A Favourite Psalm
Last year at church, we had a mini-series entitled My Favourite Psalm.
Being asked to choose my favourite Psalm, was like being asked to choose my favourite film. Impossible!
There is a time and a place for every film.
If I want to be on the edge of my seat, I watch Rear Window. If I want to escape on an adventure, I watch Raiders of the Lost Ark. If I want to dance with somebody, I watch Dirty Dancing.
There is a time and a place for every Psalm.
If I want to be comforted, I read Psalm 23. If I want to wallow, I read Psalm 88. If I want to remember God’s faithfulness, I read Psalm 124.
As I wasn’t able to identify My Favourite Psalm, I rephrased the title and shared on A Favourite Psalm.
Psalm 139 is a favourite Psalm because it has had a time and a place throughout my life.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I don’t remember much from my time spent in Sunday School, however I do distinctly remember discussing Psalm 139:14 during a session at Aspley Evangelical Church.
After reading that verse we were asked, “What does it mean that you are fearfully and wonderfully made?”
As an opinionated teenager who thought he knew all the answers, I was somewhat surprised that I did not have an answer — and I still don’t!
I find it truly mind blowing that the God who created the universe is the same God who made me. I wasn’t a rush job either! The intricacies of the human body testify to God’s attention to detail.
I am not carelessly and awfully made — I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I am not unique in that either. Each and every single human being that has ever existed was fearfully and wonderfully made by God!
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
I can recall many happy memories from NCYH Camps and it was at a Summer Camp in the mid-noughties that Psalm 139 made another impression.
Beth Rookwood (nee Tash) spent the week sharing the good news of the kingdom over techno beats. During one of the sessions, while unpacking this Psalm, Beth created a high street aide memoire — MK1.
Made. Known. 1st.
(This hook was even more effective for those of us from Nottingham as there was a MK1 store in the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre!)
Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, whoever we are with, we were made and known first by God.
Again, I still can’t really comprehend what that simple statement means. Before anything and everything, God knew us. There are no surprises, twists or uncertainties. God has quite literally written the book on you and me!
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
At various points in my life I have endeavoured to memorise Bible verses. As a child the main incentive was prizes. As an older teenager the main purpose was protection. As a twentysomething the main drive was pride.
The final two verses of Psalm 139 are David’s heartfelt plea for God to continue to humble him. In the book of Acts, David is described as a man after God’s own heart and yet he still knew that there was work for God to do on his attitude, character and daily living.
When I set these verses to memory, I was well aware that I was not the finished article and I am happy to type that I am still a work in progress.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
There are many perks to working for the church — days off in the week, unquantifiable amounts of quiche and being able to bend hospital visiting hours!
One of the greatest privileges is the opportunities it creates to share in people’s lives.
On one occasion a tearful woman sought refuge in my office. Even though I didn’t know her that well, I felt comfortable enough to let her take a moment. I grabbed a box of tissues and began to listen to her story.
She was in the early stages of pregnancy, however she was fearful as she had suffered several miscarriages. As the conversation went on I tried to say as little as possible and when the time seemed right I offered to pray.
I didn’t really know where to begin so I just kept it simple and as I was praying Psalm 139:13 came to mind. I asked God to knit the child together in their mother’s womb and God did.
There is a time and a place for Psalm 139.
What is your favourite Psalm?
