Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. However, I am no longer interested in pursuing titles on this subject.

I love the book of Psalms and the treasure trove of emotions within it. The author of Restore My Soul leads the reader in a time of study, reflection, and application through 30 Psalms including many well known and beloved passages. I appreciate that the entire text of each day’s Psalm was included. Often devotionals highlight only a verse or two and the reader has no context. Likewise, the restore section at the end of each day’s reading led the reader through a time of self-examination and application.

Of the 30 days, some really resonated with me while others fell flat. The pacing of the writing felt slow and was not engaging on a few days. However, others were exquisitely written, and I found to be very well thought out.

I love how rooted this was in the Lord's word. Definitely an inspirational read and something I could see being implemented in day-to-day routines. A great holiday gift for any Godly women in your lives.

I think this book has good substance to it, but it felt disconnected. There was too much info all at once and it felt like the author was using anything and everything to bring it all to one point summed up in one sentence. It was very surface level, and I just couldn’t get into it so I stopped after a few chapters.

A wonderful reflection for the book of Psalms that help us to go through tough times. I highly recommend it and I will totally buy it on paperback.

#RestoreMySoul #LauraLSmith #OurDailyBreadPublishing #NetGalley

The book of Psalms, in the Bible, attributed mainly to King David, is full of lyrical outpourings, filled with pathos, anguished and questioning on one hand and a paean of praise, drawing comfort and reassurance from God, on the other, with triumphant crescendos declaring absolute faith in God's goodness, faithfulness and deliverance.

Laura takes these timeless symphonies and ponders on their meaning, adds her own perspectives, and guides ours, so we can more fully appreciate that there is no timestamp on God's provision and providence.

There is no expiry date. What the psalmist declared so many centuries ago holds true today.

Like David, we cry out "How long, Lord? How long will you hide your face from me?"
Then, we ponder on Isaiah's assurance that "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint."

We are then encouraged through David's jubilant "But I trust in your unfailing love. My heart rejoices in your salvation" and his exultant "Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise Him who is the help of my countenance and my God."

Through her own narratives and anecdotes, she provides clarity and meaning to these ageless words.

I enjoyed this ARC and will no doubt go back to it again and again.

This will be a great resource to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of this wonderful book.

What a beautiful book on the Psalms. I absolutely savored this book. It is so well written. Each chapter opens with a Psalm, which I love. It brings us directly to the Word, which is where we need to be. Smith then expounds in the Psalm with a personal story and life lesson. I have been a Christian for quite a while, and I’m not into “fluffy” sort of devotionals, but that’s not what I found in Restore My Soul. Smith has such wisdom and a love for the Lord that is contagious. I definitely recommend this book to every reader that is looking to feel refreshed.

I’m in love! Getting this as gifts for some of my friends. This truly is both beautiful and inspirational!

Laura Smith is a new author to me but this book on the Psalms appealed to me as I scanned NetGalley. I've recently been grieving the loss of my parents and was looking for some encouragement as I read my favourite book of the Bible, The Psalms.

30 days, one Psalm, many of the popular ones, ie, Ps 1, 23, 42, 91, 119, 139 and more. Smith writes like a friend sitting having coffee. She's very relatable and her stories are easy to connect to. In most part she does a good job connecting a story to the relevance of the message of the psalm being explored.

Smith always keeps pointing our eyes to the words of the psalm and on the Lord. As a result, each day my heart did experience some restoration. God's in the restoration business, isn't He?

This is a useful way to connect with these psalms and each chapter ends with 2-3 ideas on how to go deeper. Interestingly, a number of them encouraged the reader simply to bathe in the particular psalm for a week at a time which is a very powerful way of connecting with the Lord and His Word. The chapter on Psalm 25 was especially powerful for me.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley with ni expectation of a favourable review.

Not your typical devotional. Laura goes through 30 Psalms with the
Psalm in full, followed by her introspection and personal application from this particular psalm, only to ask you, dear reader, questions at the end on how to restore your own heart back to God. I really liked Psalm 51 and her story of her daughter being at home alone, crying out to her parents, and how we as children of God call out to our Heavenly Father and expect Him to respond to our fears and hearts cry. My favorite, though, was the one after that, where she talked about writing six books, only to be dropped by her editor, and picked up by a new one as she was asked to rewrite her story with less of a focus on her faith, and her personal conviction after it was done, only to have God work it all His way. This book is the result of that conviction and correction, and I am deeply grateful for it. Well done Laura, and keep a strong hold of your faith.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

I received a complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I absolutely love this book which explores Psalms and their impact in our lives, I cannot express my love more than I can right now. The book is divided into chapters and each chapter begins with a specific Psalm. The Psalm is preceded with her personal experience (told in a story format) and ends with how they can impact our lives.

