A Psalm for the Soul

Ahhhh. Well we are settling into our fall routine, and as part of that I get to teach an Old Testament Bible study class once a month.  It has been such a huge blessing to have an added reason to really delve into the scriptures and FEAST.  :)   I have seen little miracles happen in terms of extra energy that I get or extra time that magically appears in my life to help me prepare my lessons.

A few weeks ago I taught a lesson on the Psalms.  Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the lesson:

From the introduction to our LDS hymn book:
"Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns.  Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end."  (and the Psalms were the "hymns" of the Hebrews so the same things apply!)

From Elder Dallin H. Oaks, one of the 12 apostles on the earth today:
"The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the spirit of the Lord...We should use hymns when we need spiritual strength and inspiration...We who have felt to sing the song of redeeming love need to keep singing that we may draw ever closer to him who has inspired sacred music and commanded that it be sued to worship him."

And I love this one, from our lesson manual:
"Music is both in the voice and in the heart.  Every true saint finds his heart full of songs of praise to his Maker.  Those whose voices can sing forth the praises found in their hearts are twice blest." 

Isn't that the greatest?  I do feel twice blest that I am able to sing the praises that are in my heart.  But I know people who can barely carry a tune and yet  feel the same love for the Lord in their hearts that I do!   :)

Colossians 3:16:  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.



And, this is what I ended the lesson with.  One of my favorite settings of Psalm 23.  Enjoy!


The Lord Is My Shepherd





"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul:  he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."