This entry in the Pocket Puritans series is an updated translation of prayers based on each of the 150 chapters of the book of Psalms. Originally used in the Scottish Psalter (akin to a modern-day hymnbook) back in 1595, these prayers remain potent and timely centuries later. This is the kind of book that can be used for personal study and prayer, or even in small group or large church settings, and will certainly be helpful.

Psalm 45: Good Lord, and God Almighty, who for the fulfilling of thy holy promises, hast sent unto us thy dear Son, our King and Redeemer, grant that we so order ourselves, under the obedience of thy holy Word, that we may renounce ourselves and all our carnal affections; and that we may be an occasion to all people to celebrate thy holy name throughout the whole earth, and that through the self-same Jesus Christ, our only Savior. Amen. [71]

Psalm 93: Most potent King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose majesty is infinite, and whose power is incomparable, maintain thy servants in quietness; and grant that we may be so settled on the certainty of thy promises that, whatsoever thing come upon us, we may abide firm in thy faith, and may live uprightly and without reproach in the midst of thy church, which Jesus Christ thy Son hath bought with His precious blood. Amen.[106]

Psalm 110: Eternal God, who hast appointed thine only Son to be our King and Priest, that we might be sanctified by the sacrifice of His body upon the Cross, grant that we may be so participant of His benefits that we may renounce our own selves, and serve Him in all holiness and purity of life, and may offer up spiritual sacrifices that may be pleasant and acceptable to thee, through the self-same Jesus Christ. Amen. [118]

Psalm 119: Most merciful God, Author of all good things, who hast given thy holy commandments unto us, whereby we should direct our life, imprint them in our hearts by thy Holy Spirit; and grant that we may so renounce all our fleshly desires, and all the vanities of this world, that our whole pleasure and delight may be in thy law; that we, being always governed by thy holy Word, may in the end attain to that eternal salvation which thou hast promised, through Christ Jesus, thy Son. Amen. [125]

Psalm 145: Thy mercies, LORD, are above all thy works; faithful art thou in all thy promises, and just in all thy doings. Be a merciful Father unto us for Christ Jesus thy Son’s sake. Govern our ways for we are weak; strengthen us for we are frail; refresh us for we are famished; and plentifully bestow thy good gifts upon us. Defend us from the snares of Satan, our old enemy, that he tempt us not out of the right way, but that we be evermore ready to praise and glorify thy holy name, through Jesus Christ. Amen. [145] 

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The age-old question of how a good God can allow suffering is addressed by several authors in this compilation. The root of all suffering is explored, as is the way suffering is categorized and dealt with in Scripture. The final chapters, written from lessons learned in personal suffering, were of great value. Although this book can be a bit academic at times, it is a helpful resource for those desiring to give thought to this question. 

One, this life is sometimes delightful and sometimes hard; two, though circumstances change, the Lord does not. He is with us, his people, all the way through this life, and after this life we shall dwell in his house forever. [184]

We are pilgrims, not wanderers. Or, to follow the image of Psalm 23, we are sheep. Our shepherd knows what is the best path for us to take. Sometimes our lives may seem disconnected and erratic. We may find it difficult to impossible to see any pattern. But there is a plan. There is a pattern, and someday (perhaps to some extent in this life, certainly and completely in heaven) we will look back over it all and be amazed at how perfect it was. Time spent in the valley is not wasted; it is part of God’s plan for us. [204] 

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