Who God Is

A Study of Psalms, Prayers and Declarations

This book is an invitation.

An invitation to slow down, to listen, and to remember.
Who God Is, A Study of Psalms, Prayers and Declarations

My name is James Paulson. Like many people, my faith has been shaped not only by what I have learned, but by what I have lived. Over time, I found myself returning again and again to the Book of Psalms, not looking for instructions or answers, but looking for God Himself.

The Psalms are honest prayers. They hold joy and grief, confidence and songs of hope, praise and moments intended for silence. More than anything, they reveal God’s character. Again and again, they tell us who God was, who God is, and who God will be.

As I read through the Psalms intentionally, I began to notice repeated themes. Descriptions of God’s faithfulness, mercy, nearness, strength, patience, justice, and love. These themes became lenses I can use to remember Who God Is, especially in seasons where prayer felt difficult or my own words felt thin.

This book grew out of that practice of intentionally looking for Who God Is described as, through Psalms. Looking at each chapter and verse to see who everyday people referencing Who God Is to them.

Each section gathers common themes found throughout the Psalms and reflects on what they reveal about God’s character. Scripture references are included to anchor each theme in the biblical text, followed by prayers and declarations that speak directly to Who God Is.

These prayers are not instructions or formulas. They are declarations of what scripture says. They are meant to help name God as He has revealed Himself to be, before asking Him to do anything. Because He knows what we need before we ask. So instead of telling God what you want or need, I invite you to learn with me how to reposition our hearts before God.

This book can be read slowly or revisited often. It can be used for personal prayer, reflection, or quiet reading. My hope is that it helps you remember Who God Is, especially in moments when faith feels stretched, waiting feels long, or words feel hard to find.

Before we ask.
Before we explain.
Before we try to fix anything.

We remember, Who God Is.