One of my favourite books is “How to read the Bible for all its worth” by Gordon Fee.
I watched a video clip on some highlights of his teaching how to do this. One question he asked in this clip I thought was profound. And that was in regards to how can we say the Psalms are Gods words; when they were in fact words that were expressed from people towards God.
It’s through working through questions like this; that we can then understand what we mean by Scripture being Gods word for us today. Through the Psalms we learn it is OK to express our emotions to God about the circumstances we find ourselves going through…
They are a personal record of ones spiritual journey and walk with the Lord… take the differences between psalm 10 and 23 for instance… both written by the same person.
Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
and
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. ESV
True faith is a journey in which we can freely express our joy; doubts; and question life and in doing so be drawn back into the goodness of God.
