Psalm 19 is soaring and thoughtful poetry. I'm tempted to say 'fantastic': The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes … Continue reading Psalm 19, 4 March ’18
Month: February 2018
Psalm 22, 25 Feb ’18
This psalm appears on Good Friday due to verse 1, which Jesus quoted on the cross, and subsequent predictions: My God, why have you forsaken me? However this reading on Sunday 25 (Lent 2) starts much later in the poem in verse 23. A different kettle of fish altogether, as the psalmist sings a hymn … Continue reading Psalm 22, 25 Feb ’18
Psalm 25, 18 Feb ’18
This song arises on the first Sunday in Lent (in Year B). The reader will find no sack-cloth and ashes, lamentation or the parched airs of the wilderness. Of course, the psalmist was writing long before church administrations established traditions such as Lent. However, someone chose to pop this poem into the Lectionary in this … Continue reading Psalm 25, 18 Feb ’18
Psalm 50, 11 Feb ’18
Psalm 50 by Asaph is quite long. Three sections broadly cover (i) the greatness and justice of God, (ii) the doubtful value of sacrifices and superficial or procedural worship, and (iii) a heavy admonishment to the 'wicked'. The lectionary reading covers the first half-dozen verses only. It boils down (though psalms should never be boiled down) … Continue reading Psalm 50, 11 Feb ’18
Psalms in the South 