The first psalm, quite a favourite and for good reason, invites a reader opening the Psalter to study these poems -- the 'law of God', the principles and ethical outline of a cosmic system based on love. The psalmist assures us that such meditations will be a source of great delight. The first steps suggested … Continue reading Psalm 1, 17 Feb 19

Verse 1 in this psalm of praise imagines God sitting supreme in the company of other gods and lesser heavenly beings. Literal or figurative, the sketch has the potential for a "head-of-a-pin" side track about angels and gods. So concentrate on the remaining message -- essentially that we should adhere to ("bow towards the holy … Continue reading Psalm 138, 10 Feb 19

The full psalm, of which we read but 6 verses at this time, touches many of the common ideas sprinkled throughout the psalter; the essential goodness and caring nature of the creator, the rock, the strong fortress; the psalmist seeking succour 'out of the depths' of harsh experience; assurance of a benign protection against inimical powers, … Continue reading Psalm 71, 3 Feb 19

'The statutes of God are just and rejoice the heart' (6) Psalm 19 declares the glory of the divine as seen in the creation. It smoothly progresses to how this declares the presence and influence of the creator, specifically the theme of the similarly numbered Psalm 119, the importance of divine guidance to humankind — … Continue reading Psalm 19, 27 Jan 2019

'Tis the season to be merry, perhaps, but not one for many Sunday psalms. Advent readings naturally enough focus on the experiences and words of the characters in the Nativity play -- Mary, Zechariah and even the voice of Isaiah from 'yesteryear'. Psalm 80 creeps in as an alternative reading and Christmas itself features Psalms … Continue reading Psalms in Advent?

Psalm 25, an acrostic psalm in Hebrew, runs to 22 verses. The alphabetical arrangement is lost in our translations. The psalmist seems to swing between two states, first soaring then penitential. Our selection is the first ten, more aspirational, verses. David then goes on to lament his failings and seek forgiveness in the second half. This theme … Continue reading Psalm 25, 2 Dec 18

'Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.' (12) Book IV opens with the only contribution by Moses to the psalter. Psalm 90 displays his grand vision: ‘For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night’. (4) … Continue reading Psalm 90, 4 Nov ’18

'Seek peace and pursue it' (14) This is an acrostic poem probably intended, as seen in verse 11, for educational purposes: "Come children and listen to me; I will teach you the way of God." David draws on a particular occasion when he avoided disaster to encourage praise and trust in a more general sense: "Many … Continue reading Psalm 34, 28 Oct ’18

'You make springs gush forth in valleys, they flow between hills.' (10) Here we have epic demonstrative poetry, the poet overcome by the glory and power of the creation — and the Creator. The author’s feelings are quite infectious: You are clothed with honour and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch … Continue reading Psalm 104, 21 Oct ’18