God Is a Strong Shelter: Weathering Storms through Reading Psalms

By Johnny Turner and Carl L. Washington Jr.

God Is a Strong Shelter: Weathering the Storms through Reading Psalms brings faith to the center stage for believers. It is a spiritual roadmap and guide that reflects the Bible for the ultimate answer and a practical, biblical, and theological resource for the church to take a deep dive into the Psalms. The primary focus is to carefully examine the psalms for hope and protection in a world of persuasive tactics of scheming. Believers are encouraged to trust God by reading what I call the Great Affirmation of faith in Ps 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." This book tells how the psalmists communicated to God amid personal encounters with enemies during turbulences of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Release date: Mar 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666795851

Johnny Turner

Johnny Turner is the associate minister of training and teaching the associate ministers at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida. Turner is a former adjunct professor of the New York Theological Seminary Certificate Program, New York. He is the author of A Biblical Theology of Christian Discipleship. He is a certified dean of the Sunday School Publishing Board, USA, and a certified grief counseling specialist.

Book preview

God Is a Strong Shelter

Weathering Storms through Reading Psalms

Johnny Turner

Foreword by Carl L. Washington Jr.

God Is a Strong Shelter

Weathering Storms through Reading Psalms

Copyright ©

2023

Johnny Turner. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers,

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paperback isbn: 978-1-6667-3694-6

hardcover isbn: 978-1-6667-9584-4

ebook isbn: 978-1-6667-9585-1

10/12/22

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright ©

1973

,

1978

,

1984

International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations identified KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) KING JAMES VERSION public domain.

Scripture quotations identified NKJV are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright ©

1982

by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified (NASB*) New American Standard Bible* Copyright ©

1960

,

1971

,

1977

,

1995

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2020

by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT): Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Copyright ©

1996

,

2004

,

2007

by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream Illinois

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. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Preface to the Second Edition

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

Part One: Experiencing the Presence of God

Psalm 17: A Cry of Agony

Psalm 27: An Ambivalent Mood

Psalm 84: A Glorious Dwelling Place

Psalm 90: Appreciating Numbered Days

Psalm 100: A Reason for Praise and Worship

Psalm 139: The God of Connection

Part Two: Experiencing the Provision of God

Psalm 6: Oh Lord, Deliver Me

Psalm 23: Personal Guidance of Joy

Psalm 107: The Praises of the Redeemed

Psalm 128: Blessings and Prosperity

Psalm 132: David Is Not Forgotten

Part Three: Experiencing the Protection of God

Psalm 25: Lead Me, Guide Me

Psalm 37: Rest in the Lord

Psalm 40: The Perseverance of Waiting

Psalm 46: A Stronghold of Hope

Psalm 61: A Strong Tower in Difficult Times

Psalm 91: A Mighty Fortress

Psalm 121: The Lord Is Your Keeper

Part Four: Experiencing the Power of God

Psalm 31: The Great Deliverer

Psalm 8: The Adoration of the Majestic Name

Psalm 11: Security in God

Psalm 51: The God of Mercy

Psalm 62: God Is a Sure Refuge for the Soul

Psalm 110: A Prophetic Praise

Psalm 114: Deliverance from Egypt

Psalm 124: God’s Favor Was with Israel

Part Five: Experiencing the Providence of God

Psalm 1: The Righteous and the Unrighteous

Psalm 19: The Voice of the Heavens

Psalm 34: A Satisfied Soul

Psalm 73: Safe around Slippery Slopes

Psalm 103: Kept in Steadfast Love

Psalm 138: A Willingness to Praise Well

Psalm 147: Praise for God’s Providential Grace

Bibliography

This book is dedicated to every believer who knows what it means to struggle in life amid storms and dangerous circumstances. I dedicate this book in memory of my parents, Rev. Melton W. Turner and Annie Maude Wilkerson. It is also dedicated in memory of the late Dr. Werner Lempke, former Old Testament professor of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, NY, who taught me the psalms. His profound insight into the psalms has left a lasting impression on my ministry. This book is also dedicated to my wife, Doris Bourgeois Turner, and children, Donnette, Jeffrey, Jennifer, and Jonathan.

Foreword

Dr. Turner has captured in this examination of the Psalms the heart of what is called the Hymn Book of the Bible. He has tapped into the enormity of the reality of the Psalms in the Believer’s life.

As believers, we are constantly looking for solace as life’s situations confront us, and the book of Psalms offers peace during the dry seasons that often confront us in life.

Dr. Turner has actualized the energy and activity in the Psalms that is beneficial for developing strong and accurate biblical understanding. This book is incredibly insightful and inspiring as Dr. Turner explores the deepest of what the book of Psalms was written to convey. I highly recommend that pastors and teachers use this book as a priority in the life of every believer. This book will sharpen your insight, test your character, and move you into a clear, concise, and closer reality as to what you need to become an inspiration to others as you lead them into worship.

