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Seeking the Face of God: Nine Reflections on the Psalms
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple."
-Psalm 27:4, KJV The Psalms are treasures from those who earnestly sought the face of God. They are honest messages of sorrow, joy, praise, and wisdom from real people who experienced real struggles. In the psalmists' words we see their hearts open before God. In Seeking the Face of God , Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks nine passages from the Psalms and weaves them together with the everyday life of the world in which we live. His reflections are practical, powerful, and profound. For those just beginning to study the Psalms as well as those who know them well and wish to consider them from a new angle, this collection of sermons from one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century will move your mind to greater understanding and your heart to deeper worship.
-Psalm 27:4, KJV The Psalms are treasures from those who earnestly sought the face of God. They are honest messages of sorrow, joy, praise, and wisdom from real people who experienced real struggles. In the psalmists' words we see their hearts open before God. In Seeking the Face of God , Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks nine passages from the Psalms and weaves them together with the everyday life of the world in which we live. His reflections are practical, powerful, and profound. For those just beginning to study the Psalms as well as those who know them well and wish to consider them from a new angle, this collection of sermons from one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century will move your mind to greater understanding and your heart to deeper worship.
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2005
61 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
344 books591 followersDavid Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century. For almost 30 years, he was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London. Lloyd-Jones was strongly opposed to Liberal Christianity, which had become a part of many Christian denominations; he regarded it as aberrant. He disagreed with the broad church approach and encouraged evangelical Christians (particularly Anglicans) to leave their existing denominations. He believed that true Christian fellowship was possible only amongst those who shared common convictions regarding the nature of the faith.
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was married to Bethan Lloyd-Jones
Books about D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was married to Bethan Lloyd-Jones
Books about D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 18, 2024
Vintage MLJ. Penetrating. Precise yet affectionate. Epic exposition. Left me in awe of our God. Not sure what else to say but don't let my brevity put you off what is an excellent book. Highly recommend.
April 30, 2014
I must say, this was not an easy read - on one hand. A bit stiff in several places, and sometimes overly simplistic. On the other hand, because it was repetitive and often fairly simplistic, it was too easy of a read. There are little nuggets here, and chunks of valuable ore there. But over all, not quite on the same level as his "Spiritual Depressions" book.
November 29, 2025
Everything I’ve read by Martyn Lloyd Jones is incredible. Each of his books are a collection of his sermons with this one being focused on some of the Psalms. I read this very slowly over many months as I came to each psalm that he discusses. Wonderful. Always highly recommend the teachings of MLJ.
February 10, 2020
An exposition of some of my favorite psalms, by such a careful teacher
January 26, 2023
First sentence: There can be no doubt at all but that the greatest matter confronting every man and woman born into this world is that which is put before us by this statement in Psalm 14. [Psalm 14:1] Nothing surely, can be more important than this question of our relationship to God.
The book is a collection of nine sermons originally preached in 1957 by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It was published in the UK in 1991 and the first American edition of this book was published in 2005. All nine sermons are expository sermons expositing verses and chapters from Psalms. Some chapters are linked closely together--same Psalm, different verses. Other chapters are more loosely connected. All have something vital/relevant to say to the church.
These are *some* of the verses he discusses. I am missing one, sadly, and I thought I was doing such a good job of taking notes. Oh well.
Psalm 14:1
Psalm 50:21
Psalm 84:5-7
Psalm 78:41
Psalm 63:1-3
Psalm 63:1-3
Psalm 16:8
Psalm 27:1,3
Early chapters discuss what it is to be a fool, what makes one a fool, what is the greatest folly, etc. He surprised me a bit--in a good way--by then going on to say what is the SECOND greatest folly. That was a thought-provoking chapter. The answer--to spoil the surprise--is Christians who profess to believe but then live as if there were no God. In the past few decades--2005 or later--this wouldn't be a big surprise. This has been stated in various books. But in 1957, this might have been a jolt to those sitting in the pew. [I don't think this message would be preached from the pulpit these days--unless you are Paul Washer.]
Quote: Is there any greater folly than the folly of saying there is no God? It is the folly of people who say they believe in God but who in the tenor of their lives and in the whole of their conduct daily forget God and live exactly as if He did not exist.
All of the chapters focus on man's relationship with God and God's relationship with man.
I definitely enjoyed reading this one. I decided to read it now [it's been in my tbr pile probably for a decade] because Martyn Lloyd-Jones is quoted frequently in the ESV Church History Study Bible.
