For many years of my Christian walk, I didn't "get" the Psalms.  It seemed that most of the Old Testament, in fact, was pretty much expendable.

And so it seems fitting, somehow, that our first two weekly Scripture passages have both been from the Psalms.  Give them a chance, and you'll find that these passages have a lot to say, even about things that seem to be New Testament material, like sin and redemption.

Christians often talk about the work Jesus did, sacrificing himself for us and "redeeming" us - paying for the sins we've committed.  It's something only Jesus could have done; we cannot redeem ourselves, nor can we redeem each other.  Our salvation depends on God.

But this idea didn't begin in the New Testament.  It wasn't something cooked up by Jesus' followers to explain his death.  Take a look at this Psalm to see how even many years before Jesus, the people of God were grappling with this question.  Although this passage is quite somber, pay special attention to the final lines.

Psalm 49:7-15 (NIV)

No man can redeem the life of another
     or give to God a ransom for him--
the ransom for a life is costly,
     no payment is ever enough--
that he should live on forever
     and not see decay.

For all can see that wise men die;
     the foolish and the senseless alike perish
     and leave their wealth to others.
Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
     their dwellings for endless generations,
     though they had named lands after themselves.

But man, despite his riches, does not endure;
     he is like the beasts that perish.

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
     and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
Like sheep they are destined for the grave,
     and death will feed on them.
The upright will rule over them in the morning;
     their forms will decay in the grave,
     far from their princely mansions.
But God will redeem my life from the grave;
     he will surely take me to himself.