A Student's Psalm

I will tell of the one who has given everything
 I will give thanks to the one in need of nothing
I will sing of him to whom belongs all justice
 I will remember him who has set me free
I will recount his wonderful deeds towards me
  In times when I question his plan
  In times when others wonder his working
  In times when I doubt his goodness

Praise to the LORD, for he has turned my heart towards him
 Give thanks to the one who has opened eyes to his uncompromising justice and love
Praise to the LORD, who desires to be known
 Give thanks to the one who desires to know me
            Who has revealed himself in his word
Praise to the LORD, whose plans reach far beyond my own
 Give thanks to him who is more concerned with my relationship than my rules
  With my heart than my busy hands
Praise to the LORD, who heals all my wounds
 Give thanks to the one who restores what I have broken
  Who is patient amidst my slowness
  Who wrestles me to win

Praise to the LORD, who has used others to point me to himself
 Give thanks to the one who taught me through countless theology courses that the purpose of studying scripture is to deepen my relationship with him, my spiritual siblings, and other potential siblings. To admire, thank, and praise him more.

 Give thanks to the one who has encouraged me through Roy Kosin to ask the challenging questions, and not to run from them. That the more I look into scripture and live life, the more questions I may have, but the less certainty I need because of the certainty in the unchanging, loving God we both trust.

 Give thanks to the one who has challenged me through Ben Brown to continually ask myself ‘now then since this is true… how will it impact my relationships, and how I live my life?”

 Give thanks to the one who has given me excitement through Mark Stevenson, Bruce Henning, and Ben Matthew’s joy in God’s word, the freedom that the gospel brings, in its application to life. When I question whether I will still be excited about God’s word in the years to come, or whether I will ever be able to plumb the depths of God’s complexity, greatness, and plans to restore all aspects of life. I can look to their joy, their trust, their excitement, and their example and look forward to the future with him, trusting that the Lord will never run out.

 Give thanks to the one who has urged me through Lori Kratzer, and Joel Hernandez to view everyday interactions and activities as opportunities to talk about Jesus by giving practical information, examples, and personal stories of their own doing so.

Praise to the LORD, for he has turned our hearts toward him
 Give thanks to the one who opens our eyes to his uncompromising glory
Praise to the LORD, who desires to be known
 Give thanks to the one who desires to know us
  Who has revealed himself in his word
Praise to the LORD whose plans reach far beyond all man can imagine,
 Give thanks to him who uses the large and small interactions
  The intentional and unintentional moments of our days
Praise to the LORD who heals all our wounds
 Give thanks to the one who is in the process of restoring us
  Who is patient amidst our slowness
            Who wrestles us to win

It is he whose plans are better, who is working, who is good.
 I will recount his wonderful deeds towards me
I will remember him who has set me free
 I will sing of him to whom belongs all justice
I will give thanks to the one in need of nothing
 I will tell of the one who has given everything

Hallie Signer is a senior at Emmaus Bible College and is currently on track to graduate with a degree in both Communications and Bible.