Truth doesn't change. Absolute truth doesn't change. So these sermons are relevant and beneficial. Some of his observations and conclusions do seem a tiny bit dated. He argues, for example, that anyone who does not believe in God [aka unbeliever, the lost, unsaved] is lacking a worldview. He insists that they don't have "any path" or "a path" and that mentally they are just lacking a [systematic] way of viewing the world or making sense of the world. I would disagree with that. I think there are MANY, MANY, MANY worldviews prevalent today, actively being promoted today. There are a lot of "isms" if you will.
Favorite quotes:
Some say, "It's unthinkable that God should ever show what the Bible calls the wrath of God. My whole conception of God excludes the very possibility of wrath. I could not believe in a God who shows this anger against sin and the sinner." So they cut it out, and they do that on the grounds that they cannot believe it, because to them it is unthinkable. So you see, it is their thought that determines everything: "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself." They are making God in their own image. So they do not hesitate to lay down their ideas as to what God is like and what He ought to do and what He ought not to do. They give their ideas of the love of God, the wrath and the justice of God, and His righteousness. The whole thing is determined by their own thoughts. So they speak about these things, but their whole attitude toward God and toward religion has no basis and no authority whatsoever apart from their own postulates.
Ten times worse than being outside and saying, "There is no God at all" is going to God and to His house in a formal manner only, and indeed almost with the idea that we are conferring some benefit upon Him. How nice of us! How good of us to have gone to a place of worship! We preen and pride ourselves on it.
You will never make yourself feel that you are a sinner, because there is a mechanism in you as a result of sin that will always be defending you against every accusation. We are all on very good terms with ourselves, and we can always put up a good case for ourselves. Even if we try to make ourselves feel that we are sinners, we will never do it. There is only one way to know that we are sinners, and that is to have some dim, glimmering conception of God.
Christ came into the world and died. Why? To bring us to God. It is all about God. It is not some comfortable feeling that you and I have to strive for; it is not having your body healed or a thousand and one other things. The whole object of Christ and His death upon the cross, His burial, and His resurrection is to bring us to God. And the ultimate test of our profession of the Christian faith is our thoughts about God, our attitude in His presence, our reverence and godly fear because our God is a consuming fire.
There is nothing more awful and reprehensible than to talk about Him and then to forget all about Him, and to live as if He were not there at all. Are you calling upon God for salvation? Have you seen your desperate need of Him? Do you know that you will have to face Him in the Judgment?
Perhaps there will be, as it were, a tape-recording played back to you of all you have said about God and how you have spoken about Him and His laws and declared His statutes. And then it will be read out to you-the things that you have done, the life you have lived, your self-centeredness, your selfishness, the fact that your whole life was not surrendered to God and lived to His glory and to His praise.
It is a tremendous thing to say you believe in God, but look at the implications.
Christian truth is a kind of ellipse, and there is one focus-God; but there is also another focus-man. And if we are to enjoy the experience of this writer, we must be as right about man as we are about God.
Men and women must realize their need, and the only people who know what it is to enjoy the blessings of Christian salvation are those who have already discovered that need. The tragedy, ultimately, of so many, indeed of all outside Christ, is that they have never really seen their need. That is why they have never seen their need of Christ; that is why they do not fly to Him as Savior; they have never seen themselves as they really are.
There is no knowledge of God except in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He is the sacrifice that is placed upon the altar: He has made "his soul an offering for sin" (Isa. 53:10). "I am the way, the truth, and the life," He says of Himself. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
We are God's people, and we are meant to show forth His praises, His excellencies, His virtues. So the question that we must ask ourselves is, are we doing that? Are we individually enjoying the blessings of the Christian life as we should? What do we find as we look back and review the past year?
If we are uncertain about our forgiveness, we are definitely limiting God, and we have no right to be like that. God is our Father, and a father never wants his children to be unhappy, to be uncertain about the relationship-such a thing is inconceivable. So we have this abundant teaching in the Bible to give us certainty and assurance. And if we do not have it, we are guilty of putting a limit upon what is possible.
So if you want to set the Lord always before you, spend much time in regular, daily reading of the Bible. And let it be systematic reading, not just picking it up at random and turning to a favorite psalm and then to somewhere in the Gospels. No; it must be Genesis to Revelation! Go through the Book year by year. I think any Christian should be ashamed who does not go through the entire Bible once a year. Go through it systematically.
God's Word speaks to you-listen to Him, and you will come into His presence. Set Him before you by reading the Bible. You can do this also in prayer-talking to God and listening to Him.
Set the Lord always before you-the Lord Himself, not merely activities in His kingdom-because if you do not do this, you will become very dry in all your activism. Your heart will become cold, and in the time of need and trouble and trial you will not know where you are, and you will be a poor witness to the faith and to the grace that you have received and that you hold.
