Making God’s Word Personal
No matter what else you are studying
Years ago I began a practice that has made God’s Word deeply personal to me. On my birthday each year I read the Psalm that corresponds to the number of years I am celebrating. I have come to think of the Psalm as a birthday present from God!
After I read the Psalm, I weave it into my heart and mind in the coming months. I study it, learn about it, memorize parts or all of it, and write about it in my journal. The Psalm becomes deeply personal and meaningful in my life. God reveals so much to me about Himself through my study. As I approach my upcoming birthday, I cannot wait to read the next “birthday present from God.” Sometime I even peek ahead!
You can begin this practice to steep your soul, mind and heart in God’s Word in a unique way. Here are the steps to help you weave a Psalm into your life during the course of a year.
Read the Psalm slowly the first time to yourself. Read it out loud, several times. Read it at least once every week after that.
Read the Psalm in different translations. Note the different words in other translations. Pick a favorite translation and memorize the Psalm, or key verses from the Psalm that speak to your life.
Write your own initial impressions and observations about the Psalm. Digging deep into the Psalm will make you familiar with it.
Do you like it?
Is it comforting, or does it make you uncomfortable? Why?
What statements are made about God?
What statements are made about man?
Are there promises in the chapter? Write them down.
Are there warnings in the chapter? Write them down.
Does the chapter contain blessings or curses?
Are requests made to God?
Does the Psalm contain blessings and promises that you want for your life?
Learn about the Psalm. Find out who wrote it if possible) and the circumstances around the Psalm. Read the notes in the margin of your Bible to learn more.
Read commentary on the Psalm. You can find commentaries online. I suggest that you purchase one commentary in hard copy. This will enable you to read commentary from the same author every year.
Finally, note how you see the words or message of the Psalm play out in your life as you study it over time. Be patient. Sometimes you will very quickly see its relevance, while other years you will have to wait for it to unfold. But as you wait you will come to love the Psalm and its words will become precious to you. One day, you will read it and realize how it applies to your life. This has made me feel so close to God each succeeding year.
Here is one example from my life. I did not enjoy my year with Psalm 42. Verses such as “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? “ (42:5a) and “As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me’ (42:10) made me depressed and even anxious. The Psalm also had some lovely lines, but overall it made me nervous.
Late that year, I was diagnosed with aggressive, invasive breast cancer, and on the same day my husband lost his job. Suddenly the anxious words of the Psalm became real. But just as real were the jewels in it: “By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life” (42:8); “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” (42:11). Yes we were in a rough patch. But God was there, holding me close. Long before I knew this would happen, God knew, and had placed this Psalm in my heart for hope. I had studied it for months and now the words came to life, and they were full of comfort. I had a deep sense that this was not a surprise to God, that He knew, and that He was right beside us.
This is just one of dozens of examples that I could give you of how God has used this practice of studying the same Psalm for a year to speak to me in deep, personal ways. I have kept this practice for decades. Each year it encourages me in ways I can never anticipate. I encourage you to try weaving a Psalm into your life each year and experience the joy it brings.
Grace and peace,
Briane