Here's a selection of responses to those who completed the e-mail Bible study version of Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134):
"No narrowness or rhetorical expounding ... Enjoy the backdrop of history and culture." -- Susan Lillywhite, Mumbai, India
"Short and easy to follow, yet they help stir our hearts to go deeper into the Word." -- Maria Chan, Philippines
"Felt God was always speaking to me ... could feel his Spirit guiding me throughout the course." Pam Gonsalves, UK
"I was quite moved. Appreciated having a specific daily focus and learning the background of this group of Psalms. Helped me bring the history together with current tools I could practically implement in my life daily." -- Brenda Butler -- Trinidad and Tobago
"Inclusion of paintings by Vincent van Gogh that highlight the psalm of the day bring richness to the studies." -- Marjorie Cooper, Ontario, Canada
"At the end of the study, I am left longing for more." -- Angeline Kinya-ogeto, Nairobi, Kenya
"I really like these daily devotional studies for a certain period of days. I can't always commit to doing a full study, but a daily devotional study for a limited number of days is perfect." -- Joan Sider, Canada
"I had no idea that the psalms were so packed with meaning. This study helped me understand the structure of Hebrew poetry, the cultural setting of the poems, and have insight into the spiritual intentions of the writer -- turning the Book of Psalms into a real spiritual resource for me." -- Nandita Andrade, New Zealand
"Arouses the yearning to come before God and worship Him." -- Yin Hui, Canada
"I could picture the pilgrims on the road singing joyfully to go and worship God. This challenges me to find joy in going to the house of the Lord to worship." -- Haar Garba, Nigeria
"Doesn't attack or promote any denomination. Instead, the lessons lead me to God's love." -- Rev. Alphonce Ngavatula, Tanzania
"Explains clearly, generating a new interest to re-read the Psalms." -- Henry Jonnalagadda, Canada
"Particularly appreciated the meditation at the end of each lesson. It helped to make the lesson personally applicable." -- Eileen Evans, Philadelphia
"The accompanying Van Gogh artwork gave an otherworldly feel to the Psalms, almost like I was being transported to the dwelling of Yahweh." -- Ji Hyun Lee, New York
"Used the Songs of Ascent at home during prayers, in our cell group, and recommended them to my siblings and friends." -- Thandiswa Monica Ndesi, South Africa
"Renewed my faith." -- Zamakhosi Mthembu, South Africa
"These lessons on the Psalms of Assent have been a blessing to me in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, a category 4 hurricane." -- Wava McClain, Lake Charles, Louisiana
"So good to be reminded that we are all pilgrims in this life and that the Lord is traveling with us daily." -- Stephen Robinson, New South Wales, Australia
"Very uplifting and encouraging." -- Susanne Anderson, New York
"Clear and sound exegetic work." -- Augustin Rulinda, Ontario, Canada
"Teachings stay focused on Jesus and the Word and encourage unity without any denomination bashing or criticism." -- Marilyn Wright, Las Vegas
"The Psalms continually draw me into the journey of the the soul. This particular bible study has captured that sense of movement -- of going forth in to worship, and service, as the faithful dedication of body, mind, and heart that stirs me to keep the Lord ever before me." -- Gretchen Johnson, Alberta Canada
"I especially enjoyed the audio as I learn best by audio, followed up by reading." -- Nancy Houser, USA
"Now I have a new appetite for the Psalms." -- Azaniah Akindele, Olympia Washington
"Relevant, practical insight into these important passages." -- Henry Pauls, Senior Pastor, Fresno, California
"Challenges students to dig deep into our souls, repent, and be more knowledgeable, active followers of Christ." -- Cindy Jones, Texas
"What stood out to me was the range of life's experiences contained in the fifteen Songs of Ascent giving insights to the experience of life today." -- Rev. Geoff Foster, Staffordshire, UK
"What stood out is God's faithfulness to us.... Reminded me of His constant presence." -- Virginia Kurtin, Texas
"Appreciated the humble elaboration on the truth." -- Lisa Daley, Spokane, Washington
"Helped me realize that I am a pilgrim traveling through this land. As the pilgrims of old, I must and can depend upon God for help. No matter how the road looks, I am protected by the Creator of everything." -- Willette Smith, Florida
"A blessing to simply focus on the simplicity of His Word and to be refreshed." -- Janice Mozley, California
"Thank you for not slanting the lessons to a certain theology, but being open to the Holy Spirit's leading." -- Zona Woddard, Missouri
"Enlightened me to new ways of reading and understanding the Psalms." -- Elaine Leroux, Johannesburg, South Africa
"The informative line-by-line explanation of each psalm was extremely helpful, and it gave me time to pause and think of what was truly being said." -- Susan Brenner, USA
"Clear, precise, easy to understand, enjoyable, and worth pondering." -- Father Aaron Peters, Kansas
"Very calming in a chaotic world." -- Kathryn Forsyth, Pennsylvania
"It has been a joy to sit in my gazebo this past 15 days reading, studying, contemplating, and praying over this study.... These studies are deeper than many I've done over the years, yet attainable by the average person." -- Mary Morton, Nova Scotia
Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format -- currently 48 books in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.
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