The book is a collection of nine sermons originally preached in 1957 by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It was published in the UK in 1991 and the first American edition of this book was published in 2005. All nine sermons are expository sermons expositing verses and chapters from Psalms. Some chapters are linked closely together--same Psalm, different verses. Other chapters are more loosely connected. All have something vital/relevant to say to the church.
These are *some* of the verses he discusses. I am missing one, sadly, and I thought I was doing such a good job of taking notes. Oh well.
Psalm 14:1
Psalm 50:21
Psalm 84:5-7
Psalm 78:41
Psalm 63:1-3
Psalm 63:1-3
Psalm 16:8
Psalm 27:1,3
Early chapters discuss what it is to be a fool, what makes one a fool, what is the greatest folly, etc. He surprised me a bit--in a good way--by then going on to say what is the SECOND greatest folly. That was a thought-provoking chapter. The answer--to spoil the surprise--is Christians who profess to believe but then live as if there were no God. In the past few decades--2005 or later--this wouldn't be a big surprise. This has been stated in various books. But in 1957, this might have been a jolt to those sitting in the pew. [I don't think this message would be preached from the pulpit these days--unless you are Paul Washer.]
Quote: Is there any greater folly than the folly of saying there is no God? It is the folly of people who say they believe in God but who in the tenor of their lives and in the whole of their conduct daily forget God and live exactly as if He did not exist.
All of the chapters focus on man's relationship with God and God's relationship with man.
I definitely enjoyed reading this one. I decided to read it now [it's been in my tbr pile probably for a decade] because Martyn Lloyd-Jones is quoted frequently in the ESV Church History Study Bible.
Truth doesn't change. Absolute truth doesn't change. So these sermons are relevant and beneficial. Some of his observations and conclusions do seem a tiny bit dated. He argues, for example, that anyone who does not believe in God [aka unbeliever, the lost, unsaved] is lacking a worldview. He insists that they don't have "any path" or "a path" and that mentally they are just lacking a [systematic] way of viewing the world or making sense of the world. I would disagree with that. I think there are MANY, MANY, MANY worldviews prevalent today, actively being promoted today. There are a lot of "isms" if you will.
Favorite quotes:
Some say, "It's unthinkable that God should ever show what the Bible calls the wrath of God. My whole conception of God excludes the very possibility of wrath. I could not believe in a God who shows this anger against sin and the sinner." So they cut it out, and they do that on the grounds that they cannot believe it, because to them it is unthinkable. So you see, it is their thought that determines everything: "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself." They are making God in their own image. So they do not hesitate to lay down their ideas as to what God is like and what He ought to do and what He ought not to do. They give their ideas of the love of God, the wrath and the justice of God, and His righteousness. The whole thing is determined by their own thoughts. So they speak about these things, but their whole attitude toward God and toward religion has no basis and no authority whatsoever apart from their own postulates.
Ten times worse than being outside and saying, "There is no God at all" is going to God and to His house in a formal manner only, and indeed almost with the idea that we are conferring some benefit upon Him. How nice of us! How good of us to have gone to a place of worship! We preen and pride ourselves on it.
You will never make yourself feel that you are a sinner, because there is a mechanism in you as a result of sin that will always be defending you against every accusation. We are all on very good terms with ourselves, and we can always put up a good case for ourselves. Even if we try to make ourselves feel that we are sinners, we will never do it. There is only one way to know that we are sinners, and that is to have some dim, glimmering conception of God.
Christ came into the world and died. Why? To bring us to God. It is all about God. It is not some comfortable feeling that you and I have to strive for; it is not having your body healed or a thousand and one other things. The whole object of Christ and His death upon the cross, His burial, and His resurrection is to bring us to God. And the ultimate test of our profession of the Christian faith is our thoughts about God, our attitude in His presence, our reverence and godly fear because our God is a consuming fire.
There is nothing more awful and reprehensible than to talk about Him and then to forget all about Him, and to live as if He were not there at all. Are you calling upon God for salvation? Have you seen your desperate need of Him? Do you know that you will have to face Him in the Judgment?
Perhaps there will be, as it were, a tape-recording played back to you of all you have said about God and how you have spoken about Him and His laws and declared His statutes. And then it will be read out to you-the things that you have done, the life you have lived, your self-centeredness, your selfishness, the fact that your whole life was not surrendered to God and lived to His glory and to His praise.
It is a tremendous thing to say you believe in God, but look at the implications.
Christian truth is a kind of ellipse, and there is one focus-God; but there is also another focus-man. And if we are to enjoy the experience of this writer, we must be as right about man as we are about God.
