One of the less common psalm types is timeline psalms. These prayers retell the family history of Israel, God’s holy history, for the people to remember.
Does your family have stories from your past that you love to remember together?
Read Psalm 106 together.
Psalm 106:4–12 (NIV)
Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
When our ancestors were in Egypt,
they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
to make his mighty power known.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
he led them through the depths as through a desert.
He saved them from the hand of the foe;
from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them survived.
Then they believed his promises
and sang his praise.
Discussion questions
- What actions do humans take in this psalm? What actions does God take? Where do you see humans and God acting in the same ways today?
- In verse six, the psalmist places themself into the story because of their heritage. Most of us are not connected to these stories through our ancestors, but how does the blood of Jesus allow us to read this psalm as our own family history? What promises do we get to claim as a result?
- At the end of this psalm, the author asks God for salvation. How does the psalmist’s retelling of Israel’s story give them confidence in their request? How do the stories of Israel give us confidence today?
- Do you know any congregational songs that retell Biblical stories of God’s faithfulness to his people? What stories would your community or family include if you wrote a song that tells of God’s work among you?
Take time to share a few ways that God has acted throughout time in your community, both in the years that you have been able to personally witness it and in the years that came before. Close in prayer together, remembering to confess the sins and struggles of your community and thank God for the way God has cared for and delivered that community.
This devotional is part of a series of devotionals created for worship teams. You can find the whole series here.
