The journey of worship from a troubled soul to a quieted soul as captured in the Psalms of Ascent.

Is there a place to sing for joy while sowing with tears in the presence of God?

There is a place for uncertainty, and certainty, in authentic worship.

"Before you can arrive, you have to leave."

The Psalms of Ascent look like a random collection. They are anything but.

Prayer is an act of memory.

Prayer recovers the shape of creation.

If we insist on praying when we feel like it according to what we feel we need, we take on a burden that is too much for our soul to bear.

Praying Psalm 88 frustrates those looking for a plot, leading instead to the character development, the interiorization of faith.

“If we pray without listening, we pray out of context.” (Eugene Peterson). Psalm 87 demonstrates that prayer is an answer to God as we listen to Him.

“Prayer is the language of the people who are in trouble and know it, and who believe or hope that God can get them out.” (Eugene Peterson)

Can I praise the Lord when my “feels” are disconnected?

What do you do when you have messed up so badly that your life is falling apart and you know that it is all your fault? You probably cry out to God for help, but what would that prayer even look like?

“The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness” (Psalm 18.20)

Can ChatGPT praise the Lord? Todd and Chat compare notes on Psalm 8.

What if your most desperate prayers could end in peaceful sleep?

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised (Psalm 145.3)

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm—just 28 words in the ESV, only 22 in the Hebrew text. And it makes me wonder: how long does a song need to be?

I will sing praises to You among the nations (Psalm 108.3 ESV)

I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34.4 ESV)