Through the Bible - Psalms

In this message on Psalm 41, "Blessed Are The Merciful, Right?," Pastor Nate Holdridge brings us to the close of Book I of the Psalter. David sings of a merciful God and his merciful people—but then asks what happens when those who extend mercy receive anything but mercy in return. Pastor Nate walks through the psalm's three movements: the call to strategically consider the poor (Ps. 41:1-3), the pain of a merciless world of sickness, slander, and betrayal (Ps. 41:4-9), and the response that refuses vengeance and rests in God's delight (Ps. 41:10-13). At the center stands Jesus, who took this psalm onto his lips about Judas at the Last Supper (John 13:18), yet absorbed the ultimate betrayal at the cross so that mercy might flow forever. Join us at Calvary Church to see how the only truly merciful man let the world's mercilessness fall on him—so that we might both receive and extend the mercy of God.

Pastor Nate Holdridge continues our study through the book of Psalms.

Pastor Nate Holdridge continues our study through the book of Psalms.

Worship Pastor Manny Collazo continues our study through the book of Psalms.

Worship Pastor Matt Kehler from Calvary Church continues our study through the book of Psalms.

Executive Pastor Manny Collazo from Calvary Church continues our study through the book of Psalms.

Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through Psalm 35, David's raw prayer as a man attacked, betrayed, and taunted for no reason at all. We trace the psalm's three laments and their shared pattern of pain, honest request, and rising hope, showing how David's cry for vindication points forward to Jesus, who was "hated without a cause" and yet entrusted himself fully to the Father. Along the way, we address the hard question of imprecatory prayer, the ache of being wronged by those closest to us, and the gospel hope available to anyone carrying pain they didn't deserve.

You're not yourself when you're afraid—but God is himself despite your fears. In this week's message from our summer Psalms series, Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through Psalm 34, a prayer David wrote from one of the lowest points of his life, after fear had driven him to feign madness before a pagan king. What David discovered in that cave became both a testimony and a teaching: the LORD answers those who seek him, draws near to the brokenhearted, and redeems the life of his servants. Pastor Nate unpacks what it means to "taste and see that the LORD is good," to trade the fear of people for the fear of the LORD, and to practice relentless praise even when circumstances haven't changed. The message lands where the psalm itself lands—at the cross, where the true Righteous Sufferer had not one of his bones broken, our Passover Lamb whose death secures our redemption. Whether you're walking through affliction or simply not quite yourself these days, this is an invitation to turn to the God who is near.

Pastor Nate Holdridge teaches through Psalm 33, an anonymous psalm that calls believers to sing a "new song" to the Lord. The sermon examines three central truths about God from this psalm: His power and goodness revealed through creation and His Word, His sovereign plan that supersedes human counsel, and His worthiness of our trust over earthly securities. Pastor Nate traces how the Book of Psalms progressively moves toward praise, explains the significance of God's steadfast love (chesed) throughout creation, and addresses the modern "false hopes" that compete for our trust. The message concludes with practical application for becoming worshippers who engage both exuberantly and sincerely in their faith.

Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through Psalm 32, painting a vivid picture of the happiest people on earth—those who know their sin, know their Lord, and have experienced the joy of full forgiveness. Through David’s testimony, we see the misery of hidden guilt, the turning point of true repentance, and the beauty of God’s steadfast love that surrounds the forgiven. This message invites us to drop our self-made coverings, run to the Lord as our hiding place, and enter into the freedom, guidance, and joy that only he can give.