Read the Bible looking for Jesus … live looking for Jesus to come back.

“It would be difficult to overestimate the significance … of the book of Psalms. Here are mirrored the ideals of religious piety and communion with God, of sorrow for sin and the search for perfection, of walking in darkness, unafraid, by the lamp of faith; of obedience to the law of God, delight in the worship of God, fellowship with the friends of God, reverence for the Word of God; of humility under the chastening rod, trust when evil triumphs and wickedness prospers, [and] serenity in the midst of storm.”

Themes in God’s Hymn Book

PSALMS

Then [Jesus] said to [his disciples], “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Christ in God’s Hymn Book

PSALMS

Luke 24:44-45

Advent = “Anticipated Arrival”

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old have sung.It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,When half gone was the night.

Christ in God’s Hymn Book

PSALMS

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell Thy people save and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Christ in God’s Hymn Book

PSALMS

PSALM 132

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

An Angel to An Old Man

PSALMS

Luke 1:16–17

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David….

Zechariah’s Psalm

PSALMS

Luke 1:68–69

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

An Angel’s Announcement to Mary

PSALMS

Luke 1:32–33

PSALM 132

PSALM 132

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

An Angel’s Announcement to Mary

PSALMS

John 1:9

Psalm 132 as an Advent Song is:

PSALMS

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ …was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us….

Honoring Honest Faith

PSALMS

2 Corinthians 1:19–21

Psalm 132 as an Advent Song is:

PSALMS

Psalm 132 as an Advent Song is:

PSALMS

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Honoring Christ’s Heirs

PSALMS

Revelation 5:9–10

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Honoring Christ’s Heirs

PSALMS

Revelation 22:4-5

The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also

live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him….

Honoring Christ’s Heirs

PSALMS

2 Timothy 2:11–12

For the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Honoring Christ’s Heirs

PSALMS

Romans 14:17