Sing a New Song

“Sing a New Song is a springboard, a launching-off place, for going deeper into the psalms….” (location 218). I really appreciate the thought that has gone into this book. It is organized in such a way that it could be used in a personal study of the Psalms or a group study. Each Psalm is covered and has five sections that explain the theme, the nature of the psalm and how it fits into the Bible, a breakdown of the psalm, how the psalm reveals God and his grace, and an application section that connects this psalm to related Scriptures.
I appreciated the list and explanations of the different types of psalms and what their focus is. I found that knowing what type of psalm I was reading helped me understand it better. The Psalms are so rich and real. When I see how the Psalmist moves from discouragement to faith, it encourages me and helps me see more how I should respond to similar times in my life.
I was reading the entry on Psalm 2 when something crazy was going on in the world. Brownback pointed out that we don’t need to fear because God can change things in an instant and that God laughs when people/rulers try to get rid of him. The things that make me fearful don’t give God an ounce of concern. This message was so timely and helpful for me. I found that to be true all throughout this book. The psalms speak to where we’re at emotionally and train us to keep our eyes on God.
I would highly recommend this book. It is easy to read yet theologically deep. It has enhanced my understanding of the Psalms and I’m sure I’ll use it again and again.
Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Lydia Brownback guides readers slowly through the book of Psalms. This is not a book to be rushed through. Not only because it is a devotional book. But also because the approach--though in some ways a devotional approach--is not a quick rush. The goal isn't for readers to spend two minutes a day with a particular psalm--end of story. Brownback's book is an invitation to a relationship, an invitation to meditate on the psalm and meet the author face to face.

In the preface, Brownback suggests ways readers can best use the book. She suggests that readers can use the book to build confidence in prayer, to prepare a Bible study, to journal your emotions, to weave Psalms with hospitality. (Psalms is not a book of me, me, me--but of WE.)

There is a chapter--an entry--for each psalm, all 150. Each entry consists of the following:

Theme. A one sentence overview of the psalm.
Harmony. Something about the nature of the psalm and how it fits into the big picture of the Psalter.
Singing in Tune. A verse-by-verse breakdown of the psalm.
Musical Notes. How the psalm reveals God and his grace.
Sing the Song. A suggestion for related Scripture reading and personal application.

Perhaps now you can understand why I said this wasn't a book to be rushed through.

I am not sure why Lydia Brownback limits her audience to women. There is nothing specifically "for women" about this book. The psalms are for everyone. And the studies and applications are for everyone.

Sing A New Song is phenomenal - I honestly I don't have enough words for it - but the words I have I am going to sing them out to you - get it - sing them out - first of all - I adore Psalms - It helps you build your relationship In your prayer life with the LORD - It is faithful to the Scriptures - then we are to journal our emotions - and boy does that draw you close to GOD believe it or not. It also teaches us hospitality - you see if you read the headers to Psalms they use it in gatherings - for songs in groups - it gives you a theme - a harmony - singing a tune - musical notes - sing the song - now what does each of those mean - each of those are incredible and special and I am not going to tell you because you have to get the book to find out what each of those special things are that you are to do daily. They are fun and they connect you with GOD what more can you ask for - this is special, advantageous for you to have, and a true GOD-send for me to have.

With Psalms our weaknesses become God's strength.

Helplessness becomes confidence because God hears his cries
Distress becomes peace because God is his protector
Fear becomes trust because God has promised to save him.
Anguish becomes peace because God sustains him.

I loved this devotional thru the Book of Psalms. Going thru all 150 Psalms with a theme, harmony, and how we live in tune to the word of God. It ends with the Musical notes of God's grace as he draws us near to him.

Each Psalm rightly orients our thinking "upward" rather than "inward". We cannot correctly know and understand God if we are the focus, however, in our pain and our emotions, we can know and experience God's promises of salvation and transformation. Just as many of the writers of Psalms experienced such as David and Moses. These were not perfect men and today's world would be crucified by the media. However, their cries of help and seeking God's mercy thru repentance is rare. Brownback goes further with scripture upon scripture and God's attributions of each Psalm. Some of it is repetitive, however, our pain can be as well.

I do believe that men would greatly be encouraged by this devotion as well. I highly recommend this to be read along with your reading of the Psalms. I was greatly encouraged.

A Special Thank You to Crossway and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review