Psalm 111, Psalm 130-131, Psalm 141, Psalm 146
Ryan: As we are slowly wrapping up the book of Psalms, it is fitting that one of the last psalms we read is Psalm 111, which includes the very famous line, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” The next major character we will be reading about (May 11!) is Solomon, David’s son, future king of Israel who is responsible for building the first temple in Jerusalem. Solomon, like his father, was God-fearing (though he made his share of mistakes, as do we all); he prayed for wisdom through discernment: “give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). The prayer so pleased God that He granted Solomon his prayer and blessed Solomon with such wisdom that he is often called the wisest man who ever lived. We all should take our cue from Psalm 111 (and Solomon) and lean not on our own understanding, but begin to fear the LORD so that we may be blessed with wisdom and discernment.
Samantha: I have a new favorite Bible verse after doing the Beth Moore Psalms of Ascent study: “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3). That really puts me back in my place! It makes me think of all the stupid, heartless, careless, mean things I’ve done to others; I don’t deserve God’s mercy one bit. The pages of records of my sins would stack up taller than me! And yet despite this, he still chooses to forgive me. God has taken my stack of records, shredded them, and destroyed them so that they no longer exist. “But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130:4).
[...] We read today of an event that I have already referenced several times in which Solomon asks for (and is granted) wisdom beyond that of other men (1 Kings 3:12). [...]