‘In your righteousness set me free’ (2) Girl with lyre, Adolf von Hildebrand, c.1910. Alte National Gallery Berlin This psalm 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 … Continue reading Psalm 71, 30 Jan 22

Psalm 19 starts in an affirmative frame of mind. As we read on, phrases resonate in our experience and memories. Anyone who has sung Handel’s The Messiah will certainly recognise ‘Their sound is gone out‘ and have the tune of that chorus in mind (an exciting sing — even if it sometimes feels a little like practising your … Continue reading Psalm 19, 23 Jan ’22

‘Your justice like the great deep.’ (6) The Lectionary chooses the middle section of Psalm 36 which rejoices in love and justice. It omits the first four verses. One can see why but let us look briefly at that absent opening section. There is a voice of rebellion deep in the hearts of the wicked. (1) … Continue reading Psalm 36, 16 Jan 22

The voice of God is a constant and powerful theme in this psalm — thundering over the mighty waters, shaking the wilderness, breaking cedars or flashing forth in flames. True of any era, but the present pattern of wild weather as a result of climate change comes immediately to mind. The psalmist (said to be David) assures … Continue reading Psalm 29, 9 Jan 22