The Psalms

Robert Kurtz - Upright bass
Robert grew up in Lindenhurst (Chicago), IL and moved to IHOP in January 2010 where he now attends the Forerunner Music Academy. His passion is to increasingly know and enjoy God & His Word, and to excel as a prophetic instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, & worship leader so that he would be prepared to serve & teach in a house of prayer context long-term in the nation of Spain.


It’s hard for me to pick a “favorite” Psalm.  Since most psalms directly reflect the life circumstances of the author’s journey through life and relationship with God (along with supernatural revelation, of course), I’ve found myself identifying more strongly with one psalm or another throughout my life.  Two examples, but for different reasons, are Psalms 25 and 35.

I remember reading through the Psalms one day while I was on college break.  I came across Psalm 25 and something stirred inside of me.  Somehow it encapsulated many of my heart cries toward God in a way that I hadn’t yet been able to put language to.  I figured that if a heart cry like this (David’s, in this case) was recorded in the Bible for all time, I could probably do well to allow my own prayer language to be shaped by it, so I decided to work on memorizing it. 

Though years have gone by, and I sometimes forget the exact words, I’m amazed at how memorizing this Psalm has engraved solid principals on my thought patterns.  Verses 1-3 starts out with a declaration of trust in the Lord and acknowledging that those who hope in Him will not be put to shame.  This principal has helped me to keep my vision set, even though trying times.  Later on in verses 8-15 extols the goodness of the Lord and His promises, and encourages all who would hear to live accordingly.  This truth has helped me to remember the benefits and joys of living by God’s Word, even when it doesn’t seem so logical in my own human perception.  David ends in verses 16-22 by asking God to rescue him (and Israel) because “I take refuge in you.”  These simple phrases have reminded me time and again that I can trust God to come through in my life because I take refuge and find hope in Him.

The other Psalm I mentioned was Psalm 35.  Years ago my family was severely wronged by people that we thought loved and cared about us.  The pain I experienced was so intense that it felt as though I would implode in despair and sadness.  Other life circumstances fueled the intensity of this hurt, so I ran to Jesus, the only One in whom I could hope to find any relief. 

As I sought the Lord in prayer and through the Bible, I came across Psalm 35.  Again, language was given to express what I couldn’t with my own words.  I began to say with the Psalmist, “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me…Say to my soul ‘I am your salvation.’”  These words became life to me.  I was slowly able to give my case to the Lord to leave Him to deal rightly.  I was even able to forgive those who had wronged us, though through many tears.  But the greatest gift of all was the intimate connection I felt with Jesus as He truly did speak softly to my soul, saying “Robert, I AM your salvation.”  Oh, what peace I felt knowing that He would save me from all my adversaries!  It was no longer just archaic words on a page, but living truth in my spirit, and burning in my bones. 

Thanks to Psalms like these, I have truly come to understand what a living hope I have in Jesus.

© 2010 Robert Kurtz