The Psalms don’t just tell stories of victory, they carry the long memory of God’s faithfulness. In this episode of Listening Porch, Ray Hughes and Eric explore what it really means to be a psalmist. Not just a songwriter, but a person whose life becomes praise. From David’s victories and failures to our own moments of shame, response, creativity, and redemption, this conversation reframes worship as something lived, not performed.

We talk about:

- Responding to God instead of reacting - How victory flows from God’s faithfulness, not self-effort - Why language, art, music, and creativity access God’s presence - Being a psalmist whether you sing, write, paint, or simply live faithfully - Seeing your life as God’s testimony in the earth - This episode takes the pressure off “doing praise right” and invites us to simply be the praise.

--

Join Selah Creatives: Get access to all of Ray’s online courses, teachings, monthly live Zoom gatherings, and a community of over 100 like-spirited creatives → selahonline.teachable.com/p/selah-creatives

Support Ray on Patreon: Receive his personal poetry, prose, and creative writings not shared anywhere else → patreon.com/rayhughes

Visit Ray's Website: RayHughes.org

What does it actually mean to be a psalmist?

In this Listening Porch conversation, Eric and Ray reflect on #44 from 107 Things I Forgot to Say the Last Time I Talked About Worship, Creativity, and Music. Together, they explore how the psalms are more than songs. They are stories of real lives lived before God.

This episode dives into tension and release, lament and praise, and how David’s psalms documented moments of fear, desperation, trust, and deliverance, often before the victory was visible. We talk about how creativity gives language to the soul, why honesty matters in worship, and how remembering God’s past faithfulness shapes future hope.

Whether you’re a musician, writer, artist, or simply someone learning how to express your walk with God, this conversation invites you to see your life as a song still being written.

On a cold November porch in Alabama, we talk about deserts, waiting, creativity, and why God often speaks beyond the narrow parameters of thought. A conversation about stillness, listening, and finding beauty where we least expect it.

--

Join Selah Creatives: Get access to all of Ray’s online courses, teachings, monthly live Zoom gatherings, and a community of over 100 like-spirited creatives → selahonline.teachable.com/p/selah-creatives

Support Ray on Patreon: Receive his personal poetry, prose, and creative writings not shared anywhere else → patreon.com/rayhughes

Visit Ray's Website: RayHughes.org