The book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and songs dedicated to Jehovah. While David’s name is attached to almost half of them, other authors include Solomon, Asaph, and Moses. They are rich with imagery and metaphors that help give us a picture of God. I never thought lyrics that didn’t rhyme could be pretty until I studied the Psalms in Marty Pickup’s “Old Testament Poetry” class.

They were often used both in temple and private worship as a means of expressing praise, petition, trust, thanksgiving, sin, and sorrow. As we worship today, think about some of these lines from , an exhortation for all men to praise the God of heaven.

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.” Have you ever had a waiter at a restaurant who obviously hated his job? You’d almost rather get your food yourself, wouldn’t you? In the same way, the Lord doesn’t want mopey, mumbling servants who act like every task is a burdensome chore. He desires those who come to Him with an attitude of “gladness” and “joyfulness”, who are here because they want to be here. If the brethren can tell when you’re faking it, do you really think you’ve fooled God?

“Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” From the beginning, man has had trouble distinguishing between the Creator and the creation. He has tried to make God fit his own image and likeness. But He who spoke everything into existence has also spoken about how He is to be worshiped, how He is to be praised, how He is to be sought. “Worth-ship” is centered around God; anything less is worthless.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.” It is no coincidence that Paul described the corruption of the Gentile world as not giving thanks (). When we don’t count our blessings, we no longer see ourselves as dependent on Him. Can’t think of anything to thank Him for? Thank again.

“For the Lord is good; His lovingkindess is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” He has entered a covenant with His people and every promise made is a promise He will keep. While times, styles, and cultures change, He is a steadfast anchor of the soul on which we can rely. God is faithful to His vows; why not vow to be the same?

I told you it didn’t have to rhyme to be pretty.