In our hymn of preparation, we heard the familiar words: Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life; Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty. Teach me faith and duty. Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life. While the hymn writer and evangelist, Philip Bliss, was speaking about the fullness of the scriptures, these words can be applied to the book of psalms just as faithfully. Today we begin our summer sermon series titled aptly Wonderful Words of Life. Over the next eight weeks, we will hear from a variety of voices and texts coming from the books of poetry and wisdom in the Bible. Just like hymns, the Psalms teach us about faith. I love the Psalms because they speak about God’s good and perfect will for creation. But more than that, the psalms model a healthy way to interact with God—a way that is contrary to the line of thinking that proclaims that God only desires bling obedience and not true relationship. The psalms dispel the myth that God is angry, distant, and partly unconcerned. In the voice of the psalmists and our own life experience, we see a God who loves, cares, and wills good for all creation.

The psalms remind us that the life of faith is not a daily attempt to appease a God who is intent on destroying us. This idea may be popular in some corners, but it is simply not faithful to the Holy Scriptures. Throughout the Bible and particularly in the Psalms, we see the fullness of human emotion and interaction with God—not an angry God—as some believe—but a loving God. A God who brought creation into being. A God who was pained each time creation chose to follow its own way and forsook relationship with the divine. A God who continued to care and provide for creation even though when we chose to go alone. A God who called the people of Israel to be God’s own possession and witness to all nations about the supreme love of the One who spared no cost so all who believe in him may have eternal life. In Hebrew, this book is appropriately titled “praises,” and as the psalmists show us, the God who we worship is indeed one worthy of our deepest gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise.

One of the most beautiful things that we can see in the psalms is the reality of faith amid life’s challenges. Psalm 138 is no exception. Here the Psalmist expresses thanksgiving or, better yet, offers testimony to God’s action in the midst of his life. The Psalm opens with the beautiful words, “I give thanks to you with all my heart, Lord. I sing your praise before all other gods. I bow toward your holy temple and thank your name for your loyal love and faithfulness because you have made your name and word greater than everything else” (vv. 1-2). Here is one who experienced a time of deep troubles—we don’t know the particulars, but do know that in a time of desperation, the psalmist called out to God, and God showed up in a grand way, making “strength well up within” him.[1] The witness of the psalmist gives us is a reminder of God’s constant presence with us. A reminder that no matter what challenges we face, indeed, God is as close to us as our next breath.[2] The response of the psalmist is thanksgiving and testimony.

We must remember this, though we serve a God is cares for us, like the psalmist, we live in a world filled with troubles. The realities of the past year and a half alone are to remind us of this truth. As the book of Job tells us, “[One] born of woman, lives but a few days, and they are full of trouble.”[3] Try as we may it is impossible to escape the hardships of life. But, as the psalmist tells us, even in moments of terrible challenge and pain, God is always near—and he answers sour prayers. Therefore, we can and should give thanks. It may seem strange to offer thanksgiving in times of trouble, but those are the moments when we need to be reminded most of God’s love and faithfulness.  When we find ourselves in trouble, we need reminders that God’s love and f