—Dr. Carl L. Washington Jr., pastor

New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, New York, New York

President, Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York

Dean, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education

Preface to the Second Edition

We live in turbulent and trying times. Therefore, we experience high and low ebbs of life while pursuing our spiritual destiny amid the pandemic and injustice of all kinds. Since writing the first edition, I have continued to teach the psalms in many churches and denominational settings. The seed of this book has been a long time and an indelible mark of inspiration. I don’t claim to know all the academic prose and history of the psalms because I will always remain in the developing stage of learning.

I constantly reflect on the significance of the psalms for teaching, preaching, praise, and worship. When I hear someone read or preach from the psalms, I give personal attention to the moment. Moments are never dull when one picks up the Bible and reads the psalms. Academic scholars and pastors write books, journals, and commentaries to edify the body of Christ. What’s important to remember is that there are no chapters in the psalms because it was the hymnbook of the Jewish people. Therefore, we carry the Hebrew tradition to enrich our ministry today. The richness of the psalms brings joy and a distinct touch of comfort for all of us who need spiritual guidance in a mean world. There is the need to meditate and pray while reading the psalms. Like any other book in the Bible, there are divine kernels of a new revelation for daily living.

I pray that pastors and laypersons would appreciate and identify with the message of the psalms and continue to grow as dedicated and committed Christians. It is evident all through Scripture that God provides strength and protection and makes provision for our spiritual expedition daily.

I study as many scholars as possible to sharpen my teaching and homiletical skills so I can be a better asset to the body of Christ. Some of those scholars who are encouraging and inspiring are C. S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Charles Augustus Briggs, and Walter Brueggemann. Reading the psalms opens spiritual thoughts and guides us as God reveals new ideas that bode us spiritually with the Trinitarian Godhead.

This book’s message relates to circumstances and situations that people experience as they deal with the storms of life. Therefore, the rich history of the psalms has a message of hope, joy, determination, and deliverance. Israel referred to the palms during their journeying and sang them in the temple during worship. They crossed the Red Sea and the Jordan, and God delivered them and protected them from danger. These selected psalms relate to their theological, Christological, and biblical context that will leave a lasting impact on the lives of all those who engage in this reading. This work is a work of lifelong ambition, patience, and faith.

There are rivers of richness in these 150 psalms. The more one reads and studies, the more one will be encouraged to become prepared to discuss and explain new insights to others who just need inspiration and information in the rich ardor of the psalms.

—Johnny Turner

Acknowledgments

Reflecting on both editions, God Is a Strong Shelter gives credence to those who encourage me on this journey. Undertaking this project was a passionate and compelling task. Thanks to the Empire State Congress of Christian Education for allowing me to teach the psalms in 1988. Thanks to The Eastern Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education and the Cornerstone Baptist Church Sandy F. Ray Institute of Christian Education, Brooklyn, New York, for also giving me the opportunity to teach the psalms. Thanks to many colleagues and former seminary professors for valuable feedback and dialogue: Rev. Dr. Allen Paul Weaver Jr., pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church, New Rochelle, New York. Thanks to the late Rev. Dr. James Evans, pastor of St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church, Rochester, New York for his encouragements and to Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr., dean of Bethune Cookman School of Religion, Daytona Beach, Florida.

Thanks to the late Dr. George E. McRae, pastor emeritus of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Miami, Florida, for his encouragement to delve into the psalms. Thanks to the late Dr. Paul Hammer, retired professor and dear friend, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, New York, for his wisdom and encouragement.

Special thanks to Dr. Marvin McMickle, former president, of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, for writing an excellent foreword to the first edition. Thanks to the endorsers; Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis III, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Highland Park, Landover, Maryland; Rev. Dr. Patricia Rickenbacker, pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church, Massapequa, New York; Rev. Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns, senior pastor of the Second Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia. Special thanks to my wife and partner in ministry, Doris Bourgeois Turner, for her loyal support and encouragement to complete this project.

Finally, I am eternally grateful to the Trinity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for guidance and anointing to finish the second edition for God’s glory.

—Johnny Turner

Abbreviations

AYBC Dahood, Mitchell. Psalms, Vol. 1, 1–50. Anchor Bible 16. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006.

ABE Butler, John G., ed. Analytical Bible Expositor: Psalms. Clinton: LBC, 2012.

JESOT Akers, Matthew R. The Soteriological Development of the ‘Arm of the Lord’ Motif. Journal for the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament 3.1 (2014) 29–48.

KJV King James Version

NKJV New King James Version

NASB New American Standard Bible

NIV New International Version

NLT New Living Translation

SECOTB Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.

TDOT Botterweck, G. Johannes, et al., eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Vol. 17, Index Volume. Translated by John T. Willis. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1974.

