I Can Only ImagineShembull

Millions of people have been affected and inspired by Bart Millard’s song “I Can Only Imagine.” Songs have a way of connecting with both our minds and our hearts. Songs give language to our feelings and struggles. Songs allow us to use our bodies, including singing with our voices, raising our hands, or dancing, to connect with God in worship. 

In fact, an entire book of the Bible is given to us as songs of redemption! 

Jesus loved the Psalms. He pointed to Psalm 110 to describe his eternal authority (Matthew 22:41-46). He identified himself as the cornerstone Psalm 118 foreshadowed (Matthew 21:42). At the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn based on Psalms 113-118 (Mark 14:26). In meeting with two men on the road to Emmaus, after his resurrection, he opened up the Scriptures to them—including the Psalms (Luke 24:44). On the Cross, he cried out in the language of Psalm 22 (Matthew 27:46). 

One pastor and author has aptly described the Psalms as “the songs of Jesus.” 

Read through these Psalms and pray them (or sing them!) to the Lord in worship and gratitude. When we approach the Psalms, we don’t merely read them; we pray them: “Search me and know me” (Psalm 139:23-24). Pray that the Lord would give you a spirit of worship as you praise him through these Psalms! 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:14

No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— but God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. - Psalm 49:7, 15

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.  - Psalm 103:1-6

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he has redeemed from the hand of the foe. - Psalm 107:2