Vacationing with the Psalms
Vacations are interesting things. We spend months planning them, save money for them, and look forward to them. Then suddenly we find ourselves rushing through airports, waiting in lines, boarding ships, unpacking suitcases, and trying to make memories before the time slips away. In the rush to relax we sometimes forget the most important thing; time with God.
Recently I received a copy of the ESV Psalms, Hardcover Edition from Crossway just in time to take with me on a family cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. While I intended to review the book itself, the experience became something more. The Psalms became part of the journey.
After arriving aboard the ship with our family and settling into our cabin, I spent some time reading the Psalms before going to bed. Travel days can be exhausting. There is a certain comfort in ending a long day with words that believers have prayed for thousands of years. Psalm 4 seemed particularly fitting:
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
The ESV Psalms (TruTone® over Board, Brown/Walnut) proved immediately useful. It was small enough to slip easily into a backpack and comfortable enough to hold while reading in bed. The hardcover edition feels sturdy without being heavy, clearly designed for use rather than display.
The beautiful slipcase added both practicality and charm. It protected the book while it bounced around in my suitcase throughout the trip, and I know it will add a touch of elegance when the volume finds its place on my nightstand back home. In an age of disposable paperbacks and digital screens, there is something deeply satisfying about a well-made book that invites both reading and reflection.
The next morning I sat on our balcony before breakfast praying through portions of the Psalms as the sun reflected off the water. The vastness of the ocean naturally turns one’s thoughts toward the Creator. Psalm 19 came to mind:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
One of the strengths of this edition is its simplicity. There are no study notes competing for attention. There are no distractions. It is simply the Psalms presented beautifully and clearly. That simplicity made it ideal for prayer and meditation.
Our first full day included a private beach where I continued reading while our grandchildren enjoyed the ocean and water park. Later Kathy and I took a peaceful walk through Central Park, the remarkable garden area in the middle of the ship. Surrounded by trees, flowers, and quiet pathways, it hardly felt like we were at sea.
Psalm 148 seemed appropriate:
“Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.”
One of the gifts of the Psalms is their ability to teach us gratitude. The same God who meets us in suffering also meets us in joy. Sometimes Christians unintentionally create the impression that serious faith means the absence of enjoyment. The Psalms remind us otherwise. God’s people sing, celebrate, feast, worship, and rejoice. Vacations can be acts of gratitude when received thankfully from God’s hand.
The second day brought one of the highlights of the trip: swimming with dolphins.
There was something remarkable about being so close to these creatures. I was kissed by a dolphin, hugged by one, and able to look directly into its eyes from only inches away. Our dolphin was twenty four years old, approximately twice the lifespan many dolphins experience in the wild.
Our grandchildren loved every moment of it.
Experiences like this remind us that creation is not merely functional. God could have made a world that worked mechanically and efficiently. Instead He created a world filled with beauty, wonder, personality, and delight. Dolphins do not merely survive. They play. They interact. They seem almost designed to inspire joy.
Psalm 104 captures this perfectly:
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all.”
That evening we attended what I expected would be a water and light show. Instead, it turned out to be a stunning combination of acrobatics, dance, martial arts, diving, and theatrical performance.
What impressed me most was the coordination. Every performer depended upon the others. Timing had to be exact. Trust was essential. One person’s success depended upon another person’s faithfulness.
The show’s underlying themes involved conflict, struggle, and resolution. As I watched, I found myself thinking about my father. He studied martial arts while serving alongside soldiers from the Republic of China Army during the Korean War and later earned a fourth degree black belt. My youngest daughter, Carissa, also pursued martial arts through the study of Wing Chun. The performance brought back many memories.
Watching the precision and discipline involved reminded me that excellence rarely happens by accident. Whether in athletics, the arts, family life, or spiritual growth, discipline matters.
That evening ended as the first had, quietly reading the Psalms before bed.
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge. . .Stretch out your hand from on high;
rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,
from the hand of foreigners,
whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
– Psalm 144:1–2. 7-8
Our third full day was spent entirely at sea.
There were family activities throughout the day. I rode a giant slide with the grandchildren and even found myself riding a merry go round. My youngest grandson, age eight, attended a children’s activity where he learned to make candy sushi. We gathered for dinner together each evening, something increasingly precious in our fast paced world.
One of the most meaningful moments of the cruise occurred during a tribute to veterans. There was a large American flag, the playing of Taps, recognition of POW and MIA service members, and the anthems of each military branch.
Coming from a military family, this meant a great deal to me.
I thought of my father and the sacrifices made by countless men and women who served our country. Gratitude is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms, and moments like these remind us how much we owe to those who came before us.
Psalm 33 says:
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
As the cruise came to an end, I realized something: We spent three full days and four nights aboard the ship. Yet the trip itself required far more time than that. There was a day and a half getting there and two days getting back. Like life itself, much of the experience involved waiting: Waiting in airports. Waiting in lines. Waiting for boarding. Waiting for meals. Waiting for departures. Waiting for arrivals.
Life often feels that way too. We spend much of our lives waiting for the next thing. The next vacation. The next milestone. The next promotion. The next season. The Psalms teach us that God is present not only in the destination but also in the waiting.
Perhaps that is one reason the Psalms have endured for so many centuries. They speak to every season of life. Joy and sorrow. Celebration and grief. Work and rest. Home and travel.
As for the ESV Psalms, I highly recommend it. Its compact size makes it ideal for travel. The hardcover construction feels durable and well made. The text is clear and readable. Most importantly, it encourages slow, thoughtful engagement with Scripture.
This little volume accompanied me from our cabin to the balcony, from the beach to quiet evenings at sea. By the end of the trip it felt less like a book I was reviewing and more like a companion on the journey. You can order your copy from Crossway by clicking here for $29.99. And don’t forget, you can sign up for their site for free and receive additional discounts.
Vacations are wonderful gifts from God. Enjoy them. Make memories. Laugh with your family. Watch the sunsets. Swim with dolphins. Ride the slides with your grandchildren.
But do not leave Christ behind. Bring Him with you. Better yet, remember that He is already there.
(I received a copy of this Bible from Crossway in exchange for an honest review)
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