Men and women must realize their need, and the only people who know what it is to enjoy the blessings of Christian salvation are those who have already discovered that need. The tragedy, ultimately, of so many, indeed of all outside Christ, is that they have never really seen their need. That is why they have never seen their need of Christ; that is why they do not fly to Him as Savior; they have never seen themselves as they really are.
There is no knowledge of God except in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He is the sacrifice that is placed upon the altar: He has made "his soul an offering for sin" (Isa. 53:10). "I am the way, the truth, and the life," He says of Himself. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
We are God's people, and we are meant to show forth His praises, His excellencies, His virtues. So the question that we must ask ourselves is, are we doing that? Are we individually enjoying the blessings of the Christian life as we should? What do we find as we look back and review the past year?
If we are uncertain about our forgiveness, we are definitely limiting God, and we have no right to be like that. God is our Father, and a father never wants his children to be unhappy, to be uncertain about the relationship-such a thing is inconceivable. So we have this abundant teaching in the Bible to give us certainty and assurance. And if we do not have it, we are guilty of putting a limit upon what is possible.
So if you want to set the Lord always before you, spend much time in regular, daily reading of the Bible. And let it be systematic reading, not just picking it up at random and turning to a favorite psalm and then to somewhere in the Gospels. No; it must be Genesis to Revelation! Go through the Book year by year. I think any Christian should be ashamed who does not go through the entire Bible once a year. Go through it systematically.
God's Word speaks to you-listen to Him, and you will come into His presence. Set Him before you by reading the Bible. You can do this also in prayer-talking to God and listening to Him.
Set the Lord always before you-the Lord Himself, not merely activities in His kingdom-because if you do not do this, you will become very dry in all your activism. Your heart will become cold, and in the time of need and trouble and trial you will not know where you are, and you will be a poor witness to the faith and to the grace that you have received and that you hold.
September 13, 2017
This book was hard to get into, but I was reading Narnia at the same time, so that was a bit of a sabotage, haha. It gets better as you read though, chapter 8 was my favorite of 9.
Here are some quotes from that chapter:
P140 "There is nothing that I know of, next to reading the scriptures themselves, that is more profitable in the Christian life than a careful, constant reading and study of Christian biography."
P140 "this particular psalm is one of the messianic psalms...'I have set the Lord always before me.' That was how Jesus himself lived...Observe His life of prayer."
P143 "We must constantly look at those things [the Lord] and gaze upon them."
P 144 "We have to decide - we must determine - because if we do not, our lives will be governed by the circle in which we live."
P 149 "What poor foolish creatures we are! The essence of Christianity is to bring us into fellowship with God. By living, by dying on the cross, and by rising again, Christ has made it possible for us to live and walk in fellowship. Enoch walked with God. So did Noah. Abraham, the friend of God, walked with God as well. And you and I are meant to walk with him in this world. What a privilege! 'Truely our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' (1 John 1:3)
While it was my favorite chapter I do possibly have one criticism of it:
He says, "Genesis to Revelation! Go through the book Year by year. I think any Christian should be ashamed who does not go through the entire Bible once a year."
That's not really a Biblical mandate, so he seems to be trying to bind the conscience where there is freedom, but maybe he's being hyperbolic.
I do see value regularly reading through the whole Bible though.
I can't remember who it was, but in one of the biographies I've read, I think it might have been George Mueller, he read through the Bible over 200 times in his life.
All in all it was a good read! Good job Dr. Lloyd-Jones!
Here are some quotes from that chapter:
P140 "There is nothing that I know of, next to reading the scriptures themselves, that is more profitable in the Christian life than a careful, constant reading and study of Christian biography."
P140 "this particular psalm is one of the messianic psalms...'I have set the Lord always before me.' That was how Jesus himself lived...Observe His life of prayer."
P143 "We must constantly look at those things [the Lord] and gaze upon them."
P 144 "We have to decide - we must determine - because if we do not, our lives will be governed by the circle in which we live."
P 149 "What poor foolish creatures we are! The essence of Christianity is to bring us into fellowship with God. By living, by dying on the cross, and by rising again, Christ has made it possible for us to live and walk in fellowship. Enoch walked with God. So did Noah. Abraham, the friend of God, walked with God as well. And you and I are meant to walk with him in this world. What a privilege! 'Truely our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' (1 John 1:3)
While it was my favorite chapter I do possibly have one criticism of it:
He says, "Genesis to Revelation! Go through the book Year by year. I think any Christian should be ashamed who does not go through the entire Bible once a year."
That's not really a Biblical mandate, so he seems to be trying to bind the conscience where there is freedom, but maybe he's being hyperbolic.
I do see value regularly reading through the whole Bible though.
I can't remember who it was, but in one of the biographies I've read, I think it might have been George Mueller, he read through the Bible over 200 times in his life.
