Psalm Readings

PSALM READINGS RECOMENDATION
"I remember as a child hearing an older child play a certain happy song on the piano. Something inside me said, "I want to learn to do that too!" Sarah Fordham inspires the same feeling regarding the beautiful spiritual poetry of the Psalms. She helps you learn to unlock and express deep places in your soul you hardly knew were there, and what you create can strengthen your connection to God, bring healing in your own emotional life, and bring inspiration to others as well."
Brian McClaren

Psalm Readings is a simple technique to help people write their own psalms.
A Psalm from the bible is turned into questions - by answering the questions you have written your own psalm!

Psalm Reading has been translated into Burmese and published in Burma.

All Sarah's books can be purchased via her online shop


PSALM 42 Questions


WHAT DOES MY SOUL DO?
Pants for you O God, as a deer pants for streams of water
    My soul thirsts for God, for the living God

WHAT DO I REMEMBER AS I POUR OUT MY SOUL WITHIN ME?
My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long,
       "Where is your God?
       When can I go and meet with God?

WHAT DID I DO IN THE PAST?
 I used to go with the multitude,
       leading the procession to the house of God,
       with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
       among the festive throng.

WHAT DO I SAY TO MY SOUL IN DESPAIR? 
Put your hope in God,
       for I will yet praise him,
       my Savior and my God.

WHAT DO I REMEMBER WHEN MY SOUL IS IN DESPAIR WITHIN ME?
I remember You …

WHAT DO I EXPERIENCE AS I REMEMBER?
Deep calls to deep
 in the roar of your waterfalls;
       all your waves and breakers
       have swept over me.

WHAT DOES THE LORD DO?  
By day the LORD directs his love,
       at night his song is with me—

WHAT DO I SAY TO GOD MY ROCK?   
"Why have you forgotten me?
       Why must I go about mourning,
       oppressed by the enemy?"

 WHAT DO MY EMEMIES DO?  
 My foes taunt me,
       saying to me all day long,
       "Where is your God?"

WHAT DO I SAY TO MY SOUL IN DESPAIR WITHIN ME? 
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God


PSALM 42 Answers

My soul rises and falls
Rises to God and fails to grasp hold
And so falls

I remember the hard things as I pour out my soul within me
Of oneness and aloneness and singularity

In times past I blinked in the sun’s bright light
Then, the sun was high in sky 
Then, the sun illuminated all it touched

What do I say to my soul in despair?
Time is slipping through my fingers so please
Stand upright

I remember the cross, planted
I remember the garden, in darkness

I close my eyes
I begin to whisper   

And a wave breaks over me

The Lord says it is enough now, enough

I say, “How is my failing circled within your dying?
Why is it so clear to me?
My vision increases, as my strength diminishes …”

Yes, I know there is a foe …
For he is robbing me

What do I say to my soul in despair?
Time is slipping through my fingers so please
Stand upright

31 May 2010