In Psalm 1, God contrasts the blessed man and the wicked. The blessed man, who we saw in verses 1-2 delights in the law of the Lord and meditates in it day and night, is compared here to a tree planted by streams of water. It bears fruit and does not wither. This man prospers in all he does. The wicked, who don’t follow God’s law, are compared to chaff that is blown away but the wind. It is hard to imagine anything more worthless than chaff.

This week for our time with God we are going to try something a little different. We are going to copy out psalms by hand as an act of meditation. As you write out the psalms you will find yourself interacting with the psalm in a way that is deeper than simply reading them. If you would like, you can copy the psalms out on card stock and give them as gifts to loved ones and people with whom you work. Give this a try. You may find this to be a new way of approaching God’s Word and communing with Him.

Take time today to write out Psalm 1 by hand. As you do, be conscious of what God says to your heart. Notice how much more intimate your understanding of the psalm is after you have taken the time to write it out.

Today, write out Psalm 23. Consider giving it to a family member or other special person in your life as a personal gift. Meditate on God as your Shepherd as pictured in the psalm.

This psalm is all about the blessedness of God’s forgiveness. Write it out slowly by hand. What happened when the psalmist was silent about his sin? Have you ever felt like that? What a relief it was when he finally acknowledged his sin to God! How is this psalm like Psalm 1 or Psalm 23?

Psalm 51 is a psalm of confession. It is very honest in its message and nothing is held back. It is traditionally thought to be the psalm David wrote when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone into Bathsheba. As you write it out by hand, use it as a personal confession to God. This psalm can be prayed through regularly as you spend time in confession to God.

The most famous verse in Psalm 46 is verse 10: “Cease striving and know that I am God.” That is the theme of this psalm. As you write it out by hand, let its message penetrate your soul and bring you into rest. God is in control despite how things may appear in the world. Rest in Him.

Psalm 90 speaks of God’s wrath and ends with a request for God’s favor. It speaks of God’s power and fury. The most famous verse from this psalm is probably verse 12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Let God speak to you as you write out this psalm by hand.

Write your own psalm
Spend some time today writing a psalm of your own. Express your true feelings to the Lord, just like the psalmists did. As you have seen this week, the psalmists did not try to hide their true feelings from God, but expressed their inner fears, disappointments, joys, confession, and whatever else they wanted to tell God. God can handle whatever it is you need to tell Him. Be honest and let your true feelings and concerns come before the Lord.