All in all it was a good read! Good job Dr. Lloyd-Jones!
March 15, 2024
Great book every person who believes in Biblical Christianity or anyone who is looking for meaning in life. Jones takes a look at how 9 Psalms relate to every day life. If one has a problem feeling secure, then have a read his thoughts on Psalm 84 - even a swallow has found a nest to raise her young. When we feel lost we now how good it is to get home. Also, Psalm 84 is the "Highway to God" - our relationship with God needs to be built like a highway in our heart - takes time and effort and the "bulldozer" of the Holy Spirit to remove the debris. Comments on Psalm 63 are probably my favorite - he devotes two chapters to seeking and knowing with certain your relationship with God. What it means to be in the presence of God(he also has a chapter on Psalm 16:11). When we are in his presence all seems to be at peace - he recites a poem by George Wade Robinson - "I am His and He is mine". A must read that is incredibly soft and beautiful ushering our hearts into new depths with God. What great assurance! To quote Jones "The life of so many today is entirely aimless. They do not really live-they just exist". God definitely has plans for all of us.
April 8, 2020
This book is a collection of nine sermons delving into the Psalms by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He was a Welsh pastor called to England's Westminster Chapel just in time for World War II. He became the lead pastor and continued to preach there for 30 years. After stepping down at Westminster Chapel he continued to preach in Wales until 1980.
His books were, I believe, all published from his sermons after his death. Although recorded long ago, they are still powerful talks relevant to the events of today. Given the fact that he lost a brother to the 1918 flu epidemic and preached through out all of World War II in London his words carry great encouragement today.
The chapters are powerful and practical as they seek to bring the reader to a deeper communion with God. I read them slowly and found great enjoyment, peace and learning. It is a book that I look forward to reading again!
His books were, I believe, all published from his sermons after his death. Although recorded long ago, they are still powerful talks relevant to the events of today. Given the fact that he lost a brother to the 1918 flu epidemic and preached through out all of World War II in London his words carry great encouragement today.
The chapters are powerful and practical as they seek to bring the reader to a deeper communion with God. I read them slowly and found great enjoyment, peace and learning. It is a book that I look forward to reading again!
June 24, 2021
"The trouble with all of us, in this world, is that we tend to be absorbed in life, and life sees to it that we never are given a moment to think and to meditate and to ponder." (pg. 47)
I do not know why it took me two years to finish this book. I very much enjoyed it. The author's writing is accessible, engaging, and friendly. He digs into small portions of Scripture in exactly the way I like to dig into Scripture. But Lloyd-JOnes DOES expect meditating and pondering, as in the quote above. I found I wanted to spend more time with it...to absorb it...in a way that pushed me away whenever I didn't feel the time was available.
I'll put this one on my shelf and return to it at a different phase in life.
Suitable for anyone who wants to engage with a select few Psalms (14, 50, 84, 78, 63, 16, 27) more deeply.
I do not know why it took me two years to finish this book. I very much enjoyed it. The author's writing is accessible, engaging, and friendly. He digs into small portions of Scripture in exactly the way I like to dig into Scripture. But Lloyd-JOnes DOES expect meditating and pondering, as in the quote above. I found I wanted to spend more time with it...to absorb it...in a way that pushed me away whenever I didn't feel the time was available.
I'll put this one on my shelf and return to it at a different phase in life.
Suitable for anyone who wants to engage with a select few Psalms (14, 50, 84, 78, 63, 16, 27) more deeply.
March 7, 2020
Another of the great books from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taken from his sermons from his pulpit in London that contain Nine Reflections on the Psalms. The one key point he stresses is the most important thing in a person's life is, Do You Know God. And that is the God of the Bible. The author shares his insights and challenges the reader to answer difficult questions in their life and their relationship to God. He takes us on a journey through the following Psalms.
Psalm 14:1 - The Folly of Unbelief
Psalm 50:21 - Dead Religion
Psalm 84:1-4 - The Sparrow and the Swallow
Psalm 84:5-7 - The Highway of God
Psalm 78:41 - Limiting God
Psalm 63:1-3 - Though Art My God
Psalm 63:1-3 - Seeking Certainty
Psalm 16:8 - Always in His Presence
Psalm 27:1, 3 - Seeking the Face of God
A great book I recommend to all.
Psalm 14:1 - The Folly of Unbelief
Psalm 50:21 - Dead Religion
Psalm 84:1-4 - The Sparrow and the Swallow
Psalm 84:5-7 - The Highway of God
Psalm 78:41 - Limiting God
Psalm 63:1-3 - Though Art My God
Psalm 63:1-3 - Seeking Certainty
Psalm 16:8 - Always in His Presence
Psalm 27:1, 3 - Seeking the Face of God
A great book I recommend to all.
