In the first years of our life, we gain strength and stature. But as our physical strength diminishes, we can grow strong in other ways. Psalm 71 is the prayer of a strong believer. Sure, he was physically weak, but he prayed with strong confidence in God. There's a lot we can learn from the prayers of mature saints, confident in the Lord.

I still love to hear stories of honorable acts of bravery against all odds. Yet, our lives often look different than these moments of valor in the lives of our heroes. Often, we find ourselves at the end of our resources searching for help. In Psalm 70, David is pinned down by his enemies and calls on the Lord. Today, we know we must battle the war against Satan, our flesh, and our fear of death.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Keep your head above water.” This saying is often used when someone is struggling to pay the bills or to accomplish all their work. In Psalm 69, we watch as the Davidic King can’t keep his head above water. He’s suffering and he’s sinking. You may be suffering now; we will all suffer at some point. See how to lament to God when you are suffering and need saving.

We love celebrations. But sometimes in life, it seems as if there's less and less to celebrate! It can be easy to get discouraged and lose our joy. Psalm 68 calls us to celebrate, and it reminds us why we celebrate. God is a victorious warrior. He wins. He defeats every enemy and reigns supreme over every kingdom.

You've probably asked God to bless you. That's exactly what the Psalmist does in Psalm 67 - "God, be merciful to us and bless us..." Is it ok to ask God for things? Maybe! Psalm 67 teaches us that the reason we ask is important. The goal of all our requests to God should be God's glory. Or, as it’s stated in Psalm 67, that all people would praise the Lord.

In Psalm 66, the Psalmist calls everyone to turn their eyes to the Lord and to worship Him. We worship God because He deserves it, but something amazing happens to us at the same time. As God gets "bigger" in our hearts or circumstances, the opinions of people, and our fears get smaller and smaller. Come, and worship God!

When we remember God's presence and provision, we find contentment. That's exactly what David does in Psalm 65. Find contentment in the worship of God's perfect provision and learn to praise the God Who answers prayer with abundant satisfaction.

In Psalm 64, David compares hurtful words to deadly arrows. His enemies use their words to tear him down, incite violence, and even scheme for his demise. David is afraid. As he turns to the Lord and asks for help, he remembers Who is truly in charge and rejoices in that truth.

Dry, barren, parched, empty, dead. These descriptions of a physical wilderness can feel all-too-real in our spiritual lives as well. As we follow David's example in Psalm 63, we learn to seek God for satisfaction that overflows in worship.

When the sources of stability in our lives begin to shake, we shake right along with them. That's why David encourages us, in Psalm 62, to steady our souls on God alone. He only is our rock and salvation.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed and far from God, then Psalm 61 is for you. Here, David feels far from God. He cries "from the end of the earth!" Not only that, his "heart is overwhelmed." Yet He asks God to lead him to the rock that is higher than him.

David felt broken and abandoned. Yet through the course of this Psalm, David remembers God's Word and renews his confidence in God. By God's word, David goes from despair to confidence! When you feel broken and abandoned, renew your confidence in God.

In Psalm 59, David is being stalked by evil men who want to take his life, and he compares them to dogs who prowl and growl through the night. Yet David looks to God. Consider how we, when stalked by evil, look to the God of steadfast love to be our strength and fortress.