Tag Archives: Psalms

The Final Crescendo of Praise

05 Thursday Mar 2020

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalm 150, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 150
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD (NIV).*

2017-05-01Kranz

Photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

Reflection
We have reached the crescendo—the conclusion and the high point of the Book of Psalms. Hallelujah and praise the LORD!

The word praise appears thirteen times in this final psalm. The number thirteen is suggestive of Jesus and his apostles. He is at the core—the very center of God ordained worship.

Eight forms or instruments of praise are listed in this psalm. Eight is the number of new beginnings. Seven suggests completeness, so we see that God rested on the seventh day. But eight signals a new start. In the same way, these eight means or instruments of praise do not represent a complete list. They simply suggest the varied ways in which we can express our praise to the LORD. We have only just begun to discover and explore the many ways in which we can show our gratitude to our Creator.

No one—no living being—is excluded from this call to praise. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

This call for all the breathing to praise the LORD is truly fitting. We received our original breath from the LORD. Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Now with our breath—our God-given breath—let us praise our Maker.

In the same way after his resurrection Jesus breathed on his disciples.  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22).

We need the breath of God in us—the breath of the Holy Spirit in us to live—to truly live in the overcoming power and joy of the psalms. For the Holy Spirit’s presence I will praise the LORD!

Response: LORD God, I praise you. You are my strength and my song. Help me to discover new ways to praise you because you are good. Let my entire life reflect your redemptive presence in me. Amen.

Your Turn: Why are you breathing? Is praising God an integral part of your purpose?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 through the Psalms.

Some thoughts on “Psalms Alive!”

03 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in book review, Psalms

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This morning I came upon this book review by Pam:

David Kitz’s devotional, “psalms alive” is a book I bought for my friends and family this past Christmas and I plan to read it a second time. It is one of the best devotionals I have ever read for the following reasons:

* The Scripture is printed at the beginning of each devotional. This makes it so convenient and for me it meant reading and then re-reading that Psalm many times as I studied Kitz’s devotional which followed. Many devotionals only quote the reference which you are to study. Tell me – how many of you actually look up this passage? Lol. It’s too easy not to get your bible and look it up. It’s such a simple thing to print the Psalm right in the devotional but it made the study so much more helpful.

* Secondly, this was an excellent resource because of the cultural and historical insights Kitz provided. These brought the Psalms to life and helped me remember and apply them.

* Theologically, I believe Kitz is sound and credible; he often cross-referenced his thoughts with other biblical passages.

* The whole picture – Kitz provided each Psalm in light of the sweep of biblical history and revelation, often showing how the Psalm prophesied Christ. I appreciated this and it helped me see the relevance and power of the Psalms in my daily life.

Reading “psalms alive” was a highlight of October/November 2017. I looked forward to it every day; it was a feast every morning that I will indulge in again. My copy is highlighted, underlined, tear-stained, and I have several pictures I drew in response to the insights I learned. It is a treasure that I recommend with the highest confidence.

Pam

Psalms Alive! is available for purchase from Christianbook.com or directly from the author.

Publishing Contract Signed

30 Saturday Nov 2019

Posted by in Books by David Kitz, Psalms, Psalms Alive!

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On Wednesday of this week, I signed a contract for the publication of 365 Days through the Psalms. The publisher is Elk Lake Publishing, a Plymouth, MA, royalty paying publisher. The book will be available for the 2020 Christmas market. Rejoice with me! This is an answer to prayer.

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David Kitz — signing the contract

For the next few months I will be busy finalizing the manuscript and working with an editor to get it ready for publication.

Yes, these are the same Psalms devotionals that are posted daily on my WordPress site and on my Facebook page. Now they will be available all together in book form.

This will be my second book on the Psalms. I guess it’s fair to say I love the Psalms. Psalms Alive! was published in 2009, so after ten years it seems right to have another book on the theme of the Psalms.

