Curious Psalms

Rachel Timms is back on the podcast to talk about Psalm 68. Matt and Rachel discuss the “gusto” and triumphant confidence of the psalm, the kinds of people God leads and rescues and how this Psalm points us to collective experiences of God’s goodness. Plus, some brief parenting reflections at the end!

In this episode, Grant Sork returns for a conversation about Psalm 67. Matt and Grant discuss the plea that is a part of requesting God’s blessing and the way that that can help us pray for our neighbor. They also explore the ways that this Psalm helps us think about God choosing people and the prayerful questions we might want to ask coming out of this psalm. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

A programming note: Due to summer schedules and vacation, we’ll be taking a couple of weeks off, returning in July.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Kevin Adams joins Matt to talk about Psalm 66. They discuss the placement of the Psalm, the relationship between abundance and discipline and how we might imaginatively enter the reality that we are always praying in community. All while in a very warm room - they are committed! Enjoy this conversation.

On this episode, Amy Langle returns to explore Psalm 65 with Matt. This Psalm leads them to some fascinating conversations about confidence in God and the challenge of many of the Psalms’ emphasis on physical blessings. It’s a far-ranging conversation, but we trust you’ll enjoy hearing two people thinking out loud.

On this episode, Dolly Leedy returns to join Matt in discussing (more) enemies in Psalm 64. They talk about the way we see our own world in the Psalm, how we might see ourselves in the enemy and how the polarity of the Psalms encourages us to pray for God's help in becoming righteous. And that's just a taste of the conversation - enjoy this episode!

In this episode, Matt reads through a series of Psalms often associated with Holy Week and Easter, providing prompts for prayer and reflection along the way. In other words, you're invited to join us in not only reading and thinking about the Psalms, but praying them.

Praying you have a rich and meaningful Holy Week.

On this episode, Dave Roylance joins the fun as he and Matt discuss Psalm 63. They talk about this “foxhole prayer” and its unique, even love-poem-like tendencies, the ways God is seen as one who is constant and caring, and the ways this Psalm invites us to realign our longings and have confidence in addressing him. There’s a lot in this episode - enjoy!

On this episode, Aaron Antoon joins Matt to discuss Psalm 62. They talk about the phrase “how long…” and the rich idea of refuge as well as the ways this Psalm invites us to bring our full, relationally complex selves to singing this Psalm together.

Speaking of singing, here is a link to Aaron’s version of Psalm 62, entitled “Oh My Soul” where you can hear some of his reflections embodied in this beautiful version. Enjoy!

On this episode, Diann Kalsbeek joins Matt to explore Psalm 61. They talk about the Psalm’s reminder of God’s availability to us, even when we may be struggling to pray, of the gift of escape that God offers us and the ways that we are in fact at our safest in relationship with God. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

On this episode, Olivia Giles joins Matt to talk about Psalm 60. They discuss (debate even!) the tone of the opening verses of the Psalm and discuss the ways it helps us understand God’s covenant and victory. They also reflect on an invitation to resilient prayer in this Psalm and the ways our helplessness drives us to prayer. Enjoy this conversation!