September 30, 2018
I read this book slowly and thoughtfully because it deserved it. It started out a little slow for me in the first chapter but it picked up and grabbed my attention the further into it I got. This book is a collection of sermons that Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached on the Psalms. He takes nine passages and brings them into the everyday life we live. His teachings are not only practical but profound. His overall purpose is to bring us to a place of deeper communion with God and show us how to truly worship Him. Lloyd-Jones has long been one of my favorite authors and this book is now one of my favorites among his writings. It not only deserves to be read but also applied.
August 29, 2014
The Psalms are some of the most beloved portions of Scripture. Throughout the Psalms, we find honest and forthright appeals to God in the midst of trouble, thanksgiving for all He has done, as well as a constant focus on seeking God despite whatever life may bring. Seeking the Face of God: Nine Reflections on the Psalms is a collection of nine sermons by the great pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones, each serving to unpack how the nine Psalms discussed in this book and in these sermons serve as constant reminders of the need to look to God in joy and sorrow.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a gifted preacher who is able to drive home the underlying message of Scripture and most importantly to provide those who listened to his sermons and those who continue to appreciate his works with the ability to apply the truth of Scripture to all of life. Seeking the Face of God is another in a long line of powerful works from Lloyd-Jones.
To seek the face of God involves an active motion that is to be focused on God. Throughout Scripture we can see that when the creation is properly focused on God, the result is God’s favor being poured out on creation. Conversely, when the creation rejects God and turns their face and actions away from God, His favor is also turned away from the creation. This reality is also noted frequently throughout the Psalms.
Lloyd-Jones rightly notes in his reflections on Psalm 14:1 that true wisdom can only be found when one seeks after God, the source of true wisdom and understanding. He rightly notes “Though people may have great brains and may know a number of things, they may still be governed by their lusts and passions and desires, and that is why they are fools.” The opposite of such a perspective is a life lived in complete acknowledgement that a life lived seeking after God “has joys and pleasures to give us that the world does not know, even here and now. And as you go on in it, it gets better and better; and as you begin to contemplate the end, you are not frightened of death and the grave.”
I also appreciated Lloyd-Jones’ thoughts on Psalm 84:1-4, specifically the reality declared by the Psalmist that the greatest pursuit of life is the enjoyment of the blessings that can only come from a life dedicated to pursuing God and glorifying His name. Lloyd-Jones aptly states that religion is “a question of knowing God. It is not primarily a matter of living, nor is it just a question of a good life or of doing good. No; the essence of religion is to know God.” The Psalmist repeatedly reminds believers of the blessedness that comes in knowing God. This is such an important concept to grasp, especially for those such as myself who are self-proclaimed theology nerds. While it is one thing to dig into the Word of God and to have a solid understanding of theological terminology, such things are of no merit unless they lead to a deeper relationship with God. There is a vast difference between “knowing God” and Knowing God, seeking after His face with the utmost passion. Lloyd-Jones ensures the reader is constantly reminds of that important fact. Just as the sparrow finds satisfaction and a “home” with her young, so too can we find satisfaction, peace and satisfaction in the fact that God longs to have a relationship with His children.
One final message I found truly inspiring in this book was Lloyd-Jones treatment of Psalm 16:8 – “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Once again, Lloyd-Jones drives home the message of seeking after God’s face. In a world of great uncertainty, we can find a source of unending strength in the presence of the Lord. Lloyd-Jones does an excellent job of unpacking what David meant by the term “set”, specifically in how that term relates to our posture towards God. He avers that “Setting obviously implies a determination. It includes an act of the will. It implies a very definite decision.” Thus, setting the Lord always before us requires effort day in and day out, the active directing of every aspect of our lives to the things of God. Lloyd-Jones concludes this excellent message on Psalm 16:8 with a salient reminder that the very essence of the Christian life is relationship with God noting “By living, by dying on the cross, and by rising again, Christ has made it possible for us to live and walk in that fellowship.” When trials comes our way, we can have great comfort that through this fellowship and the setting of the Lord always before us, there is truly nothing that can separate us from God.
I highly recommend this collection of sermons by Martyn Lloyd-Jones to all believers. Contained within these messages is a well developed elaboration of what it means in both a theological and a practical sense to seek after God. The reader will find themselves challenged to jettison folly and worthless pursuits and to instead, replace those pursuits with a constant focus on glorifying God and growing deeper in their walk and relationship with Him. is a book I know I will return to time and again.
