Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Book of Psalms is far more than ancient poetry—it’s the prayerbook of the Church and a vital guide for encountering Jesus. In this episode, we interview Chad Bird, author and scholar who specializes in teaching the Old Testament to Christians. We ask a variety of questions related to his newest book "Untamed Prayers." We explore why the Psalms are essential for Christians today. We discuss how the New Testament interprets the Psalms, the connection between David and Jesus, and how to see Christ even in Psalms that aren’t quoted in the New Testament. We also talk about the beauty of reading the Psalms in Hebrew, the intentional structure of the book, and how the Church Fathers used the Psalms for formation and devotion. From wrestling with the language of enemies to learning how to pray through every season of life, this episode is a call to dive deeper into the Psalms and meet Jesus there.
Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God.
Untamed Prayers - 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms: https://a.co/d/eeZ9ilM
WHERE TO FIND US
Join our Bible Study: patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights
Podcast: buzzsprout.com/2268028/share
Website: hebrewbibleinsights.com
Chapters
0:00-0:42 Intro
0:43-3:03 Why Psalms is important
3:04-6:40 How the New Testament interprets Psalms
6:41-11:19 Thinking about David and Jesus
11:20-15:53 Seeing Jesus in Psalms even if the chapter isn’t quoted in the New Testament
15:54-22:05 Insights from Reading Psalms in Hebrew
22:06-30:48 Intentional ordering of Psalms
30:49-33:45 Psalms as the prayerbook of the Church
33:46-37:24 Church Fathers and Psalms
37:25-41:04 Prayerbook of the soldiers of Christ
41:05-45:12 Encountering Jesus in Psalms
45:13-52:38 Understanding “enemies” in Psalms
52:39-56:08 Admonishment to read the Psalms
The Book of Psalms is far more than ancient poetry—it’s the prayerbook of the Church and a vital guide for encountering Jesus. In this episode, we interview Chad Bird, author and scholar who specializes in teaching the Old Testament to Christians. We ask a variety of questions related to his newest book "Untamed Prayers." We explore why the Psalms are essential for Christians today. We discuss how the New Testament interprets the Psalms, the connection between David and Jesus, and how to see Christ even in Psalms that aren’t quoted in the New Testament. We also talk about the beauty of reading the Psalms in Hebrew, the intentional structure of the book, and how the Church Fathers used the Psalms for formation and devotion. From wrestling with the language of enemies to learning how to pray through every season of life, this episode is a call to dive deeper into the Psalms and meet Jesus there.
Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God.
Untamed Prayers - 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms: https://a.co/d/eeZ9ilM
WHERE TO FIND US
Join our Bible Study: patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights
Podcast: buzzsprout.com/2268028/share
Website: hebrewbibleinsights.com
Chapters
0:00-0:42 Intro
0:43-3:03 Why Psalms is important
3:04-6:40 How the New Testament interprets Psalms
6:41-11:19 Thinking about David and Jesus
11:20-15:53 Seeing Jesus in Psalms even if the chapter isn’t quoted in the New Testament
15:54-22:05 Insights from Reading Psalms in Hebrew
22:06-30:48 Intentional ordering of Psalms
30:49-33:45 Psalms as the prayerbook of the Church
33:46-37:24 Church Fathers and Psalms
37:25-41:04 Prayerbook of the soldiers of Christ
41:05-45:12 Encountering Jesus in Psalms
45:13-52:38 Understanding “enemies” in Psalms
52:39-56:08 Admonishment to read the Psalms
