Praying the Psalms with Luther

Speaking of spiritual practices, I wanted to mention another little gem I picked up recently. Our Missouri-Synod brethren at Concordia Publishing have put together a little volume called Reading the Psalms with Luther. This consists of the entire Psalter (in the ESV translation) with each psalm prefaced by a short introduction from Luther’s work The Summaries of the Psalms and followed by a concluding prayer that “sums up” the psalm.

For instance, today I read Psalm 50:

Psalm 50 is a psalm of instruction that tells us of the true worship of God and true sacrifice in contrast to the false saints. They value their own sacrifices and worship highly, as if God must surely be thankful and indebted to them. God, however, reverses this. He intends for His goodness and help to be so highly esteemed that we will be thankful and indebted to Him.

Likewise, when the psalm commands that vows be fulfilled, this does not mean absurd self-chosen vows, but those that are commanded in the Ten Commandments, especially in the First and Second–that we praise God, that we trust in Him, call on Him, praise and thank Him as our only God, and the like. Of this, the raving saints and the hypocrites know nothing.

Mark well the clear words with which the psalm closes. The last verse teaches us that to call upon God in distress and thank Him is true worship, the most pleasing offering, and the right way to salvation.

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.

3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.

4 He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:

5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah

7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.

9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?

17 For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.

18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.

19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother’s son.

21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!

23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”

PRAYER: Lord, our Savior, enlighten our eyes to know all Your mercies, and create in us such hearts that may be truly grateful to You. Forgive us our sins for the sake of the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross. Enlarge our hearts to walk in the way of Your Commandments, and to pay to You the sacred vow made in Holy Baptism. Amen.

The Psalms as printed are pointed for singing, and there’s a brief introduction to singing the Psalms in the front of the book. It also includes schedules for praying the Psalms both in the Daily Office and for private devotion. This is a handy little book, especially if you want to pray with the Psalms but want a little guidance in doing so as a Christian.