Introduction

This book is about how to weather heavy turbulences in life. The theological arena of weathering storms through reading psalms is faith, and faith is the foundation for the other theological words mentioned in this book. Each psalm expresses its theological arena to set the tone and purpose of the psalm. While in college, I was required to read the famous novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neal Hurston, which is about a dangerous storm in Florida. The book’s emphasis was that the characters decided to weather the storm and trust God for safety. God was a shelter for them during the storm. Throughout the book, the characters face turbulence in the rural south.

There were storms of injustice and hard times. There were storms of nature among some of the characters in the novel. They had good and bad days; they kept their eyes on God in every situation. Since this book is about how the characters decided to ride out the storm, it was not easy, but they supported each other until the calm. The strong wind from the storm were mixed with much water, making it difficult to survive. This book inspired me to look at the psalms and focus on how we, as believers today, can ride out storms in our lives when we fully trust God. Even during a pandemic, we are still weathering. No matter how rough the winds and heavy waters challenge us today, we still survive and stand. The storm in Their Eyes Were Watching God was extremely powerful. Therefore, the book is powerful and persuasive as it relates to the selected psalms in this book.

The writers of the psalms are good examples for believers today. They help one focus and see God’s work through the faith of each psalmist. I chose the psalms because they inspired me to read about the power and presence of God in the life of the psalmists. Each psalmist had a unique experience in the eyes of God. The information in Their Eyes Were Watching God is well worth reading, while the eyes of a strong black woman during the Harlem Renaissance touched readers in many ways. The message of her story is a message of hope and determination. There is a rich history in the psalms because all the psalms have a specific message for every situation in life, and a small segment of the psalms has a prophetic statement. The prophetic or messianic messages are in Pss 2, 22, and 100. They convey the true urgency of continual trust in God. The church needs to recalibrate its spiritual timing to listen and hear what the psalms say. Whether a psalm is for singing and melody, praise or worship, each has a specific message and a powerful interpretation for individuals. This book has been a focus in my heart for over fifteen years. My personal story and walk with God helped frame this critical message to the body of Christ. The title, God Is a Strong Shelter, resonated with me. For twelve years, I had one specific prayer request, and God answered in his timely fashion. This book is about how each of the selected psalms discusses how each psalmist experienced storms in their life.

I chose these psalms because they speak specifically about God (Elohim) being a solid shelter during a storm. However, when you see the word LORD it is Jehovah/Yahweh as opposed to Elohim, which David uses far less in the psalms. This theme is woven into every section of this book.

There are two types of storms. First, the physical batteries have a message through nature, such as twisters, hurricanes, tornadoes, sandstorms, ice storms, and snowstorms. Each of these storms affects individuals differently, and they all leave severe damage, both emotionally and mentally.

The second type of turbulence is spiritual warfare. Just as the storms by nature take their toll on society, the storms of spiritual warfare can also do severe damage. Spiritual warfare is when believers take a bold stand against the evil forces that constantly wage war against the body of Christ. It is a continuous battle against the kingdom of God. The plan is to destroy strongholds (see Eph 6:12–18). Every evil attack against the body of Christ is a storm. Jesus clarified that Satan would try and beat the church. Jesus says, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt 16:18, KJV). In every storm, the church must take a stand for Jesus. Just as the eye of the strong wind may be coming our way, remember that the eyes of God are watching us as we go through every storm. Every storm has an eye, and the eye is the eye of danger. We must remember that God’s eyes are the eyes of deliverance.

The only way to survive spiritual storms is to trust Jesus. Trusting Jesus is having faith that God through Christ will always bring believers through bad weather. There are three essentials to face storms: faith, patience, and perseverance. Faith prepares one to stay put, patience prepares one never to give up, and perseverance prepares one to push through the obstacles of opposition. The storms we must go through in life as believers are necessary because three things happen when we go through storms. First, the turbulence makes one stationary; second, it strengthens the believer; third, it stabilizes the believer. Being stationary during a storm is an act of faith to be able to survive and ride it out. When one trusts God, God will provide the strength to move forward in preparation for the next storm.

Every believer should look at the psalms with anticipation for personal reflection and personal privacy with God. Therefore, The book of psalms provides the most reliable, theological, pastoral and liturgical resource given to us in biblical tradition.¹ The writers of the psalms reached out to God in different ways for help and guidance. The psalms consist of hymns, praises, thanksgiving, penitence, lament, wisdom, trust, prayer, oracle, and liturgy. The focus of this book is to deal with selected psalms that have a message when one needs protection and guidance from God. A shelter in the time of a storm is a faith statement of what the God of Israel (Yahweh) will do for those who trust and obey him. One should be reminded of God’s movement in each psalmist’s life (David, the anonymous writers, Asaph, the Korahites, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and Solomon). Each writer had a different experience with God, leaving a different emphasis or theme. For example, David was a man after God’s own heart.

