Why are the Psalms so greatly used in times of anxiety, trouble, crisis, loneliness, and sorrows? I recently realized that Psalms contains many personal pronouns that personally touch the hearts of the readers. Think about it! The book of Psalms contains many personal pronouns. This gave the book of Psalms a whole new meaning and blessing. I realize that those who wrote the Psalms also wrote during their times of anxiety, trouble, crisis, loneliness, and sorrows. They felt and expressed what we feel and experience today. They personally related to God as we personally relate to God. The same God that delivered them also delivers us. Incomprehensible!
Let me challenge you to do as I am doing and re-read the book of Psalms. As you read, give special attention to the many personal pronouns. I am amazed and astonished with all the powerful and personal pronouns in Psalms. As I see a personal pronoun, I circle it, pause, then feel it is personally written for me. It brings an unusual delight and insight as I feel the verses are written directly for and to me. The pronouns “I,” “me,” “my,” “mine,” are written throughout the whole book of Psalms. I also notice that “they” and “them” are enemies. David must visualize who “they” and “them” are as he writes. It seems that many preachers today also refer to “they” and “them,” and the church members visualize who “they” and “them” could be. So the “they” and “them” that existed then, still exist now. Indescribable!
Well, I especially enjoy the pronoun “my.” Psalms does not say, “The Lord is your, a, or the shepherd, but the Lord is my shepherd. I then searched and found the personal pronoun “my” throughout the the book of Psalms. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray (5:2). The LORD is my rock …my fortress… my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (18:2). The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (27:1). The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped (28:7). But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God (31:14). He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved (62:6). In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God (62:7). I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (91:2). Incredible!
Just reading these verses makes me want to sing, “Mine, mine, mine, Yes, Jesus is mine.” He personally knows his sheep and his sheep personally know Him (John 10:3-4). In closing, I want to say it one more time, and if you want you can join me, “The Lord is my shepherd!” Inconceivable!
