HOW WE CHANGE
Worship comes from an old English word “worth-shape.” In other words, whatever we worship shapes us. Every single one of us struggles with idols of the heart. Idols cannot be destroyed, but they can be replaced. May the Lord replace our longing for human approval, or junk food, or control with Himself. The psalms will lead us to worship Christ, and in worshiping Him, we will find, to our amazement, our idols will be pushed off the throne, and we will find that we are shaped by Him, changed, conformed not to the ugly idols of this world, but to His image. We become beautiful, like Him. Filled with peace, joy, self-control, wisdom, and love.
This week we’ll be looking at an overview of some psalms that help us worship Christ and we’ll use what has become one of the favorite praise songs of this generation to help us worship as well: Shout to the Lord. It’s the first song on the CD in A Woman of Worship. It has a Spanish chorus in it as well, which I love for it helps me remember His Bride is from every tribe and nation, worshiping Him throughout the earth.
If you are just beginning with us, I suggest you take a question or two a day — respond to other people as you feel led, and be creative with your worship. Use the internet to find different versions of Shout to the Lord or Bible translations. Download a great sermon or worship music and walk outside. Let’s not just study worship — let’s do it. Then from the overflow of our hearts, we can strengthen one another.
Lord, I lift up each sojourner who is desirous of studying the psalms. I pray you would quicken her (or him!) and draw her to you. Give us hearts to worship you. I ask this in the name of the only One worthy of worship.
Start memorizing Shout to the Lord.
1. What old English word is the word worship derived from? What does this say to you?
2. My Jesus, My Savior implies a sweet intimate relationship with the Lord. How do you see that the psalmist had this in:
A. Psalm 116:1-2
B. Psalm 8:3-4
C. Share a time from the recent past when you were aware that the Lord was personally mindful of you.
2. Lord, There is None Like You
3. Meditate on Psalm 22 in which David describes a terrible time of suffering. Yet behind David is Christ, for this is a clear Messianic psalm. Find descriptions of what Jesus endured for you. Praise Him for this. Use music, if there is a song or hymn that helps you, share it.
My Comfort, My Shelter
Continue learning and singing Shout to the Lord
4. Describe the emotions of the psalmist in Psalm 18:1-6. Give references with your answer.
Eugine Peterson says often our prayers are “cut flower prayers,” lacking the passion we see in the psalms. They lack the passion we see in the psalms. What brings passion into our lives? I have found that it often comes through suffering — when we have to turn to the Lord and do so, with the kind of passion we see in Psalm 18. When, in time, we find He rescues us (though the rescue may be quite different than anticipated) we are filled with gratitude and again, our prayers have passion. Share one time when the Lord was “your comfort, your shelter.”
Mountains Bow Down and The Seas Will Road
5. Meditate on Psalm 18:7-19 and describe the images of God coming to the rescue.
Forever I’ll Stand
SING SHOUT TO THE LORD WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LYRICS
6.Derek Kidner reminds us that Psalm 18 is ultimately Messianic. With that in mind, look at Psalm 18:20-27. How do you see Him here?
7. In Psalm 18:29-50 list what God does that no one else can do.
8. What will you remember from this week’s lesson?
I was a hymn snob.
My original plan for The God of All Comfort was to base it solely on hymns. A good friend of mine heard me pontificating on why. “The best music is complex music. The 7/11 songs (seven words sung eleven times) bore me.”
Ann wrote me a dear and gracious letter which convicted me to the core. (The letter is in The God of All Comfort.) One sentence I particularly remember was “Dee: I know you would never criticize someone for praying simply. Why do you criticize the simple worship songs that stir peoples’ hearts?”
The next Sunday, my pastor, Mike Lano, preached on Ephesians 5:15-21, a passage we will look at thoughtfully for the next several days. He explained that the main point in this passage is:
I. Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) Then under that are the following evidences of being filled with the Spirit.
A. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. (v. 19)
B. Submit to one another. (v. 21)
Pastor Lano explained that we need all three kinds of music in a worship service, for each has its unique value. While the older people tend to prefer the hymns, they should submit to the younger people, and sing those spiritual songs with their hearts. While the younger people tend to prefer the spiritual songs, they should submit to the older people and sing the hymns with their minds.
I was convicted and converted from being a hymn snob. Truly, I have come to see the great value in beautiful simple worship songs — that the repetition can be a contemplative exercise, bringing us into the arms of God.
This group has been wonderful in suggesting all three kinds of music to one another, referring us to u-tube, writing out lyrics, and sharing how specific songs have touched their hearts. You have also listened well to each other’s musical suggestions.
Before you look at the questions, I want you to know you are ministering to some women who are in “high-tide grief.” Their grief is so fresh and deep, they are not ready to participate, but they are writing to me, and they are thanking me for you. Please pray for them and continue to keep them in mind. Many of you have been comforted by The God of All Comfort and are able to therefore comfort others going through any kind of trouble.
1. Meditate on Ephesians 5:15-21. Take it slowly, praying through it, asking the Lord to help you see it anew. Share what you are seeing.
2. For those of you who have The God of All Comfort, you can read about this more carefully in the close of the chapter Songs in the Night. Share anything that stands out to you.
3. Think about songs of lament and share your favorite psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of lament. This will minister to all of us, but especially to those in high tide grief.
4. What do you think this Ephesians passage says to churches that have a traditional service that is primarily hymns and a contemporary service that is primarily spiritual songs?
5. Why do you think music can be such a consolation? Why do you think singing is an evidence of being filled with the Spirit?
6. How do you need to be in submission to others in regard to music?