Many of the psalms seem to have fag ends of widely varying ideas, statements and twists tossed in that at first sight seem to confuse. Sometimes they meld into a tasty, herbal mix: others just coexist, leaving the reader to ponder. Psalm 107, the first of Book V of the Psalter, has sections that depict … Continue reading Psalm 107, 11 Mar ’18
Psalm 19, 4 March ’18
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
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
Psalm 147, 4 Feb ’18
This psalm, like others in this final handful in the Psalter, is a song of praise, calling us to rejoice in the creation and the ubiquitous evidence of divine love and care. With sudden shifts of focus, a visionary sweep of the universe, the selected text (verses 1 to 11 in Year B) alternate between … Continue reading Psalm 147, 4 Feb ’18
Psalm 111, 28 Jan 18
Psalm 111 is a song of praise in honour of the creative divine spirit whose very nature and deeds are awash in high standards of justice and goodness, "wrought in truth and equity".(8) These important attributes -- standing out like sustaining pillars throughout the Psalter and thus much remarked upon in this blog, much desired … Continue reading Psalm 111, 28 Jan 18
Crystal ball, Feb-March 2018
This 'sticky' post is intended for South Woden readers. Scroll down for weekly blog posts. Subject to the choices of worship leaders, here are ideas for the opening months of 2018. 21 Jan, Ps 62. As explained in the recent post for this week, TiS 33 offers a nice refrain "Rest in God alone", with … Continue reading Crystal ball, Feb-March 2018
Psalm 62, 21 Jan ’18
The first four verses of the lectionary reading (5-12) sketch a divine presence that is strong, constant, and a safe refuge. David invites us to wait with him in silence, trusting in this 'stronghold'. Verses 5 and 6 repeat the first two verses of the psalm, and are therefore an integral antiphon within the poem. … Continue reading Psalm 62, 21 Jan ’18
Psalm 139, 14 Jan ’18
The number 139, at first glance, is an unprepossessing, even lacklustre numerical label; what can be remarkable about 139? But wait! 139 is a prime number and (perhaps at the risk of giving undue credence to biblical numbers games) here we have a prime example of a fine psalm of primary teaching: God you have … Continue reading Psalm 139, 14 Jan ’18
Psalms in the South 