David Rogers Ministries


The use of Psalms in Worship

The Psalms enable us to express in worship our feelings and emotions that can be difficult to do in public worship. Psalms still relate too many of the situations that we can find ourselves in today. We are able to express our concerns to God through the Psalms and ask for his help. When we reflect or meditate on them they can help us focus our thoughts and prayer on God and our world.

The writers of the Psalms were addressing real life situation, although it has to be noted that the historical titles may have been added later. The Psalms of David were inspired by the different circumstances he faced. When he was persecuted he called on God for protection and for the punishment of the enemies so we can relate them to situation we may encounter, he also wrote many Psalms praising God.

Psalms still have a practical relevance today enabling us to express our concerns; this is why Christians still use Psalms in today’s worship. Psalm 8 praises God the creator, and has a remainder of human beings responsibility to care for creation. Modern worshipers will be aware of what a wonderful world God has created and the large amount of damage mankind has done to God’s creation

Other Psalms for example 51 prays for forgiveness and confession of sin, also vows to help others come to God and make sacrifices acceptable to God. Psalm 52 looks at the wicked and 52 the depravity of man. They challenged us to think about our faith, our own behaviour and that of others. Psalms cover a wide range of topics which include praise, thanksgivings for individual and community, laments both individual and of community. Songs of Trust, liturgies, pilgrimages songs, historical psalms, and penitential psalms. So there is plenty of scope for us to use psalms in our worship to express our feelings.   


 (Take a look at the example below of worship using Psalms)


Worshiping with Psalms (An example worship using psalms)

  • We could start our worship with Psalm 100: Make a joyful noise to the lord, all people exhorted to praise God

  • We can give thank for what God has done using Psalm 9: Praise to God for deliverance. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds.

  • We can reflect on the work God has done in history with Psalms 105 and 6

  • Praise God for what he has done with Psalm 113 a hymn of praise to God, Praise the Lord, Praise O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

  • Use Psalm 28 in our intercessions as we pray for help and 35 a prayer for help from persecution, from slanderers, from haters.

  • Ending the worship with; Psalm 150: Let everything praise the Lord.

​​There are a number of basic elements in church worship, hymns or songs of praise, Bible readings and prayer. Below are some examples which will change on a regular basis. ​

​The Bible reading is Ephesians 4.25-5.2. There is also a prayer to help you with your meditations and a hymn on the You Tube link. Hymn: "For the Healing of the Nations" written by Fred Kaan, published in 1965.  Performed by Chet Valley Churches,   On Chet Valley Churches You Tube channel. 

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Ephesians 4:25-5:2

No more lying, then! Each of you must tell the truth to the other believer, because we are all members together in the body of Christ. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. Don't give the Devil a chance. If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor. Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God. 

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    You Tube link to hymn


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​Prayer:

​​God of mercy we pray for those in need of love and understanding. Those who are the victims of economic and social injustice. We think of the homeless, those living in poverty and refugee fleeing from persecution. Pray for those who are persecuted for their belief in you, for those who live in fear of others, Lord be with them and give them strength through your holy spirit. Pray for those who feel they do not matter to anyone else particularly those who live alone. We think of those who have no faith to sustain them in times of difficulty and need reassurance of your love being with them for all time. We pray those whose lives are under the authority of God, ministers, preachers may they be guided by your Holy Spirit. We ask you to give to these and all your children, your blessing, your peace, your strength through Christ our Lord.

​ Amen
 

Why go to Church: 
In the Bible people still went to worship God even though the church leaders were not the best example of those who were seek to worship and follow the ways of God taught in the Bible. For those of us that believe in God and seek to follow the teachings of Jesus, worship and prayer is an important part of life.

Going to church enables me to sing hymns and songs that normally help me to express my feelings in unison with others who share my beliefs. Prayer helps me to reflect and join with others in expressing concern for others in need. The Sermon and talks help me to reflect or meditate on how my faith and the Bibles teaching can be applied to my life. There is important contact and fellowship with others and sometimes an opportunity to help others in a practical way.  

I am aware that I do not enjoy every style of worship or feel comfortable in some churches, although it is important that we go to a church that we feel comfortable in. If there is not a church I wish to join, or when I am away, I go to a church which is closes to my own. As a Presbyterian, I know that a Lutheran or Reformed Church, or Congregational Church are all closest to my own preferred style of worship, but  that does not mean I will always feel comfortable in them. My first priority is to worship, even if the congregation does not make me feel welcome. Normally congregations do make you feel welcome even if there are only six other people in the church. Too often people judge a church by the numbers attending but for me it is the content of the worship that is most important. I advocate that if you believe in God and want to find out more about the teaching of Jesus, as well as developing your faith, then regular church worship is an important part of this.

Look forward to seeing you in church.       

Going regularly to church worship is an important part of the life of a Christian as people seek to develop a close relationship with God and reflect on how we can apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in the 21st Century. I hope the Bible reading, prayer and Hymn below will help your personal reflections.