Week 1 – Nature Psalms: Let creation inspire you

This week we’ll look at a few examples of how David and other Psalmists were inspired by nature and used examples from nature to describe the life of someone who follows God faithfully. Watch the video to see an example of what David’s world likely looked like, and the kind of things he saw that inspired him.

You can check back here daily to navigate to each day’s passage. I recommend reading in a physical Bible with a notebook to write your thoughts in as you read, but I’ve also linked below to take you to the Bible passage.

June 2: Read Psalm 1 in two different translations/versions

Psalm 1 talks about the path of a righteous person being stable, while the path of a wicked person is unstable. The Psalmist uses pictures from nature to describe the stability of someone following after God, rejecting evil, and delighting in God’s word. Do you delight in God’s word? As you begin this reading plan and seek to read the Bible every day, remember this picture of a strong tree, always provided for by rivers of water, and remember that this is the kind of life produced by delighting in God’s word.

June 3: Read Psalm 8 in two different translations/versions

In Psalm 8, David is inspired by looking up at the stars in the sky and says, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” David realized that he was so small in comparison to the beautiful and massive expanse of starry sky above him, and yet God still cared about little David. This drove David to worship God even more. Do you ever take time to just sit and look around at nature and thank God for what He’s done, and for loving you in the midst of His massive universe? Today, try to take some time to appreciate the beauty of what God has created.

June 4: Read Psalm 19

Psalm 19 begins by talking about the beauty and power of God revealed in the stars and the universe, and moves into speaking about the perfection God’s word and how it is rewarding to live by God’s word. After awe of creation and an awe and appreciation of God’s word, David closes the Psalm by seeking to be pure and kept from sins, trusting in God as his strength for doing so. God is so powerful to make the whole universe, and so perfect in writing the Bible for us, so we can trust in His power and strength to be our Redeemer (“O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer” verse 14b, NKJV)

June 5: Read Psalm 23

Psalm 23 may be the most famous song in the book of the Psalms.

June 6: Read Psalm 23 in a different translation/version

Find a different translation or version to read this Psalm in than what you read yesterday.

Practice memorizing Psalm 1

Memorizing scripture is a crucial part of our Christian walk. Psalm 119:11 says “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Memorizing scripture gives us ammunition for the spiritual battle, and helps us in times of temptation or trouble!

Here are some tips for memorizing Psalm 1: 

  • Pick one version and stick with it.
  • Go for word-perfect memorization of that one version (try to remember the exact wording).
  • Break the Psalm into its different parts, and memorize each bite-sized piece:
    • verse 1 has three different points of what not to do: walks not, nor stands, nor sits (NKJV)
    • verse 2 shares what to do: delights and meditates
    • verse 3 shows five aspects of how the man is blessed
    • verses 4 and 5 show characteristics of the ungodly
    • verse 6 contrasts the righteous with the ungodly
Continue memorizing Psalm 1

Same advice as yesterday!

Memorizing scripture is a crucial part of our Christian walk. Psalm 119:11 says “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Memorizing scripture gives us ammunition for the spiritual battle, and helps us in times of temptation or trouble!

Here are some tips for memorizing Psalm 1:

  • Pick one version and stick with it.
  • Go for word-perfect memorization of that one version (try to remember the exact wording).
  • Break the Psalm into its different parts, and memorize each bite-sized piece:
    • verse 1 has three different points of what not to do: walks not, nor stands, nor sits (NKJV)
    • verse 2 shares what to do: delights and meditates
    • verse 3 shows five aspects of how the man is blessed
    • verses 4 and 5 show characteristics of the ungodly
    • verse 6 contrasts the righteous with the ungodly