One of the things I love about the book is that each chapter also has just a couple journal prompts or discussion questions to help you meditate. Every Christian needs to read this brilliant book.

One of my favorite authors recommended this read, and I was so excited it was still up on NetGalley! I did chuckle to myself a little just now--the book description might have made me side-eye a bit but for that author recommendation; it made me think a little of another popular "devotional" line of books out there that I am not a fan of. But between that rec, Our Daily Bread publishing it, and my reading the book before looking harder at the description (sometimes just as well, eh?) ... Houston, we have a winner!

This is a really insightful and encouraging devotional read at 30 different Psalms. Smith (a new-to-me auth0r) does a great job at tying them in not only with the rest of Scripture, but our lives today. She writes thoughtfully and powerfully, and the included reflections/journaling prompts certainly encouraged this reader to go deeper in my devo time--something I could always stand to do.

I especially appreciated its regular pointing the reader back to God and the Word for truth, and noting some pitfalls in the self-help/self-care genre.

An excellent addition to the genre.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A good devotional allows the readers to soak in the message and contemplate on them. This book accomplishes that. The Psalms are also a perfect theme because it is a conversation between the God and the person seeking peace. Accessible and easy-to-follow. Recommended for public libraries.

I highly recommend purchasing this book. The insight she shares about herself in relationship to the Psalms are insight’s so many of us can relate too. I share an example of this in a chapter called, Sharing the Hard Stuff in reference to Psalms 32, she writes, “Me confessing my not-so-pretty past helped others share theirs, and together we squelched the lies Satan was trying to tell us about who we are, moving forward to own who Christ says we are—loved, redeemed, priceless, forgiven. His sons and daughters. These conversations aren’t easy, but the psalmist reminds us, “You [God] are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory” (v. 7 nlt). Which means that even though we may be tempted to appear to be the “perfect Christian,” (1) there’s no such thing, and (2) God is singing and celebrating the win, the freedom we’re stepping into. There is triumph in telling the truth and unlocking the shameful trap that the chains of unconfessed sin hold us in.” There is more she writes in this chapter, but what I liked, is the question (or questions) and prayer she gives at the end of the chapter, where she invites one to examine their own perspective.
I’m glad I was given the opportunity to read this book in advance through Netgalley and Our Daily Bread publishers, but I give this review freely in my own admission.

Restore My Soul: The Power and Promise of 30 Psalms by Laura L. Smith is a beautifully written book with explorations of 30 Psalms. The Psalms are such varied writings and the author does an excellent job making them clear and relevant to modern life. I think believers looking for a deeper connection with the Lord will enjoy this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

The book of Psalm is a treasure trove of wisdom and encouragement. The author breaks down the verses and couples them with anecdotes to help open them up and make them more relatable.

At the end of each selection there are questions to engage the reader and get them thinking further. Each chapter is a good length, not being too much to be able to digest in one reading.

While I enjoyed the overall concept of the book, I prefer one version of the Bible and had I picked this book up in a store and seen all of the different versions referenced, I probably wouldn’t have bought it. That is a personal preference that may not matter to others.

I think someone looking for encouragement and help understanding the Psalms would enjoy this book.

Rooted in biblical truths, this book is a solid read. I would absolutely recommend it to read along with the book of Psalms. Not only does the author weave personal stories, lessons, and truths into each chapter, but she offers deeper insights into the scriptures included at the beginning of each chapter.

An excellent read!

I love the book of Psalms. It’s brings me so much comfort, joy, and peace during the hard times as well as the good times. I really like devotionals that focus on the Psalms so I was excited to read this one! Each day, this devotional started off with a Psalm to read before diving into the devotional. At the end of each devo, there’s prompts at the end whether that’s questions to ask yourself or writing prompts. As I love journaling, I enjoyed that writing prompts were sometimes included.
Laura’s writing was very real and honest. I love when devotionals are written this way! I also love that she includes many scriptures throughout each devo.
I enjoyed this devotional! Each devotional was intentionally written with a message, a reminder that God is good all of the time. If you love devotionals that focus on the Psalms, this is a good one! ❤️
*I received an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.