Reasonable Theology Podcast

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Praying and Memorizing the Psalms

Mar 4, 2019

Guest

Benjamin Kandt

Benjamin Kandt is a bivocational minister and psychotherapist with a passion for the Psalms, currently serving at New City Church in Orlando. He shares his journey of discovering the depth of the Psalms, emphasizing their significance in scripture and daily prayer. Benjamin reveals his ambitious goal to memorize all 150 Psalms, detailing his techniques and the profound benefits of this practice. He encourages using Psalms as personalized prayers and gives insight on addressing emotions and struggles through these timeless words.

38:07

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ANECDOTE

How Psalms Helped Him Confess

Benjamin Kandt first used confession psalms like Psalm 51 to articulate his divided heart after conversion at 19.
These psalms gave him language to confess sin, ask for mercy, and pray honestly to God.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Portland Bookstore Moment

In Powell's bookstore Benjamin found Bonhoeffer's Psalms: Prayer Book of the Bible and began praying the Psalms regularly.
The Psalms became his sanctuary for meeting God in security, presence, and joy.

insights

INSIGHT

Psalms Shaped Early Christian Thought

The New Testament heavily alludes to the Psalms, implying early Christians likely had them memorized.
Historical practice shows the Psalter shaped teaching and liturgy across church history.

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Guest Background and Ministry

00:22 • 2min

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How Benjamin Began Loving the Psalms

02:08 • 4min

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Are Christians Missing the Psalms?

06:08 • 1min

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Memorization Project: 150 by 50

07:11 • 2min

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Practical Psalm Memorization Techniques

Progress and Benefits of Memorization

13:26 • 5min

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Jesus and the Psalms in Scripture

18:02 • 4min

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Why Pray the Psalms Personally

22:00 • 3min

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How to Use Psalms as Model Prayers

25:27 • 3min

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Handling Mismatched Emotions and Enemies

28:32 • 4min

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Resources and Musical Psalm Settings

32:15 • 3min

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Getting Started: Start with Psalm 1

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Psalm 121

Libby Larsen

#14402

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Psalm 119

Matrix, Form, and Setting

William Michael Soll

In this book, William Michael Soll delves into a comprehensive study of Psalm 119, examining its structural elements, literary form, and historical setting. The work is part of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series and offers insights into the theological and literary significance of the psalm.

#10134

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Psalm 73

Hubert Irsigler

Dieses Buch bietet eine detaillierte Analyse von Psalm 73, indem es den Text, das Programm und die Struktur des Psalms untersucht. Es ist Teil der Reihe 'Arbeiten zu Text und Sprache im Alten Testament' und wurde 1984 veröffentlicht.

#23935

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Prayer Book of the Bible

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

#2225

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

Psalm 10

David

Psalm 10 is a part of the Book of Psalms and is attributed to King David. It begins with a lament about God's seeming absence in times of trouble and describes the arrogance and wickedness of the evildoers. The psalmist calls on God to take action against the wicked, affirming that God sees all wrongdoing and will protect the oppressed. The psalm concludes with confidence in God's eternal reign and justice, reassuring that God will hear and act according to His perfect goodness.

#3200

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

Psalm 51

A Psalm of Repentance

King David

Psalm 51 is a powerful expression of repentance, written by King David after being confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sins with Bathsheba. The psalm reflects David's genuine remorse and his desire for spiritual cleansing and restoration. It is one of the seven Penitential Psalms and serves as a model for seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

#10276

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Praying Through the Bible

Donald Whitney

#4377

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

Psalm 1

A Wisdom Psalm

Traditionally attributed to King David or possibly Ezra

Psalm 1 is an introductory psalm to the Book of Psalms, often referred to as a wisdom psalm. It outlines two distinct paths in life: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The psalm describes the righteous person as one who delights in the law of the Lord, meditates on it day and night, and is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season. In contrast, the wicked are likened to chaff blown away by the wind, with no stability or future. The psalm emphasizes that following God's direction leads to happiness and prosperity, while ignoring it results in destruction.

#7135

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Psalm 2

Kiss The Son Lest He Be Angry

John C. Burt

This book provides an in-depth examination of Psalm 2, exploring its theological and spiritual implications. It delves into the meaning and context of the psalm, offering insights into its relevance for contemporary readers. The author, John C. Burt, presents a detailed analysis of the scripture, highlighting key themes and messages.

#4574

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Psalm 22

Jochen Becker-Ebel

Psalm 22 is a penitential psalm in the Book of Psalms, known for its vivid depiction of suffering and despair. The psalmist cries out to God in anguish, feeling abandoned and forsaken. The psalm's imagery of physical pain, emotional distress, and spiritual desolation resonates with readers across centuries. However, it concludes with a powerful affirmation of faith and trust in God's ultimate deliverance. The psalm's themes of suffering, abandonment, and ultimate redemption have made it a significant text in Christian theology, often interpreted in the context of Jesus' crucifixion.

• Mentioned in 19 episodes

Psalm 23

Nigel Brooks

Nigel Brooks' 'Psalm 23' is a vocal score, likely intended for choral or congregational singing. It is a musical interpretation of the well-known biblical psalm.

#2305

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Augustine's Confessions

Augustine

The Psalms have been referred to as the prayer book of the Bible. The New Testament is saturated with the Psalms, and they were constantly on the lips of our Savior.

Clearly, this book ought to feature largely in our devotional lives. But how are Christians to make use of the Psalms beyond reading them?

On this episode, our guest Benjamin Kandt discusses his love for the Psalms, the benefits of memorization, and how we can use the Psalms to enliven our prayer lives.

On This episode We'll Learn:

The importance of the Psalms in Scripture and in the Christian life
How our guest learned to love the Psalms
Helpful tips for memorizing the Psalms from someone with a goal to memorize all 150
Ways to use Psalms to enrich and enliven your prayer life

For more resources and information, see the show notes at ReasonableTheology.org/Episode13

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