By the way Psalms Alive! has been one of my top selling books, and it’s still available. The format is quite different than my daily devotional posts since it’s a more in depth, self-guided study of thirteen selected Psalms.

For more information or to purchase Psalms Alive! in Canada from the author click here.

For more information or to purchase Psalms Alive! in USA from Amazon click here.

 

237 pages, trade paperback

 

A New Review of “Psalms Alive!”

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in book review, Books by David Kitz, Psalms

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‘Psalms Alive!’ is an insightful and thought provoking look into the human condition and man’s relationship to God. Through 13 Psalms, David Kitz encourages us to examine not only these wonderful writings, but how they relate to our own personal experience and God relationship.

The only thing missing is a sequel. Thanks to the author for this gifted approach to Psalms study.  — Sharon Heagy

237 pages, trade paperback

For purchases in Canada from the author click here.

For purchases in USA from Amazon click here.

A Five Star Review

20 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in book review, Psalms, Psalms Alive!

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A book review by Linda Klager

I loved this book.  It would make a good resource for anyone to get a different perspective on the book of Psalms.  I thought the cover of the book was very appropriate  showing the sky with lightning bolts coming down and touching the green grass.  Isn’t it like that with God – how He shows his power and majesty?

I really like that the author chose Psalms 19 to begin his look at certain chapters of the book of Psalms. In Psalms the author mentioned the first witness (God) speaks through creation. Then the author continues in Psalms 19 mentioning the second witness (God) speaks to us from His Holy Word. The third witness in Psalm 19 is about our response to God. The author painted clear pictures of these Psalms to make the Bible come alive for me.

There were other verses of the Bible from other books of the Bible that corresponded to the verses of the Psalms for all of us to get a bigger picture of what God says to us.  Oh, how we can worship the LORD!

I liked that the author included a section after each chapter that would initiate a response from us to make us think and meditate on these chapters of the Psalms and other Scripture in the Bible.

I give this book 5 stars.  Thank you, David Kitz for a wonderful, thought provoking book.

Take a moment to vote

Psalms Alive, has been nominated for the Book of the Month award hosted by Interviews and Reviews.

To cast your vote for Psalms Alive, click here.

Thanks! Note: You can vote daily until September 30th.

A New Review of “Psalms Alive!”

12 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in book review, Psalms, Psalms Alive!

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A book review by Tina Williams

Psalms Alive! Connecting Heaven and Earth by David Kitz explores the Psalms through personal vignettes of the author’s reflections on various Psalms. As I read I felt that the author was sitting across from me in a comfy chair sharing the great goodness of God from the heart of a shepherd. The author includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter which helps the reader connect heaven and earth by spending some time meditating on scripture and driving those truths deeper into our hearts so that we are not merely readers or hearers, but also actors in God’s great drama of life!

At times, a sentence or two seems out of place, when the author laments the current state of affairs with our culture, but the main points are brought home in pointing us to the character of God.

One of my favorite quotes which encourages all believers, like athletes, to be engaged with scripture is found in the chapter, From Strength to Strength. “The busy, world-engaged laity is far too often content to coast on the second-hand faith of church leadership. In reality, our own faith muscles need development and regular exercise. If regular spiritual conditioning isn’t taking place, we become weak in our faith. We are fit for the couch, not the pilgrim’s route. We stumble when others question our beliefs. Temptations overwhelm us. Doubts drain us of our spiritual vitality. We conform to the thinking of this world. We are not reaching the world with the message of Christ; the world is reaching us, and pressing us into its mold.”

This book will encourage and inspire the reader to dig deep into the Psalms as the author draws from personal object lessons which help further understand and connect the word to the heart.

Take a moment to vote

Psalms Alive, has been nominated for the Book of the Month award hosted by Interviews and Reviews.

To cast your vote for Psalms Alive, click here.

Thanks! Note: You can vote daily until September 30th.

Voting Has Begun

04 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in book review, Psalms, Psalms Alive!