I received this book for free from Crossway Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a gifted preacher who is able to drive home the underlying message of Scripture and most importantly to provide those who listened to his sermons and those who continue to appreciate his works with the ability to apply the truth of Scripture to all of life. Seeking the Face of God is another in a long line of powerful works from Lloyd-Jones.
To seek the face of God involves an active motion that is to be focused on God. Throughout Scripture we can see that when the creation is properly focused on God, the result is God’s favor being poured out on creation. Conversely, when the creation rejects God and turns their face and actions away from God, His favor is also turned away from the creation. This reality is also noted frequently throughout the Psalms.
Lloyd-Jones rightly notes in his reflections on Psalm 14:1 that true wisdom can only be found when one seeks after God, the source of true wisdom and understanding. He rightly notes “Though people may have great brains and may know a number of things, they may still be governed by their lusts and passions and desires, and that is why they are fools.” The opposite of such a perspective is a life lived in complete acknowledgement that a life lived seeking after God “has joys and pleasures to give us that the world does not know, even here and now. And as you go on in it, it gets better and better; and as you begin to contemplate the end, you are not frightened of death and the grave.”
I also appreciated Lloyd-Jones’ thoughts on Psalm 84:1-4, specifically the reality declared by the Psalmist that the greatest pursuit of life is the enjoyment of the blessings that can only come from a life dedicated to pursuing God and glorifying His name. Lloyd-Jones aptly states that religion is “a question of knowing God. It is not primarily a matter of living, nor is it just a question of a good life or of doing good. No; the essence of religion is to know God.” The Psalmist repeatedly reminds believers of the blessedness that comes in knowing God. This is such an important concept to grasp, especially for those such as myself who are self-proclaimed theology nerds. While it is one thing to dig into the Word of God and to have a solid understanding of theological terminology, such things are of no merit unless they lead to a deeper relationship with God. There is a vast difference between “knowing God” and Knowing God, seeking after His face with the utmost passion. Lloyd-Jones ensures the reader is constantly reminds of that important fact. Just as the sparrow finds satisfaction and a “home” with her young, so too can we find satisfaction, peace and satisfaction in the fact that God longs to have a relationship with His children.
One final message I found truly inspiring in this book was Lloyd-Jones treatment of Psalm 16:8 – “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Once again, Lloyd-Jones drives home the message of seeking after God’s face. In a world of great uncertainty, we can find a source of unending strength in the presence of the Lord. Lloyd-Jones does an excellent job of unpacking what David meant by the term “set”, specifically in how that term relates to our posture towards God. He avers that “Setting obviously implies a determination. It includes an act of the will. It implies a very definite decision.” Thus, setting the Lord always before us requires effort day in and day out, the active directing of every aspect of our lives to the things of God. Lloyd-Jones concludes this excellent message on Psalm 16:8 with a salient reminder that the very essence of the Christian life is relationship with God noting “By living, by dying on the cross, and by rising again, Christ has made it possible for us to live and walk in that fellowship.” When trials comes our way, we can have great comfort that through this fellowship and the setting of the Lord always before us, there is truly nothing that can separate us from God.
I highly recommend this collection of sermons by Martyn Lloyd-Jones to all believers. Contained within these messages is a well developed elaboration of what it means in both a theological and a practical sense to seek after God. The reader will find themselves challenged to jettison folly and worthless pursuits and to instead, replace those pursuits with a constant focus on glorifying God and growing deeper in their walk and relationship with Him. is a book I know I will return to time and again.
I received this book for free from Crossway Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 4, 2017
I began reading this book as I was writing a devotional on the Psalms and finished it many months later. Upon finishing this book I feel immediately as if I need to reread it. This book was challenging and encouraging but I am nearly convinced that I did not glean even half of what it has to offer. Four chapters stood out to me during this first reading: The Highway of God, Limiting God, Seeking Certainty, and Always in His Presence.
August 24, 2019
Wow, I got a lot out of these nine sermons by Lloyd-Jones. Gave me a new perspective on these Psalm’s, with an abundance of practical truth for growing in Christ. I’m sure it would benefit me to read this little book more than once a year. I’m pretty slow but it was a quick read for me. Departed from this earth long ago but “the doctor” Lloyd-Jones is now experiencing in full what he could only preach about in the 1960’s. Highly recommended for us today.
April 14, 2025
While there were good nuggets in this book, I had a very hard time getting through it. It’s a compilation of sermons and I could definitely tell. I think I had a hard time reading it because of that. Martin Lloyd-Jones was very concerned about Christians living out the blessing we have in Christ that intimacy with him brings. I liked that it was relationship focused between us and God. I might get more from it if I reread it another time.
December 14, 2017
I found a copy of this book in England this summer, and I was thrilled because I never saw it before. I read it very slowly because the truth of personal faith and communion with God through Jesus Christ was so deep and convicting. I will be re-reading this book a few times.
