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. Here's the … Continue reading Psalm 25, 29 Nov 15
Category: Psalms
Psalm 132 and 93, 22 Nov 15
If you want to concentrate on the Kingship of Christ, then you'd choose the second psalm listed, Psalm 93 (texts>): The LORD is king, robed in majesty, girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. (93:1,2) The associated Old Testament … Continue reading Psalm 132 and 93, 22 Nov 15
Psalm 16, 15 Nov 2015
Most weeks I look up the lectionary and, lacking a reliable (let alone encyclopaedic) memory, the first thing I do is look back in this blog history or my Psalm Library to see what goodies I have in the cupboard from last time. There I find a couple of settings of Psalm 16 and things that I … Continue reading Psalm 16, 15 Nov 2015
Psalm 34, 25 Oct 15
This week's readings are all about restoration after being pulled backwards through that briar bush. Job in the OT reading is happy and rich again and has lots of sheep and children. To add to the sense of drama, the storyteller just has to point out that even Job's three beautiful daughters receive a portion … Continue reading Psalm 34, 25 Oct 15
Psalm 104, 18 Oct 15
Here you have classic arm-waving poetry, the poet overcome by the glory and power of the creation -- and Creator. His or her feelings are quite infectious: Bless God, O my soul. O my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch … Continue reading Psalm 104, 18 Oct 15
Psalm 22 and 90, 11 Oct 15
Psalm 22 is usually associated -- largely due to the quote, 'My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' -- with the shadows of Good Friday and such times of lamentation about our estate. Here, it follows a similar hand-wring from the book of Job. So someone is trying to get our attention. Well there's plenty … Continue reading Psalm 22 and 90, 11 Oct 15
Front fencing 4
It's a while since I introduced the Front Fencing series. I think this is no. 4. An early morning mist hides the far reaches of the canal linking the Somme to the Oise rivers. By the time we take our bikes ashore in Pont l'Éveque near Noyon and ride a few kilometers to the Cistercian … Continue reading Front fencing 4
Psalm 1, 20 September 2015
Psalm 1 is a classic, and a sort of introduction to the psalms. Apart from the clear call for an upright life -- and the inevitable warning to the dissolute, which never includes us -- its fluid poetry is the stuff psalms are made of: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the … Continue reading Psalm 1, 20 September 2015
Psalm 125, 6 Sep 2015
Last week's psalm, asking who may abide on the holy hill, sounded like a song of ascent -- I tossed in Mt Taylor to support that idea. It may have been tagged #ascent had it been written in twitterland, but the formal classification encloses Psalms 120 to 134 -- right after that longest psalm. So this week's 125 … Continue reading Psalm 125, 6 Sep 2015
Psalm 15, 30 August 2015
Psalm 15 (text here>) this week, probably used as an entrance liturgy or gradual, asks who may dwell in God's 'tent' or 'holy hill'. The remaining verses provide a checklist of rather challenging qualifiers, from the grand 'live blameless' to the nitty gritty of 'take no bribes'. The challenge is really encouraging the reader continually to seek to connect with sources … Continue reading Psalm 15, 30 August 2015
Psalms in the South 