God speaks through the psalms with the assurance that his blessings and protection will avail during trouble in a storm. The psalms were not written to connect to Jews only, but to following generations. For instance, other generations would include other Jewish sects in modern Israel today, Jews in the United States, Christians, and other eras and age groups of different people who need to appreciate the psalms in modern-day life. Churches and other houses of worship must identify and emphasize the relevancy of the psalms. Through blessings, all people will benefit by listening to God’s voice throughout the psalms.

The word psalm comes from the word Tehilim, which means praise. This word is what God meant to the Hebrews: to praise him with all the glory and obedience. It is critical to respect and honor God through living by faith. In the Old Testament, God has been the focal point of the Jewish people. There are different types of psalms; some are liturgy, penitential, wisdom, enthronement, and didactic. For the most part, the psalms say something about God and his goodness, love, grace, favor, and mercy. The God of history can guide his people amid chaos and storms. There is no storm more brutal than God. God knows every storm. He knows every move of the storm, its course of direction, its intensity, and its longevity. In other words, Jehovah knows the storm’s outcome before it comes.

Understanding the importance of the psalms is a challenge for every student of the Bible. The Psalter, another word for the collection of the psalms, and is part of the Holy Scriptures. Every individual psalm identifies with a particular type of psalm mentioned earlier because no other writing in the Bible is more appreciated and loved than the psalms. They are poetic and musical in tone and express excellent theological themes with great excitement and care. It is never challenging to try and understand the psalms in a hurry; one must do extensive reading, meditation, and adequate preparation. The writers spent valuable time writing the entire Psalter. In conjunction with the Old Testament, the psalms is a comprehensive compendium of essential themes of the works and wonder of God in creation, judgment, Israel’s history, salvation, praises, warnings regarding wickedness, iniquities, the presence of enemies, and much of the human condition. Much of the teachings in the psalms reveal the cry for help. The authors of the psalms express God in different ways. The psalms are classified as hymns, songs of adoration, and communal and individual worship. Today, they are relative in the church and have a message for the modern-day church. It must be clear that every psalm within itself is not a division. However, there are five major divisions in the Psalter or books, and each book ends with a doxology. Each doxology aims to conclude the book, emphasizing its theme. Each book is connected to the Old Testament Pentateuch.

Book 1—1–41 (the book of Genesis). Verse 13 of Psalm 41 ends with a double amen: "Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, Amen and Amen." This doxology lays the foundation for the next book. It is the book of beginnings as it relates to Genesis. We are led to salvation by the Lord. We are to remember the fall of man and the need for redemption.

Book 2—42–72 (the book of Exodus). This book also ends with a double Amen but has a devotional emphasis on the prayers of David. It is the book of deliverance from the enemy of soul persecution. This book speaks of how God delivers a nation that has been ruined.

Book 3—73–89 (the book of Leviticus). This book also ends with a double amen from the context of the blessing of God forever. This book is a book of the covenant. It speaks about how God kept his covenant with David. Every believer must remember that God is Holy and deserves to be worshipped and praised.

Book 4—90–106 (the book of Numbers). The doxology of this book ends differently from the above. It ends with an Amen and a hallelujah which denotes strong praise. The book describes the kingdom of Israel and its connection and relation to its neighbors. God rules overall and is a protector of his people.

Book 5—107–50 (the book of Deuteronomy). Since the last book closes out the entire Psalter, it ends with hallelujahs which remind the reader of the significance of the psalms in the history of Israel and today’s church. The book expresses prayers, thoughts, and praise to God for his faithfulness. It connects to Deuteronomy as the captives return to Jerusalem. It is a book with a new focus and a new beginning in the promised land. The modernday church must remain faithful, focus on this book, and obey God’s will.

The Authorship of the Psalms

The psalms are deeply in the hearts of the Hebrew people. The most famous name associated with the psalms is King David. David did not write all the psalms. Much discussion has been about the psalms, their significance to the Israelites and today’s modern-day church, and the condition of the individual’s life. Many writers say that the psalms are the heart of individual emotions and the human experience. When one plans to read and study the psalms, one will engage in the author’s knowledge of the psalms. For example, if you are fearful, read Pss 56, 91, or 23. If you are discouraged, read Ps 42.

The authorship of the psalms paves the way for readers to appreciate and understand the message of each psalm. The Hebrew Bible consists of three major parts: the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and the Writings, and the last part consists of five books known as the poetic books. Psalms are one of those poetic books. It must be understood that when reading the psalms, they are not to be referred to as chapters but just psalms or songs. The collection of 150 psalms spans 1,000 years by approximately eight authors and is cited 116 times in the New Testament. According to the authorship