November 6, 2020
Vintage DMLJ. Clear-headed, heart-warming and soul-stirring. Always contemporary. He saw the cul-de-sac of post-modernism before there was post-modernism. Terrific. He scatters stars with both hands.
July 11, 2021
This is another great read by Dr. Lloyd-Jones.
I have outlined it and refer to it frequently.
I have outlined it and refer to it frequently.
September 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Reading the psalms devotionally has always been a bit difficult for me, but the author does a good job with practical exposition of the text.
February 3, 2023
This book was great as a supplement to my daily Bible reading. I highly recommend it.
April 17, 2023
Love love love Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I could read him nonstop. So truth-filled, so encouraging, so practical.
September 5, 2011
I so much enjoyed this book. The nine reflections were broken out in chapters,
1.) The Folloy of Unbelief-how some say there is no God.
2.) Dead Religion-Believers that believe in God, but live their life that there is no God.
3.) The Sparrow and the Swallow- The blessing of a Godly life thru knowing him.
4.) The Highway of God- My strength is faith in the Lord, where I find my purpose in life.
5.) Limiting God- In our unbelief and failure to live by his word.
6.) Thou Art My God - His promises that I cling to that I can say to whom shall I go to but thee. To be set apart.
7.) Seeking Certainity-Eagerness to follow hard after him. To experience God, we must learn to enjoy him with all that we have and all that we are.
8.) Always in His presence-Because the Lord's eye is always upon me and mine shall be upon him.
9.) Seeking the Face of God-I am no longer self-confident in myself because I know the truth about myself. My confidence is in the Lord.
Each chapter focused on a psalm with deep application and a majesty of our Lord. You finish the book in the awe of who God is and what he has done.
1.) The Folloy of Unbelief-how some say there is no God.
2.) Dead Religion-Believers that believe in God, but live their life that there is no God.
3.) The Sparrow and the Swallow- The blessing of a Godly life thru knowing him.
4.) The Highway of God- My strength is faith in the Lord, where I find my purpose in life.
5.) Limiting God- In our unbelief and failure to live by his word.
6.) Thou Art My God - His promises that I cling to that I can say to whom shall I go to but thee. To be set apart.
7.) Seeking Certainity-Eagerness to follow hard after him. To experience God, we must learn to enjoy him with all that we have and all that we are.
8.) Always in His presence-Because the Lord's eye is always upon me and mine shall be upon him.
9.) Seeking the Face of God-I am no longer self-confident in myself because I know the truth about myself. My confidence is in the Lord.
Each chapter focused on a psalm with deep application and a majesty of our Lord. You finish the book in the awe of who God is and what he has done.
May 19, 2010
"Make it the central thing of your life to gaze upon God, to arrive at a knowledge of Him that will be intimate and personal, a communion with Him that will ravish your heart and cause your soul to rise up to HIm. Let us praise Him and put ourselves entirely and completely in His hands.
And if you do this, you will find that He will be your light, your salvation, your strength and power, your never-failing refuge."
-page 172
And if you do this, you will find that He will be your light, your salvation, your strength and power, your never-failing refuge."
-page 172
December 30, 2013
Lloyd-Jones journeys through some of the Psalms in this nine-sermon series first preached at Westminster in 1957. With his usual style and candor, Lloyd-Jones examines what these passages reveal about the universal human condition of sin and how they instruct God’s people during times of hardship and despair. He also shows how many contemporary hymns echo the truths of the Psalms. In typical fashion, Lloyd-Jones remains a helpful and profitable read, worthy of the time invested.
December 17, 2014
I wasn't blown away by this book like I have been by the other MLJ books I've read. It seemed less like he explained the specific Psalms and more like he just found them a convenient jumping off place for his discussion of Christian topics. As usual with a man so erudite and wise, there is much insight in this book.
August 24, 2012
Some of the sermons in this collection are excellent. The book almost deserves 5 stars just for the last chapter alone. Other chapters are just okay. I think a couple of the sermons are a little repetitive.
May 15, 2022
I read it in the last ten years. Second time through appreciate the scope of Scripture used in expounding Psalms, with very practical and timeless exhortation to seek the Lord. Very sound and fairly plain, surprisingly some 65 years after preached (1957).
September 28, 2016
What an excellent and encouraging book. Lloyd-Jones is masterful in his use of language, oftentimes drawing upon one word in a psalm and teasing out its meaning, implications, and applications for our lives. The book exults in God, is rooted in the gospel, and is much-needed food for the soul.
July 7, 2011
very practical
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August 13, 2013FINISHED READING
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