Songs from the Heart - Meeting with God in the Psalms

by Tim Riordan

Do you need encouragement or comfort? Have you longed to know God and experience His presence? In Songs from the Heart, Dr. Tim Riordan has provided a rich resource, based upon the Psalms, to encourage your spiritual journey and help the Psalms come to life in your heart. You will enjoy Dr. Riordan’s easy to read style and personal stories as he guides you through a study that will help you find personal application of God’s Word. Songs from the Heart can be viewed as a devotional book through selected Psalms or as a resource to help you engage in the study of the Bible. It will be a tool to enrich your spiritual life and to challenge you to meet with God in worship. Join Dr. Riordan as he carefully leads you through an overview of this beloved Bible book and then directs you through a more detailed study of thirty different Psalms.

Genres: Christian, Christian Non Fiction

274 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2014

About the author

Dr. Tim Riordan is a pastor, a Bible teacher, and a student of scripture. He has spent most of his adult life in Georgia, though he has served churches in Texas and Alabama as well. He currently serves as the senior pastor of SonRise Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia. After receiving a degree in music from the University of Georgia, he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas and a Doctorate of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tim enjoys backpacking and scuba diving and some of his favorite past times include camping with his family. He and his wife, Sandra, have six children and make their home in Newnan, Georgia.

Reviews

[Lynelle Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songs from the Heart were a great edition to my daily reading. It has taught, equipped, and enlightened my experience with God as I received a deeper understanding of the book of Psalms.

What I have learned through this study is that Psalms are divided into sub-genres: Hymns, Laments, Processional, Royal, Thanksgiving, Reflection and Wisdom, which taught me more about God's heart for me and how my heart should be towards God. David was the perfect example of humility and child-like faith in the way He approached God, addressed Him and through his relationship with God.
It made it more tangible to me and in my approach to God.

King David's understanding of God makes this Psalms a great mediator and between us and Him. Through David's struggles, we learn how to approach God and celebrate God's infinite love for us amid our calamities.

I like how the devotional began with a glimpse into a young boy's life as he and his family were going to Jerusalem to pray. The Psalms were a big part of their lives. Through singing, they expressed their joys and fears, their longing and praise to an Almighty God. Putting their faith and hope in Him to show the way and supply in their needs.

"Fears are real and problems are intimidating, but God is bigger and faith is liberating."

After each chapter, there is time for further thought with the question section and how we can apply God's word in our own circumstances. It is relevant and eye-opening, and made the scriptures alive in my heart.
A must read for every Christian who wants to learn more about the book of Psalms and the heart of David.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring

This is an inspirational book with a lot of great examples to illustrate the meanings of the Psalms in a way that is meaningful for today's Christian. I would definitely recommend it to others.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book enriched my read thru of Psalm. This book emphasized for me that the Psalms are the hymns of ancient Israel. The center of all the Psalms is God and all of his character. I thought of so many hymns that I had grown up singing that centered on man. Riordan was a new author for me and I did enjoy this book. Riordan covered thirty of the 150 Psalms. I would live to see a devotional guide from him on more Psalms.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this as a devotional and did a little bit everyday. It was a fantastic read. I am enriched by the depth displayed in its pages. I enjoyed the nuances that opened the selected Psalms. I highly recommend this wonderful book to everyone.

[David Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Psalms teach us the content of true worship. Tim Riordan did an excellent job of recognizing and expounding. I read it twice. I highly recommend this to your library. He hit the mark of good exposition on this one.

[Jim Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely relevant in this time when there is so much trouble and desperation. Dr. Riordan begins by describing how the psalms found in the Bible applied to the life of a young Hebrew boy and his family. The word "psalm" means a song to be sung. Dr. Riordan gives background information on the psalms and describes the different genres within the psalms. He points out that they were written out of personal experiences of the authors that reflect the interactions and sometimes the struggles they had with God. Some of the psalms also reflect the corporate interaction that Israel had with God. Dr. Riordan considers Psalms to be the most personal and intimate of all the books of the Bible. He explains to the reader how each psalm can be applied to their life today. He uses some personal experiences to demonstrate this. In this book, he describes in detail thirty-three choice psalms. I would highly recommend this book to everyone whether going through troubled times or not. It is a great book for encouragement and preparation for those tough time that may lie ahead so that you can go through them with a "song in your heart."

[Judy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is a devotional book and has questions at the end of each chapter. I felt like it would be perfect for a Small Group study or even a teen Bible study. It took me into so many different paths of thought and introspection. Many times as I read the questions at the end of each chapter, I would be brought to tears. I felt like they were written just for me. I truly feel as though this book was inspired by God. You don't have to read it all at once. You can read it slowly and ponder on what the author has written. For years, I have wondered just what King David was really like. Now that I have read this book, I am much more forgiving and compassionate toward him. I highly recommend that you all read this book and grow closer to God through it.

[Phillip Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read and meditation.

I am on my second time through this wonderful book. I often read the Psalms. They are often the perfect medication for whatever ails one. This book “ Meeting with God in the Psalms” is a very good for reading at anytime you need a pickup. The type of Psalms, who wrote them and why, are discussed in the first several of chapters. Later chapters have Psalms to read followed by a devotion and this is followed by ....Further Thoughts. These thoughts are questions for one to read and contemplate some personal thoughts. One can find this book to be a comfort and a joy in your Christian life.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched me in so many ways. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a closer walk with God. The insight the author exhibited as he approached each Psalm and the anecdotes he shared make the Psalms come alive. His humility is refreshing. I have purchased copies for all my children and grandchildren. I want them to receive the blessing that has been mine through reading this book.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with great devotion and insight, Dr. Riordan seems to usher you into the very presence of the Father. This book is a must-read for the newest Christian and for the more seasoned Bible student. A very effective tool for one's personal quiet time or to use in a group study. I highly recommend this book. It will be a treasure to keep and reread many times.

[Kaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.

[judy koepsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

This is a heartwarming book surpassed only by scripture itself. The author guides through the Psalms and reveals his personal experiences to enhance the teachings.

[John Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book , very helpful as a reference.