SWP |Psalm 27
A Scripture Writing Primer study
How do you get started with Scripture Writing?
Well, really, you just open your Bible, choose a passage, and start copying it, by hand. That’s the nuts and bolts of scripture writing.
So, why this primer on Scripture writing? Because it really is MORE than just copying the words out in your own handwriting.
In Deuteronomy 17, God lays out a plan for when Israel is foolish enough to request a king so they can be like the other nations around them (1 Sam. 8:1-9). After giving them law for the second time, before entering into Canaan, God the Father directs Moses to give directions for how a king might be one who fears “Yahweh his God, to carefully observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons in the midst of Israel” (Deut. 17:19-20).
These are similar reasons God gave to the people for abiding by the law God handed down by Moses to the people (Deut. 6:1-19). Adding the part about writing out a copy for his own daily reference indicated the difficulty being a king of the people might bring to walking in step with God if the king were not careful. God was providing an added layer of help!
The concept of “writing” the word is not left just with the king.
The people were to write the law on stones which would then be used to build an altar after they crossed the Jordan river (Deut. 27:1-8).
God then uses the figure of writing the words on the heart - through reading, meditation, and repeating of them to others through teaching - throughout scripture.
Proverb 3:3 “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverb 7:2-3 “Keep my commandments within you. Keep my commandments alive, and my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
The prophets were told to write things down so they could be read and understood later (Isaiah 30:9’ Jer. 30:2; Ezek. 24; Ezek. 37; Ezek. 43).
We know the letters to the churches were written, copied and shared so everyone could learn the lessons (Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27).
So the concept is not an extreme one. In fact it fits neatly into the pattern of how people have been learning and sharing God’s word since the beginning.
You want me to copy the WHOLE Bible?
Well, yes, eventually.
Lord willing, you have a lifetime to do it. Nowhere does it teach that you need to read and understand every word in one year, three years, or twenty. It is an undertaking that God knows will take a lot of time. A king of Israel would have been able to copy the law in a fairly short period of time, even if he was copying all of the statutes that were given to show how to live by the ten commandments.
If you keep it simple, and focus on one section at at a time, you’ll be surprised how much you can get written over a year’s time.
As an example, start today with Psalm 27.
It is fourteen verses.
Let’s take it slow and explore how simple a study can be doing it this way. THEN you can explore how DEEP a study you can get also studying this way. First things first.
Here is a plan for Psalm 27 designed for you to take one week to read, write, and meditate on this Psalm. (I’ve included a link at the bottom of this post so you can download the PDF too.)
Don’t get in a hurry.
Today - READ the whole Psalm.
That’s it. Just read it.
Bonus points if you read it out loud. If you feel strange doing that, read it to whomever is closest to you - your dog, your cat, your kids, your spouse, your mom, your best friend. But just reading it outloud to yourself will add a layer to your understanding as you spend the time writing it out later. (There is lots of science to back that up, you can find link to it in this post.).
Tomorrow, will be Day One from the plan. OK- you CAN make today Day One if you’re excited to get started, but try to allow yourself to SLOW down and just write the verses set for each day. We are practicing meditation by taking the time to allow the words to soak in. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
I will send another message tomorrow to talk a bit about what to do with the information while you’re waiting to the add the next layer to things.
To do list:
Choose your Bible.
Read Psalm 27.
Gather paper and your favorite pen or pencils.
Make a spot to keep it all together so you don’t get distracted trying to find what you need.
Make an appointment on your phone or planner for when you will do this each day.
That’s it. Choose intention. Choose to be purposeful. Choose to keep it simple.
You can get creative and more ambitious when you are comfortable with the concept.
Lord willing, I will see you tomorrow as we study verses 1-2.
Enjoy!
Here are your downloads:
If you really want something a tiny bit more advanced -
Below are what I call “Study Builders”. These study builders can be used to guide your study. You’re welcome to use them now - but if you get overwhelmed, just stick with your favorite notebook or paper. I will talk about them again when we get to the end of Psalm 27.
Head to the next lesson here:
