January’s journey through Proverbs was a rewarding one, filled with wisdom, conviction and encouragement.
Several of you joined the one-chapter-a-day study with me and shared your insights, and we held each other accountable along the way. My most recent column gave an overview of that.
Now that February has begun, I’d like to invite you to embark on another meaningful path – one chapter of Psalms each day, starting Feb. 1 and finishing June 30.
It’s odd – or maybe providential – how that’s working out: 150 psalms, 150 days, concluding exactly at the end of a month. Perfection.
At the beginning of this fourth day of February, I already have three psalms under my belt. But if you want to join the adventure at this point, it will be really easy to catch up. Just read two a day for three days, and bing-bang-boom, we’ll be in sync. To keep myself in line, I have marked my calendar with the appropriate psalm for its corresponding day.
Now, as we launch this exploration, let’s briefly see how these two books differ. Unlike Proverbs, which often provides sharp, concise wisdom, Psalms offers a different kind of nourishment – deep comfort, unfiltered emotion and a reminder of God’s unfailing presence. Whether you need a song of praise, a cry for help or words to express gratitude, Psalms has something for every season of life.
Appropriately, Psalm 1 sets the stage for the entire book by drawing a clear contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It emphasizes the importance of grounding oneself in God’s word and choosing the path of righteousness – a fitting starting point for a deeper examination of the remaining Psalms.
I haven’t gotten to them yet during this particular study, but here are just a few of the jewels that I know await us:
Psalm 23, a cherished favorite: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Those opening words alone have comforted countless hearts.
Psalm 46:1, also beloved: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” When life feels overwhelming, we can cling to this verse. There’s just something about knowing that God is ever-present, not just watching from a distance, but right here in the middle of it with us.
Psalm 100, for those seeking joy and gratitude: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” On days when we don’t feel thankful, reading this psalm can shift our focus. It’s a reminder that God’s goodness is constant, even when our circumstances aren’t.
Indeed, reading Psalms daily offers many benefits. It:
– Teaches us how to pray with honesty. David and the other psalmists didn’t sugarcoat their emotions. They poured out their joy, sorrow, fear and frustration before the Lord. That honesty can encourage us approach God just as we are.
– Reminds us of God’s character. He is a refuge, a deliverer, a healer and a king. When life feels uncertain, these reminders anchor us in truth.
– Connects us to a long tradition of worship. These words were sung and prayed by generations before us, and they continue to resonate today. When we read or recite these verses, we join a chorus of believers throughout history who have found strength in God’s word.
– Contains a number of Messianic prophecies, a fact which I did not realize for years, but which now resonates with me greatly. I look forward to studying them all. What’s more, passages from Psalms are quoted no less than 75 times in the New Testament, so the importance of this book has been underlined by the best sources possible.
I invite you to join me in reading one chapter of Psalms a day. Whether you journal about what stands out, memorize a verse or simply let the words wash over you, I believe the journey will be a blessing. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts along the way.
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Quick note: A new equine painting by my husband, artist Hooshang Khorasani, is part of the 2025 Minden St. Jude Auction. To buy a $10 ticket for a chance to win “Galloping Sunrise,” a 36-by-36-inch acrylic on canvas valued at $3,000, go to www.mindenstjude.com and search for “Hooshang.” The online site is already active, with the live event scheduled for Feb. 6-9.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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