What the Psalms Taught Me About Spiritual Narcissism

Teaching through Psalms over the course of the last months has been a joy. Yet, it reminded me of one of the greatest challenges in Bible study: the challenge is to listen to the Word of God rather than simply using the Psalms as a book of verses to solve a random set of personal psychological challenges.

The Danger of Using God

We respond seriously against the thought of being used. In David Copperfield, Charles Dickens created one of his most impressive villains: Uriah Heep. A man of humble origins, Uriah attaches himself humbly to the honest practice of Mr. Wickfield. At the start, he seems a humble servant, but over the course of the story it becomes clear that Mr. Heep is anything but humble. He was using Mr. Wickfield to swindle him out of everything he owned, as well as the hand of his unwilling but lovely daughter. Heep saw the Wickfields as a target to manipulate for his own benefit.

One of the ways in which we approach Scripture in the modern church is to view Scripture as a set of random prescriptions:

• Psalm 23 when you are worried
• Psalm 91 when you are sick
• Psalm 139 when you feel lonely

It is a legitimate way to interact with Scripture, but if it is the only way we interact with Scripture, we are in danger of spiritual narcissism — a sulking and unsatisfactory state of affairs that brings a person to stand before the God of the universe and ask, “So what do I get out of this?”

The Central Theme of Scripture

This is far worse than old Uriah Heep taking advantage of dear Mr. Wickfield. When our world shrinks down only to include our own interests, the main theme of Scripture and the central need of our souls are lost.

We must understand that God is the most important reality in all the world, seen and unseen. His will, provision, and glory are the primary concern of all existence. Anything that puts us at the center of everything is sure to bring misery.

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.” — Psalm 115:1

The Message of the Psalms

This brings us, really, to the central theme of the book of Psalms. From beginning to end, this book reminds us that God’s glory is the one needful thing that truly matters.

Whether we find ourselves in situations of pain and want or fullness and joyous satisfaction, we are only in a good place when the Lord and His glory are at the center of our lives.

The Psalms teach us not merely to seek comfort from God, but to become instruments of praise to His wonderful name.

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” — Psalm 73:25

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” — Psalm 150:6