Psalm 117 is a surprise on several counts. Short and sweet First, as the shortest psalm in the bible, it consists of but two verses -- and just two songs later the longest psalm 119 sports 176 verses! These two verses are nevertheless important ones, presenting statements of the universality of all peoples or nations, and … Continue reading Psalm 117
Month: August 2016
Psalm 80, 14 August 2016
Psalm 80 (selected text here>) makes a relatively frequent appearance in the Revised Common Lectionary. It is listed in all three years, sometimes twice, and has been thrice discussed in this blog already -- see entries in the Index Book 3 page. (The alternative reading is Psalm 82, which I described in a recent blog as 'fundamental teaching … Continue reading Psalm 80, 14 August 2016
Psalm 39
Psalm 39 is a song reflecting on the short span of life -- 'a few hand-breadths ... a mere breath'. (verse 5) It is not formally included, as is the preceding Psalm 38, in the list of seven penitential psalms. (Neither 38 nor 39 make it into the Lectionary.) 39 could well qualify, however, as one of … Continue reading Psalm 39
Psalm 35
Psalm 35 has been omitted from the lectionary, probably as a 'special interest' poem -- in this case for those who have been slandered or victim of deceit and such injustices. Hopefully most readers will not suffer such pain too often and may not identify with the psalmist and the song; but it does happen. … Continue reading Psalm 35
Psalms 33 and 50
Giving due precedence to the set psalm, the title above should read 'Psalms 50 and 33'. However, you can read about 50 in a blog in February 2015. This post looks more at 33 which has not been covered previously. This is a song of praise, one of the few in the first two books of the psalter. It … Continue reading Psalms 33 and 50
Psalms in the South 