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A brief book review by Kandace Perry 

Page after page of God’s Word comes to life through David’s down to earth and Sample Coverpassionate approach. David reminds us that the Bible is “still alive; still breathing,” and it is just as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago. God is still very much alive, loving us, waiting for us, drawing us to Him.

Psalms Alive! awakens our soul, inspires our mind and warms our heart.

Take a moment to vote

Psalms Alive, has been nominated for the Book of the Month award hosted by Interviews and Reviews.

To cast your vote for Psalms Alive, click here.

Thanks!

Note: You can vote daily until September 30th.

A Review Worth Repeating

12 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by in book review, Psalms, Psalms Alive!

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Much thanks to west coast writer Violet Nesdoly for the following review of Psalms Alive! 

In Psalms Alive! author, pastor, and dramatist David Kitz takes us on a journey through thirteen selected psalms. In the Preface Kitz explains why he wrote the book:

“For the past number of years I have been bringing the Psalms to life for audiences through the medium of live drama. Here now in book form, from a dramatist’s perspective I provide a glimpse into the prayers and praise of the psalmists.”

Each of the book’s 26 chapters begins with the quoted scripture passage under discussion. This is followed by Kitz expanding on it in a variety of ways that include personal stories, explanations of biblical customs and settings, devotional inspiration, and a challenge to apply the scripture’s advice to life. Each chapter ends with a “Bringing Life to the Psalms” section consisting of three to four discussion and personal application questions.

Kitz’s writing is lively, picturesque, and wise. He expands liberally on the ideas presented in the Bible passage. He doesn’t leaves us in the theoretical clouds though, but makes sure his conclusions connect to everyday living. My book is full of underlined sections. Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

From the Preface: “When we handle the Word of God, we are handling life. When we take hold of the Word of God, it takes hold of us” – P. 17.

From a chapter on Psalm 19: “Your heavenly Father does not need a stethoscope to check on the condition of your heart; he needs only to listen to the words coming out of your mouth” – P. 43.

From a chapter on Psalm 103: “Relationship is always the wellspring of all revelation. It is while we are in God’s presence that we discover the mind of Christ” – P. 149.

I used this book, along with others in an online creative Bible study and found much inspiration in it for Bible art journaling. It has deepened and broadened my appreciation of the psalms discussed. It would make an excellent textbook (along with the Bible, of course) for a men’s or women’s Bible study.

For further information on this 240 page book, visit https://davidkitz.ca/psalms.php.

For information on the direct book purchase from the author, click here.

For purchase from Amazon click here.

For information on a live dramatization of the Psalms visit
https://davidkitz.ca/psalms.php.

There is no liberation like the liberation of full and free forgiveness. — David Kitz 

 

Connecting Heaven and Earth

28 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by in Books by David Kitz, Psalms

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Endorsements for Psalms Alive!

“A timely call to stop our mad rush and encounter God in the stillness of prayer and Bible study. David Kitz paints pictures with words, taking lessons from Scripture and nature to offer us a three-dimensional, multi-sensory relationship with God.”

Robert L. Briggs, Executive Vice President, American Bible Society

David writes with a dramatic and compelling flair, enticing us to meet with God and therein find life. His intent to let God’s Word speak through the psalms is accomplished with theological sensitivity to the sitz im leben and creative application to the context of our lives today. Well done, David! Psalms Alive! helped me inhabit the Word and know Him more.

Rev. Dr. Lawson Murray, President — Scripture Union Canada

For further information on the book, visit https://davidkitz.ca/psalms.php.

For information on the direct book purchase from the author, click here.

For purchase from Amazon click here.

For information on a live dramatization of the Psalms visit
https://davidkitz.ca/psalms.php.

There is no liberation like the liberation of full and free forgiveness. — David Kitz 

 

You Knit me Together

26 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Psalm 139, Psalms

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I will praise Him!

trees by lake against sky during winter

Photo by Natalija Mislevicha on Pexels.com

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

(Psalm 139:13-18, NIV)