The devil took Jesus to a high place and said: “Jump! You’ll be fine … …  for it is written, ‘God will command the angels to protect you; on their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’Luke 4:9-11 Psalm 91 is where 'it is written'. That … Continue reading Psalm 91, 10 March 2019

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

This ‘sticky’ post is intended for South Woden readers If an elaborating post for the coming Sunday does not appear below, go to the Index pages in the menu for previous commentary Year C begins and Advent is adventing already! If you can take the lead for one week, sing verses or just turn up, … Continue reading Crystal Ball, Advent year C