Amidst robust language calling for vengeance and discipline, the psalmist impatiently (another "How long?") laments injustice and social degradation that society -- people -- can inflict on the poor, unlucky or disabled. The target of his or her anger is 'the wicked' who in turn cause ill to widows, migrants and orphans: They crush your people … Continue reading Psalm 94
Month: September 2016
Psalm 137, 2 Oct 16; Babylon
Note: The readings this week are from Lamentations, with the alternative choices of Psalms 137, the subject of this post, or 37. See an earlier post for Psalm 37. By the rivers of Babylon -- there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. (Ps. 137:1) We may not remember Zion, but having often sung … Continue reading Psalm 137, 2 Oct 16; Babylon
Psalm 57
As in Psalm 14, 39 and so many others -- David asks for mercy and sings the blues when he hid in a cave from enemies 'with sharp tongues' who 'dug a pit' for him. As he hides in the cave, David imagines the parallel of divine love as refuge for the soul. If you think you have seen … Continue reading Psalm 57
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is not only a Song of Ascent (the third) but also one of pilgrimage to the centre of divine love and justice. Psalm 120 told a sorrowful tale of living afar amongst alien people; the next one 121 starts the journey to Jerusalem ("I lift up my eyes to the hills...'); and finally in … Continue reading Psalm 122
Psalm 47
Journals and web-sites are usually crowded with advertisements, often blinking and distracting our attention from the object of interest. Whether the sponsorship is identified or not, the reader soon learns to recognise the difference. Some of the psalms, like Psalm 47, have an uncomfortable ring of triumphalism or nationalism about them. When the poem calls … Continue reading Psalm 47
Psalm 113, 18 Sep ’16 Alt.
Many parables in the New Testament propose an inversion of social climbing rules; the first shall be last, the proud shall be humbled, the outcast preferred, all you need is love. After an introductory song of praise -- in this case without invoking the usual evidence of mighty deeds -- the writer of Psalm 113 recorded a poetic … Continue reading Psalm 113, 18 Sep ’16 Alt.
Psalm 79, 18 Sep 2016
This song by Asaph voices a communal lament for the defeat of Jerusalem, seeking safety and justice until the people can "give thanks forever from generation to generation". It's another "How long?" song, themes taken up by many song writers including Canadians Steve Bell and Linnea Good. The psalter is riven through with songs of the blues and … Continue reading Psalm 79, 18 Sep 2016
Psalm 56
The introduction to Psalm 56 is quite something: To the leader [music director] according to [to the tune of] The Dove on Far-off Terebinths [a type of tree; perhaps this is a comforting reference to the Valley of Terebinths where David fought Goliath]. Of David. A Miktam [meaning unknown], when the Philistines seized him in Gath. … Continue reading Psalm 56
Psalm 129
The tenth of the Psalms of Ascent (text) regrets the oppression of the people of God. The psalmist recognises that God is the source of goodness but seeks shame on the oppressor. At the distance of some millenia, it's easy to suggest sniffily that he or she should have been more forgiving of Israel's enemies. However, the psalm was … Continue reading Psalm 129
Psalm 46
This is one of those short songs studded with some quite memorable lines, such as: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble (v.1) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God (v.4) Be still then, and know that I am God (v.10) It also has … Continue reading Psalm 46
Psalms in the South 