Psalms - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living
The Psalms offer us God-breathed, ancient wisdom for contemporary situations. Who doesn’t want to know how to enjoy a life of contentment, fight stress or face doubt? We all share the challenges in common and the Psalms offer a unique perspective.
The Lord is your strength when you face injustice!
Cry out to God with desperation (28:1-2)
Plead to God for justice (28:3-5)
Praise God with confidence (28:6-9)
Resources:
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/god-didnt-forget-me/77-b82a9a45-6742-4b0c-9481-a057c
10f3548
https://www.theledger.com/story/news/crime/2020/03/10/florida-lawmakers-ok-bill-to-pay-former-death-
row-inmate-2m-over-wrongful-conviction/1547121007/
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Read sermon transcriptResources:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/467303/americans-reported-mental-health-new-low-seek-help.aspx
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
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This weekend, we’re blessed to hear from our very own Walter Shaw as we continue our Summer in the Psalms series with Psalm 26! The BIG IDEA of Psalm 26 is BLESS THE LORD IN INTEGRITY. 1. Ask God to test you (vv. 1-3), 2. Walk in his faithfulness (vv. 4-7), 3. Depend on his grace (vv.8-11)
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptPsalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” And that brings us to the big idea of Psalm 24: Spread the Good News of the King of Glory throughout the earth. Psalm 24 provides three rock-solid reasons why we should pray, give, send, and/or go to spread the good news of the King of glory throughout the earth. I am indebted to the late biblical scholar Derek Kidner for these three reasons:
1. He is all-creating (vv.1-2)
2. He is all-holy (vv. 3-6)
3. He is all-victorious (vv. 7-10).
Resources:
Read sermon transcriptScripture: Psalm 23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Cohen
BIG IDEA: The Lord is my shepherd. The Lord is my host.
1. He leads me the best way (vv. 1-4)
2. He provides for me abundantly (vv. 5-6)
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
Heidelberg Catechism
“The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment” by: Jeremiah Burroughs.
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Read sermon transcriptThe big idea of our passage this morning as we dive back in to our Summer in the Psalms series is: Rejoice in the Lord’s victory. Psalm 21 provides two practical ways to rejoice our way through the already-not yet:
1. Rejoice in the Lord’s past victory (vv. 1-7)
2. Rejoice in the Lord’s future victory (vv. 8-13).
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
Sinclair Ferguson, https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/already-and-not-yet
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Read sermon transcriptThis week we dive into Psalm 20 with the BIG IDEA: Trust the Lord in the Day of Trouble.
- Understand your trouble (vv. 1)
- Ask boldly (vv. 1-5)
- Wait confidently (vv. 6-9).
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
Notes adapted from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/12-reasons-you-should-pray-scripture/
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Read sermon transcriptAs we continue our journey through the Psalms, Pastor Matt illuminates how Psalm 19 teaches us to Listen to the skies and the Scriptures.
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
Kidner Classic Commentaries, 117
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Read sermon transcriptPastor Matt is back to unpack Psalm 17 and the BIG IDEA: Pray when your enemies surround you.
How do we do that? When the Devil, the flesh, or, especially, the world tempt you distrust God’s grace and turn from his way:
1. Ask for justice (vv. 1-5)
2. Ask for protection (vv. 6-9)
3. Ask for change (vv. 10-14)
4. Ask with hope (vv. 15)
Citylight Manayunk | August 6, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/world-flesh-and-devil
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Read sermon transcriptAdding another gem to our summer sermon series in the Psalms, our very own Walter Shaw dives into the important question (and our BIG IDEA): Who can dwell in God’s presence? To answer this, Walter dives into 1. The Question 2. The Answer and 3. The Promise.
Citylight Manayunk | July 23, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul
Psalms 1-15o by Peter C. Craigie
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Read sermon transcriptToday, Pastor Mark kicks off our summer sermon series in the Psalms with a look at Psalm 14 and the BIG IDEA: It’s foolish to live without God.
- The heart of foolishness (1-3)
- The end of foolishness (4-6)
- Hope for the foolish (7)
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptThis week, pastor Matt Cohen brings us comfort by digging into Psalm 13 to help us to pray through pain so we can rejoice in God. How? . Turn to God 2. Bring your complaint. 3. Ask for specific help. 4. Renew your trust in His loyal love.
Citylight Manayunk | July 25, 2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon
Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary by Tremper Longman
ESV Study Bible: Psalm 13
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Read sermon transcriptThis week, pastor Tim Shutes brings us comfort by digging into Psalm 12 to reveal how God will deliver you from lies because
(1.) He judges liars and (2.) He rescues the needy.
Citylight Manayunk | July 18, 2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon
Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary by Tremper Longman
ESV Study Bible: Psalm 12
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Read sermon transcriptCitylight Manayunk July 11,2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Don’t Run. Take Refuge.
1. You will be tempted to run.
2. We have a better refuge.
3. He will prove you.
4. We shall see His face.
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This week, Citylight’s very own Walter Shaw illuminates the glorious fact that “God is good, even when He hides” by diving into how He sees, He hears our requests and He is still King.
Citylight Manayunk | July 4, 2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
ESV Study Bible
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Read sermon transcriptAs a wrap up to our “Reach 2021” Missions Conference, pastor Matt explores our calling to
Sing to the Lord among the Nations:
1. Because of who He is
2. Because He prescribes it
3. Because of what He will do.
Citylight Manayunk | June 27, 2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Psalm 96
- ESV Study Bible
- Psalms (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary), by Willem A. VanGemeren
- Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale Old Testament Series) by Tremper Longman III
- A Commentary on the Psalms (Kregel Exegetical Library) by Allen P. Ross
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Read sermon transcriptThis week, Pastor Matt leads us through Psalm 9 to see how we should “Worship the Lord for His wonderful works” because, in His great love, He defeats your enemies and He secures your salvation.
Citylight Manayank | June 20, 2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Psalm 9
- ESV Study Bible
- Psalms (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary), by Willem A. VanGemeren
- Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale Old Testament Series) by Tremper Longman III
- A Commentary on the Psalms (Kregel Exegetical Library) by Allen P. Ross
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Read sermon transcriptThis week Pastor Matt “Marvels at the majesty of our Creator” as we explore how God “wins through the weak” and just how much “He cares for YOU.”
Citylight Manayunk | June 13, 2021 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Psalm 8
ESV Study Bible
Psalms (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary), by Willem A. VanGemeren
Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale Old Testament Series) by Tremper Longman III
A Commentary on the Psalms (Kregel Exegetical Library) by Allen P. Ross
John Piper, The Peculiar Mark of Majesty, Part 1
https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2012/09/17/161096233/which-is-greater-the-number-of-sand-grains-on-earth-or-stars-in-the-sk
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King David did not have a quiet life, but he had a quiet heart. In Psalm 131, the Poet-King offers a window into how we can learn to enjoy soul-quiet
Resources:
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller
Peace Be Still: Learning Psalm 131 By Heart by David Powlison
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Celebration is a lost art in the 21st century church, but Psalm 145 gives us a guide to this joyous, ancient practice.
Resources:
Psalm 145
ESV Study Bible
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It’s easy to fret, or become envious, or even bitterly angry when things don’t go our way. In Psalm 37, David recalls how easy it is to fret when the unrighteous seem to prosper. He counsels the righteous man to “fret not” and instead to trust, delight, and hope in God.
Resources:
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Psalm 1 offers us a portrait of the truly content person.
Resources:
A Commentary on The Psalms by Allen P. Ross
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